Annual "renting of the pews" at Rev. Beecher's Plymouth Church in Brooklyn brings record return

The New York Times reported the following: "The annual renting of the pews in Plymouth Church, (the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher's,), Brooklyn, took place last evening, and drew a full house. The premium for the first choice was $160. The entire sum realized for the rents of the pews for one year was $24,642.50, being over $8000 more than the sum paid for the same seats for the year 1858. Many were unable to obtain pews. The sale closed at about 11 o'clock P.M., every seat being let." (By John Osborne)