New-York tribune., 1878-05-13
THE DUTY or THE SOLDIER.

/ MIR. BEECHER'S SERMON TO HIS REGIMENT
HIS EETEhENCEs 10 THE MUrrEuNGs OF COMMUN-
ISM ~ THIS COUNTRY-THE SOLDIERS WORK IN
! REPREssISG LAWLEssNESs.
Plymouth Church presented n novel scene
last evening Mr.. Beechcr uniform preached to
/ the l3ta Regiment, OF which he made chaplain a
few mont rs ago. The members OF the regiment, TO the
number of $780, appeared full Uniform, with fatigue
caps ana without arms About $50 members Of the
erou corps were present Both bodies assembled at the
armo-y and matched to the church. which crowded
| rs denscly as possible In every part. II
was estimated that that 900 persons were unable
TO gain admittance The members OF the regiment en-
tered and mlrchcd their places without confusion.
They remained standing until the order WAS given to
take seats
The platform was decorated with flowers. which had
been brought from Mr. Bcechers farm Beechworth,
Peckskill.
Mr. Beccher's uniform consists of plain dark blue
broadcoth sut the coat buttonng straight up IN front
lie did not wear tho shouldcrstraps TO which he Is
entitled He began the services BY reading the chapter
In which Paul speaks Of the arnOr of GOd the sheld
Of faith" and the sword Of spirit" In his opening
prayer he said that they had met under peculiar circun
stances aud he prayed for blessing ON all the officers
and all the priyates Of the regiment.
The sermon from Ephcsans, VIZ 13: "Where-
fore take unto you the whole Of Cod that ye may
be able to stand in the day and having done ALL 20
stand" No fact stands more apparent, he SAID. than
that the law OF life been law of struggle. Every
step OF lie IL a conflict between kind aud kind Not
only is one OF animals hunted and deVoured by
Others bur In human conditions OF life the goes
between races and in society there are still rca
SONS for conflict This seems to be lsw OF the uni
verse Every man is called to ineesSant warfare with
himself BY nature are born to thefesh. We come
after h.tle to the new and higher realm Of Affection
Every one Is conscious that have perpetual watch
fulucss We been by inferior natures
There has been the victory of the animal man over the
true generous No man grows early into manhood
No man becomes accidentally learned or expert, or
laIses into great success. There mast be blow upon
blow and cndeayOr upon endeayOr The law OF happ,-
ness, even the law OF 5ehshuoss, should render man
helpful to man. But do know this and they
nict with another. In the whole conduct Ot our
business in all thr Inspirations which derive from
ou ocrnpati ms we are called to a soldiers duty And
every and then we are called to duty as members
OF The body potc We bear the commonwealth some
Tie qualities OF good soldier in the field the same
that needed for good soldier III the SpltHd war
fnrc Intelligence Is the nurse OF VIRTUE knowledge i
not pcty but it ministers to II, and intelligent piey Is
watchfuess are also necessary both IN the ply sea aud
spiritual warfare. Earnestncss aud patience as
wen are Indispensable quanurs. ~ @ Iue
great conflict through which we came no quality Wa1
neei not say, is needed. Nothing Is more becoming lhHh
this quality. And then hardness, as becomes gOO SOL
diers lt is thing TO be soldier at nome, ara an
other to he a soldier In actual conflict so we must hot
seek rel gi0n in order to have the ullaoh OF joy
We shonid near n"TGTSs runs Of the solder Is
obedIcnce Not questioning obedience, but absolute
prompt This is even more necessary IN the spiritual
warfare one other thing only ! think there could
he no good soldiers who did not have esprit du corps
They should rejoice in having common ann, and their
whole life should make sacred brotherhood. The army
of God is divided into sects but there should be no jea
| ousy or conflict between them.
| Cientlemen OF the Brooklyn 18Th: To you all and
TO each OF YOU separately these remarks applicable
But there are special duties resting upon YOU which
separae you from this audience Y0u citizen soldiers
The virtues or the citizen, lover OF peaee-Of the
soldier the defender OF OrderbeOng To yOu I Is your
duly 10 prepare yourselves for efficient service. II Is