The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-07-06

Ghe9ntelliyenrer:
Dcecher,s Temporary Farewell.

Bcecher's Temporary Farewell.
From the New York Herald Of Saturday.
Tho lecture room was unusually
crowded lastevening. Mr.. Beecher came
in about five minutes to eight o'clock, in
company with his wife. His subject was
his own lie as a minister, and in some
parts he spoke with great emotion. Hs
began by saying: at Is one oil the infe
licities Of our prosperity that We have nc
privacy, and it is impossible for me, AZ
your pastor, to have any confidential com
municauons with my Church. l NIGH
as well stand in Broadway and shout con
ldential communications to my friends
and yet there are some things that We
might discuss with benefit. We know
that what Is proper in the family would
not sound well from the housetop
Nevertheless, this Is the last prayer meet.
Ing at which shall be with you Tor some
time, aud 1t Is o season OF sickness, To
which am as liable as you; and, as the
last week draws on, / am sadly and
strongly impressed with the feeling that
may never meet you again; and I mean
tonight, as your servant and the servant
Of Jesus Christ, to say q few personal
words. was called TO tho Christian
ministry from as carly q period as ! can
remember. There was no distinct reason.
ing about It. I grew up, finding every
body expecting It, and l don't know
the point Of transition. My father was q
warrior in biz. day. He stood foremost,
probably; at any rate his name was to me
great. l had no idea OF measuring my.
sct or my ministry by him. My love for
him was so great that should have been
ashamed to be as great. AS soon as /
left college l went to Coviugton and
went into large hall and commenced
preaching. Not because OF what would
come Of It, but caring most to fulfill my
duty. After preaching three or four Sun.
days l was called by Martha Sawyer to
go 10 LawrcnCeburg, where there was q
small church of about forty.onc mem
beEs. went, simply because there was
vacant place and work to be done. l
worked two years there, when I was
called TO indianapolis, and lRbored
there eight years. Then l came hero. I
came withoutany expectations or any am.
bition. ! had no thought or care for tho
future. l determined 10 preach as q
power, not as q doctrine; as ediiying and
enriching men, not as establishing sect.
| remember writing 10 Mr.. David Hall
that II he expected mo 10 build up Con-
gregatiOnalism he would be disappointed.
My ministry has extended over nearly
forty years. Invent into 1t with two Nv.
ing truths-first, was the spiritual help.
lesncss OF men and tho infinite need Of
Divine help; second, was q sense that
God as revealed In Jesus Christ was q
God OF infinite resources, Of comfort and
patience and helpfulness! Those two
things were my stock, and In all my min.
Istry down to to-day / eau say have
never preached from
PERSONAL AMDITIuN,
never sought a, great name or place. l en-
never dtspleased with praise when 1t is
deserved; but as God is my witness this
has never been the motive Of my action.
have never sought influence. or praise.
began my work with three considern-
lions-the love / had for God, tho love
had for my fellow men and thirdly could
not help it. was made to preach; was
from the beginning led TO accept as my
brethren all who accepted Jcsus Christ.
never preached sermon that aimed 10
put down any sect. Early in my ministry
was called TO consider the question Of
slavery, and ! took tho weak side. / could
not help 1t. l was there, heart and soul.
The only consideration in my mind was
how to act to effect the greatest good, and
in studying that l studied political econ
omy, and grew 10 love my country, and
no one knows how 1t hurt my pride to
Know that / lived IN this great land and
could not enter more than half the States
without lear Of the halter. Well, tho war
passed and liberty came, and from that
moment I laid down controversy and
strife and cndeavorede 10 build
up and conoiliate. Since that dey
more and more my mind has
been working towards the larger views
oil the nature Of tho divine soul and Of
Gods great love, made manifest in jesus
Christ. Now ! have nothing 10 say o.
the struggles l have gone through-many
very deep, I,haye nothing further to say
Of the differences IN my views, Of The
changes in the old theology, to those feel
ings that should bring into light the powel
Of Jesus Christ to save. My mind goes
10 interpreting to mankind the sympathy
compassion and power Of love Of Jesul
Christ. had sympathy for mankind
for | saw them born 60 helpless and feeble
that thought If lifted up God, stern
and unsYmpathetic 1t would crush them
II seemed to mo they wanted the breast
not chaatisemCnt, and In doing 80 have
mad your sympathy. That Is reward
enough; butfl had not had It, so great
is the sweetness Of 1t, l should have been
satisfied. have passed through expcri-
ences such as all men in public life pas!
through. ! have not had ono too many
l have o perfect trust: have periec,
and absolute rest, for ! sec such points il
the revelation oil Gods nature, as owe
against the siniulness oil our nature, tha
! seem to be caught up In Gods love
The storm that troubles at the same tint
prodelS, so that, como what may, life Of
death. ..lll,is ~
NY HOLD ON osD
Ia incontestable, my comfort uruuestion.
able, my Joy continual, and, If ono thinC
OG sure, that when l stand In tho presence
Of tho revealed God and you come WI
sasll shake hands. ! can say that