New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-26
A CALL FOR DIR. ABBOTT.
PLYMOUTH CHURCH NAMES A PASTOR

PLYMOUTH CHURCH NAMES A PASTOR.
THE VOTE STOOD 400 TO eo-oPPosITIoN FROM
SOME OLD MEMBERS
Seldom has more interested audience assembled
in Plymouth Lecture Room than went last evening
to decide the important question Of who shall sue
coed to Mr.. Beecher's pulpit Every seat was oc-
cupied, and all the leading members who were in
town were present Mrs. Beecher was one OF the
interested Spectators DR.. Abbott was not pres
ent as he had resigned the conduct Of the prayer
meeting to General Christensen.
IS predicted in THE TRIBUNE few weeks ago,
the opposition to DR.. Abbott amounted TO nothing,
and he was unanimously elected pastor after o
ballot had shown 400 votes in his favor TO 60
against him The society concurred in the action
of the church.
After Clerk Wanvel had read the call for the
meeting, Thomas j. Tilnery was made modera-
tor. As the first business was to hear the report
of the Advisory Committee, this was called for.
Thomas e. Sherman read the report, which
stated that in considering the question Of Sc
curing a permanent pastor they put the matter
in the hands Of subcommittee, which had dill
igently inquired for information in every direc-
ton The name of the Rev. DR.. Lyman Abbott
was never upon the list, for it was well known
that if the Office had been rendered to him when
the committee was appointed, he would not ac-
cept He thought, and the committee thought, that
his other engagements would make it impossible
for him to undertake its duties. But it was found
possible for him to relieve himself from SO much
OF his other work as interfered with the duties OF
the pastoratc.
THE COMMITTEES RECOMMENDATION.
The committee, therefore, had unanimously
voted in favor Of reporting the of DR.. Abbott
as permanent PASTOR and the officers of the church
and society cOncurred in this. The committee
recommended to the church that DR.. Abbott be
called as permanent pastor The report was signed
by G. I. Christensen, John Cladin II. w. Wheeler,
T. A Seccomb .. A eager, 4. ID. Wheeloek NJ g.
8sden' l. D. Ilney, g. ". Brush, ). " White;
r. w Ropes, Frank Rudd, T. G. Sherman and
+. o. Marvel The other members of the commit
tee were absent from the city.
A motion was made by b. T. Blair that the
church proceed to elect Dr.. Abbott pastor by bal
lot.
Congressman s. " White then made speech,
saying among other things: Let us see how DR..
Abbott Is fitted TO be the permanent pastor. There
are reasons that make Plymouth Church by no
means so desirable a catch for q rising man. In
many aspects it Is very undesirable place.
man able to make his mark somewhere else so
that he would be thought of here, would have the
acumen to see that he would be brought into COM
parison with Mr.. Beechers memory. man Of
ability to climb would have got a fOOthOd else
where more advantageous to him. The large sal
airy paid Mr. Beecher cannot be an inducement,
for we can't get the revenue we had 1t is true
pastor. l, for 0ne never cOnJem plated him as pas
tor Of Plymouth Church, for l thought he
did not have the strength nor one touch Of the
ability as man that he has shown. But he has
been a wonder and revelation to me: l have
never heard poor sermon from him. (Applause.)
| do not know man who can do the work here
so well
OPPOSITION FROM DR.. HALLIDAY.
Assistant Pastor Halliday, who is lame, asked
indulgence if he sat on the platform and read
from his chair an emphatic protest against the
calling Of DIR. Abbott He said that Dr.. Abbotts
training as lawyer and literary, man had I'M
fitted him for pastoral laDors, and his nonsuecesS
in the churches he had been IN charge Of showed
that he was not suited for the work OF Plymouth
Church. In a voice broken with emouQh NE .t
best interests of the church, and as his duty as
a minister Under DR.. Abbott the attendance
in the church had fallen to 900 in the morning and
500 in the evening, and not one-tfth OF the mem
bers attended. Mr.. Halliday received some ap-
plause, but the most Of 1t was III the rear Oh the
room.
Professor r. W. Raymond, warmly commencing
the choice Of DR. Abbott s. s. Ferris then rose
and said excitedly that If he had 10000 votes
he would cast them against DR., Abbott lie ere
ated lau ghter by saying that he would not vote
for an angel from Heaven If he couldn't draw
people to the church If an angel from Heaven"
he went on, stood Plymouth platform for
six months and the congregation grew smaller, we
ought to say ShOo fly away TO Heaven you for
get your Il sion Qaughter), and If the angel
came 20 stick, the sooner Gabriel blew MS morn
for him to go home, the Detuer ZOE the ansel anu
Plymouth Church"
Mr. White offered to take the pews Of all those
who wanted TO give them up week aIter Ut
Abbott was called. The vote was then taken ana
resulted 400 to 60 At later meeting the so
ciety, composed Of pew-owners, UNANIMOUSLY con-
CURED in the action Of the church, and committees
were appointed to wait upon DE- ADpout anu ap-
prise him of the action taken.