in a low tone, these words:
"Six twenty-two."

A rustling of the leaves of hymn-books interpreted the meaning of
this mystical utterance, which otherwise might have been taken as
announcing a discourse upon the prophetic numbers. The piano
confirmed the interpretation; and then the company burst into one
of those joyous and unanimous singings which are so enchanting a
feature of the services of this church. Loud rose the beautiful
harmony of voices, constraining every one to join in the song, even
those most unused to sing. When it was ended, the pastor, in the
same low tone, pronounced a name, upon which one of the brethren
rose to his feet, and the rest slightly inclined v their heads....
The prayers were all brief, perfectly quiet and simple, and free
from the routine or regulation expressions. There were but two or
three of them, alternating with singing; and when that part of the
exercises was concluded, Mr. Beecher had scarcely spoken. The
meeting ran alone, in the most spontaneous and pleasant manner....
There was a pause after the last hymn died away, and then Mr.
Beecher, still seated, began, in the tone of conversation, to speak
somewhat after this manner:

"When," said he, "I first began to walk as a Christian, in my
youthful zeal I made many resolutions that were well meant, but
indiscreet. Among others, I remember I resolved to pray, at least
once, in some way, every hour that I was awake. I tried faithfully
to keep this resolution, but never having succeeded a single day, I
suffered the pangs of self-reproach, until reflection satisfied me
that the only wisdom possible, with regard to such a resolve, was
to break it. I remember, too, that I made a resolution to speak
upon religion to every person with whom I conversed,--on
steamboats, in the streets, anywhere. In this, also, I failed, as I
ought; and I soon learned that, in the sowing of such seed, as in
other sowings, times, and seasons, and methods must be considered
and selected, or a man may defeat his own object, and make religion
loathsome."

In language like this he introduced the topic of the evening's
conversation, which was, How far, and on what occasions, and in
what manner, one person may invade, so to speak, the personality of
another, and speak to him upon h