Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-06-24
Tracey's Course "IRVOlTeS Professional
Treachery and Personal DishOnOr"
Beach Closes Amid Hearty APP
plause-The Case to be
Opened.

NEW YORK, June 23.-Mr. Beecher
and wife came into court this morning,
also Mr.. Tilton, before the pro-
C sedings began. The number OF
spectators was smaller than usual. After
the court opened, Mr.. Evarts said that,
10 regard to the judges charge, they had
revised their charges, and that after the
charge was delivered they Would be
presented to the court. Mr.. Beach then
continued his address and his quota
tions from the works Of Beecher, and
spoke OF his invitation to sll the parties
who loved the Lord Jesus, and who were
not members of any church, to COM
mence in fellowship with him.
Mr.. Sherman objected to these cita-
tons from the sermons or lectures Of
Mr.. Beecher, on the ground that they
were not placed in evidence.
Mr.. Evarts animated that, from these
quotations made from Mr.. Beecher's
writings that were not placed in evil
deuce, the jury might confound them
with some OF the testimony which was
in evidence.
Mr.. Beach argued that he made the
quotations not as evidence, but on the
contrary, as theories by this defendant.
Judge Nelson suggested that Shear
man could make objections when Beach
got through, and Beach broke out with,
1.-THE gentleman IL wrong; my quota
ti0ns are correct, and l challenge him
to prove that they are wrong" "And
l." said ShearmaD, "accept the chRl-
lenge.n
Mr.. Sherman was then about to read
a sermon in which an invitation to COM
munic ants was extended, when Beach
ohie ted 10 him reading any or the whole
Of the article from which he had quoted.
Judge Nelson ruled that Shearman's
objections would be in order when Beach
closed his address.
Mr.. Sherman said he would offer an
objection to every quotation made by
counsel from MIR. BeecheT's writings.
Counsel then continued his citations,
and said that Beecher says many parts
OF the New Testament. have grown old,
miraclesl have grown old and are out Of
date; and counsel said that il they could
strike out the miracles, these evidences
of a Godhead, why not strike out the
sermon on the Mount and the Lords
prayer; and when scOtfeTs and sneerers
doubted the authenticity OF the bible
and the divine character of Christ, did
not they point to the miracles He
wrought? And he who's blOtted out
word OF holy inspiration doubted his
God. On that memorable first OF June,
1873, Beecher published sermon in
which he substantially abolished hell,
and said that IL one sinner was ad-
mitted to heaven, why not the second
and third, and so on, until at last the
bottom one OF all. This was considered
throughout the world, said Beach, as a
denial Of the existence of that plan of
future punishment denominated in the
bible as hell. Counsel was endeavoring
TO show that when this man assaulted
other parties for their heresy
and heterodoxy, he should look
well to his own doctrines. Beach
also quoted some remarks of Beecher's
in regard to a sermon preached by
Jonathan Edwards in respect to sinners
in the hands OF an angry God. Beecher
had said that the reading of this sermon
by a person of weak nerves, alone, and at
midnight, would be enough to make
him insane. The speaker then read an
extract from the sermon preached by
Beecher as indicating that the latter
conceded that the soul must pass through
some publication after death before its
entrance into heaven, thus intoxicating
the doctrine Of purity in opposition to
the teachings of the Westminster cate
chism and the belief of orthodox Protest
ants. Beecher had not a very high
opinion Of the orthodox churches. In
one of his works he speaks Of the rich
and orthodox church being filled with
practical infdelity and unthOught-of
doctrines which belong to an orthodox
church. Beecher had peculiar notions.
He says the pulpit should be turned into
a lyceum for the consideration Of local
or political topics which agitate society,
and which may be properly admitted
into the pulpit and discussed by
an anointed minister OF God, and
the custom had been followed
by the pastor Of Plymouth church.
Beecher's sermons were filled with these
worldly topics, and his expressions
about them caused applause among his
auditors. In q late sermon Of BeecheT's
counsel had observed in newspapers that
laughter was caused by the great
preacher fourteen times.
Mr.. SheaTnan-But laughter is not
applause.
Mr.. Beach-It is applause; and (turniDg
to his interTUpter) my friend Shesrman,
l dare say, was the lOudest Laughter of
them all. Beach then said: Mr.. Beech
er, in one OF his sermons, says that he
prsys on the same principle that a cork
Is forced out of q bottle. A very good
principle, commented the speaker, when
heart and soul are OVERLOOKING with re-
ligion. Tbs counsel then quoted an ex-
traA from one of Beecher's talks, in
which he said he would rather have
been the PrOdigal son than his brother,
who was too stingy to get drunk and too
unsympathetic TO be lascivi0us.
Mr.. Sherman asked from what that
extract was taken, and Mr.. Beach re-
piled, from the newspaper report, to
which Mr.. Sherman protested, In a
tone Of CREST Indignation, that it was an
outrage on justice, and that the extracts
were incorrectly reported, This he
knew, and he would pledge his profess
sional word.
Mr.. Sherman maintained that it was
pretty evident that all this was not in
tended as evidence, but was calculated
TO prejudice the jury and the public
against Mr.. BeecheT.
Judge Nelson stated that these ex-
tracts were not submitted to the jury as
evidence, and asked Mr.. Beach to pro-
| coed with his argument.
Mr.. Sherman (excitedly)-I protest
against any further quotations.
Mr.. Beach-Will my irsscible friend
J allow me to proceed?
Mr.. Shearman-All this can have no
/ effect at all.
Ex-Judge Morris-Wen, it seems to
/ have an effect on you.
/ Judge Nelson then stated that ne had
/ read the sermon on the "Prodigal Son."
sssreported in the Christian Union
Mr.. Porter arose and declared that he
/ desired to take exceptions to this remark
/ Of the court.
Mr.. Beach continuing, said it had been
| a marvel to the christian world, that
/ while this trial was proceeding Bescher
was able TO continue the functions Of his
/ Office; that through these four years OF
torture and anxiety this man had stood