The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-11-19

jokes, he ranges, he tells storles, ne peroon-
ifes nature, he dramatizes life, he sweils
into oratory and poetry, until one is thrown
into bewilderment of approval and con-
demnation. Certainly this many-sided
preacher has given new interest to the pull
pit Rivalled by many in intellect and elo-
quence, surpassed by none in learning and
logic, he is unequalled, perhaps, in this
country, in popularity and freshness.
For our part, we have no sympathy and
no respect. for Mr.. Beecher as politician
We believe that his partisan deliverances
have degraded his high function, have in
jured the republic and that nobler cause to
which he is officially devoted, and have
stained his own reputation. For work OF
this sort he is not fitted, as his inconsistent
cies plainly show, and even his own party
have at times proclaimed. Here the etfec-
tive work must be done by calculating
Mephistopheles, not an ardent Faust The
versatile, impulsive Beecher is but puppct
in the hands of that caustic, selfish, inhex-
ible Wendell Phillips, who jeers, and aouts,
and cajoles New England. True, the former
is an innovator and bold one. But when
the interest flgs, or the admiring attend
ance ceases, he cannot play the role of the
reformer. His natural impulses, however
genial and kindly, are not proof against
temporary excitement OF partisan reouXe
and remonstrance. His skill is dexterous,
not courageous, when head-wind blows
It is only in the secret solitude Of the will
derness, not in the populous streets OF
cities, that he ventures to walk alone.
It is when he confines himself to mis- ap'
propriate sphere, and in that sphere deals
with the world oil questions of ethics as
distinguished from theology, that Mr.. Beech
er appears to advantage; here he displays
the enthusiasm of experience and the bold
ness of conviction. The present selection
is in his best style. Without undertaking
particular criticism, which our space for
bids, we may say that they are marked with
fewer vulgarities than his usual discourses,
and are quite as rich in thought and figure,
They indicate peculiar sensitiveness 10
impressions, such as photographs nature in
the "Star Papers," and life in the "Lce
lures to Young Men" Our author is at
home among those mountains, shores anu
lonely lakes where every plumy pine, every
dashing billow, every ripple breaking into
music on the pebbly margin, brings tribute
to fancy and reflection. He gathers from
wide field with fresh, quick enthusiasm.
He uses the symbols Of the outer world with
wonderful facility. But he is also swayed
by social instincts as imperious as his poetic
tastes. He warns in talking, listening, in-
quiring, jcsting, disputing. In the first
sermon of the present series he prOclaims
himself to be d proud man-for here and
everywhere he freely admits the public into
his confdence;- the assertion is only in
part true. Pride of intelligence no doubt
he has, and that in marked degree; but
his temper is too mercurial, and his spirit
too sensitive to the east winds of public
opinion, to allow that passion to hold
calm, resolute and strong-the inner cham
ber of the will Had he been proudcr, he
would have been less popular, less eloquent,
and more consistent. These sermons will,
of course, have wide sale; they arc beauti-
fully "gotten up" and most of them are
wise and eloquent.