New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-01-29
Henry Ward Beecher's Lecture,
delivered la Lincoln Hall Oh the
evening Of Jan. 23, 1874.
1.-THE WEAR AND TEAR OF LIFE.


delivered la Lincoln Hall Oh the
evening Of Jan. 23, 1874.
"THE WEAR AND TEAR OF LIFE.'
Under this caption the lecturer considered
some evils that are particularly damaging to
the body polite, suggesting the appropriate
remedies. 1t had to do mainly with political
economy, and was so regarded, without any
direct reference to morals and religion, with
which, however, it was intimately associated.
Five things were noticed and discussed !:
LIST, Sickness; Cd, Ignorance Sd, Men out
of Place in the various Professions and Avo-
cations of Life; 4th, Lying; and 5th, War.
These points were all we'll sustained and
established by sound logic, opposite illustra-
ton and amusing anecdotes.
Mr.. Beecher, in personal appearance is
not prepossessing; little over the medium
height, with heavy body and brawny shoul-
ders, large head and broad face, features
regular, but none of them strongly marked,
ruddy complexion, and hair somewhat gray,
indicating man little past the meridian of
life, in full health and vigor, with well-de-
veloped physique.
Mr.. Beecher's reputation as a great pub
lie speaker does not depend on the usual
supports of an orator; his fine rhetoric, his
elegant diction, his close logic, or his lofty
thoughts. He aims to excel in none of these,
nor does he. lie has higher and nobler
aim; it is to communicate to his hearers
what he would have them know in so clear
and impressive manner that they cannot go
away ignorant of what he would teach them.
The truths he presents, too, are always of a
practical character, having some direct rela-
ton to the circumstances and wants of man.
Abstract philosophical, metaphysical, Or even
moral truths, as such, he never discusses.
Hence his audience at once are interested in
his subject as something that pertains to
them and their interests. AS it was said of
the Savior, SO of him; the common people,
as well as the rich and the learned, hear him
gladly. His delivery, too, forms an inn
portant part Of his attractiveness. While
he is not equal to Cough in dramatic power,
he yet delivers his thoughts in the most APP
propriate manner never turgid Or bombas-
tic, not even elevated, but for the most part
cOlloquial in his style. He possesses in a
high degree some Of the essential qualities
and gifts Of a fine elocutionist ; a good voice,
with considerable power of meditation a
clear cnuncfation and an earnest and EN-.
phatic manner. If inquired of as to what
constitutes the charm, of his oratory, 1 would
say it is his simplicity, naturalness, clearness,
and deep earnestness in presenting truths
that concern human life, and come home to
every mans common sense, experience,
wants and interests.
But Mr.. Beccher, with all his superior eX-
cellencies, is not without his faults. They
grow out of his very genius-a mind that
scars above that of the common herd of even
intellectual men-that spurns commonplace
thoughts-that is constantly on the stretch
after some new ideas, not content to move
for ever in the old groove of thought and &c
forward in the beaten track of past expert
ence hence disposition to quarrel with old
time-honorcd usages and customs-to make
light of well-cstablished creeds and comics.
sions, and call in question the stereotyped
opinions of morals and religion, of the learned
and wise of all ages.
The Westminster Catechism-the creed o
Calvinism-and especially the Doctrines OF
Election and Predestination, are conspicuous
targets at which he shoots his arrows of con
tempt and rdicule. In fitting thus against
these strongholds of faith, he is often tempted
to go beyond not only the limits of proper
Christian courtesy and prudence, but to come
very near the confines Of impiety itself-ca
tering to the tastes of worldly and irrellgiou
men, and bringing dishonor on religion it
self. His frequent detraction OF orthodox
ministers and sneers at the strictness of thei
creeds, has an unhappy tendency to weaker
Christianity itself, and leave them well salts
fed that they don't belong to any church o
are bound by none of her cords. 1 nigh
add, not however, Of such serious impor
tance-he sometimes lets down the dignit.
of the orator to the level of the comedian
"making the groundlings laugh at the ex
pense of making the judicious WISE"
Henry Ward Beecher, like all great gem
uses, cannot bear the long, persistent, ant
laborious application Of the mind to the clea
and thorough investigation Of any Difficult
subject. He has sought to be extensively IN
formed rather than profoundly learned-t
have many opinions rather than few well
established truths; hence his judgment Of
all political, moral, and religious subjects
the most important fields of thought-are no
reliable, and carry with his name no we'gn
of authority. In the intellectual and mora
world he is great light, not however, hk
the sun, sending forth rays Of truth from a
he touches, but rather meteor glare, ere
ating admiration and wonder, drawing tort
the praises of men, but doing little perma
| nently and efficiently to reform the world.
In the highest department Of moral effol
he is a failure. While he has animation an
! Go o,,~c,,cl, he wants sDirited feryOr-th