Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-07-29
eEecHeR's WONDERFUL eLocurIoN.
Story of an Episode at a Certain Ply.
mouth Church Prayer Meeting.

Story of an Episode at a Certain Ply
mouth Church Prayer Meeting.
New York Cor. Chicago HERALD
Now. here is perfectly true anecdote
not heretofore published, and it was told T.
me by q leader of Plymouth church. righi
after last Sundays evolution sermon by
Deecher. l had asked whether the congre
CATION would stay with the pastor il he
made a new and further departure from
orthodoxy, and he replied that Baecher's
emotional power over them was equal to
any requirement
in the height OF what has gone into his
tory as the Beecher scandal he continued,
ut was at one juncture the to IS up Of cent
whether We stuck to him or not The proofs
against him at that juncture seemed abso-
lutely conclusive, and his most intimate and
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 a certain
Friday evening prayer meeting, the atmos
phere was fairly chilled by doubts and out.
right condemnation. Beecher took his
usual seat on the low platform-h, remains
seated during this service--and as he looked
round the assemblage be appeared to me foi
the moment TO be crushed by the situation
De lection and sorrow were expressed in
every line Of his strong face.
"Hs slowly turned the leaves OF the Bible
to select a passage of Scripture to read His
choice was thai famous psalm Of consolation
and faith, beginning The Lord is my shep-
herd: ] shall not want His eyes were not
on The page, and throughout it was q recita-
ton from memory, not . reading. There
was an almost piteous tone Of appeal in the
utterance of the sentence as though it was
his prayer for the fulfillment OF a divine
promise, rather than declaration Of conf
dence. Then he went on quietly, fervently. as
though somewhat remini cent Of past relig-
ious sweetness in his experience. He max
eth me TO lie down in green pastures He
leade III me beside the still waters He re-
storeth my SOUL Into the succeeding sem
tence be injected, as clearly a. though he
had interpolated an explicit assertion OF his
per -onal rectitude. spirit Of bold self-vin-
dcation. He leadeth me in the paths of
Righteousness for His names sake The &C
cused Ireacher's head was now held high,
his voice was declamatory, AMI something
of defiance WAS in hs mien.
"But after silent moment, his aspect
chang II utterly. inli 'ating that the wei yht
OF his trouble had been lifted for an instant.
only TO return cru ,hingly. Tears came into
his eyes. and his voice was trsmul u as he
proc ,eiel: Yea, though l walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will fear
no evil. for Thou art with me- Again Q
pause. with ensuing exultstion: 'Tnou pro-
pars>t n ;:Als before me in the pressn OF
mine eneIuies; Thou annointe.t my head
with oil; MY cup runneth over By this
time tears were dropping from half the eyes
in the hou e. and the sobs Of deeply affected
women were heard. Bsecher is a poor
reader. His part in the recent authors ex-
hibition was disappointingly tame. so bad
was his elocution. But this was impulsive,
I'm tional, with those qualities which make
his impa STONED preaching so wondrou,ly
The final lines were delivered in a climax
Of quivering agitation. Surely goodness
AMI mercy shall follow me all the days Of
my life, AMI vii, dwell in the house of the
Lord forever That psalm won the case FOR
Beecher so far as his own people Were con-
>ernel