s still more evident that they felt that
more than Mr. Beecher, or even Plymouth Church, was at stake; it was
the ability of a company of Christian men and women to hold their faith,
and the expression of their faith.

So far as their personal interest and faith in Mr. Beecher were
concerned, nothing could illustrate it better than the action of the
society in helping him to meet the extraordinary expense, and the visit
to his home in Peekskill of the members of the three Sunday Schools.
While Mr. Beecher had a most liberal salary, he was free and even
reckless in expenditure. The result was that the cost of the trial went
far beyond his resources. At its close, and even before he had had time
to realise what that cost had been, the society which has charge of the
finances of the church, met and voted that his salary for that year be
one hundred thousand dollars. It was a great relief to him financially,
but still more grateful as a taken of the love and confidence of the
people. Not less touching to him was the tribute from the Sunday
Schools.

He was at the time living in his summer home at Peekskill, N. Y. Without
any knowledge on his part, until the very day, it was arranged by the
teachers and officers of the Plymouth, Bethel and Mayflower Schools that
the scholars should go to Peekskill to congratulate him on the outcome
of the trial, and emphasise the feeling of the church already expressed
in the salary grant. The steamer _Blackburn_ was chartered and about
three hundred joined in the excursion up the North River. Mr. R. D.
Jaques, an old, active and honoured member of the church, describing the
scene, says that Mr. Beecher met them standing under a tree, his hat off
and his long hair flowing in the wind. The visitors formed in line so
that each could shake his hand. As the little ones came, Mr. Beecher
would lift them up in his arms and kiss them. Then the house was thrown
open and they were welcomed to every part of it. Refreshments were
provided and the social festivities continued until the time came to
return. It was a happy company that sailed down the river, but it is
doubtful whether anyone was happier than the host, as he realised what
the visit meant of their love and honour.

_THE CHURCH TESTED_

On March 8, 1887, a little less than forty years after he had been
called as pastor of Plymouth Church, Henry Ward Beecher died. The end
came suddenly. There was no lingering sickness, no wasting