The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1854-01-18
Henry ward Beeci.cr,s speech ON

Henry Ward Beeciaer's speech on
sssIss Na 4ai' - The Clergy. a1'Fsa "a -.
AT the Festival of the New England Society in
New York, last Friday evening, Henry Ward
Beecher made al speech, which we believe our
readers will like 10 see. Here it is:- -s
The President said he had toast to give which
he felt sure they would all honor:
The Ciergysof .Neso England successors of
Brewster, Cotton and Davenport-like them,
pous. learned and faithful.
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher responded to the
toast in the following language
GENTLEMEN 1 find myself in an uuusunl place,
and under such circumstances that find it diff
cult to speak. / am somewhat like the deacon,
who, when asked to lead in prayer at Confer
ence meeting. declined to do SO. He was expos
tulafed with by his venerable pastor, who assured
him that he had the ability, and he ought to exer-
else it; to which The deacon very meekIy replied,
that he knew he could pray, but that he always
hated it. Applause and laughter l feel not
unlike that deacon myself on this occasion, [re-
newed laughter and speaking of the deacons. they
are the next step to the ministers, of whom am
called upon to speak. Why should have been
selected cannot tell, unless it be because Of my
very clerical ways, known and heard of by men in
limited sphere. 1t is possible, Sir, that there
might have been some knowledge on the part of a
gentleman who made these toasts, of private mat
ters which are not divulged; for example, as the
blessiog'that followed ministerial fidelity, there
were thirteen children 10 my fathers family, and
eight of them being boys, only seven of the number
turned out ministers. [Applause and laughter.
There were two more, the father and brother
in-aw, connected with the order; and to make up
the number to more than dozen, I married into
u family having only four more. Renewed
laughter. Being thus Hebrew among He
biews, l suppose it was thought by the gentlemen
that could say something of the clergy, and,
usking the g benefit of clergy will make few
remarks. And yet one knows the men of
whom he speaks. While he will say many things
that will afford diversion. no son of New England
can broach this subject, if he have any feeling of
reverence or any thought. but whst must acknow-
ledge, all things considered, that no men have
created such Impressions upon him as the clergy
| of New England. They were no scape-graces,
that they rant in the pulpit because they could not
go anywhere else. They were men whose tal-
| ents and influence was wanted elsewhere, provided
they were willing to make their conscieuces the
| stepping stones to high preferments. 10 their
hearts, they were simple honest aud godIy men.
Not many cergymen came to New England, who
were second to their scholarship and lean ming
eloquence and inhuence-to those whom they left
behind them. The settlers of New England had
the best of ministers. They would have as soon
thought of coming to New England without the
captains to their ships, without their ministers
and there was on an average minister to every
forty families, and they would have been as much
at loss without the one as without the other
But the events which transpired then we will
never see again. Ministers will never again be
upon terms of intimacy with the magistrates as
they were then. Magistrates never consult min
isters nowadays. and have given up all along
the idea of ever being called upon by governor to
heip him draw up public document, though did
draw mp proclamation for Thanksgiving once for
governor Of Indiana, and that is the only instance
IN my lie when I was thus employed. Laugh
ter. t
Dut In Older times they were accustomed to go
10 the minister for the very best of reasons, be-
cause they We're aware that he knew the most.
fhey were hot merely wise in THEOLOGY. for thew
had the best of all wisdom-common sansa In
early times the ministerial function was d;ffsrar,
from what it is now. 1t is now our businas. =,
| preach on the Sabbath, and to lecture during III.
week. and. if We make calls, to make calls of
courtesy; but what should do, if were led