Part 3 (2/2)
Plymouth Church has been in charge of five different s.e.xtons during its existence. Mr. McFarlane was its caretaker in its early years. Owing to his bluff manner he was never very popular with the young people, and one instance I shall never forget. One evening Charles d.i.c.kens was to lecture in the church. As the price of the tickets was from one to two dollars, there were not many of the boys at that time who could afford to pay it. We were bound not to be left out, so a plan was devised to overcome the difficulty. Accordingly we perched ourselves on a window-sill outside, where by raising the sash slightly we could hear and see the lecturer. All went well for a time and we were congratulating ourselves, when the old s.e.xton discovered us. Then there was a scampering up Orange and down Henry to Fulton Street with McFarlane close after. I was one of the unfortunate boys who were caught, and the pounding which I received made such an impression upon me that I can see and hear Charles d.i.c.kens to this day.
After Mr. McFarlane came Mr. Weld, who was the s.e.xton for many years, during the most exciting period of the church's history, and when it was thronged by the greatest crowds. Mr. Weld was faithful to his trust, never ruffled, kind to everyone and popular with all, and remained at his post until old age and sickness called him away. His funeral was large, attended by a great number of the members of the church. When his body was carried down the aisle Mr. and Mrs. Beecher, arm in arm, headed the mournful procession. If some great artist could have transferred the scene to canvas and called it the funeral of the old s.e.xton, it could have taken its place among the other great paintings of church history.
Mr. George Day, one of the oldest members of the church and who is still living, followed Mr. Weld, but remained in office only two years, being succeeded by Mr. Smith, who filled the position for a long time in a most acceptable manner. After him came Mr. Charles T. Halsey, who has charge at the present time. I wish especially to mention my obligations to him for a.s.sistance in verifying names and dates.
In close relation to the pastors and a.s.sistant pastors have been the clerks of the church. Perhaps the one who attained the widest fame in this capacity was Mr. Thomas G. Shearman, whose term of service was long and included the period of the trials. At the ecclesiastical council he made his knowledge of Congregational polity and history very manifest, and contributed not a little to the convincing of the churches of the denomination that Plymouth Church, while standing firm in its independency, was yet willing and glad to recognise to the full the fellows.h.i.+p of other churches, and desirous of doing all that it might to make that fellows.h.i.+p cordial. The present clerk, Horatio C. King, is but another ill.u.s.tration of how men of ability and position have delighted to serve Plymouth.
The Sunday School has always been a most important part of Plymouth Church, and the list of superintendents shows how it has been regarded by all. At the first organisation Mr. Bowen was made superintendent, on September 5, 1847, with an attendance of ten teachers and twenty-eight scholars. The following May there were twenty-five teachers and one hundred and forty scholars, and twenty years later, in 1867, the attendance was considerably over one thousand. Mr. Bowen was followed by Luther Eames, Edward Corning, Henry E. Morrill, George E. Bell, Rossiter W. Raymond, and George W. Bard well, who is now in charge.
My own recollections centre particularly about Dr. Morrill, during whose service of ten years, from 1851 to 1861, I became a member of the school. All have done n.o.ble service. Professor Raymond has perhaps been specially successful. His clear thought, simple expression, hearty sympathy, great personal tact, have endeared him to all, teachers and scholars, and done much to build up the school and church.
To speak of the deacons and trustees would be simply to repeat the names of those already mentioned as prominent in the work of the church, for on one or the other of these boards very nearly all have served at some time. It has been, too, no mere formal service. Men of high position in business and professional life have given freely of time and labour to serve the interests of the church.
Mention should be made of the Bethel and Mayflower Missions. The Bethel Mission School was established in 1841, in Main Street, near the Catherine Ferry, then to rooms above the market on James Street, then to 42 and 44 Fulton Street. Almost as soon as Plymouth Church was formed its members interested themselves in the school, but there was no official relation until 1866, when it was voted to adopt the school as one of the regular inst.i.tutions of the church. This was accepted by the school, and the connection continued until 1904, when it was dropped.
_THE FORT SUMTER EXPEDITION_
When it became evident that the North had won the victory and that the defeat of the Confederacy was at hand, President Lincoln decided to celebrate the event by replacing the same old flag that had waved over Fort Sumter before the war had commenced, and had been lowered on the 14th of April, 1861, after a brave struggle by Major Anderson, only when compelled to do so by the guns of General Beauregard. By the President's order, the Secretary of War directed that on ”April 14th, 1865, at twelve o'clock noon, Major General Anderson will raise and plant upon the ruins of Fort Sumter, in Charleston harbour, the same United States flag which floated over the battlements of that fort during the Rebel a.s.sault four years previous.” At the request of Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Beecher was invited to deliver the oration upon that occasion. As soon as it became known that he had accepted, a large number of his friends wished to go with him, but how to get there was the problem. The _Arago_, the government steamer, was full, and all the other steamers available had been chartered by the government for service in the war. After a diligent search it was found that the Neptune Steams.h.i.+p Company would take one of their propellers, running between New York and Providence, off the route, and charter it for a party.
A committee was formed consisting of Mr. Edward Cary, editor of the _Brooklyn Union_, Mr. Edwin A. Studwell and myself as chairman. The steams.h.i.+p company agreed to carry one hundred and eighty pa.s.sengers for the sum of eighteen thousand dollars, which I paid them, the trip to be made in nine days.
