The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1882-02-11
Notes Of Summer Travel.

Notes of Summer Travel.
Plymouth Church and its Pastor-Fashion-
of Gotham. - a-- 81.
BROokEfN, june IA, 1881.
NJ DEAR NELL:
d Will yop hks p hear something Of one
Sunday in Brooklyn Harry was eager
that should hear whom he considers
the two great lights Of the place, Tai
mage and Beecher. I, by the way, do
not at all agree with him but 1 yielded
submissively, to his desire, and Sunday
morning we went to Plymouth Church.
Together with many others, we, were
kept waiting some time at the door be.
fore We were directed to seat. The
house was crowded. say "honse quite
for could not associate
the place with church it reminded me
SO strongly Of 4 theatre, and the large
choir gathered in the gallery above Mr..
Beechers head had an orchestral effect,
though there was no instrument but the
organ, and the performers "wcrc above,
instead Of below. The music was fine,
yet not comparable to some have heard
It was several moments after Mr.. Beech
or stood up and begauto pray that 1 dis
covered the fact lie spoke i'll a low tone,
and the vast congregation gave small
sign. Hero aud there a fan or handker-
chief was raised to the face, or the eye
lids decentiy dropped, occasionally a
head bowed, but .asfI looked over the i'm
nense congregation Isaw one great mass
of uptnrned, staring, careless faces, not
one knee bowed-they had even discar-
.ded that very fashionable method some
times observed i'll the South, of resting
the head comfortably OIL the back of the
next pew. was about to kncel, Nell,
but l felt 10 spirit of worship in me, and
,reRecting that I'd be very apt to- listen
curiously to Mr.. Beecher's prayer and
defesting, empty forms, resolved to sit
bolt upright, like the rest.
Mr.. Beecher's sermon was fine, of
course. Having read some of his printed
sermons, was neither surprised nor dis
appointed. like his theme-Christian
love, and its antithesis, petty malignity
in thought and word. Ho made a pow
erful plea for Christian liberty, dwelt
upon the mutual bitterness and enmity
among the hundreds of sects into which
Christendom is divided. All! Nell, it is
toe true! When the Church Of Christ
was one, she went forth conqnering and
to conquer; but now that the seamless
robe Of Christ is rent in twain and those
named with His name scatter through a
hundred warning sects, see the result! Can
the worlLever bes won;to the Saviour when
His people have cast aside the very
badge of their disciplesEipi "By this
shall all men know you for My disciples,
that yo have lore one to another"
But am depressing. Mr.. Beecher, i'll
conclusion, spoke quite touchingly o1
the strong effort it had always cost him
to lire this Gospel that he preached My
thought recurred to the great trial that
agitated the public mind some years ago
Not being at all fond of dirt, Nell, never
read about it or formed any opinion con
cerning the subject Of 50 much comment
If he be indeed the innocent victim ol
such cruel, unspeakable malignity, and
has forgiven all freely as the Master did
he is worthy our highest reverence NJ
doubt it is hard Judgment, yet I con
fess to estimating him, somewhat, by th'
congregation he has gathered aronnt
him. Is it possible that man filled
with the spirit of devotion and fervo
and conservation to the service of hi
Lord, can infuse none of that spirit int
followers 50 enthusiastically attached t.
him! As it was, one felt chilled by tn
! coldness Of the place. No emotion seemed
to stir the great thing, except whel
! something humorous was said, and al
unsurpassed litter spread through th'
house. Why, Nell, I'm told that Beeehe
and Talmage are sometimes applauded
think of it: thought as ] looked abou
me: 'sSurely, among all these people
there must be some deep, devout souls
rhat outlet can they find ~
| The nastor of Symmetrical NJ. I