particularly about Dr. Morrill, during whose
service of ten years, from 1851 to 1861, I became a member of the
school. All have done noble 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 institutions 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
assault 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 gove