The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-01-20

hemry "arO Eteecnef portrayed.
From "Notes from Plymouth Pulpit" published by
Derby 4 Jackson,1
Mr.. Beecher is of medium height, is full
in flesh, has strong well-developed frame;
every organ is native and .ealthy He has
full command Of his limbs, which are plant
and supple as child's his body is as elastic
as an India rubber ball, aud handled by him
with about as much ease "a he would toss
about ball. His face Is full and fresh, his
eyes large, expressive and blue--sometimes
grey; his forehead is square and broad; his
hair brown and worn long; his smile
humorous and pleasant.
What has been said and written Of DIR.
Chalmers pulpit appearance, manners and
diction, reminds one forcibly of Mr.. Beecher.
As plain ''in dress and gait as was that
celebrated preacher, and as Impressive IN
discourse as he, is the subject of this sketch.
Alike in plainness Of spcech,. in intense earn
estness, in quick and deep emotion, in apt
and striking imagery and illustration, are
the sermons of these two-MEH. Alike, in
the sermons of each, when at full food, deep
calls unto deep, spirit speaks to spirit, and
the nearer almost forgets that he yet wears
the veil, and dwell amid the false and de-
ccptiye scenes of the flesh Often it seems
as if the judgement were already set, and
the nearer there. Few, indeed, are the prea-
cheers who have power to strike directly to
the heart, to lay hold with such forcible and
tenacious grasp upon the moral sense. as
does Henry Ward Beecher Every mans
soul may be reached in some way, and Mr.
Beecher knows the open path. Let that man
who does not wish his conscience reused.
his nerves thrilled, and his tears started,
keep away from the genuine and i'm
passioned power Of truth, as presented-as
thrust in upon mems souls by Mr.. Beecher
A cold, polished. cynical man fthe world,
going evening, at the invitation of a lady, to
Plymouth Church, remarked upon his way,
81 60 to hear Henry Ward Beecher with the
same feelings that 60 to witness perfor-
nance of Burton
The sermon that night, though not one Of
Mr. Bcecher's greatest efforts, was power
full one, appealing to mans own conscious
ness of sin and i'll desert; every word told
There was no escape. 1t was extempore
only the heads Thoroughly analized and ac-
cuately worded, being written out. The
speakers logic. at which the visitor had
seemed inclined to sneer, was perfect; and
his presentation of the truth was truly ap-
palling to all out of Christ.
The face of the gentleman who thought he
would be amused that evening, belied his
feelings if he scas amused
The aptness ofMr. Beecher's comparisons;
the acuteness with which he lays the knife to
what NEEDS cutting; the unexpected decents
which he makes upon errors of thought and
conduct, frequently excite irresistible laugh
ter. From this fact, those who lie in wait
seeking how they may harm him, have rep
resented him in the light ola clerical buffoon.
Nothing can be more entirely and malignant
ly false. He is as far from levity and irev-
erence as those who purposely malign him
are from nobleness and honesty. Gravity
sits upon him with native grace.
But his imagination is SO rich and stron z,
his flow of language so great, and the heart
that beats like great hammer in his breast,
is such volcanic heart, so impetuous, so
prone to overflow, that he does sometimes
loose the rcins ofprudence. He is occasion
ally like man who has struck his foot so
hard against stone that, to save himself
from falling on his face, he needs must run
awhile, though every step be'upon vipers.-
The temperament which God gave man
must be considered in judging of him; and
considering that of Mr. Beccher, also the
multitude of things that he has said, and is
forever saying; and the pressure of the va
rious extreme excitements which are upon
him; it is proof that he possesses remar-
kable share of discretion and common sense
that he has said SO few imprudent things as
he has said.
Mr.. Beecher is frequently humorous, both
in tone and expression, when he is altogether
unaware that he is so. 1t is conceded that,
great as is this orator, and noble as truth and
earnestness are stamped on all he says and
does, that master as he is of gesture and ex-
preston, there still is lowering about him
somewhat of the ludicrous.
Certain motions he has which always in
cline one to smile. The wag of his head
when he is about to clinch an argument; the
shake of his elbows and his knees, when he
knows that he has you penned; the eagerncss
with which he seizes upon that devoted hand
kerchief, when he is about to Charge" the
strength with which, as he commences his
tilt, he squeezes it Cunning his band-palm
towards his chair and back towards the desk,
leaning knuckles and thumb, one foot cross
ed over the other, and supported on his toe;)
the force with which he throws it from him,
as he comes forward to close in the conflict
he has wa0ad ar. al mAnr,,verS cerfain IN