The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-25
TROUBLE IN BEEoHER,s CHURCH.
Political Feeling Likely to Cause the With
drawal of Many Members.

New York Special.
Henry Ward Beecher is in the midst of a
serious time in his church. The annual pew
renting here will occur Tuesday, Jan g. and
thirty leading pew-holders have announced
their determination to leave the church and give
up their pews because of Mr.. Beecher's stand in
the recent political campaign. AT the last meet
ing the pews sold for $34 900, and it is estimated
very closely now that the next renting will not
bring more than $4,000 which is So 900 less
than the pastors yearly salary
General Horatio g. King speaking for Mr.
Beecher TO night said that if the greatest pulpit
orator in the world found that any considerable
number of his congregation was opposed to him.
learned that any combination of wealthy Re-
publican members had been made to wreck the
church and humiliate him, then he would i'm
nediately resign and leave Plymouth Church
forever. In this event, General King says Mr.
Beecher shall have grand new church IN New
York city.
very large proportion of the Brooklyn popu-
lation is terribly excited over this new Beecher
trouble and not few families are bitterly
divided. Mr.. Beecher alone seems to remain
calm and undisturbed
prominent insurance agent of this city, who
has for many years rented one of the highest
priced pews in the church, said: GAS far as re-
CARDS a combination to put the rentals down.
that is all nonsense. Now, | have heard of a
combination TO keep the prices up, and to that
take no sort of exception. | have had pew in
that church for the last thirty years, and one of
the highest-priced pews, When Mr.. Beecher
in trouble there was Inclination to keep
the prices up. l was in that combination and
we put the prices to 500 900 for the years rem
tai but 1 shall not rehre my pew this year In
refusing to do so | act as an Individual ] am in
no combination, and others could name-Mr
Secomb, Mr. Tilney, Mr. Pratt and many
otherS-are far too honorable to engage in
anything of the kind. They think too much
of the church and of Mr. Beecher to do this.
think that Mr. Beecher, BY his course, has
wrecked Plymouth Church most effectually
have heard of combinations of mis- friends to keep
the prices of the pews up, but think they will
not succeed in doing this. They are too weak
financially socially and morally. The class of
men that are leaving this church just now are
the backbone of the institution financially speak
ing and their withdrawal will lessen the reve-
nnes of the church fully 50per cent Mr.. Beecher
has chosen his friends; he must take the conse-
sequences
''What right have the members of congrega-
ton to dictate pastors political course any
more than he would have the right to pledge
their votesf was asked
ut is not that. Mr. Beecher might have voted
for Cleveland. No one questioned that right;
but he did more than that and did it in and of
fensive manner He was distinctly informed
that his course was distasteful to us.
who had stood by hm in bis time
of consideration, and if anything, our reInon-
STRANGE only intensified his course. He became
more active and aggressive against Mr. Blaine
than before That is what has embttered us.
say 'us, for of course. although we have not
combined we have exchanged views. That is
natural, being members of the same eongrega-
ton, and Mr. Beecher having succeeded in elect
ing his man must henceforth look to the sup
porters Of that man for his support If they