Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 March 1887 — BEECHER AT REST. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BEECHER AT REST.

TLe Sufferings of the Eminent Brooklyn Minister Ended by Death. A Sketch of the Deceased’s Career as Pastor, Author, and ' ' v^'l p Lecturer. Rev. Henry "Ward Beecher was stricken ■with apoplexy at his home in Brooklyn on Saturday, March 5, and lingered until the following Tuesday, when death relieved him of his sufferings. During these three days the great preacher lay in a comatose condition, surrounded by the members of his family and physicians. His faithful wife -was by his bedside almost continuously .from the hour he was stricken by the fatal

illness. Dr. Searle made the following statement in regard to the distinguished divine’s last hours: “Mr. Beecher began to fail decidedly at 3 o’clock Tuesday morning. His respiration was rapid. At 4 o’clock the family was summoned. Death came slowly and stealthily. His respirations gradually became faster and faster until they reached sixty a minute. His pulse was variable and often reached 140. He still remained in the same condition except as to breathing, his eyes closed, and he was entirely unconscious. The motions of the right arm became less frequent, and were finally stopped almost ■entirely. About 9 o’clock in the morning we could detect the first symptoms of immediate death. His pulse ran up still higher, flickered, and fluctuated until 9:28, two minutes before his death. His pulse ceased almost entirely at the wrist, being so faint that it could hardly be detected, and then stopped altogether. There was a rattle in his throat, painful to those around him, but unfelt by him owing to the failure of the nerve center of the respiratory organs, together with the failure of the heart’s action. His death was ver - y easy, as painless if not ns pleasant as death from suffocation or by drowning is said to be.” Tile Doath-l>ed Scene. iNew York telegram.) The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher died at 9:30 o’clock Tuesday morning surrounded by all the members of his family except those for whom distance or sickness made it impossible to reach his bedside. S. Y. White and E. A. Seacomb of Plymouth Church and Maj. J. B. Pond were also present when death’s summons came. The family had been summoned to the death bed early in the morning by Dr. Searle, who detected the signs of rapidly approaching dissolution. At about Ba. m. Mr. S. V. White announced to those gathered before the house that the end was very near, and even then the sobs of the sorrowing family could be heard all through the house. At 9:30 o’clock Dr. Searle, who had been holding one of Mr. Beecher’s hands, said: “Mr. Beecher is no more; he is dead.” * It is difficult to describe the scene at this moment. Notwithstanding the fact that his death was looked for, that it had been expected hourly, it seemed to come with such crushing force that the family were completely prostrated with grief. They could not bring themselves to the sad realization that the kindly voice of the husband, father, and grandfather was forever hushed in death, and that they had only the remembrance of his kind admonitions. Mrs. Beecher, who had borne up so bravely from the first, and who had watched so constantly at the bedaide of her dying husband, was utterly broken down, and when supported by her son Harry, as she tottered Irom the room, looked as if it would not be long before she would follow her beloved husband.

Brooklyn City in Mourning. The news of Mr. Beecher’s death spread very quickly to all parts of the city. Even those who did not always concur with Mr. Beecher in his views had no hesitation in -expressing their deep regret at his death. As a mark of respect to his memory the flags on all the public buildings were placed at half-mast and Mayor Whitney had the City Hall bell tolled. Flags were Rung at half-mast on the Postoffico, at the navy-yard, and on the towers of the Brooklyn bridge, and many private citizens expressed sorrow in the same way. The House of Sorrow. No crape was hung on the door of Mr. Beecher’s late home to announce that the 4jreat orator was no more. Mr. Beecher had always expressed a dislike of this custom and of the gloom associated with crape in the presence of death. Instead a magnificent wreath of white and red roses and lilies of the valley tied with white satin was hung at the left side of the doorway. Many telegrams of condolence were received by the stricken family, among them the following: “Executive Mansion, i “Washington, D. C., March 8. j ■“Mrs. Henry Ward Beecher: “Accept my heartfelt sympathy in this hour of your bereavement, with the hope that comfort may be vouchsafed from the ■heavenly source yon know So well. “Grover Cleveland.” Sketch of His Life. It is half a century ago since Henry Ward Beecher, then boyish-looking and aged 24 years, preached his first sermon, and his maiden effort was delivered before an extremely orthodox congregation of Presbyterians in a little white frame church at Lawrenceburg, Ind. It is probable that from the first he gave great promise, for, after remaining in Lawrenceburg for only two year's, we find him promoted in 1839 to

