The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-01-13
pIPARfuRN % TRALAg
GhelnteIIii9)fl,tl5llttle':r': III.
I'll rf m 49,
A Curious Retrospect byHenry Ward
BeecheF. p: - ~ ct-a
There vas llarge attendance, at the

There was, s'lsrge attendance, at the
regular Friday meeting at Plymouth
Church, and Mr.. Beecher spoke with
more feeling than usual. Alter singing
and prayer he said;
want 10 say a few words OF the year
that has passed before entering upon this
new one. have felt that there has been
around me continual inspiration, and.I
have felt a sense OF the divine presence by
day and by night. ! have had always q
great faith, but for the year past have
had very clear and very sustaining, com.
iOrting assurance Of q God in Christ
Jesus. / think / can bear witness also
that my own judgment of things Tor the
past year has been set aside in favor Of o
higher disposal Of affairs. have had a
clearer insight into spiritual things than I
have ever had In any one year. l have an
intense conviction of the reality Of the
truth in regard to the infusion olspiritual
thingslntO the living world, q greater love
for men, an earnest desire for their we'll.
fare, and through the providence Of God /
uhNC bCSu oulo W ohJI NOt NY Will Dut
thine be DONE" God marked out and 1
only followed the marks. l do not re-
member but one period in my life in
which /. have had so many marked and
clear proofs Of the light Of love in the
Lord Jesus. have had my full share OF
what Jacob had when he wrestled with
the Lord. TWAS at the time that was
to speak in London on behalf Of my be-
loved country: ] got so overwhelmed with
despair during that afternoon that finally
had to fall back into the arms OF God.
had sense Of what my. country was,
and had strong overwhelming sense Of
the majesty Of the great principle Of lib.
erty,and love, in my soul, the sorrow Of
all the slaves. did not know what on
English audience was, nor whatl could
donor but that they would hoot at and
put me out, but I abided. in prayer.
was in prayer the whole afternoon, and
within ahslf.hour4 Of the beginning ;oi
my talk. Then it, came over me, Twas
perfectly willing 10 60 to that hall,
though should be put out. There
came over me such glow OF peace.
| was! unchanged, as 1t were, with
the electricity Of love, and on my
way TO the hall wanted to sing. ]
was, in fact, burnt with the heat OF my
own inspiration, and there was that
crowd Of 5000, with many scowliDg
faces. My curiosity,at them was. excited;
but from the first moment ! looked / had
no fear. l was as tranquil as a little lake
on the top Of a mountain; where It was
larup beyond thereach OF the winds, and
saw nothing but the stars and moon
shining calm and serene, II wasin perfect
ease. have had such feeling tenn
porarily at times; but during the past year
have had asense Of revelation and trust
the most implicit ! look back upon this
year as5thesone in, which I have received
that Of which Tor all years I have emost
TO be thankful fol. The blessings iof God
have continued ngreatef abundance than
atany former period I can remember
MI. Beecher's experience was recitedin
allow, tremulous voice, during a most per.
feet silence, and at an early hour the
audience was dismissed WY