The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-19
"REMINISCENCES OF BEECHER.
An Old Brooklyn Mans RecolIectiOns of the
Great Preacher.

Interview in New York Morning Journal.
How long have you known Mr.. Beecher9n
"Slnce l947, when he first came to Brooklyn.
He was then a slight, ruddy-complexioned, long
haired young fellow of about thirty five. l
heard him preach his first sermon in Plymouth
Church. Mr.. Beecher had come to New York
from indianapolis to attend ONE meetings, and
he was invited 10 visit Brooklyn and preach in
Plymouth Church, which had just been built.
He had only a fair audience on the Sunday
morning, but at night the house was crowded.
l was at the subsequent meeting at Mr.. Bowen's
house when it was decided to call Mr.. Beecher,
and from that day to this l have been an attend
ant upon his ministrations.
DO [ remember his trip to Europe while the
war was in p~rogressl Indeed 1 do. spent an
hour with him the night before he sailed.
81 am afraid, he said to me, that my mis-
sion to England will be a failure. The svmpa-
thy of the British aristocracy for the Southern
oligarchy seems to have pervaded all classes in
the mother country. 1t will be very hard for
me, l am persuaded, to secure a respectful hear
ing for the claims of the North"
but your cause is a just one, Mr.. Beecher,'
1 suggested.
"'Thats true, he replied and man with a
mission such as | have undertaken cannot fail
for the lack of courage. My convictions will
sustain me-
And they did," added the old Brooklynite.
"Mr. Beecher spoke soon after he reached
England, in Free-trade Hall, Manchester. He
was Kissed and hooted out. Some weeks later,
after advocating the cause of the North in other
cities, and particular in Exeter Hall. London.
delivered another address in Free-trade
Hall. He was greeted by an overcrowded
house and was cheered to the echo. Mr.. Beecher
has several times told me that he regarded his
successful efforts to bring Englishmen to prop
erly understand the attitude of the North in our
civil war, as one of the grandest achievements of
his life"
do you think that age is u having any weaken
ing effect upon Mr.. Beecher's intellect!"
Il regard him now as at his best. His mind
has lost none of its vigor, while mis- Judgment
has ripened and become mature. | think his
address on last Thanksgiving Day was one of the
grandest efforts of his life. His power as a
preacher comes from the evident earnestness
with which he speaks quite as much as his won
derful power of using apt SMILES"
'"The happy family relations Of Mr.. Beecher
have helped to create his strength as preacher
and speaker"
the most charming women in the world. She is
good humor personifed, and carries sunshine
with her wherever she appears. Mr.. BeecherIs
home is always lit up by her smile, and he has
no cares that she does not share. His sons wor-
ship their father. All live in Brooklyn save one,
who is on the Pacific slope. If it had not been
for his home surroundings | believe Mr.. Beecher
would have broken down when the trouble of
1875 came upon him, but all through that great
trial the loyalty of his wife and children sup
ported him"
Il see it is said that Mr.. Moulton, who died on
Wednesday, may have left behind him some pa
psrs that will compromise Mr.. Beecher."
81 don't believe it. Almost all the papers that
the mutual friend had were used upon the Tilton
trial, and those that were not introduced as evl-
dence then were given by Moulton to Mrs.
Beecher, SO l am Informed. The scandal can
never be revived again. It's a noble vindication
for the preacher that he has been able to live in
Brooklyn ever since the trouble, and that he is
more respected in that city today than he ever
was"