The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-30
BEECHER TO HIS FLOCK.
Full Report of What He Said on Sunday Con-
corning His Political Career,

| New York Special,
After his sermon this morning Mr.. Beechel
| sent thrill of expectancy through his congrega
| ton by beginning to talk of this dissatisfaction
over his course in the campaign and particu
larly of the breeze that was raised over his re
| mark that if all those who had violated the
! seventh commandment should vote for Cleve
land his majority would be 1000 in this State.
| He said: II don't know how extensive the
trouble is l don't care about knowing who
| the disconnected members are, or whether
| they number four, five or forty; but there
has been serious disquiet in regard to me,
although not in regard to my ministrations.
AS to my late political course, felt that the
great party which will go down to history
crowned with honor for its works would receive
the last blossom of honor if it brought i'll a SEN
timent of unity and love for every part of the
country. This was the very best thing to be
done. was bitterly disappointed when this
was not thought of. God is my witness.
would have shed tears of joy and laid down my
life if only the Republican party had put into its
platform a welcome to the South and had made
! Southern man one of its great candidates |
was in dead earnest In the canvass That did
everything wisely don't say.
81 don't undertake to say that made speeches
which l do not now regret There are two
things bound to be confessed, one on your part
and one on mine. You should not have taken one
impetuous speech and have drawn it into an
other application. 1t was shame for you to
have done it, and it was shame for me to
as you are, and women as good as you are, into
making that Interpretation. 1 in no way
undervalue the sanctity of chastity
and the purity of the household life,
Time will do me justice. So far as
my political judgment and endeavors were con
cerned they have my unfcigned appreciation,
but so far as the execution is concerned | ac-
knowledged that mistakes and errors were COM
United and 1 am sorry for them and apologize
for them
"As to the future, if the best men are going to
leave, if anybody feels that he can no longer be
edited don't let them sneak away; let them
come openly and tell me so and will give
them my best blessing.
'As far as the pew renting is concerned, it is
said that am to be rebuked by diminution of
the funds. You can't rebuke me in that way.
l would be glad to have the funds for pew-rent-
ing as large or larger than they were last year,
but If they are cut down one-haf will say to
the trustees: Cut me down, too, and cut down
everything 1 came here on 81, 500 year, and
l can go back to 81 800 and live and be happy,
and, If you can't afford to pay me that, l will
support myself. Let the pew renting take its
natural course and then we will cut our coat
find me a stumbling block. If ma
jority or an important minority of
the members feel that they can
no longer receive sustenance and benefit from
my preaching and do not go away, will relieve
them. In the spirit of true Christian manhood
I will go. But if the great majority of the
church wish me to stay, will die with you and
nothing will drive nv away from you can
live on a good deal less than am now living on.
If you want me you can have me, but you have
got to receive me, not on pitchfork, but on the
palms of your hands never laid pipe in my
life"
This speech wasinterrupted two or three times
by applause. Deacon White refused TO discuss
the merits of the position assumed by Beecher
to-day, but he thought that his statment would
have the effect of soothing matters.