Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-11
A CLERGYMAN'S DUTY
When Loving Couples Present Them
selves 10 Him to Be Married.
HENRY WARD BEECHER'S WIDOW
Tells How the Great Preacher Managed
go as to Avoid Mistakes.
A TOUCHING ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE
WRITTEN FOR THE DrsPAroH.i

Every week brings before the public some
| new topic for discussion of some question to
be answered through the now unnumbered
newspapers. As this desire to investigate
increases it would be strange if now and
| then there should not be some questions
that seem too unimportant to notice, which
one can hardly refrain from feeling were
| manufactured for the simple satisfaction
of seeing the question in print
'Tis pleasant. sure, TO see ones thoughts in
print
A books book although there's nothing
int.
One of the inquiries which has been re-
ceiving some little attention of late, and
perhaps deservedly so, has been brought to
my notice within few days, and an
answer requested, viz, "Ars elergymen,
usually, particularly careful in questioning
those who come to them to be married, and
thereby securing such information as is
legally demanded? Was Mr. Beecher?'
To me, this appears a singular, if not a
needless question, because the law so posi-
lively demands such information, and can
iniict penalty for its non-tul6lment
How strictly other ministers are governed
by this law do not know; but in the 30
years of Mr.. Beeeher's ministry, 1 recall
but two or three instances where there was
even question or momentary doubt con-
necIed with the propriety or legality OF any
marriage he performed, and these we're al
most Immediately explained, causing-with
the exception of only one instsnee-not
even "a nine days wonder"
How Mr.. Beecher Married Folks.
In 1880 the Board of Health prepared o
"Register," which it was expected would
be kept by every oficant," and by it they
were TO be governed. Mr. Beecher always
copies on hand. Doing 80, he could not
tail to be careful 1t contained long list
OF questions to be asked by the person
officiating, and the answer to each question
was to be written in The Register" before
the marriage ceremony was performed.
For instance, the date and place were nrst
written; then came the following ques-
tions:
L Name of the groom. (The answer i'm.
mediately following each question:
, Q. Residence.
8. Age.
1. Color.
s. Number of marriages.
g. Occupation.
T. Place of birth.
8 Fatners name
9. Mothers uaiden name.
The same questions were also asked of
the bride, an entered in the same way on
the Register" before the ceremony. Alter
the marriage was solemnized the name of
the one officiating and the names of the
witnesses were added to the list. A printed
marriage Observation-Disclosures OF the one
given the bride-was attached to every one
OF these papers in the Register" and must
be sent, with the copy of questions and an
swers, to the Board of Health within
given number of days. II these acquisitions
we're honestly carried out, there could be
little danger of carelessness on the part OF
the minister or other official.
No doubt most clergymen have a large
store of amusing as well as annoying Incl
dents connected with their work in this de-
partment But with Mr. Beecher they
were rare. At the West, where his first
ten wears of ministerial labor were spent, as
pioneers life, in new and partially un-
settled country, there were occasionally
some few humorous experiences. In his
Brooklyn work recall only one incident
that for few days threatened to cause any
trouble or anxiety, and that was OF short
duration. 1t went the rounds of the news
papers and furnished gossip for little circles
for short time, but there was SO little
ing cares and duties Of greater importance
soon put it out of our minds, leaving in the
end so little anxiety that at this late period |
We can only recall the outlines, which are |
too meager to risk repeating. All the cir-N
cumstances connected with the marriage OF |
the parties are matter OF history; but |
only allude TO it to give Mr. Beecher's ex-
PLANTATION OF his connection with the pithul |
story, as told bv himself at the request OF
his people in FRIDAY night prayer meet
ing soon after the event. I quote from an
account published the next day:
Just before the close of the meeting a dis
cussion arose among the members OF the
regarding MI Beecher's part
in the marriage. A lawyer present, II mem
Der of the church, said he thought this the
time ard place for the church to deny the
report that Mr.. Beecher was losing his popu-
larity and his people on that account:
Upon closing, he asked Mr.. Beecher TO tell
those present, as II talking IN ms own
he did, as follows:
Free to Admit His Mistakes.
81 revolt from scandal, and turned from
svery form of it as found in the new spapers,
and SO had read nothing relating To this
tragedy, aud only knew of it from general
public conversation, which could notavoid
hearing. that there was misused wife,
divorced, and a murdered man, who
wished to give the shelter of his name 70
the woman fnr whom ne was dyfng-as that
vas all lie could do"
Mr.. Beecher was asked to marry them. He
said he always hnd Il feeling of generosity
for those in trouble und willingly COM
plieu.
people say have made o miytake-as IL
had never made one before! Why, l am
lull OF mistakes; and there is only one man
1n the earth who is intallibe-he lives
It Rome. try to keep my heart wnrm and
my conscience pure, and then DO not hesi-
tate to do lor others what many perhaps
might shrink from doing. And as tor being
,areful OF my reputation, ask you, do you
want your pastor TO be all the time watch