The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-11-13
HENRY WARD BEECHER
HAS SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT
HELL
And Christians That Are Mixed Up
Wet and Others That Are
mixed Up Dry.

Henry WalQ Be5cDer TOLD MS lmpree-
sions OF England to the New York and
Brooklyn Association of ConRrega-
iional Churches at Plymouth Church
last evening. The meeting was ar
range d to be held in the auditorium,
but was adjourned to the lecture room.
About 150persons were present. Tie
Rev. James 6. Roberts, the modera-
tor, preceded Mr.. Beecher in an ad-
dress. He spoke strongly in favor of
build 'ng up the Congregational Church
as church. He said the trouble was
that the Congregationslisls were too
wi Hing to neglect the building up Of
their own organization to unite with
ether churches. This was a mistake.
When Mr.. Roberts concluded he called
upon Mr.. Beecher, saying that he
ask ed him to speak before Lyman Alb
bolt, because to hear the former sew
eIal persons had come fifteen miles.
"Well, l wish they had remained
at home, then, said the great
preacher, with smile, as he
walked slowly upon the platform
81 will occupy my chair as l
usually do, as find can talk better
sitting than standing in this room"
Alter looking carefully about the room
Mr.. Bescher eaid: Il should be
pleased to continue the thought
started by Brother Roberts, but have
Just Landed and have not yet got the
harness on, and my thoughts are not
detached from my career abroad. We
have got great deal in this country
that seems like agitation. But we
have not half IS much agitation here
as in Europe today. Substantially
the cams elements are at work in all
countries. In the old fashioned preach
ing it used to be said that God and
the devil were at work. The senti-
ment is the same now, but it is ex-
pressed in different language. The
struggle of civilization all over the
world is the struggle Of the bassr pas.
sions with the better passions of
men," Mr.. Be5cher then told
his impressions of England, the
changes that have taken place,
substantially the came as he gave
in the interviews published in the
New Yolk papers. In one portion OF
his talk he broke out in this fashion;
81 have been credited with being mt
this, and not that, and not the other
thing. The negatives thst have been
charged to me are enough to weigh
down dozan men. Laughter. But
there is one thing that | ana Con-
gregationalst. There is, perhaps, no.
body who will deny me the uudoubted
title to this piece of ground to stand
upon. Aud when l say Congrega
tionalist, l include Baptists. We are
Congregationalist mixed up dry, and
they are Congregationalists mixed up
wet. Laughter. II you are not Co.
ing 10 be Cnngregationalist, you had
better be Presbyterian. Their sys-
tenn of laws secures man a hearing
when chargesare made against him.
am not prepared 10 say that it does
not foster chickering's and contests, but
Copglegaiionalism in the hands Of
few Influential men in community is
dangerous" Mr.. Bsecher explained
how he had been misrepresentsd in
regard to his views on future punish.
ment, and spoke at length upon the
increasing liberality of thought
among the Ciergymen. At the con-
Clusion of his talk he said he would
answer any questions the auditors de-
sired to ask.
DR.. Lyman Abbott asked: "Did
you find that there was any ascerbity
or bsd feeling against the American
people as a result of their position in
regard to home rule in Ireland2"
'No, 1 don't think l did," replied
Mr.. BeeCher. 81 don't know what the
feeling was among the Tories. was
known SO Gladstone man, and the
Tories did not come to hear me.
was invited to take part in the Glad
stone campaign, but of course de-
clined, although my sympathies were
all that way. The religious papers
were az first inclined to cay nice
things about me Cover the leit,), but
before l came away they treated me
very fairly"
BY the Rev. Mr.. Floyd: "Did you
find that clergymen OF the Established
Church were permitted to express
their views freely, without being sub
jected TO the boycott inflicted in this
country2"
II found that if you stood by the
church you could say anything you
wanted to-"
Mr.. Beecher gave his talk in con-
versational tone, aud seemed to be in
rare good humor. DR.. Abbott made
an address at the cloRe OF Mr.. Beech
er's remarks.