Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-05-04
Mr.. BEECHER SETS HIMSELF
RIGHT.

Dear Nr Bonner You put into my
hands batch of questions. with hint
that need not answer them unless l
please. do please. OF course | do
not expect to put an end to such stories
certainly not to these particular ones.
The first story in the following letter, l
have contradicted in public and private
scores of times ; and the only effect, as
far as can see, is that it moves on more
vigorously than ever. But here is the
letter:
DEAR LEDGER: Will you please in
form me, through your answers to cor
respondents. if some of the stories hear
about Henry Ward Becohor orc 60 or
not ? | have heard that he preached
the sermon about being so damned hot
|. | have heard also that when asked by
another minister what the difference was
in their religion, Mr.. Beecher answered
that there was hell.fred sight of diff
ference. meaning that the other preached
that doctrine. while he did not. 2 Also
that he is a great card player. and that
the slang phrase of ''How is that for
high p was started by him while play
ing game of old sledge or seven up.
3. | don't know as you will like to an
swer these questions. but they would do
great deal of good to confirm his good
character out here. | don't believe one
word of it.
l. No. l never began sermon by
saying lit is id hot, nor with any
variation of the phrase, nor in any man.
ner remotely like it. Now. l appeal to
a generous community whether it is fair
to keep that story on me any longer,
when there are others waiting for their
turn-for somebody will have to carry
it. There is brother Talmadge, he ought
to carry it awhile. Why not try it upon
Hepworth Il? OF course. such a saddle
would hardly fit the broad back of the
good DR.. John Hall, but why should he
not have something else as good made up
for him.
2. This second story is made up out
of whole cloth-so far as am concern
ed. l suspect that it was DIR. Chaplin
said it. Try it on him.
3. As to cards. have never played
a game of cards in my life. My educa-
ton in that direction was entirely neg
lected. Indeed. if card playing is nee
essary to liberal culture. | am in de-
plorable state, for | do not know one
card from another. ] am afraid that
many men ION the plains" or in the
mountains out west, will not think so
well of me now, but the truth must be
told. History is inexorable. Our young
friend for the letter was sent hither by
a Kansas boy is at liberty to read from
the housetops my remuneration and de-
NAL of these fiery stories and, if he
ever hears anything else bad about me,
deny it, apd stick to it, and ninety nine
times in a hundred, five times over, he
will be right Now for the next
''ln your answers to correspondents
please inform me whether Rev. II. W.
= Beecher ever prepares and delivers a
sermon OF paper. | claim he does, and
that the last sermon he preached last
July. before his vacation. was written
one. Am | right p
All wrong. Wrong every time. He
does not write out his sermons. or, as il
is said, deliver it Oh paper - and the
sermon of last July was not written
one. Mere outlines are made. Very
brief briefs, as lawyer would say.
| do not promise to answer all ques-
tions, or any more but, being in the
mood have let fly at those croakine
birds, as one returning from a hunt
would fire at crow to clean out hi.
gun barrels.-Henry Ward Beecter N
, Netc York Ledger.