Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-07-25

hand, stands this morning before the
/ world with the scarlet letter burning
I and glowing upon his bosom, and by
pocrisy stamped upon his name. The
/ testimony is given with too much
/ abundance and particularly to be disbe-
( lieved. We need not invite attention
| to it. If this story be the truth, the
christian religion, which, like every
other religion, or party, or cause, must
be judged by its leaders and representa-
tives, does not stand to-day among un-
believing men exactly as It stood yes
terday. In the downfall of 8 great
man, representative of greater cause,
none should and few will rejoice. But
while we were gazing at the idol the
image-braaker came.
From the Cincinnati Gazette.l
Never was there better time than
this TO remember the old Latin motto,
"Aadi aIterdnl Parten1n
From the Indianapolis Journal
1t cannot be denied that in its present
aspect the case as it stands against the
pastor OF Plymouth church is a very
dark one. There will doubtless be found
many whose faith in him will surmou It
even these damning charges, and still
believe III Of their fellow-men, and es-
pecially of such "a have been conspicuous
in the church, will pronounce him gull
ty on sight. But no cue who loves
christianity or good morals, or who
seeks to promote the happiness Of his
fellOw-beings, can find any cause for re-
joicing in the downfall of one who has
held so prominent a place among the
teachers Of men as Mr.. Beecher.
From the Chicago Tribune.l
This statement, whether true or false,
will carry dismay, not merely into reli-
gious circles, but into family circles
throughout the United States, If not in
to every country where the English Ian
guage is spoken. Mr.. Beecher is the
foremost preacher in the world. We
are inclined to assign him the most elo.
quent tongue that the present century
has produced. He belongs to a.
family of gifted men ana women
among whom he is Jdciie prineeDs.
That he should now be shown a seducer,
a Liar and hypocrite, is not one of those
things that can overcome us like a sum-
mer-cloud without our special wonder.
1t is a fact (if it be a fact) of the most
grave import, and yet it should not
cause any right min1ed person to lose
his respect for religion, still less to doubt
tie existence Of virtue. There is moth
ing in it at all to take anybody off his
feet. The same divine laws exist now
that existed before, even as the same
sun gilds the heavens, and the spectacle
Of Beecher's fall from the dizzy hight he
occupied should enforce with ten-fold
strength the lesson that crime ever car
ries with il punishment commensurate
with the offense.
From the st. Louis Democrat.l
Mr.. Tilton's statement has been made,
and is to-day before the world. 1t will
be read with a shudder of horror in thou
sands of families, and the Infinite alone
can measure the harm which it will do
TO the cause of which Mr.. Beeeher has
been so conspicuous an advocate. No
man can guess in how many minds it
will SOW the seeds of evil, or in how
many hearts it will shake sacred con-
fidence. We cannot help feeling that
in his long struggle to keep back this
scandal, Mr.. Beecher might well have
been actuated by motives higher than
any which take root in selfishness. But
here it is, and the world must Judge it
fearlessly and impartially.