The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1859-01-18

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llA 49, strong wen aevslSpod ftams;
ovsFy osRan b nasivo ord healthy. He hae
lhll comnand Of hie limbe, which aso paianf
Al supple = child's ;sshis body u 8 elastic
- any India rubber ball. and handed ~
Mn with about q. much oase q Ne woald
~ abone . ball i His face 10 full and ftssh,
his eyes large, expressive and blue some.
tiues gray his forehead 10 square and
broad his hair brown and worn long; HE
glance quick. keen and discerning; his smile
Kanorous and pleasant &=ra
What has been said and written Of Dr..
Chalmer's pulpit appearance. manners and
diction, reminds one forcibly Of Mr. Beecher.
40 plain lin dress and gait - was that
celebrated preacher, and ~ impressive in
discourse ~ he, 10 the subject Of this sketch
Alike in plainness Of speech, in intense ear
neetness. in quick and deep emotion, in apt
and striking imagery and illustration, are
the sermons Of those two-MEN. Alike, in
the sersnons Of each, when at full food, deep
calls into deep, spirit speaks to spirit and
the nearer almost forgets that he yet wears
The veil, and dwell amid the false and decor
tive scenes Of the flesh. Often it seems AZ il
the Judgment, were already set, and the
nearer there Few, indeed, are the preach
era Who have power n strike directly 70 the
heart, 70 lay hold with such forcible and
tenacious grasp upon sense, - does Henry
Ward Beeshsr Every mans soul may be
reached in some way, and Mr. Beecher knows
the open path. Let that man who does mot
wish his conscience reused, his nerves thrill
- 4 saA - fpnspn thA
genuine and impassioned power OF truth, as
presented-as thruss in upon mem souls by
Mr.. Beecher.
A ld,poliehed, cynical man Of the world,
going one evening, at the invitation ola lady,
TO Plymouth Church, remarked upon his way
II 60 to see Henry Ward Beecher with the
same feeling that 90 to witness aperform-
ance Of Burton"
The sermon that night, though not one Of Mr.
Beecher's greatest Efforts, wss . powerful
ne,appealing 10 mans own consciousness oil
Bin and i'll desert; every word told. There
was no escape IL was sxtsmpore, only the
heads thoroughly analysed and accurately
worded, being written out The speaker
logic, o. which the visitor had seemed in
elinsd % snseY, was perfect; and hie pre-
scntation Of the truth WAS truly appalling to
Ill out Of Christ
The faos ofths gentleman who thought he
would be amused that evening, bslisd his
feelings If be Wds amused.
The apeness Of Mr.. Bsechsr's comparisons
the ssutensss with which he lays the knife to
what xRsDs cpttinE the unexpected descent
which he makes upon errors of thought and
conduct, frequently excite irresistible laugh
TOR. From this fact, those who lie in wait
seeking how they may harm him, have rep
resented him in the light Of . clerical buf
foon. Nothing can be more entirely and
Indignantly false He 10 as far from levity
and irreverence % those who purposely ma.
lign him are from nobleness and honesty
Gravity sits upon him with native grace
But bis imagination 10 so rich and strong,
his flow Of language so great, and the heart
that beats like great hammer in his breast,
10 such a volcanic heart, SO impetuous, so
prone TO overflow, that he does sometimes
lose the reins Of prudence. 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 everp step be upon vipers-
The temperament which God gave man
must be considered in judging Of him and
considering that of Of Mr.. Beecher, also the
multitude of things that he has said, and is
forever saying; and that the pressure of the
various extreme excitements which are upon
him; il is q proof that he possesses q re-
markable share Of the discretion and common
sense that he has said 90 few imprudent
things as he has said
Mr.. Beecher is frequently humorous. both
in tone and expression, when he is altogether
unaware that he 10 So 1t is conceded that,
great as is this orator, and nobly as truth
and earnestness are stamped on all be says
and does 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 eager.
ness with which he seizes upon that devoted |
when he is about to "sharge;"
the strength with which, as he commences
his tilt, he squeezes it Cunning his hand |
palm towards his chair and back towards the |
desk, leaning knuckles and one thumb, one |
foot crossed over the other, and supported on
his toe y the force with which he throws 1t
from him, and az he comes forward TO close
in the conflict he has waged are all man
Huvres certain to be repeated constantly;
and one can not avoid being amused by
seeing them 90 uncOnsci0usly, yet ener-
getically performed
Although Mr. Beecher himself seldom APP
pears 10 be in much haste, there is always
IN air OF being in hurry about his clothes
and his hair. They manifest intentions of T
going forward, whether he goes or remains
IT'LL His neck 10 so short that he never
ventures standing collar. This, probably,
IN consideration for his ears.
One very remarkable singularity in his
ace is the utter incongruity between its front
md it's side views. Upon being told that he
Henry Ward f'eecher, 4 relative
If that clergyman replied, laughingly, ~
Know Elook Ike him, but tbs such rescm-
'lanse 40 i sheep bears 70 lion" Now the
act is, were that humble minded relative Of
hs famed 'slion" great deal more like a
sheep" than he considers himself to be, he
night still bear striking resemblance to his
ousin; for though when be turns full to
wards you, in the heat Of discourse, Mr. Il.
loss frequently present the appearance ola
ion, it ID next TO impossible for person Of
n imaginative turn Of mind to view his pro-
lie without being strongly reminded Of the
vine faces seen and perhaps loved in the
he days and the years gone by.
When mot lin brown study Mr.. Beech
re- manners are the most free and genial
hat can be imagined; but every year seems
D render him more and more abstracted.-
'eople are sometimes hurt by his indifference
nd forgetfulness Of them, when he 10 utter
? unconscious Of all outward things, intent
pom his sermon or lectures; for he makes
is sermons in the streets, in stores, in lum-
or yards, on ferry.boats, or wherever he
lay chance to be- And it is plain to be seen
hat man in the midst of sermon making
snnot be very thoughtful Of his manners to
aose who may chance to pass or pause be.
de him
1t is said that polished and courteous
rother clergyman one day called on Mr.
'eecher, and on being shown into his study,
'und him stretched upon the floor, from
hich he made no haste to rise II am
sudying my sermon" said Mr. Beecher,
'oking steadily and gravely into the ere be-
IRE him.
On one occasion it was thought needful .
rat Mr. Beecher should be waited on by
ommittee of ministers, in order that they
light reassure themselves and the churches !