Daily Republican., 1881-01-10
Mr.. Becchel's Pew Auction.

Before the sale OF pews at Plymouth
Church, Brooklyn, began Tuesday, Mr..
Beecher said:
We have from year to year derived from
this sale revenue adequate TO the Ordi
nary expenses Of this church, and, al
though they are large, 1t may have
seemed to some as though it were desir-
able that less should be collected. |
may perhaps be permitted to say that
In the extraordinary expense to which
this church was put by its being per-
secuted very large amount Of money
not far from s200, ,000-was expended
In defending itself and Its pastor, and
that when you consider that this mon
ey was largely raised by subscription,
and that only when the council was
called, the largest council ever conven-
cd on the continent Of America, all the
expenses of which--traveling expenses
going and coming, and maintenance
while here--were also met by this
church, which entailed a burden Of
debt-internal debt--which has never
been spoken OF, but which exists not
withstanding-nearly 100000. 1t was
owed to ourselves, for IL was borrowed
from the memorial fund, and through
the very close administration of cur f.
nancial affairs; which we owe to thC
President of the Board OF Trustees, Mr.. |
Il. B. Clafin, that debt has been red 10.
e1 $40, 900. OF course II Is not a debt
that can plague us, but it is one we
very much desire to have paid off. II
will give place to the orator ofthe even
ing. And give place, feeling as no
body else can feel. This church was
born In my arms; | have been It's only
pastor. am in vigorous health, but
when a man has come TO my time Of ]
life we are admonished that he may be
called away from earthly work at any
time, and when from year to year | look
out at this gathering, I have q strong
feeling that when the year comes round
again shall look at it from q different
sphere. Bat God willing am in life
and health, and God willing, / shall
BE- able TO sdminister to you as have
in the past to the best OF my ability.
ou will bear witness that for thirty
four years there has never besn quar-
rel nor squabble In this church.
There has never been in this congrega-
lion, made up Of big headed, vigorous
men, men capable of driving their own
business without help from any body
there has never been one quarrel or
and | have rever been asked
% reconcile anybody to anybody else.
times Of war and times OF
great public disturbance this church
las always been free from strife, and
hink that this is due in the goodness
# God to the essential benefit you have
lerived from the preaching OF the Cog
,el. This is something worthy of re-
ord. Let us be grateful to God for the
sst and enter eu another year with
learts full and consecrated to duty"
The auctionser, Mr.. 4. f. Hoyt, then
ook Mr.. Beecher's place. A childish
'oice in the back part of the church
rev all eyes ttat way by its temerity
n bidding $3.50 against Mr.. ClalhIn's
900 for first choice, but the President
t the Board Of Trustees "raiaed him
mother $780," and the youngster stay
ed. Mr.. Clstiin took pew No. SO.
Again, gentlemep," said the auction
sr, and the boy bidder at once called
ut, "$50O." This was raised by $5OI
nd $25 bids until $675 was reached,
he boy getting the pew this time and
hoosiug No. 81 for his father, s. vi
White. Mr.. White himself bid oil the
ext pew, and chose No. 81 for vii.
am Belden at sG75. Agustus storrs
,ok the next at $500, and choose No.
"a. Deacon Hutchinson came next
nd secured No. 100 at $400. The
.ls went on, the peTs bringing much
igher prices than were given last
sar.
The sale ended at 10 o'clock, the to-
i premiums amounting to $29 ,536.
ast year the total premiums were $27,-
"A. Added to the premiums are the
ntals for the pews and sisle seats,
hich amount to $l2, S25. The total
venue OF the church this year, there.
re, will be $42,S62, as against $40,- r
o last year. ~