Year: 1869

Sermon by Rev. Henry Ward BeecIcr.
This church was crowded yesterday, as usual, and


more people came than could get In, as is always


the case. The flowers that adorn the pulpit on all


occasions Of religious services were II possible


more beautiful yesterday than ever. Mr. Beecher


was in his happiest mood and was never listened 10
with more un1agging attention. Before announcing
his text he said that he would be absent Sunday
next to preach to the graduating class OF cadets at
West Point. Ten years ago he said that he would
not have been invited TO preach there lie going
to speak some last words of Christian instruction to
the young men who were to go forth to be the
oicers OF the army He loved the army for its most
precious memories. Thousands and thousands
would remember the bloodstained army; but IL
meant to the people OF this country duty-it meant
patriotism 1t meant to them most OF oil that their
country safe, united and defiant OF all foes botn
within and without. lie not only honored the army
but he honored that institution that has raised up so
many most able men, who have proved after great
temptation more largely incorrupt than any other
class OF professional men IN the country.


Mr.. Beecher took for the text OF his sermon the
second verse OF the fifteenth chapter OF Romans .et
every one OF us please his neghbOr for good to his edi-
ncaton." There were manywho loved to give pleasure
careless OF benent, aud many who sought to instruct
without giving pleasure. Books were imperfect.
or the two partalisms that surely was better which
built one up IN truth, matter how rudey ana rug
gedy, no matter with what harshness and pain.
But why should sources OF pleasure getting and
giving instruction be separatedY Pleasure should
always carry instruction and knowledge should al.
ways carry pleasure "Let every one OF US please
his neighbor for his good to edncation.n IL was
true that there were some to whom giving pleasure
was easy; II was their nature they were agreeable
people; they were 80 without thought almost; every
one nked their presence. IL was q great
GIFT Of God to be SO constituted. There
were others who were disposed TO leave TO these
persons the office OF pleasure giving as they ala
songs TO musicians, and lyrics to poets and pictures
to artists. But no man could throw OF the Christian
duty OIL conierring pleasure. Yet It must not be |
every klnd OF pleasures II must be for the good and
edincat0n OF him who was pleased. A man had no |
right TO make man happier In any other way, TO |
please MN IN any way. Not everything that pleased
was 10 be made use OF, but only that which lt |
pleased had In 10 the elements of growth; that |
tended TO please the right faculties In the right way.
Edlicatlon was an architectural word whlch meant !
building up and was largely used by
Paul and might be given much wider
application than he gave II. IL might be said
that nothing should go into the construction OF
temple which was only beautiful--let both beauty |
and use be conloned This universal Christian duty
IL was said, had never been fully recognized IN the
pulpit Preachers nad thought IL tbeir duty 70 save
regardless OF pleasing men. There were 4 good |
mauy reasons why they should have thought sos 10 |