The New York herald., 1874-07-28
SUNDAY AT PEEKSKILL.

The charming situation OF Mr. Beecher's summer
residence and its manifold lovenesses have been
too frequently dilated upon TO need recapituaton.
Here Mr.. Beecher spent his sunday, surrounded
by all tnat is lovely quiet and beautiiui.
At an early hour the great preacher is asti.
The dew stu lies heavy upon the greensward as
he strolls le,surely through the spacious grounds
Mr. Beecher looks poorly. The lines are deeper
drawn, and there traces OF suffering and care
upon his countenanee. There is placidity as OF
old, but 1t is the placidity of repression, The
crowding back OF sorrow which will not
down. Plainly, Mr.. Beecher cannot say with
Paul, "None OF these things move me-" His step
has but little OF the elasticity and buoy ancy which
were wont TO characterize H.. He moves mechani-
caIy, as though preoccupied, and only when some
strikngly teautifui object In mower or shrub Is
ms eye do his features light up with The od-time
animation
As the sun rises higher the other members OF the
household appear. SantatiOns are exchanged,
the morning meal Is discussed, ana an adjoTr6.
ment hat TO the pleasant porch where reclining
breezes and IN full view ot the glorious prospect
earnest e9psultatlon between Mr. Beecner and
Brother shearinad efsits. -
Soon the mellow tones OF some distant church
bells from the pretty little villages scattered on
the hillsdes below are waited on The air and the
younger Mr.. Beecher and the ladies OF the house
hold MAKE ready Tor church The family carriage
IS brought to the door. They enter. Young
Beecher takes the reins and the natty little team
VI voSs o'ouion. W oomHidHu, udSn Toward IHe
village at spanking pace, ana the Second Pres
byterlan church, In south street, Is speedily
reached.
The Rev. James Dem0rest Jr breaches his fare
well sermon and the church ia amply filed. AS
the Beecner party enter, they are the cynosure OF
all eyes. murmur OF disappointment runs
through the congregation. HE is not heren is
looked and whispered; few Iurtive glances are
cast to make sure that there can be no mistake
and then the asSemblage settles down to the re-
gular order OF worship waiting In quiet expectancy
to near whether Rev. Mr.. DemOrest WILL as has been
al InSIn N thA fnnin vh,n,
Is upperm0st in the minds of all present. Ii is
time for the sermon The minister opens his
manuscript. and slowly, distinctly and emphat-
Ically enunciateS, "Why halt We so long between
TWO OpniOnsT' mstinctvely every eye seeks the
Beecher pew. It's occupants are painfully cog
nHant OF the attention, and only partially success
ful in Disgusting it. The text Is Omlnous, but the
sermon is not sensational. 1t contains no allusion
to the current theme. Benedction follows and,
as the congregation dispefses many inquiries are
made respecting MI. Beecher, and kindly messages
intrusted to the members OF his family-messages
OF sympathy and love and laith.
Even more rapidly than before the little trotters
convey the churcll-goers homeward. The consul
tation Is not concluded as they arrive. Still the
two gentlemen, pastor and clerk, occupy their
easy chairs aud confer earnestly together Dinner
AZ length breaks up the conference, but only "a
brief interval, for the long hours Of the afternoon
see even greater application, and the embod-
form.
twilight comes at length, and with its coming
everything Is laid aside, and all gather on porch
and lawn. The sun sets in majestic spiendor, the
shadows lengthen, night creeps on apace.
CLEAN OF light shines through the open doorway,
the Book of books, sits the nonored teacher the
of a loving IOOlIZInR grOuD