Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1874-08-27

to believe it true, and felt how hare
it was that he should be made to sufe
by evil and slanderous foes. / coulG
not explain some testimony which haG
been laid before me; but, / said, thert
is undoubtedly some misunderstood
Ing, and if l knew the whole ] should
find Theodore, though with obviou:
faults, at heart sound and good. These
views / often expressed to intimate
friends in spite of their manifest incred.
ulity, and what in the light of the facts
/ must now call their well-deserved
ridicule. Mr.. Moulton lost nc occasion
of presenting to me the kindest view
of Mr.. Tilton's character and conduct
On the other hand, he complained that
Mrs. Tilton did not trust her husband
or him, and did not assist him in his
effort to help Theodore. / knew that
she distrusted Moulton, and felt bitterly
hurt by the treatment of her husband.
l was urged to use my influence with
her to inspire confidence in Moulton,
and to lead her to take a kinder view
of Theodore. Accordingly, at the in
stance of Mr.. Moulton, three letters
were written on the same day-Feb. IL,
1871-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 CIV
ing her confidence in Mr.. MouIton.
This will be obvious from the reading
of the letters.
The following is the full text of my
letters oi that date from copy
verified by one of your Com mittee, for
have not to this hour been permitted
to see the originals either of them or of
any other papers which 1 had deposit
ed wit Moulton for safe keeping:
BEECHER TO MRS. TILTON.
BROOKLYN, Feb. Z, 1871.
My DEAR Mrs. TILToN: When L
saw you last did not expect ever to
see you again, or to be alive many
days. God was kinder to me than were
my own thoughts. The friend whom
God sent to me-Mr. Moulton-has
proved above all friends that ever /
had, able and willing to help me in this
terrible emergency of my life. His
hand it was that tied up the storm that
was ready to burst upon our heads.
l am not the less disposed to trust
him from finding that he has your well
fare most deeply and tenderly at heart.
You have no friend (Theodore except
ed) who has it in his power to serve
you so vitality, and who will do it with
SO much delicacy and honor. beseeeh
of you, if my wishes have yet any in.
fuence, let my deliberate judgment in
this matter weigh with you. 1t does
my sore heart good to see in Mr.. MOul-
ton and unfeigned respect and honor
for you. 1t would kill me if he thought
otherwise. He will be as true friend
to your honor and happiness as BROTH
er would be to sisters.
In him we have common ground. |
You and 1 may meet in him. The past
is ended. But is there no future? Mol
wiser, higher, holier future ? May not |
this friend stand as priest in the new
sanctuary of reconciliation, and medi- |
tate and bless you, Theodore, and my
most unhappy self. Do not let my ear
nestness fail of its end. You believe in |
my judgment. I have put myself
wholly and gladly in Moulton's hands,
and there must meet you.
This is sent with TheOdOre's consent, |
but he has net read it. Wuyou return
it to me By his handss
l am very earnest in this wish, for all
our sakes, as such a letter ought not to
be subject to even a chance of miscar-
riage.
Your unhappy friend,
III. w. BEECHER.
BEECHER TO MOULTON.
Feb. Z, 1871.
My DEAR Mr.. MoULToN: 1 am
glad to send you a book which you
will relish, or which man on a sick
bed ought to relish. wish had more
like it, and that could send you one
every day, not as repayment of your
great kindness to me, for that can never
be repaid, many friends has Godraised
up to me; but to no one of them has He
ever given the opportunity and the
wisdom so to serve me as you have.
My trust in you is implicit. Yon have
also proved yourself Theodore's friend
and Elizabeth's. Does God look down
from heaven on these unhappy crea-
lures that more need a friend than
intent of mercy to all that each of these
has in.yOu tried and proved friend :?
But only in you are We three united.
" Oulu W OOu, WIlO OIQ6IS I'LL u6dIbS, d,
that by your kind mediation Theodore,
and l could be made friends
again. Theodore will have the hardestj
task in such case; but has he not
proved himself capable of the noblest
things?
I wonder il Elizabeth knows how
generously he has carried himself to-
ward me? Of course 1 can never speak
With her again, except with his
,ermission-and 1 do not know that,
wen then, it would be best. My ear
lest longing is, to see her, in the full .
of her nature, at rest in him, :
md to see him once more trusting her :
md loving her with even better than !
he old love. am always sad in such
thoughts. Is there any way out of this =
light? May not day star arise? Z
Truly yours always, and with truest y
owe, HENRY WARD BEECHER.
,HEoDoRE TILToN LEvYING BLACK q
MAIL. 4
The full truth of this history requires b
hat one more fact should be told, espe- d
tally as Mr.. Tilton has invited it. b
lOney has been obtained from me inl ii
be course of these affairs, in considera-
le sums, but did not at first look on
be suggestions that should contribute =.
D Tilton's pecuniary wants of savoring II
{ blackmail. This did not occur to me .!