New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-19
AFFAIRS IN BROOKLYN.
------
GREETINGS IN PLYMOUTH.
,,r REV. DIR. ABBOTT's BIRTHDAY CELE-
RRATED By THE CONGREGATION.

SPEECHES OF GENERALIZATION FROM MEM
psps or TIE CHURCH AND RESPONSE
FROM THE PASTOR.
.o was large and happy birthday party In
-. Iecture-room of Plymouth Church last night
W, family affair. The birthday was the Rev.
~ lyman Abhotts: the family composed OF
- congregation OF Plymouth Church. whose mem
wore assembled 20 congratulate the Doctor
- passing the six,ieih milestone on lies path
Wy and bid him godspeed for the future.
nv Abbott had spent the morning In doing some
rsr,s,mas shopping with Mrs. Abbott, and In re-
s.I,ing gifts and congratulatory letters at his
home.
ART with members OF Plymouth Church. many OF
.hon had come from distance, ana win eH-
nsmbers and friends.
On one wall hung large oil painting OF Henry
wi Beecher Ii was cmbowered In green
,,anches and upon 1t fell softly light from above
"a that il seemed to CLEAN forth as the genius OF
,,s time and place. Upon the platform were many
,sl and graceful ferns. and below and facing the
nstform Or. Abbott sat placidy In a big arm
chair
" V Topper. of the special committee In charge
=, the birthday reception, presided and In some
s.np,lv. worded phrases spoke of the purpose for
which the congregation had assembled.
neaoon S. V. White then went on the platform
and pleasantly reviewed the incidents in DR.. Abb
his life speaking especially OF the downfall OF
slavery ,
Professor Truman j. Backus spoke pleasantly ana
sometimes faceiiously. OF DR.. Abbotts pastorate
nd Of the doctors modcsty. which prevented his
.,,ands from saying in his presence all the good
,h,rcs they thought about him. He congratulated
nv Abbot, on having good health, and the sense
- ,,ke care of il; upon having Mrs. Abbott as
ufe,s companion; upon retaining the powers OF
r,s vigorous mind. and the respect OF all people
who have heard of him.
nr Rossiter W Raymond spoke pleasantly in
the came vein; and particularly of the circum-
s,enres Of Dr. AbSott's coming 10 the church
T,,.n lot Of congratula;ory letters and kilograms
were read among them being one from Register Hin
r.chs who was unable 10 be present because OF
death in his family
d. Abbott going upon the platform to respond
stood for a while. his hands clasped. looking INTO
the friendly faces of his people. he spoke feeingiy
10 them. in part as follows $1,000. ..,.ous,,o,
81 don't understand this ! have never UNDERSTOOD
:. | remember now. when was boy, sal up III
Inc gallery by the clock looking down upon the con-
sregation and il seemed 10 me tonight as were
= boy again. When l first began 10 preach always
wondered why the dian tn Dne c aa
f was told that it was hard thing to go as
pastor to a church. and follow such man as MI
seecher Well 1 don't know think 1t is easier to
IN tell You what is hard work though. It's to
preach and keep the congregation awake ana at
do ha, in Plymouth Church. Preaching there Is not
hard What you give in spray is returned IN crops
that's all ~
~ had an ambition to be great orator once IL !
drew Inspiration from Mr.. Beecher. But nave
given up the idea OF bang an orator, ana really
don't Ike IL II people say that have preached an
eloquent sermon would rather have peop:ee say
they have been helped spiritualy-strengt hened ana
comforted. Half the success In preaching comes
from successful listening the part OF the eongre-
CATION You have always been ready to follow, TO
take up ard carry out good plans; you have given
me q free church and q free pulpit i think the
Church and the freest pulpit in the world is the
min Of /
think that my father and mother can look down
upon me and congratulate me also to-night | thank
YOU for the atmosphere OF love. liberty hope and
prayer with which you have surrounded me.
thank you for giving me your hearty cooperation:
II seems to me as il the Lord had said that
needn't work where the thorns and thstles grow.
but rather In the Garden Of Eden"
When DR. Abbott had ceas ed speaking the conSrc
CATION formed long lines and passed DR.. Abbott.
each congratu,atng him in turn
In the ,ecture-room was beautiful bronze statue
OF David presented by the young men Of the