The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1892-05-28
MISCELLANY.
Nh. BEECHER'S FIRST SERMON.

His Widow Describes the Great Preach
er's First Brooklyn Sermon.
Mrs. Henry Ward Beecher gives an in
Jeresting account of the first sermon
preached by Mr.. Beecher in Plymouth
church, Brooklyn, in her fifth D on
"Mr. Beecher as | Knew Him" in The
Ladies Home Journal. 4 perfect food
Of warnings and criticisms came to him
before his first sermon. Doubtless al
these warnings determined Mr.. Beecher
more than aught else that the people Of
his new church should fully understand
before he was installed what course he
was likely to pursue. He told me thai
if Plymouth church decided to install
him, it would do SO with its eyes wide
open. 1t was upon the evening Of Sun
day, Oct. 10, 1871. He sat quietly on
the pulpit while the choir was singing.
His eyes scanned the -concourse of PEG
pie before him. but it was the lock @.
confidence that | saw.
Knowing as | did something Of what
he intended to say, | could not but
think. viii these people accept the
bold course he has marked ont for HI;
work from Il SO young ~looking:" Eos
his ten years of labor at the west had
not rubbed the youth from his face. |
noticed the almost contemptuous looks
of the strangers present as they watched
his face. As he rose TO read the Scrip
lures q deathlil-e silence pervaded thu
great church. But not a tremor was
visible IN the voice that spoke. With
that mellow voice which the BROOKLYN
public learned so well 10 know he read
the lesson Of the evening as if he We're be-
fore his LawreQceburg audience. Then
as he uttered the first low sentence of
his prayer, Is his heart rose heavenward,
the effect Of the preacher became visible
on his congregation, and he brought his
hearers close to Tie mercy seat. All was
changed. An almost breathless solemn
ty pervaded the church. and tears were
on many faces.
The youthful look vanished and did
not return, as in his ermon he plainly
and with great solemnity showed his
hearers the course duty called him to
pursue. As he said of these remarks
years after; Il lifted up the banner and
blew the trumpet in the application Of
Christianity to intemperalce, to slavery
and all other great national sins. | said
to those present, If | remain here and
you come TO this church it must at the
commencement be distinctly understood
that ! wear no letters, that | VIII be
bound by no precedent, and that | will
preach the Gospel as l apprchend it.
whether men viii hear or whether the-
will forbear, and / will apply it sharply
and strongly to the overthrow of every
evil and to the upbuilding of all that is
good"
After the close of the sermon many
came to counsel Mr.. Beecher. They
We're actuated by kindness to him and
anxiety for the church. Such bold, plain
speaking they did not understand. They
had never been used to it. 1t would
overthrow this young church.
Don't ally yourself to unpopular men
or unpopular causes" they told him.
''There is 10 call forit. You vii o-ly u.
jure yourself and break up this church"
After pre@chiag a month IN Plymouth
church he was installed as pastor on
Nov. Il, 1877.