New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-23
FROM THE PEOPLE.
RECOIJECTIONS OF BERIAH GREEN.

RECOLLECTIONS OF BERIAH GREEN.
HIS LIFELONG DEVOTION TO THE ANTI-sLAvERY
CAUSE.-THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VETERAN
REFORMER AS A PREACHER AND LECTURER.
TO the Editor OF The Tribune
SIR: Society has sustained much moro than
an ordinary loss in the death OF the Rev. Berah Green
of whitesboro N. ". Which occurred suddenly on the
Morning of the 4th nst he addressing the Board
of Excise in that in depreciation OF the granting
OF licenses the sale Of oxcatns rinks-a III close
10 n worthy aud honorable career OF devotion 10 the
bests interests OF humanity. Very early he Identified
himself with the OF humanitarian reform IN TINS
conntry One OF the immortal few no was who took
p,rt In the formation OF the American Anti5layery
society I'm Philadelphia. In December, 1882 He pre-
sided over the deliberations OF that Convention and the
speech he gave at the close Is stlil rcmempere"
for its glowing fervor, Its propheuc ihSeu''
and spirit OF deep conservation to that WORK
His uncompromising attitude of opposition 70
slavery brought much o1um and cost him MS place
as Professor of Sacred Literature in the Western Reserve
Coeoe Ohio The four discourses he delivered la tho
chanel OF tho College memorable for their cearness
and cogeut statement and Will ever form an important
part of the history Of the ntSavery struggle III this
country There are paragraphs In them that seem 10
belong to-day, and at this distance ttGey were deV
cred early in 1889 have ring like the clarion voice OF
trumpet when, the latter part OF the year 1885, II
known that Mr. Green had accepted the Presidency
OF the Oneida Institute, the writer remembers wen with
what repugnance the news was received III Cehtrai
New.York that an "Abolitionist" was coming among
us to occupy presiding place in an important seat OF
learning Hardly olerable 1t to think OF ms pres
ence in the community. But his untring faithful work.
both vita tongue and pen, has since largely changed
the sentiment of the community to one OF respect ana
appreciation.
Iu the lectureroom professor, he was Impressive
and magnetic full OF the wealth of thought he strongly
melted the minds Of those whom he addressed AS
preacher and public teacher whether in the pulpit or on
the platform. he had marked aud very rare ability He
spoke always extempore; his language was direct
snewy and forcibie the words always carefully ana
dttngly chosen generally OF rugged Saxon were pithy
and pregnant aud telling. He never failed 10 impress
his hearers by the deep thoughtiulness ana inspeu
earnestness that pervaded every sentence OF his as
course. His dscourses sometimes seemed hea'y from
the extreme logic with which they were weighted Out
take him at his best when he thoroughly reused ana
kndled, rayished with an idea and he was peerless
The finest loftpst uteranccs OF our friend, however
have never been placed upon record IL Is uucn 10 oe
regretted that have no fair ana httng cOecnOn Oh
mis- writings IN print. and there Is none III
The two volumes from his pen the Mlsceianes anu
fine Sermons AID Dscourses, DO not AT All adcqiitey
represent him The style Is often labored ana heavy,
wrought to the closest density, and lacks generally the
ylvacy. freshness and incislye point OF Tue spoktn
discourse lie to have been rather dslnclnen 10
the pen at any rate he never IN Writing approAihlGs
I n in the Dsconrses perhaps his best
and would possibly convey the iairest Oh MS
on " A Righted-minded Minority anu on RAIN anu
Work." anniversary addresses but not pubished IN
either of the volumes, admirable, ana well worth
careful study. -. ,..,
sense duty. His sclflbnegatiOn ana self-sacfncc
were sublime he surrendered worldly prospects Tue
most tempting ren0ulced honor iaIne success, every
thing that learning OF the rarcst kind could command
or talent mi rloduence the highest excellence could
hone for and welcomed cordially obscurity, poverty,
and toll deyatc from the path oil recttude
And a. was said OF Fchte" the subllmity OF his In
teIlect casts shade the soft current OF his aiec
tOns $50 HIM With AL his sternuess OF Character
mia hgh reouirrnent mankind, he was one OF the
most genial and loving of men, Iul Of the deepest
Eiudlirst svmpathps In his domestic aud social re-
htIons mis- nature was full Of incxhansbc tenderness
and affection His love poetic; and III MS own circle
he will be remembered longest for what he was AZ "a
husband father, and friend HIS life was no failure
bur Iandy a II has IN 1t so much ot inspra-
ton Tor millions, that long aud endery snail II 90
who knew IL well, religOusly sha II
o. appropriated for grow IN and quckening.
Syracuse, n. L., May IL, 1874. {. d. b. NJ