The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1875-03-24

| from Beechers Friday Night Talk in the
Lecture-room of his Church,
This church is my child, and I do
not rehearse Its history for the sake
OF pei sonal graduation, but for higher
reasons. | came here when there was
only the shadow Of church, and I
have been twenty years your
pastor. The church has grown up,
not under my influence, Eut under
the doctrinsl .traths whxA- have
preached. | have maintained inde-
pendence both in the pulpit and the
pews. 1t has been my profound de-
sire to have the church life independ.
ent of me. My in21epos has been so.
great that Is was dangerous for me to
shcw what / desired in many cases
But have never fofbeYne to express
my Judgment when asked. / have
never 'colleagued' with anybody, nor
have had any church plans. For
the exultatiOn of manhood IN Christ /
have la bored with every power of soul
and body. -
| When twenty-five years had
elapsed, said there had never been
an occasion when had had to call a
When said that / had 30 idea ION
came the most serious intestine diff
enced. In the earlier stages of dis.
cussion there was divided counsel.
Then l war specta tor fy,M reasons of
dclicacy and Justice. Bat marked
with silent joy the effect OF what |
had preached-that the regnant power
OF the universe is sympathetic love.
You we're animated with love for your
pastor. During the iDterference of
sister churches and the session Of the
National Council the church main
tained spirit of subs IA nrial unity.
CLOSE upon those events, in order
that the church might not be puffed
up with pride, that We might not wear
one thorn but whole crown, came
the difficulties of last summer, and he
present emergency. And ] wish tu
say that our great distinctive doctrines
have never been more signally vinii-
GATED than by the pre- ent conduct Of
the church. A large amount of i'll
will, which might have taken on the
form of words, has been cstopped
The church has got lost the spirit of
prayer. nor has it been male selfish,
nor querulous. nor hasty; it has been
patient and self-centrolline. You
passed through three years Of trial.
without seams. and have preserved
the whole economy of the Gospel. In
You the Christian graccs have become
deeper, wilder. and more luminous.
Your affections have been blessed.
The view of manhood in Christ Jesus,
which l have preached. has kept you
in peace. If should die tomorrow,
I would be without \ panz as to the
doctrines which have borne their fruit
in your lives. Now the day dawns,
and the night has passed away"
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Beechef's
address there were many who were
wipine away the tears thas he had
called forth. Mr. Shearman wept un-
restrainedly, and even Assistants Pas
tor Halliday looked sad. In his
prayer Mr.. Beecher eaid I'VE de-
sire. o Lord, to feel. on looking back
over this campaign of widespread
troubles, to feel that there was not
one cross too many-one thorn too
many. We pray that We may look
back on all the troub Gus ways We have
traversed in thankfulness, feeling that
Thou in Thy love has sent the
troubles. As our trouble is past
and is passing, We desire to recognize
the great blessings that we have had
from Thee. We have not long to live,
and yet We will live rs long as Thou
livest. Our places here will soon
know us no more, bat we feel already
the pressure of the crown. II we suf-
fer with Thee we shall reign with
Thee; and we have suffered with Thee
in the poor, the downcast. the slave.
the oppressed. We know we shall
reign with Thee. for Thou hast prom
Used it. Why should men look with
wonder upon US that We are peaceful.
when We rely on Thy promises keep
US in perfect peace"
The meeting was then eTosc.l by
singing the hymn,
I'VE are Oh our journey home"