The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-07-10
eEEcHER's WONDERFUL ELocurpn
Story Of An Episode at . Certain Ply.
mouth Church Prayer Meetings

Story Of An Episode ut . Certain Ply.
mouth Church Prayer Meetings
New York Cor Chicago Herahal
Now, hers is perfectly true anssdote,
not heretofore publish. '. and 1t was told to
me 10y leader OF Plymouth church. right
after last Sundays evolution sermon by
Beccher. had asked whether the congre.
CATION would stay with the pastor IL he
made new and further departure from
orthodoxy, and no replied that Beecher's
emotional power over them was equal to,
any requirement.
I'm the height Of what has gone int his
tory as the Beecher scandal" he continued
1T was at ono juncture the toss up Of O cent
whether we stuck to him or not The proof
against him at that juncture seemed absos.
iutely conclusive. and his most intimate AMI
steadfast friends could make NO argument
but assert their blind faith. Most of us sub.
sequently thought that the trial cleared
him. but it was not SO when at certain
Friday evening prayer meeting, the atmos,
phere was fairly chilled by doubts and out,
right condemnation. Bsecher took his
usual seat on tho low platform-hs remains
seated during this servics--and rs he looked
round the assemblage be appeared to me fOr
Lhe moment to be crushed by the situat ton
&XDTASN0u
every limo Of his strong face.
"He slowly turned the leaves OF thu Bible
70 select a passage Of Scripture to read. His
choice was that famous psalm of consolation
and faith, beginning The Lord Is nv shep.
nsrd: ! shall not want His eyes were not
on the page, and throughout 1t was recita-
s'oh from memory, not O reading. There
was On almost piteous tone Of appeal In the
u.1erance OF the sentence as though IL was
nus prayer Tor the fulfillment OF u divine
promise, rather than declaration Of conf
uence. Then he went on quietly, feryently as
.nough somewhat reminiscent Of past reiig-
ious sweetness in his experience. He max
Gun me 10 lie down in green pastures He
ieadeth me beside the still waters. He re-
ssoreth my SOUL Into the succeeding sem
sence he injected, as clearly a. though he
nad interpolated an explicit assertion OF his
personal rectitude. a spirit of bold self-vin-
aication He leadeth me In tho paths OF
r'gn teousness for His names sake. The ac-
.used preachers head was now held high,
hs voice was declamatory, and something
ot defiance was In his misn.
nut after silent moment, his aspect
cnanged utterly. indicating that the weight
" ms trcuole had been lifted for an instant.
oniy 70 return crushingly. Tears came into
ns eyes and his voice was tremulous as no
po1'eaea; Yea, though walk through tho
valley OF the shadow of death. / will fear
NO eva, LOT Thou art with mo- Again q
psuse, with ensuing exultation: Thou pre-
paress table before me In tho presence OF :
mine enemies; Thou annointest my head
Win OIL; my cup runneth over, By this
anne tcars wers dropping from half the eyes
"a the house. and the sobs Of deeply 70 oted
Women were heard. Bsecher is a poor
ssaaer. His part in the recent authors ex-
aioision was disappointingly tame, so bad
was his slocution Bus this was impulsivs,
~ sanos'onai, with those qualities which mako
nis impassionsd preaching 90 wondrously
effective.
tne hnal lines we're delivered In a climax
= Quivering agitation. Surely goodness
- mercy shall follow me all the days Of
~ ne and win dwell in the house Of the
forever That psalm won the case for
csraed." 'sNf's