Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-06-26
EDITORIAL connrsroNprScr.
TAYLoR's INTERNATIONAL Ho1EL,
Ncic York, June 81, 1868.

attend the Church OF Henry w ard Beecher,
in Brooklyn Leaving the Hotel at 10 a.
NJ, | proceeded TO the Fulton Ferry, from
whence large and commodious boats cross
and re-cross every FIVE minutes, conveying
over the river, through this immense tho
roughtare, constant stream Of passengers
between the two cities. -Four blocks from
the Ferry, on the Brooklyn side, brought us
to Orange street, near the corner of which
i1 located plain but massive brick building,
in which the Rev Henry Ward Beecher
holds forth every Sabbath, to a crowded, u-
telligent and fashionable congregation among
whom are always found large number of
strangers and others from New y ork city.
All the aisles and passages are invariably
filed. Along the aisles, on each sde at
cane-bottomed seat with back, which, when
not occupied, is folded up. In one OF these
l was comfortably seated and before the
services commenced not vacant seat was
tho doorway. Such is the popularity of
Henry Ward Bsechcr, perhaps the most pop
ular pulpit orator living, and of whom it is
often said that he belongs to family that
possesses more brains than any other in the
world. His father DR.. Lyman Beecher is
well known as an eminent divine. His sister,
Harriet Beechcr Stowe, has world wide
reputation, ms the authoress Of "Unce Toms
Cabin" lie is certainly an extraordinary
man. His style is rich, racy and original
He is yet, comp paratively, young man, pro-
badly under 40 years of age. In statue he
is rather under the Medium size. His dress
is plain but neat and becoming. He has
neither Nhiskers nor moustache and wears
bis shirt colOr turned down, and has his
hair, which is somewhat long, combed back
behind his ears, which exposes well devel-
oped forehead, indicative Of high order of
intellect. lie speaks without any apparent
effort, and | presume extemporaneously, as
he seldom cast his eyes on some notes before
him. His voice is strong, without being loud
or boisterous. and his enunciotion clear, dis.
tinct and musical. His gestures are, per-
haps, more energetic than graceful, but al
ways appropriate and seldom without effect.
He will, perhaps startio you in closing a
sentence, by suddenly bringing down lis
clenched right hand into the open palm Of
the left, with a smack distinctly audible over
the whole house, and in manner that few
would venture to initiate. He wields won
derrul power over his audience, aud drowsy
and sleepy hearers, | presume, are seldom
found in his church, as he would give them
but little time to compose their nerves, as he
rapidly elucdates every subject he touches
with lively incidents and illustrations OF
scenes in every day life. from grave to gay
and from lively to severe" His language is
choice and we'll expressed, though he does
not at times, hesitate to use the commonest
expressions. His style is peculiarly his own
and SO versatile that it could be adapted to
almost any purpose. Much Of bis great sue
cess is no doubt owing to the happy, quain.
and original manner in which he illustrates
lis subjects Of which l will refer 20 few as
a specimen.
Speaking Of the mercies Of God and the
mysterious ways in which he manifests him
self TO erring nan, he Illustrated the subject
| by comparing it to the lost traveller in q
dark and stormy night, to whom is revealed
by a sudden fash Of lightning, that he was
driving to the brink Of a dangerous prccpice
The fash Of light, though it came and went
| in an instant, was sufficient to show him bis
position, and save him from impending &c
! struction. But, to show that We did not
always appreciate these convictions or profit
appointment of tie boy, who with infinite
toll and danger, and considerable damage L
! his raimeut had succeeded in climbing
tree after a birds nest and found after al
his labor nothing but an empty crows mes
of last year The quaint manner in whicl
this was said, caused suppressed title
through the congregation.
Speaking of the mercies OF Cod manifol,
in many small ways, ho referred to the fac
that the mighty conceptions Of Michae
Angelo were, to him, less difficult than woul
have been the Illustrations Of simple subject
for the instruction Of children, and furthe
illustrated his subject by saying that th
elephant, in tearing from trees immens
branches with lis huge trunk created n
great surprise, because he was equal to tn
task, but when, with the came trunk, b
picked up siXpeuce, worn thin enough t
become the beau ideal Of a miser's contrib
tion, the performance was, indeed wonderful
In the evening | went to hear the Rev. NJ
Chaplin, who is not only an accomplishe
writer, but has the reputation Of being ii
most eloquent ard finished pulpit orator
New York. had listened TO him befor
In doctrine, lie is a uuiverSalst, and Eumbe
among his members and admirers, Horat
Greeley, of the Tribune, as a regular atteu
ant.
As will be seen by the heading Of this IL
ter, have taken up my quarters at TayloI
international Hotel, and must say that
have never been in a Hotel where | ha
enjoyed SO much Of the comforts aud qui
of home life. This Hotel is kept on the L
ropean plan, and is patroDized by many
! IL e. %, -F oil L