Gospel Privileges to the Highest Bidder.
The churches in Brooklyn have generally managed to do a good business in the way of renting pews, but Plymouth Church, of which the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher is pastor, seems to transact by far the largest share of business in the piety market. The reason of this is doubtless to be found in the fact that Brother Beecher is in the habit of "speaking right out in meeting" on certain theological points. The world is progressing on matters of religion as well as all other matters, and the hell-fire and brimstone doctrine has lost its charm for even the most rabid of the straight-laced gentry. The annual renting of the pews in Plymouth Church occurred on Tuesday evening last. The result was one hundred and seventy three seats were taken, the rent of which amount to $10,785. The premiums paid were $1,760, about thirty per cent, above last year. A large assembly was present, and the bidding was so spirited that the whole business was done in less than two hours. The aggregate receipts for pew-rents, the present year, is expected to be over $13,030, a larger sum, perhaps, than in any other church in the country. The house is to be opened every morning through the week, and on Saturday evening, to rent the remainder of the seats, numbering over one hundred.—Sunday Dispatch. When shall "the poor have the gospel preached to them?"