The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-17


the vast knowledge OF human nature We have
some prominent teachings from higher source
operations OF the human conscience. ST. PAU
recommends confession.
/ i his injunction and did he mlsapprehend human
nature Did ne tnluk with Mr.. Evarts that 1t IS
contrary not only 10 human nature, out 10 human
experience for men confess their faults or their
| crimes And In that parable OF the Prodlgal Son,
intended to express the duty OF repentance and
reform, the contrte aud wandering son Is made
10 saw, II VIII arise and go Co my iatner and say
Father have snned before heaven ana in thy
teaching OF nature. IL is the teaching OF human
experience. But. gentlemen, recall your thoughts
1 ing a new and sudden confession. the revelation
OF his laut; ne was doing II not only IN the pres
ence Of accusation and In the presence OF con-
elusive evidence, and IT was the natural result
and sequence OF the transactions OF December SO;
bound 10 DO for his own protection, for the saliva
| ton OF the family ne would otnerwise nave de-
what was the obvious policy winch an honorable
! and wise man would ado e under such circum-
stances. MIS-. IIlton declared 70 ner nusnann'
I'VE are both pledged 60 an avoidance OF public
ity." Nj. Beccher bowed, AMI suffering beneath
the discovery Of his offence. rendering to the
wronged husband ms contrition, and rem0rse
and his prayer for forgiveness confesslng without
reserve the whole extent OF his sin. and yet, APP
pealing 10 his charity. cunningy suggesting that
there are other hearts Gnat must suier; tnat Is
the sick and the afflicted, and the wronged wife.
il in a trance; she, 100 must suffer. rnese
three spirits, all considering In the idea OF
silence. what should the offender do but make
Just such declaration OF his SIM OF his contrlton,
lust such appeal as tnls not only 10 those III
terested. but TO tho Christianity ana magnanimity
OF the man nc had erred and this done, this done
under the pron.ise made by most intimate friend
OF the parties that that would secure The forgive
ness and the kindness OF Theodore Itlton. That IS
the plea addressed by Moulton TO Beecher at the
time this instrument was dictated. addressed 10
an angry husband, when, as Mr. Beecner says In
his statement, he supposed and believed from the
tempesfuous anger oil IilLon, the accusation was
ha M nA w a III "a
CHASED TO A PUBLIC EXPOSURE.
Now IL concurs with all these circumstances.
II harmonlZes with the condition or things and
the condition OF the parties at the time. See how
this construction is confirmed by other Iroduc-
lions OF Mr.. Beechcr Counsel then read the let
ter OF February 7, 1871.
Mr.. Beecher had been guilty OF no offence, &C
cordIng TO his own consciousness and oath. What
was mere TO harm Beecner-Mr. Beecher Why
did he fear church investigation What was there
In all tine surroundings OF this transaction, Its
possibilities, that could tiouoIc Mr.. Beecaer II he
was so pure and Innocent as be represents MINI
Ss 20 ce r won the aecton Of Mrs. Tson
but nothing had come from IL. There had been
nothing but the most ordinary and friendly init
no vulgar relations between them. There mad not
been anything beyond those ordinary clvlllties OF
friendship and pastoral regard which Mr.. Beecher
was accustomed 10 bestow upon members OF MS
church. what created this most terrible emer
gency In the life OF Mr. Beechsr why does ne
write 70 Mrs. lilton, the alleged victim OF his
lust, that Muulton had been TO him mis- best ana
ablest ana most willing friend to help MIN Tin
this terrible emergency of my li.e." Gentlemen,
please consider this voluntary ana free expression
OF Mr.. Beecner and contrast it with the sellrepre
sentaiion he glves:-"HIs hand IL was that tied
up the storm that was ready 10 burst upon our
TItoS. at is Storm SAYS he TO that woman.
