Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-04-02
NEW YORK.
Beecher.TiltOn.


as early as 10 o'clock this morning the Brooklyn
court room was filled. The leading men Of Ply
mouth church occupied what are called the Beech
er chairs. Beacon Caldwell acted as usher and
| received the respectable portion of the audience
as they arrived. Mrs. Field was in her usual
place and with her six lady friends, but neither
Mrs. Tilton nor Bessie Turner were in the court.
Beeeher's sons and his sisters, Miss Catherine
Beecher and Mrs. Perkins, were in the court
room since 10 o'clock. There were altogether
nearly fifteen ladies in court, by far the largest
number in attendance since the trial commenced
AT III minutes to l. loud rap on the bench an
nounced the Judges arrival, and the roar of con-
versatlon and wrangling for chairs and camp
stools was hushed.
The Judge surveyed the court to ascertain
whether his mandate forbidding standing room
had been carr ed Out b. the officers. Not only
the court, but the adjoining 70 ms called the cham
bers, and which connects with the court by side
door, were literally packed so full that Evarts,
Porter and some of the jurors who arrived so I'M
usual early as ten minutes before eleven, could
with difficulty make their way to their places.
Precisely at eleven O'Clock Mr. Beecher walked
in by the front. After him walked Mrs. Beecher,
Theodore Q. C.. Billiard, his brother-in-law, and
then three lady friends. Beechers appearance
denoted no trace Of excitement, his usual every
day dcmeanor being apparent and with rosy
face and smiles, and words to his acquaintance,
he slowly made his way through the seated crowd
A buzz of conversation instantly arose and last
ed until the first witness was called to the witness
chair. Immediately behind Beecher and his friends
came Tilton and his counsel, Beach. In the crush
Beecher and Beach were brought face to face, and
they bowed and shook hands.
The jury answered to their names at II 10.
Fullerton then addressing the court said he
wished to recall James Redpalh, and that witness
accordingly resumed the chair. Amongst the prom
nent gentlemen present were Judge Reynolds,
Rev e. f. Everett of the church of the Puritans,
Rev. George Woodruff, b. D., Secretary OF the
last Methodist conference He is guest of Su-
pervisor French, who was also present; Thomas
c. Acton, formerly police commissioner of New
York, Rev. DR.. Woodruff, Rev. DR.. Cayler, Chas.
Gayler, the playwright, Prof. Rooster, W. Ray
mond and Henry w. Sage.
The witness Redpath was not cross-cxamned,
and his testimony concluded at II minutes
to H. At II so Mr.. Beecher took the stand then
there was an earnest, whispered conversation be-
tween the defendants counsel for few minutes.
Evarts stood up and said "Mr. Beechcr, will you
be sworn!"
The clerk was in the act of administering the
oath in the usual form, Mr.. Beecher standing with
uplifted hand instead of holding the Bible. Beach
objected, unless the witness, he stated had con-
scientious scrupes against swearing on the Bible.
Beecher said he had, and then he was sworn by
'the ever living God, in the New England fash
ion.
Witness testified -
father, Rev. Lyman Beecher, died in 1913, aged
Sc. My mother died when was 3 years old my
family moved from Litchtield when was l3 yrs.
old, and went to Boston, my father settled in
Litchfeld.
was licensed to preach in 1887; was benefc-
larry, under the care of the American Home Mis-
sionary Society; had a congregation of 10; was
next settled in Indianapolis; was supported by
the congregation From there came to be pas
tor of Plymouth Church. l was called to it by
the gentlemen who purchased the property; told
them they had no authority; then they formed
church and was called again. there were not over
% members have IT NAMED with them ever since,
except during several months If the year when
was enfeebled by cryspslas, and with that excep-
ton have not lost 5 Sundays
Here the clock struck II and the examination
was suspended for few minutes.
Witness continued -
was also absent abroad twice; first in conse-
quence of first sickness, and was away months.
The second time went to Europe, it was in June,
1863. had been worn out with preaching and
with the incidents of the war, and writing, and
my friends advised me to take rest preparatory to
greater labor.
The number of communicates in Plymouth
church is now about $780, and it has been over
1000 for IL years or more. For series of years
have conducted Wednesday lecture, Friday
evening meetings aud social circle in the parlor
of the church, but l have RENTED the social
meetings to the young people.
l have been connected with the New York In
dependent as a contributor, having q column of
my OWN anu furnishing LOT every issue. III iooV
| became connected with the Independent and
was a contributor all the time until 1866. After
that movement was set on foot, but was drop
ped, declining to take any position which would
seem to put me in an.agonism with the Indepen-
dent.
The Christian Union was originally the Church
man, and it passed into the hands of friends and cir
cumstances forced me to take the editorship in
1870. 1t had only about 1000 bona fdc, paying
subscribers. The Christian Union had increased
hnn Mi Al. l.,I
other literary labors. have lectured very extern
sively from tho second year of my settling here.
Here an interruption took place and Mr. Ev-
arts said, 81 have lost your answer, Mr. Beech
en-" Witness, and have lost your question"
laughter
Witness CO ltinued:
My vacation extended from Aug first to middle
of Sept; have had summer residence at Peek
skill "a years and usually sIen mp vacations
there, but for years past have gone to the White
Mts. have been set free by vote in Sc to go and
lecture on politics; have been author Of 30 vols;
The Life of Christ was commenced in 81 and
issued in Sept, II ; its preparation occupied much
of nv time Norwood sppeared in the Ledger
in '67 and book form in '6S; was married in 1887,
and had been engaged yrs; was % when mar
ried and my wife %; was engaged when was l6;
have children living and waiting for me have
grand children; my wife has had occasion to Wait
the South since II; while in INDIANAPOLIS my
wife went to her home in Mass. through sickness
anu luat WAS tue oHiy pIcaA III our living To-
gether.
From an early period delegated to her my sec
ular affairs, so that until years ago l never even
drew my own salary; she had poor health, but
strength of pun pose that gave her the strength of
10 women; this lasted until an accident befe her;
she has opened my letters for many years; in
early years did great deal OF whiting; subse-
quently found it impossible to receive multitude
ous calls.
OF late do not visit frequently was cautioned
against having intimacy with families of my pa
rishoners, but stood up for my rights, no matter
who might be jealous; there were intimacies of
my family with other families in the parish have
large personal acquaintance with men engaged in
politics and correspondence; average addresses
week. including two sermons SUNDAY.
Became acquainted with Bowen in Al; he was
a leading man in the church and connected with
the Independent; he was one Of the proprietors
at the outset and became sole proprietor; l was a
guest at his house the I'd week l came here and
we worked hand in hand in building up the
church and he more than any other man was use
full.
saw him almost every day, and was intimate
with him, but his family were not so much init
mate with mine. In 1866 when wrote the Cleave-
land letter, the Independent crtcise me so severe
ly, at time when all were against me save the
democratic party that felt this so mrch | gave
notice of the termination of my contract with it,