Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-12-02
Thanksgiving at Plymouth Church,

The morning does not come in very bright
ly in New York. The first snow Of the sea-
son is falling bringing more JOY to the chil-
dren than to the church gocr. We read in
the morning Herald that Mr.. Beccher will
deliver an Grafton touching upon political
and national affairs, as viewed from 4 Chris-
tan standpoint, at Plymouth church, and to
Plymouth church we 20. Crossing Fulton
ferry i, is bu, short walk TO Orange street
and the plain brick church. One wonders
a, its old fashioned, New England look a.
viewed from the outside. and can hardly be-
lie,e that Mr.. Beecher preache, here, i, con-
,ras,s so strongly with Dr. Halls and DR..
Chapin's and the other churches Of New
York in which the great preachers conduct
the services.
After a certain amount Of waiting and
crowdng We are ushered to good sea, in
the lower gallery, aRi the wonder at the
plainness of the edifce grows as we look
about. The old bible on the desk partakes
Of the same plainness. A well worn, leath-
er bound volume. upon a simple wooden
stand. The clock on the wall can be worth
but few dollars at best. The seats no bet
ter in point Of cost than our churches at
home. The great organ is not beyond its
surroundings. The windows are large and
cold, the squares resembling those Of a coun-
Try farmhouse in size. Everything has a
cordial old fashioned look, and We feel very
much at home watching the house as it rap
idly fills. Quite soon the speaker enters.
As he passes up the steps to the pulpit he
paLses half way, losses his ha, upon the
platform before him, where it remains dur
ing the service. speaks to an officer Of the
church and passes on to his chair. The
flowing hair seems thinner and winter than
few years ago. Ones thought are some
what strange. as he looks at the great ora
tor. He thinks Of the numbers who believe
him hypocrite, Of the numbers who believe
him true; Of the great men, Of the minis
tiers who condemn him, and wonder if envy
has anything to do with il, and then Of
course il ministers can be envious. One
thing is sure no man on this broad CONT
nent has raised his voice higher for the OPP
pressed Of every cline. In this he has been
brave man and man Of power. Freedom
and intelligence have had noble friend in
him. Bigotry, Ignorance and caste a mighty
enemy. He will speak to-day not alone to
this audience but over the world. Does the
knowledge of this fill him with pride and
arrogance and will it be traceable in his man.
ner? These thoughts and others come to
US in the few moments that intervene. The
choir sing a voluntary and our neighbor,
who is . musician tells US it is fine. Then
the preacher prays. With language as SIM
pie ~ the church, be clothes wishes that are
lofty and grand. All are remembered, the
poor and the wicked more eloquently than
any, and one finds his prejudices fading as
he pleads SO fervently for all. The hymn is
given "Savannah' and from . thousand
threats or more the old hymn is sung. The
text is from Matt. 5-14. aye are the light
Of the world, city that is set on . hill can
not be hid" America 10 his theme. it, place
in the world, it, influence over the world.
The whole drih i for freedom. He spoke
Of The tsrihls punishment our people bad