The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-08-28
Mr.. Beeoher's Maiden Sermon.
now a GREAT CAREER WAS BEGUN IN
THE PULPIT OF a LITTLE PRAl.
RIE CHURCH.


[Datavla correspondence OF the Missouri Republi-
can.l
What is believed to have been the
first sermon of Henry Ward Beecher
was preached about fifty years ago in
VIII was then the Presbyterian church
Of 'is village, when the now distin-
guished orator was but an unknown
boy and green theological student at
Lanr Seminary, at Cincinnati, under
his f,ther. The church had been with
out regular pastor for short time
prior to 1888, and DR. Lyman Beecher,
his son-in-aw, Rev. Charles e. Stowe,
and other professors from "Old Lane"
held occasional services and kept an
eye on the little flock in Batavia. In
1888 Rev. George Beecher was called
to the pastorate, and remained in
charge till 1887. 1t was while his old
er brother was the pastor that Henry
Ward first entered the pulpit. He had
been a student at Lane for year, and
was spending week at his brothers
house when Judge Owen T. Fishback,
who had somehow become impressed
tha the young man had more than or
dlna'y ability, persuaded him to preach
on "ne Saturday night.
When the time came the sexton
lighted the tallow candles in the tin
sconccs hanging against the wall, rang
the lleer, squcaking old bell, and so
caltri the villagers together. 1t was
generally known who the speaker
won Il be, and most of the congrega-
ton were drawn by curiosity. Many
knca him as u rather green youth,
hardly out of boyhood, and full OF
pral of all kinds whenever opportu-
mtg uffered, and they exchanged glanc,
es with each other as they saw ellen
ry' in the, box like pulpit, evidently
more than half frightened at the or
deal iefore him. Nobody here can re-
, call he text or much of the sermon,
ye, all who heard it concede that the
: speaker had more than ordinary talents.
Uncle John White, young man
e then, says of it: "His appearance was
: against him, for he was shy, boyish
4 'ooking young man, but before he got
th,orgh he cast off his scare. and l
t liked him better than his brother
!. Geo :e. His contrast to the Stern, un-
/ yic''ng Puritanic style of his revered
e fat ~ was marked by ALL
Nj .. Lowe, at that time young la
4 dy o. Batavia, says: Young Beecher 3
sermon was grand effort, mohodical
It in rt> lie and impassionate in delivery
e though he was greatly in fear and
tire bling until nearly half wa,
3 throu n, Then his timidity left him
?, AMI he closed in most able and happy
manner"
JOHN w. Kain, the oldest of Bata
via's citizens, was a man grown wher
Be cher preached here, and still retain
8 Wv recollection of the impression
- :, it made on him, Says he; II liked hi
y y jib An | style, because l thought h" hac
~ metrle in him, though most of tn
- youn folks thought he was poor tim
:, Der, owing to his greenness. And
% was right; for, after hesitating pray
u u er and a timid way of reading tn
- hymn. and after stumbling some in tn
- beginning of his sermon, he warme,
e se up and went through his discours
- which was doctrinal one, in manne
:, a strongly indicative of his future suC
~ cess, Although not church member
r. ! was so moved that went up afte
"a the congregation was dismissed an
~ con yratulated him on his success in hi
% first fort
iiss The old church was sold in 1885
~ and brick edifice erected for tn
~ ~ growing congregation, and in time tn
81 old building became a part of tn
pe "Hauiltonian house" hotel propert,
nc and is now used as a carriage-hous
U Ule and stable, while on Sundays it Is NJ
ny infrelpently the resort of thirsty To-
"a ers, who smuggle into it the whisk
ue and beer the town ordinance docs n
US allow them to enjoy elsewhere.