The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-09

We know that nothing more than the mon
uInent our hero has himself erected In the
hearts OF men is necessary 10 his remeIn-
brance. And yet, in loving honor 10 MS
name, we would erect memorial through
which the living will be quickened and
strengthened in the emotions and senti-
ments so much a part of his life and death
We would make our memorial an agency
for the continuation OF the MISSION which
he undertook when he consecrated himself
to the service of God and the elevation and
Improvement of his felIow-men. and by the
love he bore towards God and man we
would invoke his approval of our work.
MEMORIAL SHRINE.
eve seek to build memorial which shall
be shrine, surrounded and pervaded by
our heros influence and spirit. inspiring all
who worship there to noble deeds. We
would invite to his shrine from near and
far those whose hearts have been touched
by his earnest tones. If happily they might
hear again his words Of love and comfort,
and we would invite those who have never
known his ministrations to come. and,
standing within the influence of that sacred
place. to feel its gentle leading to a better
and more useful life.
''Our nero has himself declared in what
manner his shrine should be approached:
When fall and am buried in Greenwood
let no man dare to stand over the turf and
say Here lies Henry Ward Beecher, for
God knows that / will not lie there. Look
LII
have helped you on your way home. stand
with your foot on my turf and look up, for
/ will not hear anybody who does not speak
with his mouth towards heaven.
'It would SAVIOR of hardihood, IL we who
knew Mr.. Beecher and his work, and who
now contemplate the building of a me-
mortal to the spirit and inspiration Of his
labOrs, should be content with mere idle
token of remembrance. Assuredly if IL Is
to typify his lofty intents and purposes,
and IL IL is TO memorialiZe his unSpartng,
of.,I. o..I = De- RIalt fr. in
terpreting to his felow-men the messages
of God, our memorial must be a center OF
work which shall rebound to the glory Of
God and the good of humanity.
1T is also entirely manifest that We can
build no memorial shrine TO our hero, which
will attract his favor and the presen of
his spirit, without making Plymouth
Church part of il. No place on earth is
his love and affection for earthly things
has no abiding place more sure than this.
Plymouth Church was erected by and for
him. During more than forty years. and
even to the day of his death, 1t was an en-
crossing subject of his devotion, and the
scene of his devotion and the scene OF his
anxious self-sacrificing labors and joyful
triumphs. Living. his name and fame could
never be separated from ii, and dead he
has sanctified 1t.
eff our work of building a memorial to
hero Is prosecuted in the spirit that
characterized his work on earth, and IL we
mingle with the love we have for his men,
ory, a serious purpose to emulate his love
for humanity. our hero worship will be in
spring and elevating. If, invoking his ap-
proval and in his name, we extend his life
work, we shall not only exemplify our af-
fection for him, but shall follow the designs
OF God as they were revealed to him, and
IL at the shrine We erect humanity shall
look up and shall cast off its burden of
sin and selfishness and uncharitableness
we shall know that our hero Is there and
that through his intercessions our efforts
have received divine blessing"