The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-02-09

burg, New Jersey.
z. Rev. George Beecher, deceased several
years since. His death was caused by the acei
dental discharge of a gun. At the time, he was
one of the most eminent men in the Western
Church. .-.-..s-
8. Mr.. James Beecher, engaged in commercial
business iu Boston.
g. Miss Caiharine Beecher.
10. Mrs. Harriet B. Stowe.
IL. Mrs. Perkins.
II. Mrs. Hooker.
Twelve, the apostolic number. And Of the
twelve apostles of the pulpit and two OF the
pen, after the of the nineteenth century
OF the other three one has been swept into COM
merce by the strong current setting that way ln
Americas; aud the other two, wives OF lawyers OF
respectable standing, and mothers of families, have
been absorbed b~the cares and affections of do
mestic life. They are said TO be way inferior,
in point of natural endowments, to the nine who
have chosen to play their parts in life before a
! larger public. Indeed, persons who know inti-
maiey all the twelve are puzzled to assign superb
ority 10 any of them. With the shades OF diff
| ference which always obtain 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-the Doctor being trfe below it, and some
of the sons trae above it-neither stout nor
slight, but compactIy and r1ggedy built. Their
movements and gestures have much of the abrupt
ness and want of grace common 10 Yankee land,
where the opera and daucing school are considered
as institutions of Satan. Their features large
| and irregular, and though not free from certain
manly beauty in the men, are scarcely redeemed
from 'homeiiness in the women. by the expression
of intelligence and wit which lights them up aud
| fairly spa,kles in the blush grey eyes.
All of them have the energy of character, rest
less activity, strong convictions, tenacity of pu
pese deep sympathies, and spirit of self sacrifice,
which are such invaluable qualities in the charac-
ter of propagandists- 1t would be impossible for
the theoiogians among them to be members Of any
other than the church militant. Father and sons
they hare been in the thicsest of the battles
fought in the church and by it; and always have
| moved together in solid column. To them, ques-
tons Of scholastic theology are mummeres, dry
and att1actouless; they practical, living IN the
real present, dealing with questions which papi-
missions, the influence of commerce on public
morality, the conversion of young mon, the estab-
stmcnt of theological scminaries, education, colo
nizaton, abolition the political obligations of Chris
tans; matters such as these do the Beechers
expend their energies Nor do they disdain taking
an active part in public affairs; of them ap-
pointed 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 motives have
never been seriously attacked.
This exemption from the ordinary lot of refor-
mers is owing not only to their consistent dsinter-
esiedness, but so certain Yankee prudence,
which prevents their advancing without being sure
of batta!ions behind them; and also reputation
the fanily has acquired for eccentricity. AS pub
lie speakers they are fur above nediocrlty; 60,
| graceful but eloquent. with lively scoril of the
mean and perception Of the comic, which overflow
in pungent wit and wi,hering satire; and some
times, in the heat Of extempOraneous speaking, ii
biting sarcasm. Their style of eratoiy would offer
seem TO ssaid, church. going Englishnan, to con
trast too strongly with the usual decorum of th.
pulpit.
Nine of the Beechers are authors. They art
know to the reading and religious public of tin
United States, by reviews, essays, sermons ora
tons, debates, aud dscourses great variety o
subjects, chiefly OF local unomentous interest
All of these productions are marked by vigorou
thought; very few by that artistic excellence, aha
conformity to the laws of the ideal, which aIon
confer lasting value on the creations of the brain
Many of them ere controversial, or wear an as
gressive air which is uumistakabic. These wiic
are of durable interest and of high order of liter
airy merir, six temperance sermons by D,
Beecher; volume of practical sermons by til
same; the So Virgin aud her son." an imaginatv
work, by Chas. Beecher, with an introduction b
Mrs. Sowe; some articles on Biblical Literature
Edward Beecher; "Tru;h stranger than Fiction,
and other Tales, by Miss Catherine Beecher
< Domestic Economy by the same; 'Twelv
Lectures to Young Men," by Henry War
Bescller; ssAn introduction to the Works of Chal
iotte Elizabeth" by Mrs. Stowe; 1.-THE Ma
Flower" by Mrs. Stowe, being collection
stories originally published in the newspapers; an
sUncle TOMS Cabiu.' am sorry not 10 be abb
to place in this category many letters, essays, au
addresses education, and particularly thos
from the pen of Catherine Beecher. Before Mr.
Stoves last book, her celebrity was hardly eqp
to her maiden sisters. Catherine had wider IL
putatipn authoress, aud her indefatigab
activiy in the cause Of education, had won for ht
very general esteem. l may add in this coune'
ton that it is to her the United States are indeb
ed for the only extensively useful association f
:. preparing and sending capable female teachers
yc the West, She had the energy aud the tact
Ma organize aud put it in successful operation.
Such is the family, iu the bosom of which Mr.
''o Stowe's character hus been formed. We canu
ie' dismiss it without pausing before the venerah
'os figure OF the father to whom the honor of dete
mining the bent of tho children properly belong
: OF DR.. Lyman Beecher is now 7s years old. Boz