Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-12-11
From Fraser's Magazine for November.
SOME ACCOUNT OF MRS. BEECIlER STOWE
AND HER FAMILY, BY AN ALABAMA MAN.

is more widely and fnvorably known than
almost any other in the United States. IL
consists of the following persons;
l. Rev. Lyman Bcecher the father, Doctor
of Divinity, cx-Presdent of Lane Theologl-
cnl Seminary and late pastor of Presbyte-
rian Church at Cincinnati, Ohio.
2. Rev. William Beecher, pastor at Chilli
colhc. Ohio.
3. Rev. Edward Beecher, pastor at Boston,
Massachusetts.
4. Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, pastor nt
New York City.
5. Rev. Charles Beecher, pastor at New
ark, New Jersey.
6. Rev. Thomas Beecher, pastor at VIII
liansburg, New Jersey.
z. Rev. George Beecher, deceased several
years since. His death was caused by the
accidental discharge of gun. AT the time,
he was one of the most eminent men in the
Western Church.
&. Mr.. james Beccher, engaged in COM
mercia business in Boston.
9. Miss Cntharine Boecher.
10. Mrs. Harriet B. Stowe.
II. Mrs. Perkins.
IL. Mrs. Hooker.
Twelve! the apostolic number. Aud Of
the twelve, seven apostles of the pulpit and
two of the pen, after the manner of the nine
tcenth century OF the other three one has
been swept Into commerce by the strong cur
rent setting that way in America and the
other two, wives of lawyers of respectable
standing, and mothers of families, have been
absorbed 10y the cares and affections of do.
mcsiic life. They are snid 10 he no way in
icrior in point of natural endowments, to the
nine who have chosen to play their parts in
life before larger public. Indeed, persons
who know intimately NIL the twelve, are puz-
zled TO assign superiority To any one of them.
With the shades of difference which always
obtuin between individual! characters, they
bear striking resemblance to each other,
not only physically, but intellectually and
morally. All of them are about the common
size-tle Doctor being trlfle below it, and
some of the sons trlfle above it-neithcr
stout nor slight, but compnctly and riIggedly
Dullt. Their movements and gestures have
much OF the nbrnptness aud wpnt of grace
common IN Yankee land, where the opera
ana dancing school are considered MS insliiu-
tions Of Satan. Their ienturcs nre large and
Irregular, aud though not free from n certain
manly benuty in the men, are scarcely re-
deemed from hOmelincss in the women, by
the expression of intelligence and wit which
lights them up, aud fairly sparkles in the
BLUSH grey eyes.
All OF them have the energy of character
restless activity, strong convictions, tenacity
OF purpose, deep sympalhics, aud spirit Of
self sacrifice, which are such invaluable quail
tiles in the character of propngnndsls. 1t
would be impossible for the theooginns
among them to he members of amy other than
the church militant. Father and sons, they
hnve ever been in the ihickest of the battles
fought in the church and 10y it; aud always
have moved together in solid column. To
them, questions of scholastic theology are
mumnerics, dry andattractiOnless they are
practical, living in the real present, dealing
with questions which papitaie with vitality
Temperance, foreign aud home missions, the
Influence OF commerce on public morality,
HE conversion of young men, the establish.
mcnt Of theological seniunries, education,
rolonizaton, abolition, the political ohliga-
llons OF Christians; on matters such MS these
do the Beeclers eXpend their energies. Nor
do Iliey dsdain taking IN active part in pub
lie affairs; one Of them was appointed at
New York City TO address KOssuth on his
arrival. What is remarkable is that, though
they have come in violent collision with
many of the abuses of American society, their
''''''N" '"'S bSNtl bttl StllbDSll
This exemption from the Ordinary lot OF
reiornlers Is owing not ouly to their consist
ent dlsinleresiedness, hut 10 certain Yam
kee prudence, which prevents their ndvan-
cling without being sure of battalions behind
them; and also TO reputation the family
has acquired for ecccnlricity As public
speakers they nre far above niediocrity not
graceful, but eloquent, with lively scorn OF
the mean aud perception of the comic, which
overflow in pungent wit and withering sa-
tire; aud sometimes, in the heat of extempo-
raneous speaking, in biting sarcasm. Their
style OF oratory would often seem, to n stnid,
churcll-going Englishman, to contrast too
strongly with the usual decorum of the pull
piT.
Sucl is the family, in the bosom of which
Mrs Stoves character has been formed
we cannot dismiss IL without pausing before
the venerable figure of the flhcr, TO whom
The honor of determining the bent Of the
children properly belongs DR.. Lyman
Beecher is now 7S years old. Born before
the American Revolution, he has been, until
recently, actively and ably dischnrging du-
lies which would be onerous to most men in
the prime of life. lie was the son of New
England blacksmith, aud was brought up to
The trade of his father. He had arrived at
mature age when he quilted the anvil, aud
began his collegiate studies at Yale College,
New Haven. Ten years later we find him
pastor of the church at LilchfeId, aud rising
into fame as pulpit orator. His six SER
mons on temperance extended his reputation
through the United States: | might sny
tlroug hont Europe, for they ran rapidly
through several editions in England and
were translated into several languages on the
Continent.
Being now favorably known, he was called
to The pastoral charge of the most influential
Presbyterian Church NJ Boston, where he re-
mained until 1892. In that year, project
long entertained by that portion of the Pres