Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-04-03
Henry Ward Beecher.

The New York Correspondent of the Boston
journal thus sketches the popular clergyman
and lecturcr-we can hardly call him divine on
account of his possession of strong common
sense:
Henry Ward Beecher breaches in his Church
on each Wednesday night The houseis crowd.
ed large as it is. | have written about nearly
every public man in New York for The Journal
except Mr. Bcecher. feel Just now like pen
ming paragraph on his account. Mr.. Beecher
is peculiar man. Liked or dsliked. he is the
most popular man in the State who occupies a
pulpit. He has marked talent. He is bold. en-
ergctic. enthusiastic His sermons are all mark
ed ones. He has the same aim that processes
to guide all that preach. He is not at all par
ticular how he hits the mark, provided the blow
finds its way home. Some parts of his sermons,
if delivered by any one hut himself would he
found tame But the audience don't get away
without some touch of his quality. Now O broad
smile like flash of sunshine glows on each face
now something like unto a loud laugh. shakes
the vast auditory like the winds of autumn among
the dry leaves-then hit like thunder bolt,
makes the conscience culver, like ship struck
with hghtning-than an illustration holds the
people IN suspense as the beauty, the fervor, the
aptness OF the simile become apparent-then a
touch of pathos melts all to tears-and an an
peal comes home for the sinner to turn to God
and live, that at times is irresistible.
The manner of Mr.. Beecher is the manner Of
the Short Boys. speak this in no offensive
sense. lie looks like pugalist. He sees his
antagonlst-he measures him-he has no idea
OF beng hoored. He stands squarelv-he hits
Squarely and boldly-till the hot contest comes
on, and then all is fight. And as the audience
Sympathises with the speaker, the time passes
an hour. an holr and a half, and three quar-
ters-ior Mr.. Bcecher holds out often as long
as thls-and no one is weary. The plan of the
sermon is after the order of Henry Ward Beech
err lie is his own model. Like Napoleon.
when the Emperor of Austria called him an up-
start because he did not fight according to rule
he points TO the results of his ministry. They
furnish no mean testimony to the wisdom of his
course.
Probably the best things that Mr.. Beecher
says are written-often they are read from the
manuscripts then he repeats them when pleases
ana as often as he pleases-the next time with
eNtemporaneous invective or assault, and their
power is heard and felt Mr.. b. studies in the
streets and by the way. If a newmachine is in
vented and is on exhibition, YOU will find him
present If trial trip is to be made. YOU may
NOT only look for Mr.. Beecher, but YOU will find
INN down among the machinery, and he will
know all that is worth knowing before he leaves.
On the next Sunday the people will know all
about 1t and its religious uses. The next lite
rary address will be rich in illustrations drawn
from that sail down the bay; and when the mer-
chants assemble on festive occasion. and Mr.
Beecher speaks, he will electrify them by figures
drawn from their own business and calling and
they will be delighted and surprised that par
son can know so much of the world and this
Will be given with sonorous voice. clear enun
citation, vehement delivery, in which sweat will
stand on the brow, the face be red with exertion
and excitement, and the whole man carried away
with The earnestness and sincerity of the COM
mssien he bears to the sons of men. Such
man must succeed.