'rlstng In this most terrible emergency OF my
ready 70 burst on your head and mine.n What is
tne OF this etter-that ~, It's expression and
substance why does Mr.; Beecner, on February
December, 1870, and the apology OF January
!, 1s7l-pray answer me, gentlemen, In all the So
nd M w 1rt 1dn ant
what was IL, ut that rate, which induced Henry
Ward Beecner 10 write confession OF his peril.
Iectcd nim and his confederate from the storm
ready TO burst upon themg Who was II that tied
Il up? Who was II that interviewed Who was 1t
that suppressed all these tendencies TO evil
Counsel then commenced on the letter and read
II there was no hidden meaning, II there was no
implied confession m. expressed NO NO improper;m
this single instance be desirous OF
SURPRISING HIS owS DEcLAKATIoNi
Everything about these letters. gentle men,
speaks the condition oil the man. and they are elo-
quent declarations OF the character OF his
offence.
| come down now to February 1872 will not
trouble you with reading just now all oftnis entire
letter, but there are expressions In II which re-
veal the true condition OF things. my position
the bitterness OF death was past; but
, Nisn even u' seyorsr suffering But chronic
evils require chronic remedies. II my
as would place ANN all ~ 5 ss
down and out. No one can ofrer more than that
that do oner. To sacrifice without hesitation,
II you can clearly your way to his safety and
happiness thereby don't think that any man
would be governed BIZ It. Isnould De destroyed:
toe children would have their future clouded. In
one point OF view | could desire tue sacrifice on
my part.m have constantly TO call your atter-
tI0n TO the character OF this man and his position
IN connection with declarations OF this character
and similar import. Why dId Mr. Beecner, IN
1872 declare taat he was willing TO be sacrificed
Tor the benefit OF Theodore lilton; that ne was
willing 10 step down and outn from MS high po-
siton and ais pulpit n Moulton could that that
was 10 produce safety 10 Mr.. Tnton and MS fam
lily Assuming Mr.. Beecner to be me man that
offence, never addressing an impure thought or
proposal TO the wife OF MS friend, yet owenlng In
This bitterness o. death, with the horror or
great darkness brooding over him, willing 10 step
down from this glorious attitude Us the leading
preacher Of toe day, conscious OF all MS great
pewers and his ennooIing influences, feeling past
/ achievements and their glory and benefit, aud
conscious that the future Was ull OF the same ca
reer OF glory and OF benefaction 20 his fellow
men; that man Offering to step down from his
pulpit, abandon ms great mission, one ring him
self a ready and a wiling sacrifice II Theodore
Tilton can be helped, Elizabeth can be saved and
her children tea-protecTed rom dls
not, gentlemen, eiaoorste topic OF tins
KIND. cannot make It more lnaIic,
sentiments Of our being than the mere express
SION ITSELF connected vita your recollection Of tne
by which he was surrounded | shall come 10
speak by and by o. the idea winch he presents OF
Bowen, OF unconscious winning OF the ancc'
tions oil Mrs. Tliton. suppose u all TO be true,
what was there in IL tnat caused this great
preacher 10 tender himself sacrifice for the
woman who mad unsoughJ bestowed her anec-
tions upon him. 10 satisfy the wrongs OF advice to
a separation. which was never followed, and TO
repair the INJURIES produced ~ tae advice TO
Bowen. wnicu came after the injury had been pro-
duced And TINS Is the only apology and excuse
when ~ presented for this solemn offer OF sacrl-
fee by Mr.. Beecner.
REMoRSE AND DESPAIR
"Remorsel Despair The horror OF great dark.
ness the bitterness OF deatnp In this cond-
tion this man was dwelling and suffering and yet
he SAYS there was no adequate cause Tor IL II
have done nothing. IL IS true, when / looked mp
TO Mrs. Moulton | said to her, Mrs Moulton,
am q good man, Is II conceivable, gentlemen
Are we to adopt any such theory IN regard 10 the
conduct oil AR. Beechcr and these declarations
coming from a great minister, nom master OF
our language. from teacher IN all the WAYS OF
human nature. with thirty years OF experience IN
the discipline and control o. tno human mind ana