New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-04

bott has proved notably powerful. His sun
day evening discourses, not half so heretca'
az they have been accused of being, have com
mandcd crowded audiences, eager not Tor sehsa-
tional oratory. but for knowledge and help.
"In the vet more important sphere OF the
church work Dr. Abbott has been wonderful
,.d.r and organizer. II was Mr.. Beecher VINO
,Janned this work and under whom the two
great mission branches Of Plymouth Church re-
ceiyed a permanent endowment. But more
money than this fund could supply was needeo
for their effective operation, ana WINE "''
Beecher lived this money was furnisheu 'a'sc
from the surplus Of the large sum ahhua"y
realized from the rental Of the pews. Under
DIR. Abbott and with his approval this system
has been changed. The pews are rented az
exed rates not auctioned off at large premiums
for prior choices, and the proceeds are de'o'eo
| IN the expenses Of the church proper; the mis-
sion work including three Sunday schools, ano
moro than twenty auxiliary undertakings, sucn
nc scwirg-schools kindergartcns, clubs, etc, be-
ing supported by voluntary and secret contr'ou
tons made 10 and disbursed by the Churcn
Work Committee.
A SUCCESSFUL SYSTEM.
| .In the ten years which have elapsed since
this system was begun the Church WORK com
mittee has received ana expended about $lVoVVe
"a sum probably large for each year IMAM WAC
available under the former system. Ana the
increased financial Interest in the WORK or those
who thus directly and consciously contribute
| 10 if has been an inestmable additional gam.
| "Rut more important than the mere COLLECTION
| OF money has been the securing OF suilapie "''A
for individual laborers, and OF suitable iaporei'
| for work In this respect DR. AbDo'' y Juue
ment tact and influence have been wohueriuL
or the present large membership OF i'ynouu
Church | think it may be said that practically
every able bodied person is busy IN Chr'sI'A"
work somehow-mostly in some one OF the
muItinIicd activities OF the church, hut some
times in general religious and charitable enter
prises outside many of the officers and directors
| of which are from Plymouth Chuch.
| This universal personal activity is the seer"
| OF the church's vitality, and Dr. Abbotts Work
! in stimulating, organizing and maintaining y
is perhaps, his greatest, though it may not oe
his most publicly conspicuous, claim to our
gratitude
"In this connection l ought to mention the
unwearied, sympathetic and effective activity
| Of his wife Mrs. Abbott is not only a most
agreeable, intelligent and refined woman, Win
whom social intercourse is a pleasure, but also
an ardent and sympathetic leader in church
| work.
| OBSERVERS FROM DIR. ABBOTTS VIEWS
| "Dr Abbott's views in politics and sociology
have been by no means shared by all the mem
bers Of the church. l may speak freely on this
point because I have been one of the dis
senters. | do not agree with him as to the
programme Of Christian Socialism, s0-called, or
as to various aspects of the labor question: or
as to the duty and policy Of the United States
as regards the Philippine Islands, or as TO
| nj which might be
named And 1 know that not few OF my
brethren in the church dissent, as ] do
| but Plymouth Church is place OF free dis
cussion We are accustomed to disagree, and
to work together. all the same. Moreover
whatever DR.. Abbott may say in The Out
| look in an occasional Thanksgiving sermon
he does not waste the opportunity and the power
of the pulpit in discussing political policies
| and his declaration from that place of the spirit
| in which all such questions are to be considered
meets our approval and helps minds and
souls
Il do not believe there is single individual !
| In the church or society who does not pro-
foundry and without qualification, mourn over
the prospect that he must soon leave us. Nor
Is there one who is not grateful for the fact
| that we have had him so long, and that under
his wise and inspiring guidance We have been
so trained and disciplined that We may reasona-
| bly, expect to bear without disaster the loss
| of a leader so trusted and beloved.
Neither Henry Ward Bcechcr nor Lyman
Abbott strOve to gather a personal constituency.
Both of them served church of Christ and
that church, mindful of their great service. and
filed with the divine spirit breathcd upon II
from their lips, will continue its worship and