Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-01-13
Beecher and His People and Friends
Thankful and Confident.

The Plymouth Church lecture room
was nearly filled last night, and the
prayer-meeting was of unusual interest
After the usual preliminary devotional
services, Mr.. Beecher began his talk
by saying that on this occasion. being
the last prayer-meeting Of the year, it
was naturally appropriate to cast the eye
over the past year. Those, be said,
who overlook their experiences, should
judge that good which raises their
higher manhood and harms the lower,
and call that bad which lowers the
higher manhood and elevates the low
er. l imagine one man getting upand
saying that it has been bad year for
him. He has had much sickness and
suffering, and the Lord has laid His
hands upon him very heavily. But
the angel OF truth, standing up, says:
:" This man was growing along the
ground like vine, but I have been
training him up, and shall make very
good vine of him. 1t has been a pros
porous year for him" Another man
says that he has had much care and
trouble, but is thankful that God has
made it no worse for him The angel
comes forward, and, ikening him to a
bnsh says that it has made great prog
ress and gained in strength, and though
it has not actually blossomed, it has
grown buds. The year has been a good
one. A third man has been much
blessed. he says, has seen little trouble,
and his wealth has increased The
angel says IN that mans case that it
has been the worst year he has had for
ten years. He has prospered in out
ward show, and has had social joys.
but be has not grown, and is not one
whit better nor larger for his expert
ence. The lesson of this is, that we
should profit by the inward experience,
not the outward
AS for myself, continued Mr.. Beech
er, the past year has been prosperous
one. 1t has rolled away many bur-
dens, and brought me much tranquility
of mind-more than [ have had in
many years. My nature has been
touched with all that makes me wiser,
hopeful. patient, and courageous. It
has been year of great conservation
to me. I am profoundly grateful, and
can truly say that have no bitterness
against any man. My sky has been
without cloud. have gone through
trial and have come out living Chris
tian. 1t has been a harvest year for
me, and have garnered enough for
FIVE years. | 60 out feeling that it has
been Gods storehouse for me.
During the last few words of Mr..
Beecher. many of his audience were in
tears, and all, including the speaker
were visibly affected. AS is customary
many Of the members made remarks
Last night the Sunday School and mis-
sion work was the chief topic, and all
the reports encouraging. Nearly all of
the speakers REFERRED in terms of eulo-
gy to their pastor, some thanking him
tor encouragement given, and others
for his example of heroism and mag
nanimity in the hour of trial. Mr..
Beecher closed the speaking by saying
that he did not wish to encourage his
people in expressing terms of commen-
dation regarding him. I have, said
he, refrained from commencing you in
public because | have thought it not
appropriate and not in good taste, for
a word spoken here is instantly pro-
claimed on the housetops Plymouth
church has appeared in the newspapers,