Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-12-29
Beeeher Making Confessior..

NEW YORK, Dec. 2s.-At the close o.
MS sermon this morning, Mr.. Beeche
referred to the dissatisfac ton in Ply
mouth church over his course in til,
Presidential campaign, and especially
to bis remark that II all those who had
VIC lated the seventh commandment
should vote for Cleveland his majority
would be 200, 900. "I don't know" ht
said, how extensive the trouble Ia,
don't care about knowing who the
discontented members are, or whether
they number four, Eve or forty, but
there has been serious disquiet in re.
gard to me, although not In regard to
my ministrations. As to my late DO.
lftical course l felt that the great party
which will 60 down to history crowned
with honor for its works would receive
the last blossom Of honor If 1t brought
In sentiment Of unity and love for
every part Of the country. This was
the very best thing to be done. l was
bitterly disappointed when this was
not thought Of God is my witness,
would have shed tears Of Joy and laid
down my life II only the Republican
party had put into its platform q vel.
come N the south and had made q
Southern man one of its great candi.
dates. l was in dead earnest in the
canvass. That did everything wisely
don't say.
II don't undertake to say that made
speeches which / do not now regret.
There are two things bound to be con-
fessed, one On your part and one on
mine. You should not have taken one
inpetuous speech and have drawn it
T.
shame for you to have done 1t, and 1t
was shame for me to have said that
which could have led men as wise as
you are and women as good as you are
into making that Interpretation. l in
no way undervalue the sanctity Of
chastity and the purity Of the house.
hold life. Time will do me justice. So
far asI my political judgment and en-
deAvors were concerned they have my
unfeigned appreciation, but 30 far as
the execution Is concerned I acknowl-
edge that mistakes and errors were
committed, and am sorry for them
and apologize for them.
As to the future: II the best men
are going to leave, If anybody feels
that he can NO longer be edited, don't
let him sneak away let him come up
openly and tell me so and l will give
him my best blessing.
As far as the pew-renting is con.
cerned 1t Is said thatI am to be rebuked
by diminution of the funds. You
can't rebuke me in that way. 1 would
be glad to have the funds for pew.rent-
ing al large or larger than they were
last year, but If they are cut down one
half I will say to the trustees Gut
me down, too, and cut down every
thing I came here on 81 800 q year
and can 60 back to 81 800 year and
live happy, and If you can't afford to pay
me that l will support myself. Let
the pew. renting take its natural course
and then we will cut our coats accord
ing to the cloth. The trustees will not
find mea stumblingblock.
II majority or an important min
nortty Of the members feel that they can
no longer receive sustenance and bene-
fit from my preaching and do not 20
away | will relieve them. In the spirit
OF true Christian manhood I will go.
But If the great majority of the church
wish me to stay, 1 will die with you and
nothing will drive me away from you.
l can live on good deal less than am
now living on. Ifyou want me you
can have me, but you have got to re-
ceive me not on pitchfork, but on the
palms Of your hands. never laid q
pipe In my life."
Mr.. Beecher was several times inter-
rupted by applause.