Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1869-03-03
Ho" NcnyN U0Yd Beccher f0hcs
MS .Sp1'l!fU.!S.

Rulnh N,cker contributes to the
March number of rackard's Monthly,
an interesting account of"jlow Becchcr
makes his sermons: -
When he first commenced to preech
he wrote ont q few of his sermons, until
he had enough other writing to correct
his style. Since then he has never writ
ten out discourscin full. He hasan idea
all the week as to what subject he will
treat on Sunday. still, there is no de-
finite plan in bis mind until the time
arrives.
Usually, he does not touch pen to pa
per before sunday afternoon. Then he
sometimes gets so many sermons under
way that the one he intends prepare is
neglected until the first bell rings,
whereupon he throws aside the inVon-
plcte work, and, blocking ont a dis
course, he hastens to the pulpit. Gen
orally, he writes what would make n
quarter OF Il sermon, embracing the
leading points to be presented. In pre-
pariug Il sermon he first "biockS it out, :"
and lays the foundation with Il part Of
the framework. At the PROF er places he
cuts windows, through which the audi
ence may see the beauties of the Gospel.
he windows are designated by the let
ters OIL" incloscd in line thus Ill),
showing that an illustration is to come
in at that p lrticular point None of the
illustrations are ever written out before
hand or with the sermon, but they are
given as they occur at the time whom
they are needed.
Often, VIII n in the pulpit, he finds
the windows in the wrong place. He
always has variety Of new sermons on
hand, to be used on special occasions.
He said that in old times the house
wife kept batch of dough in the pa H.
try, 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 a
| different manner.
In reply to the question as to whetll er
| he selected his text first or the subject
applying such Il text IS would suit, he
he SAID 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 fruit and flowers, content
themselves by getting upon it and
swinging to and fro.
| He always makes it point to preach
h $ best sermons on stormy days, for
then those who are in attend lnce say
to their friends, You DONE know how
much you missed by not being present
though it was st )rmy day"
He well remembered the time when,
on nearly every Sabbath during the
winter, it showed or rained, 1" for ii came
near killing me-" said he laugAingly.
Some one i.quired he had studied
his prayers.
Never" said he, " carry feeling
with me such as mother would have
for her children We're they lost in a
great forest. | feel that o. every side
my people are in danger, and at many
of them are like babes, weak and help
less. My heart goes out in sorrow a I'd
in anxiety coward them, and at times
seem to carry all their burdens. | lind
that when ones heart is W appel and
twined around tn hearts of others, it is
not difficult to pray
Another wanted to know if it would
not be bette" for Mr.. Beecher to travel
about the country, that the people of va
rious sections might be benefited by
his preachiug..
mo" said he; what would stove
in the Arctic regions be good for if it
were carried from place to place. Be
side, more people come to hear Inc than
| could reach should go after them. | t
is far better for the United States to go
through my church than for me to 20
through the United States