Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-04-24
Mr. Beecher Sets Himself Right,
From the New York Ledger;

Mr Beecher Sets Himself Right.
From the New York Ledger;
Dear Mr. Bonner You put into my
hands batch of questions, with hint
that | need not answer them unless /
please. | do please. OF course | do
not expect to put an end to such stories
certainly not 10 these particular ones.
The first story, in the following letter, /
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 Beecher are so or
not? | have heard that he preached
the sermon about being so damned hot
l. | 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 be did not. 2. Also
that he is great card player, and that
the slang phrase of How is that for
high was started by him while play
ing a game of old sledge or seven up.
3. don't know as you will like to an
swer these questions, but they would do
a great deal of good to confirm his good
character out here. | don't believe one
word of it.
l. No. | never began sermon By
saying +" it is Id hot" nor with any
variation of the phrase, nor in any man.
ner remotely like it. Now, appeal to
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 TaImadge, he ought
to carry itawhile. Why not try it upon
Hepworth OF course, such a saddle
would hardly fit the broad back of the
good DR.. John Hall, but why should be
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 concerned.
| suspect that it was DR.. Chaplin said it.
Try it on him.
3. As to cards. l nave never played
a game of cards in my life. My educa-
ton in that direction was entirely neg
lected. Indeed, if card playing is nec-
essary to liberal culture, am in de-
plorable state, for / do not know one
card from another. ! am AFRAID that
many men con 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
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 ese bad about me,
deny 1t, and stick to it, and ninety-nine
times in hundred, five times over, he
will be right Now for the nextl
In your answers to correspondents
please inform me whether Rev. II. w.
Beecher ever prepares and delivers a
sermon on paper. | claim be does, and
that the last sermon he preached last
July, before his vacation, was written
one. Am right?"
All wrong. Wrong every time. He
does not write out bis sermons, or, as it
is said, /" deliver it on paper and the
sermon of last July was not a 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 croaking
birds, as one returning from a hunt
would FIRE at a crow to clean out his
gun-barrels. H. W. BEEcHER.