New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-13
MR. REECHER,S STATEMENT.

Mr.. Evarts-I offer that paper in evidence,
Sir.
Mr shearman-we will have this marked exhibit
ID, 1871"
Mr. Fulleron-Inasmuch as 1t Is disconnected, think
that overy leaf ght TO be marked
Mr. Shcarman-Very well.
Accordingly each leaf of the paper was marked
ID. 49,
Mr. Eyarts-Plcaso look at the date this Mr. Beecher
and then will asi you question The date IA Wednes-
day, July -, 1871" Now, this prepared by You
after yonr interview with Mr. RcdpAth at Peekski,
which was Monday, the 13hl A Yes, Sir; what date
does that bear
O. Th. bears date Wednesday, the 18th of July, 1874
A. Yes Sir.
O. According to Mr. Redpah's testimony, you in that
interview with him. spoke OF statement that you were
going make; Is this the staementi A. Yes, Sir; that
is tho statement that going to make.
@. And made after that ntoryicwi a. Yes, Sir.
Mr.. Evarts-I will now road it, if your Honor please.
Mr.. Reach-YOu read from a copy.
Mr.. Eyarts-Yes. [Reading
WEDNESDAY, July Is. 1874
DEAR BRETHREN: Whom length, the time that
could break tho long silence of four years thought 1t
proper and in ACCORDANCE with all the principles which
IL noIth Church has defended, that should speak to
yD through you to the Church, the only ecclcsas
mo- l asked tho appointment OF large committee Of
ablo and impartial men, because though my own state
10 be, III my Judgment the cllef element, yet
there many incidental and collateral questions
which desired to have investigated and finally deter
do not propose to enter upon the detail, of history
the original troubles aud leave alone the tangled
Nv acquaintance with Mrs Elizabeth TIon dates from
her Childhood my intimacy In her family from about
1923 Her nature strongly devotional. She had
genius OF religious sentiment Had she lived in other
DAY and in the Catholic Church. she has always seeued
10 be Of those who would have inspirations and
ecstato visions Ny interest in her Increased. and she
deserved the respectful affection which she won from me-
/ loved her one would his own child. She had grown
religious teacher ana she had associated with my name
aud iumined it by her imagination, whatever was
worthy Of affection and trust Nor did /
and appreciatye nature, my admiration and sincere
mar the entirety of the love which wife should
cherish for her husband II was at length the sisAt OF
the unhappncss disclosed in the family and The ndig
reproa hes of her husband that aroused in me the
affection which should belong 10 her household Leaving
others the unwecOme task of refined moral criticism
this gentle and puremnded woman 1t Is for me ex-
conduct and TO disspatc even the shadow reproach
upon her interrupted honor ana to JON with ner husDl
VINO has again and again, with loyal affection and with
justice defended the personal purity Of las wife.
Mrs Tton honorable in intent, none the less
denim SELF with unsparng severity for bringing upon
the most sacred OF human inslJutiOnsthe household
great harm aud distress which have since h9wod IKE
river do not measure the blanc by light standard
That our relations were not criminal III the ordinary and
legal sense ot the tenn, does not exon 7e me from
blame nor does IL relieve me of the shapcst panS OF sor
My my experience, my knowledge or her sen
sitive nature should have been shield 10 her. and
long and aicconate relations with ID. 1iOn. MAen the
wounded by my imprudence possible and threatened
divisions and scae,ngs, and the 0u train of evils that
children, and that instead OF happiness had brought
upon two persons with whom l had been In
the most cciOniJe relations torrent o. misery hose
nhncuce might wild, ind tnltelymy distress passed all
bounds. To mutual friena poured out my soul like
water. did moi measure words. took upon my self
Unreasonable blame. wished him to convey 10 Mg
Triton, in Language overehargcl with feeling my profound
regrets and apologies. The apology WIS accepted,
reconciliation made and Kind social relations
for dine continuedand would have continued until
external
in various nnookedor ways. and spread abroad exaS
gcratiJus peversOns and aisehoods whose direct evil
was aimed AZ me, but whose indirect Influence was To
place Mr. TtOn in false position, one attaC king
rather than as one injured by me.
MOI any VINO only looks upon affairs at the pres
stage o development be in situation 10 judge OF the
motives and influences which have acted at various
stages Of history essentially private and domestic and
which, for the sake OF society OF the family OF child
hood aud OF womanhood, should have had the privilege
of scclson, which those most injured most earnestly
sought. The policy OF silence has failed But 1t was the
right one, aud ought TO have succeeded.
called, Of the earliest moment in this history, to
determine my duty In other relations. was pastor OF
large church. the editor OF religious journal, and
mulai!0us public and private duties OF miscellaneous
Kind not strictly clerical which fail upon clersymen in
our day.
Profoundly suffering, 1t would have been unspeak
able rele II could have laid down my burdens IL was
=. - = expense therefore determined to accept my
s,ow schoonastcr sent Of God. and 10 let no one
know that carried burdens but 10 rise Ia every emer
gency not only but to grow stronger by the severe dis
cpiIne Ibid upon me u was in this mood that wrote
the Life Of Christ, which may well be called Benoni-
child of my sorrow was led by my own suffering to
prUlOundcr ~ moral evil, TO pity and sympathy
for those doing wrong, that had never before known
The divine nature In It's compassion and ln ia healing
power which before only as STAR has grown 10 tho
orb OF a And IN part OF my HE has my ministry
sprung from profound OF Gods mercy. nor gone
forth With such unspcakhle OLpassion Tor inc sor
rowing struggling human kind. II does not bcf me to
spak OF my own work, hat 1t is right 70 explain why
continued 70 nndcr circumstances OF very great trouble
did not think that because had done wrong ought
ssxlu ss2 sCaualy aaS SES;si.IV. " wv yiLpess