The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1866-05-09
Henry Ward Beecher's Conversion.
" Bnieigh," " correspondent OF lhe Boston
In.llrlnl write. from New N.rk.

Bnieigh," " correspondent OF ihe Boston
Jonrol writes from New York:
There is much religious interest lu plm-
outh Church. Extra meetings are held.
for the congregation. the Young. and the
sunday school Al these meetings the
pastor interests and in-tructs by sketches
of bis own personal history. his trials, his
Litchleld home, his college days. his life
IN the west, and his religious experience.
one evening he gave this account of his
conversion. lie was professor OF religion
before lie was christian. Family influence
led him into the church. Once iu he tried
10 do his duty. lie hai no true knowledge
OF Christ. and uO jos in his service. While
at Amherst a powerful revival broke ont.
lie was deeply moved. lie had no one 20
lead or guide him. lie was in deep dark
ness He passed days in agony and kneel-
ed in prayer by the hour at the side OF his
bed, but obtained no relief lie was as one
aloIe ia a DARK and lonely castle and wan
dered from room 20 room. sick, cold, M
doubt and terror. lie resolved 10 call on
Dr. Humphrey. Il was great cross, Ion
he was known TO be a member Of the church.
But he wanted TO find the Savior. lie told
the President his condition. and he shook
his head grayely and informed Mr. Beechel
that he was under the influence OF the IIOll
/ spirit and he dare not interfere. Home Mr.
Beecher went, no DeJJer, but rather worse
/ COhegians did not think OF the village peo
/ pie. Mr.. Beecher went down 20 the churcl
/ 10 see if he could find Christ there. Tn,
anxious were invited 10 stop. lie took "
another heavy cross, he allowed his colleg'
/ friends 20 20 back aud be remained anon
l the inquirers. An eminent c.ergymen be
I gan ~ converse with those who remained
and came within pew where Mr.. Beeche
sat. deeply anxious for religious converse
tiOn. lie came no further but went bacl
into The pulpit, spoke of the evident pres
ence OF the Holy Ghost IA the meeting, an,
sent home Tie congregation. Mr. Deeche
completed h- college course and was no
converted.
Al Cincinnati le began the study OF the
0lOgy. He was not ouly not Chrlslial
but was skeptical The influence Of hi
father decided him TO study One OF th
sons had swung of into skepticism an
should another follow il would break th
old mans heart. The study OF theOlOg
would not hurt HIM, and he need not z
into the work when the course was c0mple'
ed. Without convertl0n and without DO
lieving IN Christianity he became q studen
Of theology
While IN the Seminary some ladies' be
longing 20 the first families OF Cincinnati
connected with the Second Church, urge
him 10 become their teacher in q Bio
class. What could he dog He who va
not an experimental Christian. but WI
skeptical. how could he teach in what
did not know, and how could be instruct
what lie dld not believe, lie was u men
bember OF the church and a theological ST
dent. lie accepted the trust that be cOu
not hODOrabIy decline. All he need DO ".
10 tell the class what the Gospels cOntaine
He need not tell them what lie thou ght
them. So he began his work. He studi,
and cOllated the Gospel lie took an pa
ages, scraps, hints and facts that bore
the character Of Jesus and relations
guilty and lost men. Jesus appeared
him in those Scriptures. He smOte Il
rock and the waters gushed out He "a
the Savior in all his love and cOmpassio
! and fell at bis feet 10 adore. "Never til
get home, said Mr. Beecher. "will ha
brighter visions Of my Redeemer l s..
Jesus in all things-in Tie f0wer- in L
fruits, in the trees, and iu the sky. al
above all, in the Gospel" 80. -aid
years ago. in my deep anguish at Al
! herst, Dr.. Humphrey said 10 me. You
man behold the lamb Of God ] shou
p then have found the Savior aud been spar
years OF darkness and sOrrOw." While
: lating this, Mr.. Beecher wa- deeply a'ie
ed, tears cOuTsed down hi- cheeks and
emotion i0rebOre utterance. Thi- expe
. ence was new TO biz people, who were u,
: deeply impressed by his utterances.