Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-01-07

these ceremonies.-Life and Adcentures q
KIT Carson.
Anecdotes of Henry Ward Beecher.
The following sketch of Mr.. Beecher, is
in the new volume just published, contain
ing passages from Mr.. Beechers sermons.
When not in "a brown study Mr..
! Beecher's manners are the most free and
genial that can be imagined; but every
year seems to render him more and more
distracted. People are sometimes hurt
and offended by his Indifference and forget
fulness of them, when he is utterly uncon-
scious of all outward things, intent upon his
next sermon or lecture; for he makes his
sermons in the streets, in stores, in lumber
yards, on ferry boats, or wherever he may
chance 10 be. And it is plain to be seen,
that man in the midst Of a sermon-mak-
lug, cannot be very thoughtful Of his man
ners to those who chance to pass or pause
beside him.
1t is said that polished and courteous
brother clergyman one day called on Mr..
Becher; and Oh being shown into his study.
found him stretched upon the floor, from
which he made no haste TO rise. am
studying my sermon, said Mr.. Beecher,
looking steadily aad gravely into the fire
which burned before him.
On one occasion il was thought needful
that Mr.. Beecher should be waited upon by
a committee of ministers, in order that they
might reassure themselves and the churches
Of his sound orthodoxy. When the object
Of their visit was stated Let us pray
said Mr.. Beecher instantIy--'lel US pray
and the prayer, if we mistake not, settled
the matter satisfactorily.
The children like Mr.. Beeeher - that
shows what his nature is. They all love to
speak to him, to play with him, 10 hand him
flowers. They crowd his pulpit stairs; the
boys gather almost about bis feet. After
meeting one spring evening, while Mr..
Beecher was talking with several gentle
men, upon some apparently important busi-
ness, a little rosy-iaced girl stepped on to
the platform, and holding out a bunch of
white and red clover, said: Here Mr.
Beecher.' He instantly bent towards the
child, and taking the flowers, said in a
pleased tone, and with a kind smile: s7Haslk
Ffld = aAhE~r HstaEAA HhE RuE ERHhAfF- HG
child locked perfectly delighted as she
darted away The mystery and secret of
Henry Ward Berehr4ss sxnnderful suecess
as preacher, may be explained in his own
words, which le applied 10 another: He
Feaaeaes las~sraids ii las-fpr,ny, With the
poser of his life Ill their nttsrance
lie is not greater man, nor a more
learned man, MOI better man, than many
other ministers who never can keep people
awake. But he is more al3Ue Whv.
there is intense life in all that, III desk or
pulpit, he does or says. What wonder
that he who is SO vivid there should some-
times sog and smolder, when the excite
meni of his work is over.
Many excellent Christian people, grow
ing anxious lest the preaching Of man
whose influence must necessarily be so
great and wide should be pernieious. take
long journeys for the object Of satisfying
themselves of the truth of the matter.
Hardly Sabbath passes in which several
of these intent and anxious faces cannot
be seen, narrowly REGARDING the minister.
as, all Unconscious of them, he delivers his
message for the day.
Although every now and then, such good
people get some remark which causes them
TO look little doubtful, their faces clear
before the sermon is over; and when the
final prayer is ended, and the final hymn
sung, they go away praising God for the
good that he is accomplishing through the
instrnmentality of the man whose iufluenc
they had feared.
lie has his faults, and they are numer-
Gus, aud rot too small to be seen with the
naked eye. Perhaps the very reason why
he so adrnires gentleness, is because lie has
not in his disposition oyermueh of that quail
ity. But of his faults there are sufficient
who are ready to speak and 10 rejoice in
them. Well, as he says, {" There alwaws
will be persons who have in them the car
rion nature" Such as their pastor is, with
all his glorious powers, or with reactise
dullness, with all his virtues, and with all
his faults, his people love him.
He is not much gifted with prudence in
the use of money; and is so generous tow
ards those that have need of bis aid, that,
as gentleman of his congregation remark
ed, when there was talk in regard to raising
his salary: Three thousand dollars year
is, as far as his own interest IS concerened
Just as good as ten thousand; for he has
nothing, now, when the end of the year
comes; and he would have no more then
Nor are all his gifts public ones, To the
unknown poor he does good; they who
have sat in great darkness, and whom he
knew but little more of than this, that they
were in trouble and want, have known his
ready generosity. Such persons know that
ii is from the impulse of his heart, and not
to gain name for benevolence, that Henry
Ward Beecler does good with his money.
Mr.. Snub perceived that the milk he was
pouring into his coffee-cup was none of the
richest. On this he said TO his hostess /: