The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-03-02
How Henry Ward Beecher Makes His
Sermons.

March number of Packard's Monthly,
an interesting account Of "How Beech
er makes his Sermons"
he wrote out few Of his sermons, un-
til he had enough other writing to cor
rect his style. Since then he has never
written out q discourse in full. He has
an idea all the week as to what subject
he will trest on Sunday. Still there is
no definite plan in his mind till the time
arrives.
Usually, he does not touch pen TO pa
per before Sunday morning and Sunday
afternoon. Then he sometimes gets SO
many sermons under way that the one
he intends to prepare is neglected until
the first bell rings, whereupon he throws
aside the. incomplete work, and, block
ing out discourse, he hastens to the
pulpit. Generally, he writes what wo'd
make quarter of a sermon, embracing
the leading points to be presented. In
preparing sermon he first "blocks it
out" and lays the foundation with a
part of the framework. At the proper
places he cuts windows, through which
the audience may see the beautie, of the
Gospel The windows are designated
by the letters ''Ill ," inclosed in line
thus Ill. J, showing that an illustration
is to come in at that particular point
None of the illustrations are ever writ
ten out beforehand or with the sermon,
but they are given as they occur at the
time when they are needed.
| Often, when in the pulpit, he finds the
windows in the wrong place. He al
ways has variety of new sermons on
hand, to be used on special occasions.
He said that in old times the housewife
kept batch Of dough in the pantry,
and when bread was required, all she
had to do was to go to the tray and cut
off enough for baking. So it is with
his sermons. He never breaches the
same one twice, though he frequently
uses the same text, but it is always in
different manner.
In reply to the question as to wheth-
er he selected the text first, or the sub
ject. applying such a text as would suit,
he sail that a text may be compared to
gate opening into the Lords Garden;
many ministers, instead of unlatching
the gate and leading their hearers in to
pluck the fruits and flowers, content
themselves by getting upon it and swing
ing to and flo.
He always makes it point to preach
his best sermons on stormy days for then
those who arc in attendance say to their
friends, "You don't know how much
you missed by not being present, though
it was stormy day"
He well remembered the time when,
On nearly every Sabbath during the
Winter, it showed or rained, 'for it
came near killing me-" said he, laugh
ingly.
Some one inquired if he studied his
prayers.
Never" said he; 81 carry q feeling
with me such as a mother would have
for her children were they lost in a great
IOfreSG. L IeeI tnaL on every Sue my
people are in danger, and that many Of
them are like babes, weak and helpless.
My heart goes out in sorrow ana anxiety
toward them; and at times seem to car.
ry all their burdens. / find that when
ones heart is wrapped and twined
around the hearts of others it. is
not difficult to pray
Another wanted to know if it would
not be better for Mr.. Beacher to travel
about the country, that the people of
various sections might be benefited by
his preaching.
NO." said he; ''what would a stove
in the Arctic regions be good for if il
were carried from place to place? Be-
side, more people come to hear me than
/ could reach should ] go after them
1t is far better for the United States to
go through my Church than for me to
go through the United States
The House, yesterday afternoon, pass
ed the Election bill, introduced by Mr..
Williams Of Union, which does away
with annual elections, thereby saving an
expense to the State of at least one hum