The Indianapolis journal., 1899-11-19

men; he talks to them, and patience, gen.
tleness. sympathy and keenness OF mental
and spiritual vision color his least consid-
cred utterance. What he believes he speaks
without regard to consequence. Some years
ago ne raised cry against himself all over
the country by a sermon in which he JuSti-
fled suicide, under certain restrictions. In
a second sermon, a few weeks later, he
casually referred to these restrictions as
being when the person contemplating self
destruction had carefully and prayerfuly
arrived at the conclusion that he could no
longer do good TO any. one, and had the
full and free consent of all their relatives,
friends and guardians-conditions rendering
suicide impossible. In a word, the secret
of Mr.. Beecher's popularity as preacher
is liberal thinking. Bound TO no party, fet-
tered by no mans opinion, careless of the
support his words may win or lose him,
he watches the march of events and speaks
his mind without fear or favor. And in
this place ii may be added that his poll
tics are apt to be an entertaining subject
to his friends. He has been nominated for
high offices at different times by the Demo-
Gratis, Republicans, Greenbackers and Pro-
hibitionists, but has never been elected. He
considers Il TO be the duty of every citizen
10 accept the duties OF any office to which
he may be elected and to accept the NOM
ination TO any office, whether there is any
chance OF his being elected or not. When
ne ran for Congress dozen years or more
ago ne would have headed the poll, but for
his congregation, all of whom worked and
voted against him because they thought he
did not want the office and because they
did not want to lose him.
PERSONALITY AND TASTES
In personal appearance Mr.. Beecher is a
pictures4uely handsome man, who could
never offend an artists eye, but despite the
fact that he dresses plainly. and summer
or winter wears a slouched velvet cap, much
the worse for wear, and much the same
shape as one often sees on German i'm
migrants. His generosity keeps him in a
state Of his pocketbook as desperate as that
of his petitioners, and almost his entire
salary, aside from his living, which costs
a very moderate sum, goes for charity. Day
after day either he or his wife may be
seen in their dilapidated chaise, with a
bushel OF potatoes, sack of flour. or a
bundle of clothing, going the rounds of
their parishioners.
Mr.; Beecher has keen taste for me-
chanics In his youthful days he worked
Tor time in an optical instrument factory
In Connecticut, and for years past he has
taken care OF the Elmira town clock and
corrected its time, making the observations
himself without cost to the city. Moreover,
female acquaintance in good running order,
and often, when going to New York, has
run the engine over the entire Susque-
day is his weekly day Of rest, and is in
variably devoted to an entire change from
parish or clerical work. friend seeking
him on this day not long ago found him
attired in overalls and deep in the intrica-
cieS of a job of plumbing. AT another time
he was hard at work helping in the build
ing of barn, and still again he was found
eenacting the role of a practical paper
hanger, as if it was his only business. OF
genuine amusement, however he is as fond
as any youngSter, and when so inclined
plays an excellent game of billiards or ten
pins. Until a few years ago it was not an
uncommon thing to see him step into a
saloon, order a glass of beer, pay for it
and drink it like any other customer, but
he would never drink with or treat an
ether. He has stopped his beer, not on
account of the remarks it provoked but be-
cause he thought it disagreed with him.
Mr.. Beecher's home. situated on one of
the many hillSides which surround Elmira
was built primarily for use and comfort
The parlor reception and living room are
combined in one large: pleasant apartment.
from the windows of which may be OBJ
tanned delightful views of the valley and
city below, the winding river and the hills
again at the other side. Toward the south
and opening from the living room, Mr..
Beecher has his study. He loves books for
nary powers. A book entitled ''Our Seven
Churches" is his only essay outside of oc-
caslonal newspaper work. but had he so
chosen, he might have won fame and mon
ey by his pen. He has been content, how
ever to do his teaching from the pulpit and
through his work. The dining room of the
Beecher home opens from, rather is an
extension of, the living room, and from that
is reached the kitchen, in which latter place
the master is wont at times to put into
practical and very palatable shape some of
his ideas in chemistry, as with his other
knowledge he may lay just claim to that
Of cook of no mean ability.
Mr.. BeecherS wife, a granddaughter of
true strong and gracious helpmeet can be,
and her wise and devoted life has been a
blessing to her husband and his people.
Save by adoption, they have no children.