Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1858-05-27

A Pencil Sketch OF A GREAT PREAcn-
Err. - The New York correspondent
of the Boston Journal, describes the man
ner and effect of Mr.. Deecher's
izing, and some of the everyday hab-
its of that distinguished preacher:
Henry Ward Beecher breaches in his
church every Wednesday evening. The
house is crowded, large as it is. have
written about nearly every public man in
New York for the Journal, except Mr..
Beecher. feel just now like penning a
paragraph on his account. Mr.. B5echer
is a peculiar man. Liked, he is the most
popular man in the state who occupies the
pulpit. He has marked talent. He is
bold, energetic and enthusiastic. His SER
mons are all marked ones. He has the
same aim that profeses 10 guide all that
preach. He is not particular how he hits
his mark, provided the blow finds it way
home. Some parts of his sermon, if de-
livered by any one but himself, would be
found tame but the audience don't go
away without some touch of his quality.
Now a broad smile, like a fash of sun
shine, CLOVIS on each face-now, some
thing like into a loud laugh shakes the
vast auditory like the winds of autumn
among the leaves-then a hit like a ,hun-
der-bolt, makes the conscience qulver,
like a ship struck by lightning-then an
illustration holds the people in suspense
as the beauty, the fervor, the aptness of
smile becomes apparen,-then a touch Of
pathos melts all to tears-and an appeal
comes home for the sinner to turn to God
and live, that at times is irresistible.
The manner of Mr.. Beecher is the n an.
ner of the short boys. l speak this in no
offensive sense. He looks like a pugiIist.
He sees his antagonist-he measures him
he has no idea of being foored. He
stands squarely-he hits cautiously, but
squarely and boldly-till the contest comes
on. and then all is fight. And as the au-
dience sympathises with the speaker, the
time passes-an hour, an hour and a
half, and three quarters-for Mr.. Beech
er often holds out as long as this and no
one is weary. The plan Of the sermon is
after the order of Henry Ward Beecher.
He is his own mode. Like Napoleon,
when the Emperor of Austria called him
an upstart because he did not fight accord
ing TO rule, he points to the results of his
ministry. They furnish no mean testi-
mony TO the wisdom of his course.
Probably the best things that Mr.. Bee
cher says are writ,en-often they arc reid d
from the manuscript, then he repeats
them when he pleases-the next time
with extemporaneous invectives or assault
and their power is heard and felt. Mr..
b. studies in the street and by the way.
If a new machine is invented and on ex-
hibiion, yol will find him present If a
trial trip is to be made, you may not only
look for Mr.. Beecher, but you will find
hin down among the machinery, and he
will know all that is worth knowing b..
fore he leaves. On the next Sund ~ the
people will know all about it and its re-
llgious uses. The next literary address:
will be rich in illustrations drawn from
the sail down the bay and when the
merchants assemble on a festive occasion
and Mr.. Beecher speaks, he will electri.
fly them by figures drawn from their own
business or calling, and they will be de-
lighted and surprised that a person car
Enow so much of the world and this will
be given with a sonorous voice, a cleal
enuncia ton, a vehement delivery. il
VIII oh the sweat will stand on the brow
the face red with exertion and excitement
and the whole man carried away with
the earnestness and sincerity of the com,
mission he bears to the sons of men.
Such a man must succeed"