, generally appreciative, less often with a
certain air of disapproval at the apparent levity. One thing was
noticeable: those who came once generally came again at some time, and
so faces that had been strange came to wear a familiar look.

_PLYMOUTH SERVICES_

Few, if any, churches in the country, certainly none in Greater New
York, preserve the old-time simplicity of the typical New England
Congregational Church as distinct as does Plymouth Church. The building
itself, with no steeple, the form of its auditorium, unusual at that
period in a church, the arrangement of its pews, all were indeed
innovations, and they have been followed, though hardly improved upon,
in building other church edifices. When it comes to the conduct of
worship, however, it is severe in its simplicity. There is the opening
hymn shared by the congregation, a short invocation, reading of the
Scripture, then the offering, and while it is being received an anthem
is sung by the choir.

The "long" prayer is followed by a hymn; but the chief feature of the
entire service is always the sermon, after which comes a hymn and the
benediction. The evening service followed the order of that of the
morning. Of elaborate liturgies there has been no hint, yet the service
has ever been both impressive and interesting. People explained it at
first by the peculiar power of the man who occupied the pulpit, yet this
can hardly account for its continuance to the present day in its
original form. The succeeding pastors have continued the plan, not
because Mr. Beecher started it or perhaps because they themselves
preferred it, but because it seems to fit Plymouth Church, and is
enjoyed by Plymouth congregations. Somehow a liturgy would seem entirely
out of place there, however appropriate it might be elsewhere, and not
only is this recognised, but there seems to have been at no time any
desire to make the service more elaborate.

When it comes to the conduct of the different parts of the service,
however, there was nothing humdrum, or that savoured of routine. Mr.
Beecher was a remarkable reader. Delicate shades of meaning came out in
the very tones of his voice, and his power of intense sympathy made it
easy for him to impersonate for the time being almost any character.
Had he turned his attention to the stage he would have been a wonderful
actor. As he read the Scriptures the Bible characters stood out with
marvellous distinctness; we could almost see