The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-06
ABEECHER STORY RETOLD
SALE OF SLAVE GIRL IN CHURCH
by THE PLYMOUTH PASTOR.
An Intensely Dramatic Scene Leading
to Liberal Contributions by the
Excited Congregation.
Megargee. in Philadelphia Times.


of you; make others laugh. But it is, by no
means, an idle interrogatory:
''Will you please inform some of your
readers who have considerable curiosity and
some doubts on the subject ii it is true that
Henry Ward Beecher once sold a slave girl
in his pulpit; why it was done; how much
she brought and what eventually became of
her? r. NEWELL HARMSTEAD.''
Yes, Henry Ward Beecher did sell slave
girls in Plymouth pulpit, but that bare
statement does not convey any idea of his
motive or his method. He sold them with
the aid of his congregation and used them
as object pictures rising in revolt against
the infamies Of human slavery. No one
could better tell the story than Henry Ward
Beecher's wife. She has narrated it in the
always-interesting columns of the Ladies'
Home Journal did so in December, 1896. To
paraphrase her words would be sacrilege,
and so in answer to our correspondents in
quiry let them be disclosed through the lips
of Mrs. Henry Ward Beecher; the story of
how the subsequently much-criticised Ply
mouth pastor sold human beings in the pull
pit of the Brooklyn Tabernacle. In part it
is told as follows:
Amid these excitements Mr.. Beecher
conceived the idea of giving to the people,
who now packed his church to hear him
preach, an object lesson in Southern slav-
cry, as he had seen it i'll Kentucky and as
it had been described to him by tugltlVes.
Appeals We're often made to him to contrib
ute to funds TO purchase the freedom or
men and women who were being dragged
back to serfdom and dishonor, and his idea
was that he would sell one of these slaves
in Plymouth Church so that everybody
could see what save-dealing really meant
and might be stirred to help to pay for the
liberation of the victims OF system that
was sanctioned by American law, but con-
demned by the law of God. After pre-
limnary and very successful experiment IN
the New York Tabernacle, the first slave
auction in Plymouth Church was held on
June l. 1856. That Sunday morning was
memorable one Mr.. Beecher's intention tad
been noised abroad, and at O'Clock people
began gathering by hundreds in front OF the
church, although the doors were not opened
until 10 and services did no. begin until 1890
O'clock When 10 o'clock came the streets
on both sides of the church were literally
damned with people and carriages were
compelled to discharge their occupants
nearly block distant When Mr.. Beecner
seemed impossible, and for fifteen or twenty
minutes several policemen were Kept busy
making a paSSageWay for us through the
crowd SO that we could reach the doors. The
church was densely crowded; every avail
able space was occupied, ana thousands
We're outside unable to gain admission
When Mr.. Beecher appeared on the plat
form deathlike stiffness fell upon the en-
tire auditorium.
SLAVE IN THE PULPIT.
'For a few moments Mr.. Beecher sur
veyed the wonderful assemblage before
him, and then, closing his eyes in prayer
for q single minute, he arose. Every one
Of that congregation was instantly the en-
bodment of expectancy. He began the
service by reading the beautiful Scriptural
story Of the man who was cured of
withered hand, especially emphasizing
Christ's question: Is it lawful to do good
on the Sabbath day or to do evil, to save
life or to kill?' Then he said: About two
weeks ago l had letter from Washington,
informing me that a young woman had been
sold by her own father to be sent South
for what purpose you can imagine When
you see her. She was bought by q slave
trader for 81 200, and he has offered to give
you the opportunity of purchasing her free
dom. She has given her word OF honor TO
return to Richmond If the money be not
raised, and slave though she be called she
is woman who will keep her word. Now,
Sarah, come up here so that all may see
''The solemn, impressive silence Of that
vast Plymouth assemblage was absolutely
the stairs leading TO the pulpit and sank
into a chair by Mr.. Beecher's side. In
stantly assuming the look and manner of
Look he exclaimed, at this market
able commodity-human flesh and blood.
like yourselves You see the white blood
high thoughtful brow. Who bids? You
will have to pay extra for that white blood,
Stand up, Sarah! Now, look at her trim
figure and wavy hair How much do you
bid for her? She is sound in wind and limb
Ill warrant her. Who bids? Her feet
and hands-hold them out, Sarah!-are small
and finely formed. What do you bid for
her? She is a Christian woman-l mean,
praying nigger-and that makes her more
valuable because it insures her docility and
obedience to your wishes. Servants
obey your r. ha ou How Much 5o oe
her? Will you allow this praying woman
be sent back to Richmond to meet the fate
for which her father sold her? TX not who
bids? Who bids?'
EXCITING SCENES.
''The impression produced by these words
is indescribable. AS every word rang out in
Mr.. Beechers clear voice it seemed to enter
the heart of each of his hearers. Every eye
was fixed upon the slave woman on the
platform. Mr.. Beecher once told Mr.. Robert
Bonner that If he had not been a preacher
he would have been an actor and his acting
as the auctioneer was perfect His mellow
voice was transformed into hard, rasping
tones; he gIared at the girl and at the audi
ence as If all he cared about was the money
that she might bring. The people almost
held their breath from excitement as Mr..
Come, now, we are selling this woman.
you know, and a fine specimen she is, too
Look at her. See for yourselves. Don't you
want her? Now, then pass the baskets and
let US See.' The suggestion was made none
too soon. The congregation was wrought
up to the very highest pitch. Tears of pity
and Indignation streamed from eyes unused
to weeping. Women became hystercal; men
were almost beside themselves Some one
near the pulpit stepped forward and laid
81 banknOte at Mr.. Beecher's feet.
''Goodr cried Mr.. Beecher. The first:
now theni' For half hour money was
heaped into the contribution boxes, while
those to whom the baskets seemed too slow
in coming threw coin and bank notes upon
the pulpit. Women took off their jewelry
and put it in the baskets. Rings bracelets,
brooches piled one upon the other. Men
unfaStened their watches and handed them
to the uShers Above all the hustle and
confusion of the remarkable scene Mr..
Beecher's powerful voice rang out.
a. Free said several men, as they emp
tied their pockets into the collection bas-
kets.
." In the name OF Christ, men and women,
how much do you bid? Just at this point
when the scene was becoming hysterical in
its intensity, Mr. Louis Tappen rose and
shouted above the din: Mr.. Beecher, there
men have agreed TO make up the deficiency
no matter what it may be.
Then, Sarah, you are free! cried Mr.
Beecher, turning to the girl beside him.
This statement inspired the almost fren-
zed audience to widest demonstrations of
enthusiasm. The applause, mingled with
ordinations of praise and prayer. fairly
shook the walls Of the great church. The
assemblage lost control of itself in the exul-
tatiOn over it's great triumph. and quiet was
not restored for several minutes until Mr.
Beecher raised his hand for silence. Obedi-
ence to his gesture was instantaneous. Then
an n * mi mo eaSC-