The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-14
MIR. BEECHER's TRIP ABROAD.
1t Will Be Full of Work as Well as Enjoy
ment.

ment.
New York Times. Saturday. -,
When the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher ad-
dressed his .prayer-meeting, last night he was
somewhat less composed than usual His voice
trembled slightly at times, and his manner had
none of its Friday night sedateness. The rev.
erend gentleman spoke of his early mission work
in connection with his congregation at Indian
apolis, and dwelt upon the times when he was
sent to Terre Haute, Fort Wayne, Logansport
and other towns. He alluded to the three mis-
sions he had undertaken for Plymouth Church.
I'm 1862" he said, II went to Europe For
twenty -three years / have, so far as the East
is concerned. staid at home. l feel as though
I had mad another mission now for the
fourth time in the history OF my
passionate. Somehow" he continued, rails
ing his voice, II. can't realize that
have been permitted to 60 to Europe; don't
speak with any vain appreciation of myself, but
l should be more than foolish and insincere if /
did not know what tokens had come to me for
my preaching in the kingdom of Great Britain,
in France Germany and Italy. My sermons
have been translated into French, Danish, Ger
man. italian, and believe that mead the book
that has been published by the Roman Catholic
Society for the Propagation of Sound Literature
in Italy. 1t has been matter of good deal of
pleasure to me that while l speak In relatively
retired position here, it peases God to carry the
sound of my voice far out, and take my words
in sympathy over to that great coast. Although
/ am of very buoyant temperament and full of
humor I carry very deep and solemn sense of
the work of God which is going on in the world,
and of my dedication to that work.
"And now" continued Mr.. Beecher, what
shall preach in London2 What shall preach
on each of the different Sabbaths in the differ
emit cities that VISIT What is the gospel that
am to carry out? All, surely it is the gospel that
develops the side of God as one of love aud SYM
pathy. 1t pleased God to use my temperament
and the experiences of my early life in the
furtherance of that doctrine. 1t has been the
dominating idea of. my life to bring out the
family side of God, the fraternity of God.
go to England feeling as though. in some sense,
/ am going home. Sure. / am going out for my
enjoyment--of course-but there goes with that
an idea of carrying out intelligent view of
the Christian religion which shall meet the
wants of the high and the low everywhere. /
verify believe that the gulf of unbelief will be
bridged over. l shall not build the bridge. but
it will be built. There will be clearer concep-
ton of God"
Mr. Beecher paused for few moments and
when he resumed his voice was husky. II have
said one hundred times" he went on, land
thought one thousand times, that bless God
I was born at the time I was. bless God that
/ threw myself into the minority when / was a
boy. I bless God that am ready to 60 on fight
ing, if there be anything to do. bless God that
1 am ready to lay down my weapons tomorrow.
Brethren, / am your pastor. l am your head in
the eyes of the law. 1 don't go away in my ind-
viduality. I go as your pastor We are con-
nected by such subtle threads that nothing could
separate us. Whatever befalls me abroad you
will have an interest in, and what happens to
you at home shall have an interest in. / shall
on every Sabbath-day think of you, and on every
Friday I shall have heartthrob for you. l
shall be your pastor / shall love you for all the
days of my life. go under circumstances which
probably will give me az much to do as | want.
AS work agrees with me, l hope to come back
reinvieorated, reinspired, to go on during the
artumn and winter with my work. Applause
Next Friday will be our last prayer meeting for
months. Wen try and have a good time"