The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-15
GROJyLING Ar REI:CIf ER.
The whispered beginning OF the Disintegrn-
ton OF Plymouth Church.

An immense multitude attended the SER
vices In Plymouth Church yesterday morning |;
oyerv seat was filed and crowded groups in
yaded the pulpit stairs. On the platform were
several vases filed with flowers. chief of which
was huge bunch OF inharmoniousy arranged
dahlias. As the clock showed 1890 tho organ
began. As yet Bcecher had not arrived. nnd. as
Ia customary. noisy whisperings filed the
house. Ten minutes passed with no sign Of the
coming man. Surprise opened up to discon-
tent and Brother Camp ildgctcd on his music
stool. looked down Mt Chief Fugeman King.
and consulted his witch. Tho bell stopped
tolling, and Brother King said so that many
heard him. why don't you sing?" Just then.
heated and rcd the pastor appeared. hurried
up tho steps, slung his hat under the table. sat
down hard. and shut his eyes tight
As the choir rose to sing the opening anthem
a stir was observed at the rear door. Every
body turned to see what was the matter. The
deacons and ushers craned their necks. the ro-
portcrs were alert. and Brother S. V. White left
his sent. walked ", the aisle. and beckoncd As
he did so a little lady pushed her way through
the mass NJ unscated visitors. and hcaining all
over slowly advanced 70 mect Mr. Wnitc. She
was very fashionably dressed. and wore huge
stones IN hcr ears. Sol,v @ tioutns @ y WI se .ne
rrcogni ized her as Mise Emma Abbott. who had
como in long after the hour, and instead OF en-.
tcring by the front door. where no one would
have socn her. chose the rear door, which un.
fortunately opens In the face and eyes OF oil
After The little matter had becn properly adj
jusied the service proceeded. The anthem WINS
well sung hy Mrs. Iazlr- -Sindwcll. Mr., Nerren-
rath. Mr.. Camp, Miss HoluroOk. and the choir
aitcr which. in a noticenfly trembling voice
Mr.. Beechcr read from the scriptures and made
q short prayer. In the hymns that followed
the extrcmest type Of. Congregaiionalsm was
ahundantly illustrated. In other words. each
individual Is free and Independent OF every
one else THIS was especially nouccable IN the
Lazar- Studwcl shouted. and the vast audience
led by no one in particular and every one IN
Nothing could be more entertaining than q
calm and unprcJudiced observation oi the llnd
Of brothers and sisters on this OCCASION. For
tunately II was shouting hymn; IN" organ
manipulated hy the veteran Iundel, was esn"'
ci'hly lively and tremendous. and II really
seemed at one time "a II IN" race between II. th'
choir. and the people must necessarily have .
disastrous result. As 1t was. only one woman
fnintrd and ms she was in the gallery IL creutrd
no marked sensation. As Beerhrr well SAYS
this sor; Of thing makes Il cOuEregnilon ire
right. Alter violent exercise OF the KIND They
settle down. sei-contentol and pleased and IL
happy frame Of mind for what follows iron
the preacher
As the time for rc-rcntng the pcws draws
near, the managers feel somewhat nervous. At
tachrd rs the people are to Beocher, they are
unwilling L. pay larg" prices unless they y.
what they bargain for. Many OF B"r'h"r'
that produces dis>ati -iaction. II was excuse,
last wear and year before because the great trln
involved great eNp"us'. and 10 was deemed onll
| fair that Becchcr should have opportunity Y
| earn. 10y lccturlnI. the tremendous nmouhs hl
| had to pay 10 counsel ami witnesses. But /
| WIS distinctly under-tooi then that this year a'
| that was to be changed. ln-ieud of that. thi
| church was without its pastor tor neariy iv'
| months. and part of the time he was with then
| very many of his people were ia tho country
| His more Immediate friends are forced 10 al
| init the injustice Of the Arrangement. but thei
| answer is twofold First. Bcccher's a publ
| man, and his duties are not confined to Ply
mouth Church second. for all pastoral dutic
| you have DR. Halliday. To this the answer
| are: First. we pay Bcocher 100000 a year ior
| wears service. minus his regular vacation an
second. we don't want Or. Halliday.
| One OF the leading members ol the churcl
| said yesterday: Tho grumunng and disaai IS
| fnrtion are constant. They Will certainly aifcc
| on Rccchrr- behalf. II Is urged that he neve
| did do pastors duty. He WAS always AYERS
| to making calls. lie u not a -atis factory visit
| or TO the sick His forte is not in talking I
| sunday schools. and his public duties are NOR
| than any man can endure.
| What the up-hot Will lie is n problem. Ply
| mouth Church is unquestionuNly devoted (
| B"e"hcr, but the members want nm, and not
| substitute. Fifty dollars is puid every timc
| brother clergyman takes hrs place, aad In Ger
! tain SENSE dlsintngration is slowly setting 10
! day school. H., Bethel Mission. and the May
! flower Mission are virtually iu the hands Of Nj
| Halliday. and il i now serious uur sion A. I
! how the peculiar attitude Of the regular pusto
| can he made equitable in the oyes Ok his Gcner
Gus and devoted puIlShiOuer-.