The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-09
PEWS IN PLYMOUTH CHURCH.

ANNUAL SALE AND DIMINUTIoN OF INCOME.
The voice OF tho auctioneer last night heard
sounding above the olive wood desk whence Mr..
Beecher weekly addresses the Deity on behalf OF his
people. Tho tho annual sale OF the pews
Plymouth Church, which, at this every year
revert TO the trustees and severay sold to tho
highest bidder whoever he may to be. Mr..
Bcecher usually makes witty speech before the sale
and general air Of joIlity charac,erizcs such
casions Last night there was a largo audience
present, but the proceedings wore intensely mat
ter OF TACT and business like that those who to
laugh remained 10 yawn Tho bidding was less spir.
tied than usual the prices less Each pew
has liked rental, and the object OF the auction
Is to sell tho privilege OF precedence In TO-
sons tns pew a% SD tho seo'ysa Os
obtained at the sales have swclled this amount
tain years to moro than five times that In 1870
the total receipts were $703lo 5o in 1876 they fell or
$63 $50; 1877 they still further appreciates
TO s47,a96 80, and last night the premiums
o a Su sasea bcns rents a, m o
$40 ACT so FROM tue amount received last year Mr.
Il. Clafiin is regarded the weulth,est member
Mr.. Beecher's flock, and he usually pays handsome
premium TO secure the first choice OF pew Last year
the privilege cost him $780, but last night he contented
himself much to tho surprise OF the assemblage, with
the third choice Tor which he paid $500 Mr. II. W.
Sage secured the first choice last evening In pay
ond for 5000 and Colonel II. c. King paid $3.50 Colo
mel Beccher. of tho pastor, secured modest pew
Tor 500 premium and DR.. Edward Bcecher, the
PASTORS brother. contontcd himself with out Of
the way situation at the comparatively slight cost
Of 500
THE SALE.
At seven O'Clock MI. Beecher came TO the front of
the platform and made brci address, concluding
folows:-
you have had IN your pcws IN the year that has
gouc by and trust that all OF may be able
the sanctuary as our fathers used to call it, and
trust that your fellowship IN this church may be
as profitable as In the year gone by. Although
have always been a stubborn man on tho ndepcnd-
ence OF the pulpit, and tor my rights when l have
stood in this place, there is day IN tho year
l am ged 10 give way another man. and SO II is
my privilege now to give way TO gentleman who
tar than l can, will interest you this even
ing" Mr. Beecher's broad taco broke into q
smile. and, turning 10 where tho uuctionecr sit
tiny, inquired "Whero Is the modest manY" The
gentleman addressed forward, and, laying his
tor's trip TO Europe with Captain Duncan-begaD the
sale. "What l oiforod for the lrst cho!cef"
me ohen rwa rsR ana y Of
voices broke in with "Three hundred" "Fve bun
dred' and give hundred and ive." Tho latter bid
was made by Mr.. II. W. sage aud no one seeming DIS
posed TO contest tho privilege any further, II
awarded 10 hun. The second choice only brought out
Two bidders, OF whom the highest was Mr.. Charles
Clalln bought the third choice for $500, and
Colonel Aoratio G. King Tho fourth Tor $3.50
loving brought $3.50 each. Alter that the prices
ran gradually lower, only thirteen other gentlemen
paying as much as SZO0 each premium. Inc pews
Tor which about sac premium Is generally paid
brought relatively hi CHER prices, und In some
stances premiums almost high as those of last year
were paid. IL nearly hall past ten O'Clock when
the last bidder made H0bsons cn0lcc In the selection
OF bis pow, and the sao was over
Mr.. Beecher WIS present throughout the evening"
and went from one portion OF the church TO another
chatting famiiiarly with his friends. AT the opening
OF the sale he stood the side OF tho PLATFORM and
seemed TO be intensely Interested IN the first sale
When after only Two or three Indifferent bids mad been
maze the first choice sold Tor 500 less than last
year he turned slowly away and appeared 10 take
further interest in the proceedings.