The New York herald., 1878-03-02
MIR. BEECHER's NEW OFFICE.

o. New York, and 10 faithfully perform the duties OF
The ONCE in the presence Of at least three thousand
spectators, who were gathered IN the regiment
armory to witness battalion drill and
the ceremony OF Installation Since 1t was
announced that Mr. Beeeher had accepted the
position left vacant by tho resignation OF Dr.
Carroll there has been no little interest manifested
1t Inc prospect OF seeing the great preacher IN ne"
rols--that Of regimsntaI chaplan-and much curl
ssity has been expressed TO how he would look In
uniform. He did nos appear In uniform last night,
but u 10 understood well known tailor 10 manu-
featuring q regulation chapIain's black coat and
tsowssrs gray with black stripes on the outside Of
the Ier. and that Mr. Bsecner may soon bs seen In
them. wearing also chapeau, black sash and
bolt, With gold trimmings and sword.
YLruourH CHURCH rRAYER MEErIsG-
The Friday evening meeting in Plymouth Church
vas no. largely attended, and Mr. Beechsr, who sat
In his usual chair called on several OF the brethren
70 lead in prayer and gave out many hymns, which
tho congregation sang He then aid:-I shall say
hut few words to- night, as have made another
engagement tor this evening, OF which you
may have seen notice In The daily
pspera | have promised TO be present for tho
first time at OF tho drills OF the Thirteenth reg-
mens as its chaplain 1t seems 1T that under the cir
cumstances should mako short statement to you OF
tho reasons which led TO accept the place when II
was offered to me. II was not, as you may readily
suppose, because l had nothing TO do and because
wanted 10 All UP vacant time. II was because
had any special military gifts or that any especial
military procivites led me to delight IN such posi-
non. l was as much surprised as any one % could
Be when request made by Colonel Austin that
should become the chaplain Of the Thirteenth reg.
mens, ana was Informed that 1t Was the unanimous
Wish tho officers OF tho regiment that should ac
cept the place. And the first impulse fet on receiv
Ing the invitation was TO say no, but the second
there was not some duty here. The question
was not exacsy, ''should you sccsp: tho
Sos accept Il s Is Is not sminen.ly Wise thsl body
oi young organized as force OF citizen soldiers
should have enapains In an organization Of ths
q peculiar Kind Of perily IS not body Of
this kind essmous 0% ,sspsss
srsa. .' a.nsors Is not liable to become worn:
down TO destruction. II TO there qucs.
that they should be surrounded by some kind OF
moral nfuopoes, and IL seemed 20 be pertinent qucs
tion whether II some ono should respond, WAS not
In my case there seemed to oe especial reasons
why should respond ! was always among
the foremost In the matters that led to tho
war, and was forward In uphoding the various
measures of tho war, and IL hardly seemed wise
or proper for mo TO turn away from tho citizen
soldisry after they had done their duty IN that war;
thus tacitly saying that they wcre OF no further
consequence to the nation or to the community.
And even more than all this was the consideration
members of my own fock here And II it Is wise
md prudent to have cltizen soldiory properly
equipped and ready At all times to serve as back
Rround Of support Tor the civil authorities, H. Is GER
ainiy well 10 thcm fortified and strengthened by
Ill the good influences 1t is possible to throw around
REASONS ZOE AccEprrxo THE POSITION.
All TINS might be reason for you to say 10 me, "lt
10 undoubtedly right for some 80, but NOS Tor
you . but the olcs RS oftne regiment were enough
say that ii would accept the position would not
s 70 aevoi' Geai boua Ss.o M 10 aS
regiment year. and DO present a. tncir
drIs once In awhile, as could make II
eonvcuient. In fact, they left 1t to
me to decide what the measure Of my duties should
be. And because ! am one OF the old citizens
OF Brooklyn and because am, In some sense, tho
fathor of many OF these young men, therefore did
nccept the Office, and go tonight not SIMPLY as
pleasure but hoping to do them good. to help
snsm as soldiers us well as individuals, Tor dou't
lko 10 have anything to do with thing that doesn't
ga II they arc going 10 have shaooy reg ment.
one In which every thing Is going 10 he az sxsa and
sevens-why, thoy will have 10 get another chaplain
pretty quick. In taxing this step then hope for
your prayers and sympathy, and nopo we shall
have in tho thirteenth the formation OF thoroughly
good regiment and one that we may DO
because although It is old regiment
and with worthy record, its ranks are not nov
that an impetus shall be gwen 1t that will render
It more prosperous than ever At aay rate, hope
you Will have its wellbcng a. heart II Tor no other
sake least ior my sake, for should not ike 10 do
anything In which should not have tho prayers and
sympathy OF my people.
THE INSTALLATION IN ARMoRY.
Tho closing hymn then sung aud tho bcpedic-
tion nounced, alter speaking with few OF the
congrogaIou Mr. Beccher entered u carriage with two
. or three trends ana driven to the arnory, in
which the regiment YVES already manGuvrinQ aud u
large crowd OF spectators was assembled. ne
wns escorted TO a front seat by two or three OF
the officers and sat chatting with his friends,
while half hour the regiment marched and
oouutcrnarched. AT length the mpancs took their
positions open order on three sides OF the I'M nensc
hail. and Colonel Austin addressed Mr. Bcecher, who
the middle OF the Hcro he stood with uphitod
hand while Colonel Austin said:-"You do s0lemny
and OF the state OF New York aud to faith.
luy perform the duties oi your Office TO the best OF
your ability, 80 help you Cod Mr; Deecncr enc, re. re,
she Colonel then said: -"Fcllow soldiers OF tho
Thirteenth, present to you as our new chaplain
man who needs no introduction from me-"
Mr.. Beccher stopped a little forward, and said
In assuming duties which / assured are not
onerous but arc more honorable than burdensome,
shall cndsavor TO prove faithful to them, aud VIII
lry TO do what cvory iruc man tries TO do IN mis-
sphere Regimental duty, as you all know, has been
looked upon generally as moro matter OF athletic
sport than serious business, but the events OF tho
last twenty years should have changed this opinion,
and within year past we have passed through In
sesne troubles that should have taught The error
OF IT, In Earopc WHOM the conflicting interests
mako IL necessary support standing armos In every
country they malnt tanned, aud are constant
the liberty people. over So 600 O0O OOO
lrc spent Tor their support every year, ana
they cause OF waste and corruption. In our.
country there Is prejudice against standing army,
and we permit only small one That we honor, ana
We glory II, but in times OF trouble we have learned
aIl back citizen soldiery. Let us hope that
lhcre will occasion sGcn as there has boon
In tho past Tor calling upon them; but IL IS not
10 be recRopod improbable that you may be
called on again and again as the right hand of the
police, ior as such regard you, ana as such,
hardly exaggerate the value OF bodies OF trained
II Is a OF safety that the state should
times OF emergency be compelled to rely bodies
Of men unacquanted with each otacr and with
their duties, but should have trained and disci-
pliped organizations. Your name which you have
earned ths past such that have no doubt that If
you arc called IN the future you Will do honor
ible service as you have already done. II Is time
when matters seem lowering, but lot us hope
that tho threatening appearance will pass
and serve only storms serve 10 Gear
the AIR and make the world brighter May |
not expect that In future you Will so discharge what
ever duties may fall TO you that your name shall be
pride TO tho state May not hope that you will put
your heart into every DUTY you have to perform, that
whoever names you shall name you with honor AL
ready tho Thirteenth has proud name May IL grow
still more illustrious In the past SO far identify
myself with you now that hold myself hereafter
subject TO your call, and in whatever way may bc