The New York herald., 1877-01-07
CORNELIUS VANDERBILT.
Born May 27, l794
Died January 4, 1877.

DR. DKRMs VIEW or MR. BKrcHER's REMARKS.
HERALD reporter yesterday, during CONVERSE
ton with Dr. Deems asked the reverend gentleman II
he had read Mr.. Beecher's remarks Mr.. Vanderbilt
at the Plymouth prayer meeting. He replied, "Yes"
When asked what he thought OF them he said:'Pubic
speakers are SO often misrepresented, even by con-
scieutous reporters that willing hold any
gentleman account tor what he reported to have
sand until find that he undoubtedly used the express
sions imputed to him. confess dd not like the
tone of Mr. Beechcr's talk. could most heartily
ond ali that he said OF the good MIR.
BLISS; but. the two men were not to be COM
marks struck all the unpleasanty
because know that when the cloud lay most heavily
on the Plymouth pastor and the evidence against him
seemed to be accumulating and thousands we're de-
pouncing him; while many OF his brethren in the min
istry praying him, of whom the Commodore's s
pastor was one the Commodore himself always spoke
most kindly OF Mr. Beecher. and excrted his ingenuity
TO invent methods TO parry the force OF the evidence
Rrrayed the other side. He always ready for
cuses for Mr. Beecher. Being myself on friendly rela
tons with the Plymouth pastor, and sympathzIng,
trust do, with all ministers Of the Gospel in their
troubles, | delighted TO this disposition
In the Commodore Ii was much agreeable
men OF the world are. The Commodore Tor years
had been cherishing that charity that thinkeih no
evil Hypocrisy, unchartsbleness and cowardce
were conspicuously absent from the man.
III regret the apparent unkndness oil Mr.. Beecher's
pemarKs because think he kind hearted and would
not go out OF his way 10 disparage dead man, who
when living, invited Mr. Beecher TO his house
time when every kind act must have been valuable to
MIR. Beechcr."
As to Mr Beecher's remark that it would have
been better Tor the Commodore to have sung hymns
thirty ycars ago, DIR. Deems said:-'I happen to
know that the hymns he sang were no new iavorites
Of the Commodore, that he was committing them to
memory when Mr. Beecher was IN his cradle. He had
lately repeated one long hymn which none OF US had
ever heard ana which was copied by his vile under
hrs repeated correction Recently the family came
in possession OF old hymn book winch
wc found the very hymn. and the accuracy
Of the Commodorcs memory seemed most mar
velioas H. was ,u mistake A IN Mr. Beeeher
as he could get about, never sang any hymns, but
when he got crippled and could not DO anything more
then he sang hymns. The second time was
his house he asked that there should be singing, and
while II was going on glanced at him and tears
rolling down MS cheeks.
IL am gad our mutual fricnd--no, don report that
phrase; SEQ might be msunderstood--l am glad
The Rev Lyman Abbott made statement in tho prayer
meeting to show tnat Mr. Bcechcr hud done the Com
modore injustice. ! think there must be some MIS-.
take IN the report. | am sure Mr. Beechcr could never
intend TO do injustice TO a dead man. II Is not like
him..
THE WILL TESTAMENT.
In what manner Mr.. Vanderbilt has disposed OF his
COLOSSAL fortune Is mere matter oil conjecture as yet
The will will be opened Monday Said OF the
nesscs to the document To HERALD reporter yester-
1ay IN speaking on the subject:-''It will probably be
glven 10 the papers for publication after being read
Where II Is to be read cannot say, but probably II
will be at the late residence OF the deceased all the
family being present
1.-The Will drawn up about two years ago, and
does not II is said, materially dDcr from pre-
viousy made II was the last OF about twenty which
he had made and destroyed. cannot enter into the
"details OF the will until after the family have
they are yet IN the dark about IT'S provisions. The
Commodore. the speaker added. ''was indeed char
table man, which significant remark would indcalc G
liberal bequests to various institutions The great
bulk Of the wealth WILL II is belived, 20 to William Il.
Vanderbilt. some estimating his share as high as
$50. 100000