The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-05-13
MAS. esscnsa's GREAT LOVE.
ne, AYection for Her Husband that En-
aured Until Her Own Death.

dure0 Outh hnoH Wv" Dv"s
In prearhing Mrs Beecher's funera
sermon In Plymouth Church, Brook
,vn Rev. Dr. Abbott, who knew he
well said: "Her Hfe could be summet
In n word. 'Faithfulness,' and that |
no were asked to put an appropriate
toxt upon her tombstone II would be
"Ioye Ia stronger than Death"
Very few women have exemplifiet
rho rare fidelity Of which she CAV,
proof and the steadfast love whici
she bore. Her regard and affection
we're not lightly given; but once won
they were true and enduring-alwayi
to be relied upon without AiminutiOn
From when, as q young girl at thu
home OF her parents. she first me
Henry Ward Beecher IN her 18th yea
TO her marriage with him seven year
later. during which period she resist
cd opposition to her wedding a penni
less student to her following him t,
their first home in LAwrenceburg
where they arrived with less than 81
an their possession, she showed tn,
same unswerving devotion. and dur
ing the ten years Of their western life
which were filed with many hard
ships. she was the faithful wife, won
derfully ingenious In covering up TIL,
bare spots and making 81 do duty 70,
S.. This was an enormous advantage
to the brilliant young preacher, who's,
impediments by her loving care were
smoothed from his pathway, leaving,
clearer field for his progress. Afte
ten years of hardship In the West, sh,
reached Brooklyn with her husband
who had been newly called to Ply
mouth Church as its pastor. Here, fo
the first time since her marriage, tn,
full sunshine Of comfort and prosper
ity shone upon Mrs. Beecher. Honor
wealth, the power to crafty desires
were hers. and above all her loved
husband. who. from the first, was t.
her great genius among men, was
now so acknowledged and recognized
by all who knew him.
Mrs. Beecher entertained many dis
tlnguished guests at her home. She
assisted her husband wisely and ETH
GENTLY in his undertakings. In The
hour Of the nation's need-the civi
war-whlle his burning words We're in
ducing the enlistment Of regiments tt
assist the government in its peril, she
was diligently employed in the effor
to equip and subsist them until they
were mustered into service. While he
pleaded for the freedom of the slaves
she was assisting to the best Of heI
ability. When the day of Mr.. Beech
er's supreme trial came, the scandal
that cost him so dear his wife proved
that calumny could not shake hei
opinion of his goodness. Mrs
Beecher looked into the subject, be
lieved in her husband and Loyalty
took her stand by his side. assisting
his defense with all the force Of heI
steadfast nature. During the period
of that long trial In the Brooklyn city
court Occupying about $50 days., she
sat by her husband her faith in hin
unshaken to the last. Well might DR.
Abbott say, as he did while conduct
ing the services over her remains. "li
were asked to put an appropriate
text upon her tombstone it would be
Love is Stronger than Death" I'm
changed and Interchangeable, her ere
dence survived shocks that must have
wrecked that of one less faithful, ant
her love, which knew no waning, wa:
stronger than death.
Everything in her little house was :
memento Of her husband His pic
lures were on every hand, with othel
relics of their happy married life. Ii
hnp nt..l,t xrraS
craving desire to visit and spend he
coming birthday with her son Herber
and his family at Port Townsend
Washington, but how to accomplish
this object was the perpieXing ques
tion. A way was found. however
through the kindness of great-hearte'
men In Chicago, who, admiring Mrs
Beecher's many excellencies of char
acter displayed in her long life, al
ranged the trips and return froi
ocean to ocean, that she might, as sh
pathetically said, "once more see he
'gray-haired baby boy" Of whom sh
was passionately fond.
The longing Of the venerable motl
er for last sight-last words with he
child coming to the knowledge Of /
Fl. KOhlsaat he at once procure
transportation by rail for herself an
attendant, while p. u. Armour n
ranged for the accommodation
sleeping coaches. Her trip was FIRE
will Offering spontaneously given.
cost her nothing from her purs
everything being provided. For tn
her great gratitude to Chicago coul
not be adequately expressed. or thos
friends who courteously enabled IN
to crafty the mother-longing in tn
last visit to her son she spoke OF wro
most gratefully. while power +
NAMED for her to do so, to the In
Gay Of her life.
Coining Jokes.