New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-14
AFFAIRS IN BROOKLYN.
TIE FINANCES OF PLYMOUTH CHURCH.

DIR. ABBOTT SAYS THERE Is NO CAUSE FOR DIS
coURAGEMEYT-A LARGE ATTENDANCE.
There was larger attendance than usual at Ply
mouth Church yesterday morning, as II was e1-
pectcd that something would be said relative to the
financial condition OF the church and the new sys
tenn Of dsposng Of the pews at private purchase
BEFORE beginning HIS sermon DR.. Abbott called az
tention 10 the printed announcement In the peWs
that the trustees room would be open every morn
ing and evening in January for the renting OF pews
He then said that he might add that the church hah
paid all its current expenses for the last year, IN
cludng 50 900 for repairs and $4,000 for the mus
clans, and there was no deficit. True. there was
no surplus for dividend, but Plymouth Church was
not a dlvdend-paging corporation. There was no
hesitancy or waverng In regard to tho 'uturc' ana
the determination was 70 carry on tho church with
effectiveness and power and also 10 ihcroaso "no
efficiency Of tho mission work
DR.. Abbott referred TO the misapprehcnson out
side Of the church and declared that II was not true
that the financial showing gave any reason for dis
couragement. After the great shock tho church re-
ceiyed by Mr. Beechers death and before the choice
Of a new pastor II decided 10 sVo up the old
method OF auotoning the pews. IL might have been
maintained for year two but II would have been
a fictitious method. In the adoption OF tho new
system the appraised values had been raised, and
the trustees had spent time 10 make them just II
any one thought them unjust no should nave attended
the society meetings and have asked modification
No effort was made TO suit all persons outside but
the hearty support Of all within the church was ex-
pected An complaints would receive prompt and
courteous consideration. Dr. Abbott went on to
say: ,u,.., ..... M.
acouiescapca IL has been stated that demanded sal
ary Of s1oOoo 1 wish 10 say that neither have nor
has any ON, from me made any call the trustees
any member Of the church society for adjustment
OF nv salary When try TO render service for any
organization making money always try 10 make bar
gain but church is not a money-makinR concern and
have never tried make bargain with church for any
seryfcs have not said 10 any one wha, salary ought
Ia have leave 10 wholly with Plymouth Church.
Having said this may add one word OF advice II
any pewholder thinks his pew Ia rated too high he
ana tbose not 40 high friend OF mine sat In the
sea. Of the gallery at my request and told mo he could
hear every word distinctly And any dissatisfied
say TO YOU 90 whore you will get the most good and do
tho most good.
DR. Abbotts statements were tho general thcme OF
discussion after the service The sentiment appeared
TO be that he had struck the right chord, and that the
members would rally TO the financial support OF the
church One OF the ushers said that for the first timo
since Mr. Beecher's death the aisle seats under his
charge were occupied yesterday Nearly half OF them
were In use More than half of the pews already
rented and II twothds Of the best pews taken the
year