New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-24
THE ARGUMENT RESUMED.
Mr. Beach--But-


Judge Neilson-Be quiet. gentlemen.
Mr. Bcach--wel gentlemen, in quiet way, let us, by
way OF recaptulation, what IA the attitude OF MT
Becohor as preacher Of the Gospel and how well he de-
serves the encomum that he Is the greatest man IN the
world as pronounced by Mr. wilkeson is the leading
pulpit of the as represented by his counsel
And what great principle what fundamental doctrine Of
orthodoxy has not Mr. Beecher in some way assailed-
either impeached and discarded modified and changed
in Its influence and characterf He has denied, In the
first place. condition Of first parents the integrity
and purity Of their original creation. He has placed
them at the lowest point Of animal existence aboshing
the whole idea Of original sin and the fall
OF man. and substitutes the Darwnian doctrine Of evolu
ton He has denied the blood Of the atonement, in de-
ance the declaration Of the Scriptures that without
the shedding of blood there is no remission He has
secularzed the Christian Church. Instead OF Divine
institution where Christ meets His children and exerts
the influence of His Holy Spirit through its mnistra-
tons 1t Is mere institution OF the world mere corpo-
rate institution secular in s character useful in it's
Office but bearing about Of the odors Of sancy
II like your theaers your railroads. your committee
rooms any Of the other Of the gatherings Of men IN
the ordinary pursuits of their life And he has degraded
the highest and most exalted Office in life-the
ministry OF the Church-by declaring that no
qualification is necessary TO 1t more than belongs
20 lawyer engineer No delegation OF authority
from Christ enthusiastically from Heaven. no anoint
ing grace spiritual otherwise from the Father but
character and dignity Of teacher Of the Gospel He
treats with derson the ordinances the sacaments Of 70
lison baptism, and the Lords Supper He rejects the
teachings Of all the great leaders OF the orthodox faith In
sill past time and the honored creed Of his own denomina
lion he denounces as wicked and agous. He practi-
caly does away with the wrath to come with the threat
ened hell with that denounced vengeance Of God upon
the sinner He detacts from the Nervousness OF sn re-
jecting the atonment the sacrifice OF Christ He then
maintains that by process Of Gods mercy man ult
matey will be universally redeemed and saved And
think, with practically equal injurious influence upon
the world he has desecrated the temple OF his Cod he
has made it the of his witticsms and ests, and
humor and bufoonery which has made 1t more like to
tAeater than to a church.
Ipass some other topics gentlemen. II anybody sup
poses that made these references from any sent
ment dsrespec TO Mr. Beecher for the purpose OF mis-
reprcsenting scandazlng his character, he greatly
misudgcs my motive. And if the gentleman supposes
that have done this thing with view to operate upon
public sentiment to the disadvantage OF Mr. Beecher for
getting my professional duty the representative OF
party a court of justice, he equally msndges my mo-
tive Mr.. Beecher has been represented In language
almost as imaginative and glowing andforcbe as his own
by his counsel as the great and leading divine In the
Christianity OF this age. He has been represented as
pure orthodox teacher Of the inspired religion OF the
Scriptures He has been incased in the bright and shin
ing srmor OF unsued purity and virtue 1t has been the
fundamental the central argument Of my learned friends
and 1t bears to-day upon the sentinenIs vi tulS
Jury with imperative force. The doctrine that he
was too great and good to SIM and upon that assum
ing his virtue they have reasoned the mpossblity Of
error have presented all these indications Of the essen
t and inward character and doctrines OF this man In
opposition to that theory 1t is logical and professional
answer TO the argument, and have not demeaned my
self in any aluson TO this gentleman, in attempted
revelations OF his character, from my true professional
standard OF combining myself to the issues before this
Jury and presenting only those arguments which were
properly directed 10 them, aud am not willing to part
with this court and jury under the imputation that
have perverted my professional position for the purpose
of rejecting upon a who, with all his faults and
fngs whatever they may be, admire and reverence