The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-07-04

The Farewell Talk-Mr. Beecher's His
tory OF His Life.

tory OF His Life.
The lecture room was unusually crowded last
evening. Mr.. Beecher came In about i've minutes
to eight O'Clock, in company with his wife. His
subject was his own life as q minister. and in
some parts he spoke with great emotion. He
began by saying :-'.It is Of the infecities Of
our prosperity that we have no privacy, and IL is
impossible Tor me, as your pastor, to have any
confidential communications with nv church. /
might as well stand in Broadway and shout con-
ndential 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 meeting at
which l shall be with you for some
time, and 1t Is season Of sickness,
to which l 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 l mean tonight, as your servant
and the servant OF Jesus Christ, to say few per-
sonal words. was called TO the christian
ministry from as early period as can remember.
There was no distinct reasoning about it. grew
up finding every body expecting it, ana don't
know the point OF transition. My father was q
warrior IN his day. He stood foremost,
probably; at any rate his name was to
me great. ! had idea OF measuring myself
or my ministry by him. MY love for him was so
great that should have been ashamed to be as
great. AS soon az left college went to Coving-
ton and went in to large hall and commenced
preaching. Not because OF what would come OF 1t.
but caring most to fulfil my duty. Alter preaching
three OF TOUR Sundays was called by Martha
Sawyer to go TO Lawren ceburg, where there was
small church, OF about forty -one members. l went.
simply because there was vacant place and
work TO be done. worked two years there,
when was called to Indianapolis, and labOred
there eight years. Then ! came here. came
without any expectations or any ambition had
no thought or care Tor the future. determined
to preach Christ as power, not as doctrine; as
ednying and enrichlng men, not as es-
ia David sect Hall ,ha eeTOef he wri'1s
pected me TO build up CongregaionaIism he
would be disappointed. My ministry has extended
over nearly ioIty years. went into IL with two
living trutns-irst was the spiritual heplessness
OF men and the infinite need OF Divine help; Sec
ond, was a sense that God as revealed IN Jesus
and patience and helplulness. Those two things
were my stock, and III all my ministry down to to-
day can say nave never preached from
PERSONAL AMBITION,
never sought great name or place. am never
dis Leased with praise when 1t is deserved; but as
God Is my witness this has never been the motive OF
my action. ! nave never sought influence or praise.
began my work with three conslderations-the
love ! had Tor God the love mad iOr my fellow
men and thirdly could not help 1t. l was
made to preach; ] was from the beginning
led to accept as my brethren all who accepted
Jesus Christ / never preached a sermon that
aimed to put down any sect. Early 10 my minis
Try | was called TO consider the question or
it, Twas there, heart and soul. The only cOnsdera-
ton IN my mind was how TO act to effect the
political economy, and grew TO love my country,
and no one knows how 1t hurt my pride TO know
more tnan half tie states without fear OF the
halter. Wen, the war passed and liberty came,
and from tnat moment ~ aa a do WI con
ate. Since that day more and more my mind has
been working towards the larger views Of the
nature OF the divine soul and Of Gods great love,
have nothing nothing to say Of the struggles
l have gone through-nany very deep. ! nave
nothing further TO say the differences In my
views, OF the changes IN the old theology to those
feelings that should BRING into light the power OF
ing 10 mankind the sympathy, compassion and
power OF love OF Jesus Christ. had sympathy for
BILE that thought II ! lifted up God stern and
unsympathenc it would crush them. 1t seemed
ana IN doing SO have had your sympathy. That
is ieward enough; but i: l had not had it, so
ve been d. sho ek
periences such as all men In public lie pass
tnrough. have not had one too lnauy. have
perfect trust. | have periec, and absolute rest,
for | see such points IN the revelation OF Gods
nature, as over against the sinluness OF our
nature, that seem TO be caught up in Gods love.
The storm that troubles at the same time propels,
SO that, come what may, lie or death,
MY HOLD ON GOD
is incontestable, my comfort unquestionable, my
JOY continual, ana, II one thing De sure, that
when stand in the presence OF the revealed God
and you come We shall shake hands. | can say
that, though conscious OF great weakness, l am
conscious OF having gwen to my WORK among men
my best thoughts. ! have not worked with a
sinister motive. l have worked Tor the whole
Israel OF God, for black and white, and can say in
the
FACE OF MY SAVIOUR
that have strivcn TO pursue course that is for
His glory. commit everything IN His hands, living
or dying am Gods Life is speeding. some OF
Win drop or during this summer, but that is no
trouble when to die means to 1--we; when to 90
means to be glorlied. Let glrd up our loins
again, swear the love OATH and go forward until
we NEE our dear Father and saviour, Jesus Christ.
Mr.. Beecher closed the meeting with prayer in
stead the usual hymn.
Alter the prayer meeting a church meeting was
held Tor the reception or members already exam
ined,