The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-07-07
MIR. BEECHER AT LONDON.
Another Sermon by the Plymouth
Past r BEFORE n Large Audience

Past r BEFORE n Large Audience.
London cable to the st. Louis Globe
Democrat A flutter went through the
church as an elder solemnly issued
from the vestry with basket of red,
white, yellow and blush roses, set in
maiden hair and adorned with small
American flags. The elder placed the
basket--a aoral tribute TO Mr.. Beecher
from the ladies and gentlemen of the
Civ Temple "Band of Hope"--on a
table before the pulpit and retired.
AS IL o'clock rang out from q. church
opposite the Old Bailey, Mr.. B.echer
afcended the pulpit steps. -Four
and twenty maidens" in the organ
loft Immediately behind him rose
semi clrcularly as he entered, and
burst into song. Seen from the front,
they seemed to compose halo round
his head. He reminded one strongly
Just then of ''Mr. Casby" in Little Dor
riH, and as thus surrounded "Bun-
thorne" in Patience. Three thousand
necks craned forward, COCO eyes grew
fixed as Mr.. Beecher got on his feet
and began his sermon. He looked in
teusely pAtriarchal, with his long
white hair and black coat, his turned
down collar and upturned eyes.
"Isn't he beautiful" murmured a
lady near me, tanning herself into
delicious fever.
He certainly was extremely deco
rative. A trifie more unctuous, per-
haps, than the preachers one is &C
customed to in this cut and dried city,
but decorative. Announcing the well
known text about "Love," taken from
Corinthians, he showed some initia-
tory nervousness, but soon his voice
acquired its old ring and clear enun-
citation. The subject was admirably
suited to an Independence Day, and
he treated it In his own inimitable
manner, contrasting what he called
pale moonshine sentimentaity and
the "mush of love-a human love
which specialized it's objeCt-with the
divine love of Christianity, aud sum
ming up &C verely against the "mush "
By tne way, this word excited much
curiosity in the breast OF John Bull.
Americans hardly need descrip-
ton Of Beechet's sermon, which is IA.
milisr to them. IL was eloquent, if
familiar in tone. Every now and then
the preacher fred off a joke. This
was at first rather alarming to the
cor gregaiioD, though DIR. Parker has
accustomed them to some pulpit hui
NOR. Somehow, Beecher seemed to
have conquered their prejudice, for
every five nutes the house-I mean
church--wa5 conVulsed with laughter
by his quaint, il to English cara
Shocking, sallies. The sermon was
a long and airy commentary on the
text, once O. twice rising to rhetorical
nights, more often keeping within
the limits OF humorous and familiar
discussion.
Toward the close, talking about the
uncharitable nature of Phsrislical
Christians, be got off mosquito story,
which set the congregation into fits.
After likening the Pharisees to hypo-
critical and D deserving mosquitoes
who always say a grace before they
put their sinrs into you, he energeti-
cally exclaimt d:
wIhank Col, we are not all insects"
He made another point by attacking
those selfish people who call them
selves by holy names and live like
devils. Then, gradually dropping
banter, he returned to the original
subject-Love-and wound up with
an txhortstion to his hearers to cast
off the bondage of fear and enter into
the resurrection Of the love Of God and
sobriety. Beecher's gestures seemed
to astonish people round me even
mora than his very bread comedy and
familiarity. ] doubt whether English-
men would relish much OF Beecher's
ell quence, but today he unquestion-
ably had a success as humorst.
BEEcHER's IMPRESSIONS OF HIS AUDI
ENCE.
After the services / drove to DR..
ParkeI's house, near the British Mu-
scum and interviewed Beecher. He
was lolliug back on a sofa when !