Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-07-15
PULPIT VS. PLATFORM.


Henry Ward Bcecher Efectually silenoes .
Set of sticklers for the Old "Pepper-Boxn
Pulpit-The Brooklyn Divine to be En-
tertained at a Grand Dinner With Com.
pany of Notabies-Princely Regrets.
LONDON, July 9.-The intolerance
shown by the British religious public to
anything in the way of innovation in the
matter of church service was strikingly
illustrated yesterday at the City Temple,
where Mr.. Beecher preached his Sec
ond sermon. Mr.. Beecher can not
preach in the ''pepper-box," as
the pulpit is irreverently termed
here. 1t cramped him; so DR.. Parker had
for to-day a platform specially built,
somewhat after the manner of the one in
Plymouth ch urch. This was eyed askance
by some of the straight-laced British
Christians as they passed into the big
church, packing it almost to suf-
location, and as Mr.. Beecher was
about beginning his sermon, there
were vigorous cries of "Pulpit."
1t was curious to note the fire that came
into Beecher's eye and the determined
set CT his mouth. There was fight there.
1t recalled the time when he faced an
angry mob inLiverpool twenty-three years
ago and beat them down. This was
what he said, in tones that had the old.
time ring:
GAS to the pulpit, I think about that as
Daniel Webster thought. He regarded
the continuance of religion in this world
in spite Of pulpits to be one of the signs
of its divinity. l suppose pulpits origin
ally were framed after the apocalyptic
vision of a candlestick, and minister have
been too much like wax candles in the
candlesticks, hard and stiff, giving out
very little light. No man would ever I'M.
dertake no plead for the life of a man out
of pulpit; no man would undertake to
go before crowd for their votes and be
perched upon the tip-eDd of a candle
stick When a manis in earnest in preach
ing he might preach from the top
of his head to his toe; it is not the voice
alone but the man that breaches"
The pulpit shouters subsidized abashed
and Mr.. Beecher went on with q power
full sermon that dealt with the miscon-
ception of religion that made it
a thing of gloom. This evening
Beecher is to be entertained at dinner at
the Metropolitan hotel. Despite the
fact that the season is over and the most
prominent people are out of town, while
those who remain are wrapped up in pol
itics, there will be a notable gathering OF
distinguished men to welcome the Brook
Ign divine about evenly divided be
tween prominent Americans who
are stopping here and En-
glishmen of worldwide reputation.
Minister Phelpsis to be present, as is Con-
sul-General Waller, while the American
consuls, Russell, of Liverpool; Savage,
of Belfast, and the consuls from Dundee,
Birmingham and other points are COM
ing from their stations for the occasion.
The Prince of Wales has written ex-
pressing regrets that the occurrence of
the great state dinner and ball at Buck
ingham palace on the same evening
will prevent his attendance, but
announcing that his private secre-
tary, Mr.. William A. Bascom,
will attend as his representative. num-
Der of other men of title and renown also
send warm and kindly greetings to Mr..
Beecher, and regret that prior engage
ments for this ball will prevent their
meeting him.