New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-12-11
THE GOOD or RICHES.

ALECTURE BY HENRY WARD BEECHER
SPEAKING IN AID OF THE NORTHE ,sTERN
pIsPENsARY-Hpw To BE GOOD AND YET BE
WEALTHY.
Henry Ward Beecher lectured last evening
ot the Lexington Avenue Opera House for the benefit
Of the Northeastern Dispensary. He did not announce
the subject of the lecture fact he described 1t simply
as kindred to his lecture on the Ministry OF wealth.
The house was nearly full when Mr. Beeoher was miro
duced a few minutes after by one OF the managers
Of the Dispensary.
There country. said Mr.. Beecher, where II Is ore
important know what right than in this Not because
there are moro ignorant people here, but because life
currents run deep and temptations are so strong
Everyone has a standard which he believes H. out
which he does not usually live up 10, II 1t Ia very hgh
The law furnishes standard but it is not very LOFTY,
and, with cultivated men, it is only beginning There
are ten thousand things we do for the sake
of propriety alone of which the law takes
no c0gnizance. Christianity is recognized as
a standard by everyone, because 1t embraces'
think, all that is good and beautiful In every
religion But II have a standard II Is import
ant that we should live up to it, Yet among
very many Of our best people there is a feel
ing that they are not doing this. There Is
vague idea that Christianity requires that a man
should not be rich cultured, but that he ND be
plain. Some people have almost consciousness OF
wrong in enjoying the good things of life There s no
doubt that the Great Master did condemn riches Bn
hold that His purpose not 10 condemn wealth. l.
was rather the eshnes OF wealth that was condemned
For four thousand years before He lived there
denuncaon of riches but they rather held out as
the reward Of duty. Shall we take His casual words as
condemning all wealth, lie who was. en-
te raned by wealthy men, and who began His career by
participating in the festivities OF a wedding In Palcs-
tine oppressed by Roman rule wealth and safety were
almost unknown. and the presumption was then that
rich man was a wicked one Speaking Of those times,
our Master condemned wealth. but TO transfer His crit
icism. which was in reference TO single provn &C. to
Many persons hold that the rich, men
s sSSes oss away be 'e equally n0 dyed There
ia No greater mistake in political economy than this
lated wealth. II have all rls E@ can not nave nv
ers also Wealth should have gcnes%i glstrpHti2n,
but there should be large accumnlaons OF - WINE
this NAV cause suffering in the present generaGu
it viii be better those who live after us. II "a as
contented, selfish and proud, bat so does
| poverty. II had TO choose between the vices o
The rich and those Of the poor should prefer the former
In this city Of the noDes people we have are those
| who have been born to wealth - ,-.,,. D.. -,
things and that the man who has the fcwest wants IA
the most perfect deny the whole There ought 10 De
Il want for every faculty some OF our poets
are pointed ont as examples OF mgn VINO
mo oG test of What his wants Would be in poor community
H3re he has the advantages Of fine libraries and art gal
his wants he If he was where he could nave none o thesc
things7 do not men 20 seek wealth, bat iusuty
|
show that is not Inconsistent with moral standard
could cure the most rabid Socialist in five minutes Of his
Wond look at things IN different light, and he
would that wealth aided in securing pleasure Inc
line OF conscientious abnegatOn OF some men ses them
sgas. pleasure. had almost said thai religion Without
pleasure superstition We should avoid or at ea5t
enard against enjoying mach those pleasures that
spring from the passions and feelings for they often lead
dangerous fires But these can be refined i; there
since socabity has become refined the table Is crowned
! with the souls best flowers and fruits
| Va fOl
You might well attempt TO run factory without
steam en- CINE They should be curbod, not crushed And
many hold that the higher pleasures which come
from the theatre, sculpture or painting are inconsistent
with a noble mans life. l had almost said that noble
soul could scarcely restrain itself these relaxa
tons manhood is the object should strive 10 at
ts a neas greH improve and What lower him
There impression that sorrow Is nearer to Heaven
| than Joy. l do not believe it. Pam ana dsappolnt
| mcnts are the medicines which bring man back to
health Joy sign Of healthy soul and G love per
festivities OF wedding ought TO Justify ever Christian
So Ba@ II %aPT cannot S living
in the realms Of beauty, and they cannot put zee,
US the woRdroas and ever-chsnging beauties of nature
10 enjoy. Surely thore rs no lcsson we can draw from
Ss he sns made man S Ills own image Nature
Gods provision for beauty for the and part OF the
ewes to the beauties around them. would rather rive
child an appeeney ior beauty ,nsm n WnSn
marble canvas surely 1t cannot be wrong Tor man TO
Sn grS So think that man who builds magnificent
| mansion does anything improper Other people can
enoy It, and every prnceiy structure tends 10 draw
evcrythng around IL. Yet fine houses and their sur
rOundings are said create boundary and To separate
The owner from the people. II Is not these that DO tls
but deficient manhood Would anybody object II Peter
| Cooper should build house OF silver and goidi Hls
| simpIcity and manhood disam criticism. And the
lower classes be elevated unless models are
| placed before them. 49,. ~,
| 1t ia objected that luxury If an unInany thng. Un
happiy this has associated with epicurensn the
lowest and most corrupt form OF luxury. IL this is lux
| ury cursed be luxury Does mau only hunger IN MS
month long for precious stones pictures ana DOCKS
N is luxury when q has enough to satisfy tne
mans wants and 10 satisfy OF those OF the soul lie
| who denounces this entirely II more iinmoderate
| than he who ia most immodcrately luxurious
| But what is extravaganza III a man has abundant
means nc has right TO be eXtravagant In his relations
| with society but nc has right to he stngy He can
not escape his duties TO his fellow the man VINO
does not give IL extravaganty stngy None OF us has
right entirely for himself InasInuch az we are
rich refined witty or learned In just 50 much DO wo owe
| things. No has right 10 build nes'
In the trees and 10 isolate himself What business nave
the ren 20 associate only with the noh ana 20 turn
scornfuy upon the poor2 It Is not only wrong but IL
unwise. There are many signs In this Republic thai
| NAV I'd topping down their riches. There are n'
dangers for the rich who stand with their heart
| i'm their hands: but there dangers for those
| There ia q duty for all rich men. The one who
| does not beetOw something upon bis native citJ
| or country cannot estimate the wrong ne does MANY
OF the hospitals and statues in Ncwf0rk are considered
as riffs from generous men, but they not any more
tbnn they arc duties Every rich should feel tina
he has duty first 10 his family aud then TO the com
| munity la which lac acquired bis wealth and power.