The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-02-24

Ne Challenges God ana tho Angels to
Testify Against Bipn.

Testify Against Him.
Mr.. Beecher may DO wicked man, in
some senses, but he Is also man Of
nerve, and. after all, there Is none
among us but admires that beautiful
quality. The other day, in the Advisory
Council, he rose and in the dramatic ac-
cent for which he is famous stsid "If
there Is any man on earth that has any
thing to say to my detriment, / am here,
and now challenge him to say It," Loud
applause, and cries of "Good'' and
Hear II go further than that,
thundered Mr.. Beecher; elf there be
any angel Of God, semi-prescient and
omniscient, / challenge him to say
aught, and, continued he, dramatically
turning his hands and his face toward
the ceiling, II challenge the truth from
God himself. F" This was climax. There
was applause in the gallery and silence
dread in the Council No man appeared
There was no response from Deity Not
an angel took exceptions. This was u
bold push upon the part Of Mr.. Beecber,
but the Sun, which reports him, re-
marks
"Mr. Beecher came down from his
height with amazing swiftness. In %
twinkling of an eye he wore careless
air, saying In every look and motion,
What's the rlse?' He said that the next
day 1t would be said-'Well, Mr..
Beecher rhetorically managed the mat
BILE -bnt-but-.' 4 am i'm Judgment
nc added, between two deviis-tu and
If. | know perfectly we'll tnat this
whole process is q continuous trial
and crucifixion Of every sentiment OF
honor and every sensibility OF my soul
am questioned on the suppOsition that
the truth has not been got ut, and +
suppose that it will not be to the end OF
my life. l don't look for any great hope
from the result Of this Council. / don't
look for any hope from the result OF
any council or tribunal. think there is
hope in the grave and beyond. But for
me, expect to walk with clouded
head, not understood until I go TO
heaven and that is not far off, not far
away"
This was pathetic. The closing SEN
tence moved the waters. Many men,
bers Of the Council wept and sobbed,
and Mrs. Beecher, who ought to be ac-
customed TO that sort Of thing, held her
handkerchief to her eyes and trembled.
A long prayer relieved the overcharged
masses. Mr.. Beecher Is certainly en-
titled to sympathy. He is a great man,
but if he would only use his influence
with the Associated Press to stop TIE
dreary report Of his Advisory CoW,cil
we would like him better. = Cincir.unH
Enquirer.
A PRoFEssoR's JOKE ON HrIsELF.
few days since one OF the professors per
petrated practical joke upon himself
worthy to be cherished in the archives
OF the institution. He had occasion to
enter small closet in which the ianitor
keeps his tools, situated In the base
ment, near the engine. Not wishing to
be disturbed while .nere, he locked him
self in and slipped the key in his pocket.
During his rranipulations he forgot that
ne nad tie key in his possession, AND upon
trying to get out imagined himself the
victim Of some malicious physickist. He
waited some time for his tormentor to
repent. and then became exasperated.
He pounded the door, kicked, wept and
swore through the keyhole, but in vain.
The lanitor had gone down town, and
there was no heed to his cry. In the
conrse of the afternoon he returned and
accidentally discovered the mighty
fallen into q sullen tit Of distrust, and
destitute Of all confidence in humanity.
When the professor sat down to his
newspaper after supper that evening,
and happening to put his hand into his
pocket, found the key to that, closet, ne
Immediately went into the pack yafd
and ran a. wheelbarrow back ana fortil
over himself for half an hour. .<[WHeH
tTasesrsitu Era. +