Year: 1874

Plymouth church was last night in blaze of
glory. 1t reminded one OF the Sunday nights
during The war, when the pastor iulmin ated his
magnificent tempests OF oratory which went
through the nation like thunderclap. Orange
stree: was a mass Of humanity all convergng
toward one central point, and the doors of the
church were so completely blocked that advance
and retreat were bo5n equally difficult and in the
midst OF all could be heard at times some very
unchristian language indulged in by some
very Christian people. Side doors and
back doors were no less difficult OF ap-
proach-it seemed, truly as II the whole
Of Brooklyn wanted to be present. 1t
would be calunny to say that single member
OF the church in the city remained away from
what was intended, since the snap and snarls OF
the controversy have been overcome. to be . tri-
umphant vindication OF the great preacher. How
he up IN the White Mountains must have wished
to be present in spirit at this great scene No one
could be there and fail to catch the magnetism OF
It. The church meant the pastor sh ould be vindt-
Gated. II ls even likely that had the Investigating
Committee not done so the members would have
been cheerfully hooted from their platform. The
people cared very little what the outside world
thought about-they meant Beecher should be
pure TO them. and this was the long ana short of
the whole meeting. ~ ~-"".


THE SCENE OUTSIDE,


however, was nothing to what was to be witnessed
within the whitewashed walls of Plymouth church.
The pews were crowded with double the number
OF people they were ever meant, by all the laws OF
compression, to hold. In the aises the substanti-
alfty OF human mesh was wholly ignored. and, as
for the galleries, no words would properly convey
an adequate Idea OF their appearance from below.
The organ gallery was besieged by any one and
tho dol chO halu tUuo in ito
claims. Around and about the noor OF the
church the appearance, from the Mount Olivet
reading desk, was intensely Interesting.
One could recognize all the old time faces
which have been part andparcel Of Plymouth
church for many years. There were the men and
the women who during twenty-five years have
stood as the foremost Of this great church. loving
and admiring their pastor In prosperity and faith
full In trial and tribulation-many of these men
known through the land for some eminence
In commerce, art ana industry; the women
enthusiastic as ever for the great church which
seemed to them O part of their own souls. In all
these faces there was no double meaning no back
thoughts. but a determination to support great
man; and one could not help feeling that they
would support him, right or wrong.


THE MEETING OPENED


At seven O'Clock every seat in the church was
taken and still the crowd came. At half past seven
the doors could not be reached at eight the meet
Ing opened. At that time Mr.. Thomas G. Shearman,
who has been prominent during the whole case as
Mr.. Beecher's legal and confidential ADVISER went
on the platform, called the meeting to order and
said that Mr.. John T. Howard. having served az
moderator at the previous meeting would act in
the same capacity here.


Mr.. John T. Howard chen assembled the plat
form and said that his duties during the evening



~ chairman OF the meeting.


Mr.. Freeland thereupon took his seat without
any objection being made. He said the proceed
ings Of the meeting would begin by the singing OF
the hymn known as sBeechern one OF the Ply
mouth collection. The announcement OF this hymn
was received with no small gratincation by the
audience. II was sung with that enthusiasm and
unanimity which make the congregational sing
ing OF this church remarkable throughout the
Christian world. John Zundel was at the organ
and rolled out the massive tones with all the splen-
did capabilities OF the great organ.


When this was over and the immense audience
hao become seated the Chairman called upon Mr..
Darby to lead In prayer, and they all composed
themselves seriously to the real work OF the meet
ing. There was . momentary hustle and then all
was still.


Brother Darby arose In his pew and said in sub.
stance:-


Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we como
mere, conscious Of our need OF Thy Holy Spirit to
worship Thee worthily tonight. Without this
spirit OF the holy Ghost all our efforts unavail-
ing. We come here with all our responsib bllties,
anu need forgiveness for our sins, and ask
for Thy blessing. tnat we may worship
Thee as we ought. May we feel our nothlngness,
o Lord and the need OF the reviving influence
OF Thy spirit, which alone can bring forth that
lghtenment which we SO much stand In need of.
Thou knOwest our wants and necessities and
Tnou C Wilt give us according to our RI necessities.
YuOu k0OWeSt the consolation which Inv children
ever fnd in Thee, and that there is 10 employment
IN lie which can afford happiness without Thee.
Th0u knowest that we stumble even in the broad
Without the light OF Tny grace: Then be Thou ever
with us, Lord and may Thou be ever upper
mos most IN our minds, That we may learn to do
ITy Tny VIII IN all things. Thou dtdst lay down
&C, 10 grant that we may realize the blessings which
Inou mast purchased Tor us. Be Thou with US.
i, Snen, tonight as we continue our services as
many OF us together We ask Thy blessing upon
MIN VINO has for so long o time been our teacher
ana Iny undershepherd. May he be led by Thee
sn tn.onga tne green pastures to Thy eternal love.
NAY Tny spirit ever be with MIN. Bless him and
MS nousenold, and spare him to us TO teach rs and
show iorth Tny power more than ever Enable
MN MN 10 DC the instrument more than ever. OF
truth. May We never be without light when we
most need IL, and we ask Thy guidance now ana
forever more.


Mr.. Freeland then announced that the noemners
OF the committee would ascend the pIatrorm
They did so. and were introduced one by one eacn
receiving round OF applause. They took their
seats opposite the audience. The announcements
was then made that the report OF the commtttec
would be made and that to Mr.. Robert RAYMOND
would be 0iyan the duty or reading. This vas