Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-07-02
From the Springfield Republican.
MIR. BEECHER'S PRAYER MEET.
INGS..TIIE SOCIAL ELEMENT
IN CHRISTIAN PROGRESS.

We have recently had an opportunity to
become acquainted with portion of the ma
chinery employed by Mr.. Beecher so SUCCESS
fully in carrying on his work of propagand-
ism in Brooklyn; and we are sure that a
ihultituuo of - - -" -, will be glad to get
acquainted with it. The prayer meeting, is
it is conducted in Mr.. Beecher' lecture room,
is peculiar institution, unlike any religious
meeting we have ever seen.
The old-fushioned conference meeting all of
us are acquainted with. 1t consists Of from
six to twelve men, twice or thrice as many
women, and II solemn-looking man on the
platform, with white cravat on. The ex-
crcscs consist of poor singing, long prayers,
remarks, exceedingly long and painful pauscs,
&c, &c. 1t is attended as IL matter Of stern
and solemn duty-ninety-nin in one hundred
OF those taking part in them calling the
work taking up their cross" The pen
ance of the Romanist is rarely more s.vere
than that performed by those who let their
voices be heard in the conference room. Those
who are afraid to say any thing never allow
their eye to be caught by the minister; or
they keep handSerchieis over their faces. If
they escape being obliged to " take up their
cross" it is lucky thing. And this is called
a social mceting-a conference meeting! How
perfectly ridiculous this would be, We're it not
really 50 painful a thing to such multitudes
of men.
Not such as these are the prayer meetings
in Mr. Beecher's lecture room. Let those
who have not been in this room, imagine
large, square hall, with a small platform on
one side, slightly raised above the floor.
Whether this room is enteredat eight o'clock
on any morning Of the week, or at the We'd
nesday evening lecture, or the Friday evening
church prayer meeting it will be found full
and running over. Every seat will be oc-
cupied, chairs will fill all the aisles, and the
entry way will be full. At the left of the
platform stands grand piano, in the midst
Of cluster of leading voices. The house is
always full before Mr.. Beecher makes his np-
pearance. He never comes before the time,
and we believe he is generally allowed five
minutes beyond. lie takes his seat, and
gives out his hymn; the piano sounds the
key, and then there is singing, hearty and
general. 1t is not distinguished for anything
IN nore commendabe than heirtiness, and this,
we suppose, is the great essential, after all.
At these meetings there is great deal Of
singing done. 1t is not only a medium, OF
form of upward going worship, but it is an
excitant and harmonizer of feeling,
Mr.. Beecher rarely rises from his seat in
making his own remarks, unless he gets
thoroughly wakened up; and then, as if by
an involuntary movement, he rises and goes
off into an inspired flight Of eloquence, or g
pointed and forcible exposition OF some truth
: But generally he sits and the meeting seems
!, more like large family party than any
other kind of a gathering. 1t is converse
tional in character, and the presiding mind
genial and brothcrly, has the power to cal
but the expression OF the humblest soul. Th
members speak of one another by name, a
familiarly as if they had all and always liveC
in the same house. A few incidents will per
, haps illustrate the way in which matters ar
= g managed, and explain the charm and powe
II of these meetings.
II At II recent Friday evening meeting, Mr.
@ Beecher was anxious to call out number t
9 declare themselves, and tell their experience
y One man rOsc and said that, the mornin
IL before, he learned what thunder clap GU
o of clear sky was. Mr.. Beecher had calle
~ upon him to speak, but he was so take
1i aback that he refused. He did not kno'
Dr why Mr.. Beecher came clear over TO him
u why he did not see somebody else-'Ha
N did, said Mr. Beechor, with a smile. Aft
g. the man sat down, Mr. Beecher quietly saiC
lg 'swhen you handle nettles do not take ho
1r of them carefully, for, if you do, they wi
g. certainly sting you. Grasp the weed with
er firm, bold hand, and you escape unhurt.
o' is Just SO with these prlckly duties. wa
S. up to them, and take squarely hold of ther
III and they hurt nobody" Thi, was said i
e. spiringly, and from that time till the NEE
d. ing closed, men rose at every opportuni
a who had never risen before, and told the
Christian experience. On one occasion, o
at of the brethren was telling about what
no band Of females had done. "Women," su
is gested MIR. Beecher with smile.
es. Even the singing is interspersed with
marks. On recent occasion, while the a
to dienoe were singing the closing hymn, \
tly Boecher broke in at tho close of the last We
ant but one, with, 9 stop there!' So they ST.
tey ped, and then Mr.. Beecher said that he v
he accustomed every day to put a flower il
ley his buttonhole. and he liked 10 have
he sweet and pleasant flower, too. Sometim
tho during the day, he would smell somethi
rly aud shifting the air, wonder what it ,
ich that was so fragrant. Looking down he
aal - l., A.. -. - IL.