a much better position in Indianapolis, where he remained several years, and where be first attracted national attention. His Presbyterian beliefs seem to have gradually become weaker during this time, and in 1847, his Indianapolis congregation becoming convinced that he was wandering into forbidden paths and inclined to overturn well-established dogmas, it became necessary that he should find another nnd more liberal flock. Plymouth Congregational Church in Brooklyn wauted a pastor, and Mr. Beecher was taken on trial. He pleased the congregation so well that he was soon installed as regular pastor, and from that day to this he and Plymouth Church have been so closely identified with each other that it is impossible almost to think of a time when he was not the regular occupant of its pulpit Mr. Beecher came from one of the most remarkable and most talented American families—the same family which has given us Charles and Edward Beecher aDd Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe. He was the fourth son of the eminent Dr. Lyman Beecher, and received most of his theological training at Lane Seminary, near Cincinnati, 0., under his father's eye. He was born at Litchfield, Conn., June 24, 1813, and after attending some public Latin schools entered Amherst College, from which he was graduated. It cannot be said that he had the educational advantages of his eldest brother, nor of Charles, who was born two years later, but what he lost in education was more than compensated for by his natural ability and his energy as a student. At any rate he entered the ministry the most scholarly man of the three, and from the very first sermon preached by him before the Congregationalists of Brooklyn 'to the day of his death he made his power felt, not only in the church to which he became attached, but his ideas exerted a wonderful influence upon all other denominations. Mr. Beecher’s fame became familiar throughout the length and breadth of the land in a short time, and the Plymouth Church, which soon became known as “Beecher’s church,” was enlarged to accommodate the tremendous crowds which gathered to hear the eloquent preacher. He spoke on all topics of current or national interest; he attacked abuses and criticised politicians; he opened up his battery of satire upon the institution of slavery, and denounced the American Government for not wiping out the great stain upon the nation; took hold of the abolition movement, and invited the slaves of the South to strike for liberty, declaring that every one of them who entered New York would be protected; ridiculed the slave party in Congress; called the slaveowners vulgar traders in human flesh, and, in a word, did everything within his power to bring down odium upon the South, and to raise the feeling in the North to such a pitch that a clash would be inevitable between the two sections and the slave question finally settled forever. He had no doubt as to the ability of the North to bring the South to terms, and he looked forward to the inevitable struggle with confidence. Beecher’s name became famous among the abolitionists and obnoxious among the slaveholders. He was admired by half the country and thoroughly hated by the otheihalf. But enemies as well as friends thronged to hear him, and although the Plymouth Church had seating capacity for 3,000 persons the aisles were often filled, and hundreds of people stood up in nave and galleries during the delivery of what may be appropriately termed his great religio-political lectures. During the years of excitement which preceded the Southern rebellion, and during the rebellion itself, he maintained that slavery must be abolished at any cost. When the war broke out he did perhaps as much as any other man in the country to inspire the people with patriotism and enthusiasm, and his discourses always contained more politics than religion. After the war he settled down more closely to the discussion of purely religious topics, but now and then he departed from the well-worn scriptural paths, and launched off into politics, political and social economy, questions of international law and trade, and, in short, there was scarcely a topic before the public upon which he did not give his views, whether it concerned the local government of Brooklyn or the claims of the United States against Great Britain. Mr. Beecher had for a number of years been a regular contributor to the columns of religious and family newspapers, and out of one of these connections a scandal arose in 1874 which greatly impaired his influence and for a time threatened to destroy it entirely. Mr. Beecher was a prolific and always an interesting and instructive writer. He began by contributing to the Cincinnati Journal, a religious weekly, of which he afterward became editor. He was a constant contributor to the Independent from the date of its establishment in 1858, and from 1861 to 1863 he was its chief editor. He wrote also for the Farmer and Gardener, and contributed to other agricultural newspapers, farming being one of his numerous hobbies. For a number of years he edited and was part proprietor of the Christian Union, which, under his management, became a valuable property, and he contributed weekly sketches- and a novel to Mr. Bonner’s New York Ledger. His principal published works are: “Lectures to Young Men,” “Life Thoughts,” “Sermon 3on Liberty and .War,” “The Plymouth Collection of Hymns and Tunes,” “Royal Truths,” “Eyes and Ears,” “Star Papers,” “Norwood, a Novel,” and a large number of volumes of “Plymouth Sermons.” His greatest and most pretentious undertaking was a life of Christ, which was never completed according to contract, and which resulted in a large amount of litigation between himself, his publishers, and their successors. The changes which have come over Mr. Beecher’s theological views during the last ten years are so fresh in the minds of the people that it is not necessary to particularize them here. It is enough to say that he has been at times on the very verge of infidelity and at times in the very core of orthodoxy. His congregation was not a particular one respecting questions of religion. It cared more for the man than the doctrines which he preached. It was a sensational congregation, and it admired him because he satisfied its demands for something at once unique, sensational, and interesting. They are few who can call his doctrines sound, and there are many who will pronounce his teachings pernicious, but he was always assured, no matter how radical or how liberal his views might be, of the support of that portion of the American people who have no settled opinions of their own about religion or a future state. He became popular with a large class by denying the existence of a hell and making the sinners of his congre-