As soon as all the arrangements were completed, Mr. Beecher announced the program from the pulpit and through the press. Nearly all the prominent clergymen and citizens of Brooklyn applied for tickets. It became necessary to refuse a large number, as the steamer could not accommodate more than one hundred and eighty people. On the 10th of April, 1865, we left the foot of Wall Street in, one of the Fulton Ferry boats, which had been kindly offered to take the party to the _Ocea.n.u.s_, lying at the foot of Robinson Street, New York. A more patriotic party never left the city of Brooklyn. All the way to Charleston, those who were not seasick (for the steamer rolled fearfully) were engaged in holding meetings and singing patriotic songs. Speeches were made by the clergymen, including Messrs. Cuyler, Putman, Gallagher, Chadwick, Corning, French and others; also by prominent citizens of Brooklyn, including Messrs. Low, Bowen, Smith, Lambert, Frothingham and others.
The singing was led by Mr. Bradbury, while among the songs were ”We are out on the ocean sailing,” ”John Brown's Soul is Marching on,” ”We'll Hang Jeff Davis to a Sour Apple Tree.” Arriving at Charleston Bar on the afternoon of the 13th of April we pa.s.sed into the harbour, and as we went by Fort Sumter the entire company a.s.sembled upon the upper deck and sang ”Old Hundred.”
Just before the _Ocea.n.u.s_ left the dock in New York we received a despatch from the Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, that Lee with his entire army had surrendered to Grant. Our steamer was the first one to carry the news of Lee's surrender to the people of the South. As the _Ocea.n.u.s_ slowly neared the dock at Charleston, we could see the sh.o.r.es were lined with people, and as we came within hailing distance, Captain Young shouted through his trumpet, ”Lee has surrendered!” At once there went up a mighty shout from that black ma.s.s--it was like the roar of Niagara. ”G.o.d bless Ma.s.sa Lincoln!” could be heard above the din, then came ”My country, 'tis of thee,” ”Hail Columbia,” sung as only coloured people can sing. The band on the _Blackstone_, which was anch.o.r.ed near, played ”The Star-Spangled Banner,” and in the evening all the men-of-war in the harbour were illuminated to celebrate the news of the victory.
The next morning all was bustle and activity, getting ready to go down to the fort, and every available sailing craft was brought into service to carry the people of Charleston to the ceremonies of the day. At eleven o'clock we were a.s.sembled inside the walls of Sumter, as distinguished a gathering as ever a.s.sembled since the signing of The Declaration of Independence. High officers of the Army and Navy, United States Senators, members of Congress, officers of the Government, clergymen and distinguished citizens from all over the United States, and a number from England.
At the hour of noon Major Anderson, who had been a long time in feeble health, came upon the platform. Sergeant Hart took from a mail-pouch the old flag and fastened it to the halyards. Major Anderson, taking hold of the rope, said, ”I thank G.o.d that I have lived to see this day and perform probably the last act of duty of my life for my country.” (He died soon after.) As he slowly raised the flag over the ruined walls of the fort, from Forts Moultrie, Ripley, Pickney, Putnam and Johnson, c.u.mmings Point and Battery B, and from every United States gunboat in the harbour there broke forth a mighty salute. The thunder of the cannon fairly shook the earth and the clouds of smoke enveloped the fort in almost midnight darkness. When they rolled away Old Glory waved peacefully as though it had never been fired upon by rebel cannon. The audience sang ”Victory at last.”
Mr. Beecher came forward to the front of the platform to deliver the oration. There was a cold wind blowing in from the sea, the wind playing havoc with the leaves of his ma.n.u.script. As he commenced he took off his hat, but immediately arose the cry, ”Put on your hat, Mr. Beecher.”
He obeyed and went on with his address, holding the close attention of everyone for over an hour. It has taken its place in the history of memorable addresses delivered on great occasions. The history of the country will place it second to none among the most patriotic and able orations.
The next two or three days were spent in and about Charleston, visiting the scenes of desolation caused by the war. The only carriages to be had were donkey carts. It was a usual sight to see George Thompson of England and Charles Sumner jogging along, or William Lloyd Garrison and Senator Wilson together, Henry Ward Beecher and Fred Dougla.s.s in a donkey cart driven by a former slave. Ma.s.s meetings were held in the abandoned churches and public buildings of the city, mostly attended by the coloured people.
On the third day the _Ocea.n.u.s_ pa.s.sed out of Charleston harbour, saluted by all the s.h.i.+ps and forts. The flag on Sumter was dipped as we pa.s.sed by; all went well until we rounded Cape Hatteras and were bearing into Fortress Monroe. Pa.s.sing a pilot boat, the captain shouted, ”What's the news?” The reply came back over the water, ”The President is dead.” We could not and did not believe it. Soon after, pa.s.sing another pilot boat, to a similar question the answer came, ”Mr. Lincoln has been a.s.sa.s.sinated.” Then we realised the truth. With saddened hearts we sailed up to Fortress Monroe, which was already draped in black. Here our party separated, some coming direct to New York, the rest going to Was.h.i.+ngton to take part in the ceremonies attending the funeral of Mr.
Lincoln.
I have spoken more fully of the Sumter excursion because it was an important national event, and because it was so closely identified with Plymouth Church and Brooklyn. If it had not been for Mr. Beecher there would have been no _Ocea.n.u.s_ voyage.
[Ill.u.s.tration: HENRY WARD BEECHER'S STATUE, BROOKLYN, N. Y.]
_QUAKER CITY EXCURSION_
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