Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-05-19
TALKING TO TALMAGE.
His Beautiful Home, With a View Of Nell
--.What Ne Thinks Of Leaving the
Presbyterian Church.
Dispatch to couriqr-Journal.

Special Dispatch to Courier-JOurnal.I
New YORK, MAY 15.-Your core
spOndent TO-DAY called upon the Rev.
7. Dewitt Talmage in his home, at
No. l South Oxford street, Brooklyn,
to inquire relative to his alleged de-
termination to leave the Presby terian
denomination on account of the Dur.
suit of him BY some OF the leauing
ministers Of the BroOkly Presbytery.
DR.. Talmage lives in a {our-story
brown-stone house, with a cupalo,
having six glass sides, Gaping the
roof. Here, on a movable stool, he
might sit aud, swinging around. scan
the horizon from the oceans blue to
the crest of the jersey hills in the far
distance. 1t is related Of him that he
delights to mount uD to this coop at
night and contemplate the miles of
cities about him, sparkling v TIL gas
lights, which over some portions of
New York City send up = iurid glare
as though Satan had opened a window
for some fresh air, and his furnaces
we're sending out some of their fire. |
may as well confess TO having stolen
this extrayagant thought f;om DR..
Talmage. His house commands an
enchanting view of the tortuous paths
winding about the hill of Fort Green
Park, just across the avenue from his
residence. An air Of domesticity per
yades the house. The pictures are
hope-like and familiar, and the long
mirrors, the graceful ornaments, the
easy furniture, seem to be designed to
welcome and not repel guests.
Talmage cane in, roaring wit
laughter. He had received from all
hands the expression that bis speech.
Just before he broke loose from the
presbytery after his acquittal. was one
of the best thines he had ever deliv-
cred, although 1t had made his an
tagonistie brethren almost wild with
rage. The Lords field is big enough
for us all to work in without striking
hoe handles, he said "and, if | am
cultivating my field and tending to it
in my own way, | don't see why any
body should leave the work in his own
field and come over to interfere with
me just because | don't work as he
does. Three or four ships MIGHT as
we'll quarrel at sea because there is
not water enough. The church only
touches the rim of the great mass Of
people who need its help"
Have you concluded to leave the
Presbyterian denomination? :" asked
your CORRESPONDENT.
There has been nothing settled
about that yet. My ties to that de,
nomination we're never very strong
and they are weaker now than ever
before but it seems 10 me that tho
one-man power which has so long con.
trolled the Brooklyn presbytery ha.
been broken. | had to meet a soliC
body against me when | went to thai
ecclesiastical court. The Lord ha.
led me through. | was raised ~ 81
that | am not much of a sectarian.
can't tell what church | will choose
The largest part Of my congregation
are of New England rearing. and ar,
inclined to the Cons, egational form q
government. When the smoke of tn,
conflict clears away, we will talk tn,
matter over. OF course it will not b,
pleasant for us to remain in tn,
Brooklyn presbytery."
The venerable Dr.. Spear, who wa
Talmage's counsel in the trial, and j
one Of the editors Of the IndeDendent
has fallen quite in love with TalmagC
although, when he did not know hin
, 50 well, he confesses that he Gale.
: him a buffoon and spoke s%tronpl
2 against him. DR.. Spear went to hea
HIM preach on Sunday, and said tba
it it was necessary to testify his re
: spect and admiration for DR.. Talmag
any further he would change hi
church relations and become a membe
Of the Tabernacle.