Telegram-herald., 1891-08-04
A PREACHER ON THE PRESS.
Hsary ward hssehsr's opiaisn OF Nsws-
paper Reporters.


The following highly entertaining re-
mlniseenee OF the famous Boeeher trial
was told 10 the Citizea by gentle
man who was "a part of that great &C.
clesiastieal council upon which the
eyes OF England and America were
fixed during the month of February
1876. Ii is needless 10 say the re-
eonteuer of the following, who re
presented the First Congregational
Church OF this city in that great trial.
together with its at that time pas
tor, Rev. Moses Smith. was a most
loyal and enthusiastic admirer OF the
eloquent preacher. He said:
The statue OF the great preacher
which has recently been unveiled in
Brooklyn, brings to my mind an oc-
casion when on the platform Of Ply
mouth Church he presented in min
utest detail the appearance which has
been SO faithfully copied by the hand
OF art in imperishible bronze. Ii was
subsequent to what has passed into
history as the great Beecher trial.
Plymouth Church, as we'll as her pas
tor, was passing through stormy
sea OF doubt and uncertainty as to her
future method OF procedure, which was
not only TO demonstrate her boundless
faith in her pastor. but was likewise
TO retain for him an for hersels the un-
broken confidence OF sister churches
| throughout the land. With eminent
proprlety she has called to her assist
ance an advisory council composed
OF delegates from large percentage OF
the Congregational churches, north,
south, east and west.
''It was during one OF the privte
sessions OF this advisory council VIII n
none but delegates We're admitted. and
press reporters were given to under
stand that their room was more yalu-
able than their company, that DR..
Halliday-if l remember correctly-be-
came suspicious that there was, par
adoxicaliy speaking. leak somewhere
near the top OF the Jug. Investiga-
tion by the janitor followed, and re-
suited, to the great amusement OF the
council, including Mr.. Beecher. In find
ing a nest Of enterprising pencil push
ers somewhat uncomfortably en-
sconeed around one OF the ventilators
which perforate the ceiling over the
center of the auditorium, with ears
pressed closely to the opening. gem
eral stampede OF the fraternity fol-
lowed, and it is unnecessary to say
that thereupon that hole was most Ell
fectually plugged by one OF Brooklyn's
stalwart policemen.
This, however. is only single
instance showing the methods en-
t.ln bU haf Ia nlo l.~4
as newspaper reporters for gathering
news by any and all means and at all
hazards, and it is not surpriseing that
the persistency with which the public
press dogged Mr.. Beecher's footsteps
and thoroughly and Systematically
maligned and mispresented his public
aud private utterances, acts and mo-
tives through ali the weary months OF
his trial and vlniication, tended at
times TO exhaust his Job-like patience,
when it would give place to the most
vehement expressions of a righteous
INDICATION.
Il think it was in the next days ses-
sion of the council that some allusion
was made by one of the delegates to
the grossly exaggerated and Incorrect
press reports of the proceedings OF the
council. during which remarks Mr..
Beecher entered by the rear door and,
after listening to the speaker a mo-
nient. aScsnded the platform with his
SOFT felt hat grasped firmly in his left
hand and his overcoat thrown open,
pre- cisely rs now represented in the
ma a'sivc and diCniiied, but none the =,
graceful Brooklyn statue. and pro-
ceeded to scourge with the whipcords
OF his matchless rhetoric his maligners,
tine press. and their tools, the report
ers. But the storm lasted only n min
ute when. with a bepignant smile born
OF tender aud forgiylng heart. he
added, But / ought not TO blame
them. the reporters. as rule they
are gentlemen and L am proud to
count many of them among my warm
est and most faithful friends. 1t IL
only the system under which they are
obliged to work that / abhor.-Jack-
son Citizen.
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