Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-08-14
EVENING STAR.
BEECHER's STATEMENT,
tContinued from Gr.t page,

lCOnanue0 from bfSt page.
Triton had the highest sense of marital purity,
and that he had never strsyea from the path Of
virtue, which Preservation he owed, as he told
scene with his father, who, on the eve of his
leaving home, pointed ont 70 him the nature OF
to be dreaded from unlawful practices. He de-
clared that he had always been kept spotless by
the memory OF that scene. was glad to be-
lieve IL true, and felt how hard it was that he
should be made to suffer by evil and slanderous
foes. / could not explain some testimony
which had been laid before me, but I said there
Is undoubtedly some Misunderstanding, and IL
] knew the whole, friend Theodore, though
with obvious faults, is at heart sound and good.
These views 1 often expressed to intimate
friends in spite OF their manifest incredibly,
and what, in light of the facts, must now call
their well deserved ridicule. Mr.. MoGlton lost
no occasion OF presenting to me the kndest
views Of Mr.. Tilton's character and motives.
Tilten did not trust her husband or him, and did
did lot assist him in his great efforts to help
Theodore. knew that she distrusted Moulton,
and felt bitterly hurt by the treatment OF her
husband. was urged to use my influence with
her to inspire confidence in Moukon, and to
lead her to take q kinder view of Theodore.
Accordingly, at the instance OF Mr.. Moulton,
three letters were written on the same day
February II, 1SI1-on one common purpose, to
be shown to Mrs Tilton, and to reconcile her to
her husband; and my letter to her of that date
was designed to effect the further or collateral
purpose OF giving her confidence in Mr.. MouI-
ton. This will be obvious from the reading of
the letters.
HIS EXPECTATION OF SUDDEN DEATH.
/ have 10 recollection of seeing or hearing
read the letter of Mr.. Tilton of the same date.
In my letter to Mrs. Tilton alluded to the fact
taat did not expect, when 1 saw her last, to be
alive many days. That statement stands con-
nected with series of symptoms which I first
experienced in 1856. / went through the FIRE.
mont campaign. speaking in the open air three
hours ut a time, three days in the week. On
reviewing my literary lsbors felt must have
given way, ana ! very seriously thought that l
something of the kind. On two or three occa-
sions while preaching should have fallen in the
pulpit if had not held to the table. Very often
L came near falling in the streets. During the
last fifteen years have gone into the pulpit, I
suppose, a hundred times with a very strong
impression that l should never come out oft
alive. have preached more sermons than any
human being would believe. Preaching and lee
turing continually, knew 1 was likely to be
Frustrated again. In December, 1870, the sud-
den shock of these troubles broug ht on again
these symptoms In q more violent form. L was
very much depressed in mind, and all the more
because it was one of those things could not say
anything about L was silent with everybo
During the last four years these symptoms had
been repeatedly brought on by my intense work
carried forward on the underlying basis OF so
much sorrow and trouble. My friends will bear
witness that in the pulpit have very frequently
alluded TO my expectation OF a sudden death.
feel that have been more than once already
near stroke that would have killed or paral.
yzed me, and carry with me now, as have 80
often carried in years before this trouble began,
the daily thought Of death-of door which
might open for me at any moment out of all
cares and lsbors into more wholesome rest 1
felt all the while that whatever had got to say
TO my people L must say il to them then, or /
never would have another chance to do so. Ii
L had consulted a physician, his first advice
would have been, "Hou must stop work; but
l was in such situation that could not
stop work. 1 read the best medical books
on the symptoms of nervous prostration,
and excessive oyerwork and paralysis, and
formed my own judgment of my case.
The three points marked were II must have
good digestion, good sleep, and must go on
working These three things were to be recon-
ciled. and in regard to my diet and stimulants
and medicine / made q most searching and
thorough trial, and, as result, managed my
body 30 that 1 could get the most work out OF It
without substantially impairing it. If / had
said word about this to my family 1t would
part of my wife as could not bear. L have for
many years so steadily taxed my mind that there
have been periods when 1 could not afford to
TO have my wife or friends anxious about it
and showing it to me would be just the drop too
much. In 1868 came again into the same con-
dition Just before going to England.
Duri Jg the whole of the year 1871 L was kept
i. A STATE OF SUSPENSE AND DOUBT,
not Only as to the future OF the family, for the
reunion and happiness of which L had striven
so earnestly, but also as 10 the degree to which
L might personally be subject to attack and
misconstruction, and trouble be brought into
the church and magnifed by publicity. The
officers OF the church sought 70 investigate MIR.
Tiltons religious views and moral conduct, and
on the latter point had been deceived into the
belief that he was not in fault. AS to his reli-
gious views L still hoped for a change for the
better, and it was proposed to drop him from the
list OF me mbers for non-attendance, and he as
serted 10 me- his withdrawal. This might have
been done, but his wife still attend ed the
church, and hoped for his restoration. recOl-
lect having with him a conversation in which
lie dmly admitted to me that he thought il not
un likely that he might go back into his old po-
sition. He seemed to be in mood to regret the
past, and so, when was urged by the examin-
ing committee to take some steps, said: al am
not without hopes that by patience and kind
church work and be one of us again" I. there.
fore, delayed decision upon the point for a long
time; many of our members were anxious and
impatient, ana there were many tokens OF trou.
bic from this quarter.
THE WOMAN sUFPRAG1sTs Ont HOLD OF IT.
Meanwhile one wing of the female suffrage
and exaggerated form, such as had never been
intimated to me by Mr.. Tilton and his friends
/ did not then suspect what L now know, that
these atrociously false rumors originated with
Mr.. Tilton himself. 1 only saw the evil grow
ing, instead of diminishing, and perceived that
while L was pledged to silence, and therefore
could not speak in my own defense, some one
was forever perseveriDg in falsehOod, growing
continually in dimensions, and these difficulties
were immensely increased bv the utilization of
Mr.. Tilton With the Woodruff clique.
WOODRUFF ON THE SCENE.
In May, 1871, Mrs. woodruff advertised as
forthcoming an article shadowing an account
of the disturbance in Mr.. Tilton's family, but
without using names. 1t was delayed, ostensi-
bly, by MIR. I1ltOns influence with Mr.. Wood
hull, until November, 1872. During the suspen-
sion of her publication she became the heroine
of Mr.. Moulton and MIR. Tilton. She was made
welcome to both houses, with the federation, but
not cordial consent, of their wives. L heard
most extravagant eulogies upon her. She was
represented as a genius, born and reared among
rude influences, but only needed 10 be
surrounded by refined society society to
show her noble and commanding nature
did not know much about her, and though my
impressions were unfayorable, her real char
acter was not then freely known TO the world.
/ met her three times. at the first interview
she was gracious, at the second she was cold
and naughty, but at the third she was angry
and threatening, for had peremptorily refused
to preside at lecture she was about to give at
Steinway hall. Most strenuous efforts had been
made by both Mr.. Tilton and Mr.. koulton to
induce me to preside at this lecture, and to
identify myself publicly with Mrs. Woodruff.
1t was represented to me that I need not in 50
doing expressly give assent to her doctrine, es-
pecially with regard to the marriage relation,
upon which point she was beginning TO be more
explicit in opposition to views which 1, In COM
mon with all christian men, entertained, but IL