Wilmington daily commercial., 1874-07-29
THE PITY OF IT !-CoHsEeUEECEs OF THE
GREAT SCANDAL.

Evidences are already coming fast to hand to
show the fear that the Beeeher scandal would
impair the cause of religion and morals to have
been well founded. Whether Mr.. Beecher come
best or worst out Of the controversy, this result
was alike assured. If he should be proved guilt
less, it would be possible to repair the injury
done, in time, but the mere discussion Of such
a topic. even supposing the defendant to be ab-
solutely innocent, must work great harm.
and with his innocence proven that
harm must hnger, until the con-
tinued evidence of an upright life on the part
OF the accused shall gradually effsce it from
memory. II the great preacher is found guilty
the injury to morals may be termed almost ire
medable. The sceptical and the hcentious
would have such an excuse for offence a. they
have never before been offered. Tilton sets sn
example in one direction when, as in his testi-
mOny before the committee Of investigation, he
expresses his contempt for the church and rel-
gious profession. There are thousands Of per-
sons so weak as to follow such lead as this
people who are not logical enough to
separate cause from the actions
Of certain followers who may disgrace the cause.
1t will be considered, with such persons, q sufi-
eient proof of the mockery and hypocrisy Of re-
hgon that man like Beecher should be proved
hypocrite, that the shining light should bo
proved nAughi but an ignis fAtuus leading to des-
olstion and foulnezs. Such reasoners will not
pause to think upon the myriads to whom rei-
gion has been a sure and abiding joy. they ,-lil
not even have the fairness 10 admit that 10
Beecher himself, snd supposlng him utterly
guilty, II has been Al immeasurAbe jog and that
it has wrought through lin. an unworthy instril-
nent, influences Of surpassing importance to our
generation
Tie extensive publication Of the charge
against Mr. Beecher has been and must CON
tinue 10 be productive Of the wors, results.
That publication was unavoidable yet it is none
the lees to he regretted. subject is now for
wArdly and ayowediy discussed, byyoung a. well
a. old. which l. ordinarily supposed 10 he un-
menuonable. Possibly it wAs premoni,iou Of
this state Of things as much az snything he ex-
perienceed in bis own case. which made NJ
Beeeher say that he suffered the toimeuts Of
the damned" Certainly il i not pleas
ant thing TO see q carload Of ladies and
gentlemen engaged in reading the latest details
Of the scandal, each individual knowing tie
work his neighbor Is engaged upon, yet hay.
ing no shameiscedness in the matter. To just
that point has it brought Us ;-moiesty l. los,
and the-nicer feelings blnnted. even to -ay nc
more. Women may be overheard everywhere
in earnest discussions OF the nghts-or wrong-
of the case, and it il recognizable topic in
general society. Following We naturally Aeai
the picket hrlng Of the scepticz aad ssofers-of
the classes who take perverse pleasure
in seeing the church brought into disrspute.
The Southern papers are already on the chase,
they knew, all along how it would be how the
Beecher christianity could not be anything els,
than delusion- Tie Beecher christianity La
done more for this country than any inilueuo
that has worked in it, but this the yultures can
not or viii not see. This is the class which vii
gloat over Mr.. wilkeson's statement that "Th,
life of Chris iz knocked higher than a kite"
All doubtless, and alas unayoidatle-but, oh
the pity Of it