gation feel as comfortable as possible sot the time beiDg. Mr. Beecher visited Europe thrice, but has never traveled extensively abroad. As a lecturer he was very successful, and accumulated a large fortune in this way alone. He was a man of fine appearance in early life, but of late years he became rather.corpulent and lost considerable of that sprightliness which his congregation so much admired. amt Incidents. Ex-Postmaster General Horatio King of Washington, among other reminiscences of Mr. Beecher, tells the following: “He was a wonderful man, charming in his social relations, and always an interesting and delightful companion. Mr. Beecher stopped here once in my house when he was in this city for a day or two. I remember that he sat at my desk and wrote an article for the Ledger. When he sat down he took an old shawl of mine and wrapped it about his feet and legs, saying he could not write unless his legs were warm. Some physician speaks of his doing this lately, and noted it as a sign that he was breaking. It was twelve or fifteen years ago that he was at my house and he was then in vigorous health. Years before that, before I knew him personally, I met him on a train between Poitland and Boston, and he then had his feet thrust into a sealskin bag made for the purpose. That seemed to have been a habit of his. His Friday evening talks—informal talks —to the Plymouth Church people on all sorts of topics were especially interesting. Yes, it was wonderful the great amount of work he did, writing and speaking. Some believed it was inspiration. He should have stopped and taken a rest. What has killed him, in my opinion, is ‘The Life of Christ.’ He should not have undertaken it; it was too great a task.”

In Mr. King’s collection of autographs is an interesting scrap from Mr. Beecher’s pen illustrating his manner of work. To it is attached a ticket to the platform at the Academy of Music, Brooklyn, on the occasion of the address of Mr. Beecher on “Issues of the Canvass,” Friday evening, Oct. 9,1868. The scrap of writing contains the headings made by Mr. Beecher for his address. They are written in a bold hand, apparently with a quill pen, and many of the words are underscored. The headings are as follows: First—Origin of party—historic logic of our history and principles. Second—What has it done to deserve well of the people? Third—What charges are brought against it? (1) Not restoring the Union—delaying for party reasons. (2) Oppressive taxes. (3) It is refreshing to hear Mayor Hoffman express his conscience on extravagance in public moneys. Fourth—By whom are they accused? Who is it that proposes to take their places and finish the work of liberty? (1) Their relation to every event and step gained by the war. (2) Their proposed remedy—overturn all that Congress has done; reverse legislation; throw down State enactments; send back Senators and Representatives; remand Southern States to turmoil and confusion. Upon the platform Mr. Beecher with these few notes, under the inspiration of the moment, delivered a splendid address, talking two hours or more. His Desire Was to Continue Preaching. [Bismarck (Dak.) special. When Henry Ward Beecher stopped here on his Northwestern lecture tour three years ago he said in one interview in answer to the question as to when he intended retiring from the pulpit and the lecture field: “I intend to preach for fifteen years, for I believe that a retirement from active work would hasten death.” He further stated that in his opinion if his father had not retired when he did he would have lived fifteen years longer. When here Mr. Beecher was accompanied by J. B. Pond, the business manager of the tour, and Pond told many interesting stories of the pranks and evidences of youthful humor of the great divine. Among other things he gave a representative of a Bismarck paper a note written by Mr. Beecher while in Jamestown. Mr. Beecher had been annoyed along his journey by invitations and demands for him to preach, and going into Pond’s room at the hotel in Jamestown he wrote the following: “Dear Sir —You ask me to preach for you. lam a lecturer, not a preacher; you have barked up the wrong tree. I’ll be d—d before I shall preach for you. “J. B. Pond.” The note was written by Mr. Beecher and left on Mr. Pond’s table.