The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-06-27
THREE SCORE AND TEN.
Henry Ward Beecher's Seventieth
Biz thday Anniversary.
An Immense Audience Gathers in the
Brooklyn Academy Of Music to
Celebrate the Event.
of Prominent Persons Present.
Retrospect of Seventy
Years.
BEECHER's BIRTHDAY.

An Immense Audience Join With the Great
Preacher in Celebrating the SEVENTEEN
Anniversary of His Birth.
New YORK, June 25.-EYery seat and every
foot of standing room of the Brooklyn Acad-
envy of Music was filled this evening BY the
friends and admirers OF Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher assembled to celebrate his seventh
eth birthday. The Academy was tastefully
decorated with flags and streamers, hanging
baskets and flowers. Vines circled the lower
gallery, and line of living plants took the
place eff footlights on the stage and rose in
the center to bank of flowers. On the plat
form were large number of the most prom
inent citizens, together with a large
number of representatives from
other cities. Among those present.
were: Mayor Lowe, Of BROOKLYN; Rev
Doctors Robert Collyer, Thomas Armitage,
Edward 2. Ingersoll, Justin ID. Fulton, c. l..
Wells, i. W. Bancroft, Edward Beecher and
L j. Conant Andrew Mclean, managing
editor of the Brooklyn Eagle, and John
Foord, editor OF the Brooklyni Union, were
also on the stage. In one OF The toxes was
seated Mrs. Beecher, Mrs. Harriet Beecher
Stowe and other members of the Beechel
family. The entrance of Mr. Bsecher him
sell on the stage was greeted with the warm
est enthusiasm, the audience rising and the
ladies' waving their handkerchiefs while the
men loudly cheered. Prof. Charles West
said they had Ecome to honor
the philosopher, poor mans friend, lover of
nature OF flowers and little children; to
honor one who in the coming centuries will
stand like Mont Blanc alone in his fame.
Ex-Chief Judge Nelson proposed Rev. DIR.
Charles Il. Hall as presiding officer. DE-.
Hall, in taking the Chair, said Mr. Beechsr
although he had been the best abuse man
in Brooklyn. and in the country, was never
known to utter an unk,nd or severe word CT
any man because he differed from him in be-
lief, and that he had never seen man whom
he believes loves God and bis fellow man so
deeply. He then introduced Rev. DR.. J. o.
Peck, who offered prayer. Rev DR.. Inger-
soil Iesd large number OF kilograms and
letters of regret at the inability to oe present
from ex-Presidsnt Hayes Hon. A. s. Hewitt,
Profess James D. Dana ale College,, JIG.
Whittier, George William Curtiss ex Gov
ernor Nelson Dingley, of Maine; President
Andrew ID. White, Cornell University: Col
onel w. A. Roebling, Senator Dawes Governor
Cleveland, Ex-Governor Cornell General W.
Sherman, Whitelaw Reid, D.. Oliver Wen
dell Holmes, Frederick w. Douglass Wen
dell Phillips, Mark Twain, p T. Barnum,
General Hancock and others. Resolutions
expressive of respect, esteem and affection,
together with congratulations on a lite so
useful and honored, we're adopted by q
rising vote. Rev. DIR. Gottheil, Rabbi of the
Broadway Temple, Brooklyn, read an address
and presented Mr.. Beecher on behalf OF his
fellow Hebrews handsome silver cup.
Rev. DR.. Collyer said be had only once
heard him preaching in his own pulpit, but
he then spoke of spring in the woods that
gave him q new poem of spring to remem-
Der forever sfterward. 1t was grand thing
for Plymouth Church to have such an all
round and thoroughly human man.
it England in 1868, and paid
a warm tribute to his success of winning
English sympathy to the side of the Union.
Rev. Dr. Fulton and Mayor Low followed.
John Barry, member of Parliament from
County Wexford, Ireland, was called upon
In honoring Beecher he said the people of
Brooklyn honored themselves. In behalf of
the people of Ireland he took pleasure in
offering thanks for the aid given the people
in Ireland in the dark hours of famine, and
when they were struggling against oppres
sion.
Rev. Mr. Beecher then rose, and wa greet
ed with warm applause, the audience rising
and cheering, applauding and waving hand
kerohiefs for several minutes. When at
last permitted to speak he said if he were
susceptible of believing one-tentn of what
had been said about him, the celebration
would be that of birthday of
fool by fools. When he looked back
seventy years ago it seemed to him
nothing had then been done. There
were no railroads, no gaslights. no telegraph
lines. Almost everything great that has been
done in science has been accom- lished since
then. Power has seen itself obliged to con-
suit multitude. Italy has gained its unity,
Greece has again raised her head, Hungary
has freed itself from oppression.
The workingman has been eafranchised
in England. He expects 10 get
see every male twenty-one years of age in
England receive franchise, and then he ex-
pected 10 see some other changes there The
world has been moving, and he as one of
Gods passengers could not be left behind.
To suppose he had anything TO do with the
| progress made sounded TO mis- ears almost
blasphemous. The steps of progress made
are The footsteps of God. Looking
| down at the future he was hopeful
because Gcd lives. Whatever faults have
marTed the symmetry of his life, he said,
were his alone. Whatever OF service ne has
| rendered were his Gods. He accepted the
| love which prompted the exaggerated praise
| Given TO him because he loves men, but yet
he could do without their love. He
loved love but he loved truth more still.
| He owed more to his father and
mother than to all other human beings.
To them be owed his bodily health and
| strength. His father gave him a sound
stomach and an example of noble life. His
mother gave him serene spirit and dedicated
him to the missionary work. God had COM
passion on the heather and did not send
him to them. He sent him to
he bade all young men present
to plant their feet upon the rock of right and
principle, and they need then have no fear.
1t is easy to stand alone, he said, if you know
you are right After returning warm thanks
for the honors paid him the audience were
requested to rise and Mr.. Beecher pronounced
the benediction.