The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-06-22
REV. DR. LYMAN BEECHER.
UNP PUBLISHED LETTER or THE
 OLD DIVINE.
Found fla the Connecticut Historical
 Society Rooms ut Hartford.


 Society Rooms at Hartford.
 An unpublished letter to the Rev. Dr Lyman Beecher, the father of Henry
 Ward Beecher and of Mrs, Isabella Beecher Hooker of this city, who is the only survivor of the noted divine s family, has been brought to light ir the collection of old-time manuscripts in the Connecticut Historical society in the Wadsworth Atheneum. The letter belongs to the collection of 1,20O man. uscripts left by Governor John Cotton Smith, who was the war governor of the stae during the war of lSl2 The letter is one of uncommon interest, es- pecially from a newspaper standpoint. After speaking of events connected with the demise of Tapping Reeve, the distinguished legalist who was at the head of the Litehfield law school, it deals extensively with a newspaper project which pr. Beecher had in mind back in 1924. The paper was to be of a religious instead of a secular char acter. But the views expressed will not be the less interesting on that &C., count. In full the letter, which is now made public for the first time, is as follows:
 Litchfield, Nov, g, 1924.
 Dear Sir--I concur with you that it Is debt due to the rising generation that the example of our venerable and beloved friend should be presented for their imitation, and I am gratified though disappointed in the judgment you have given of the manner in which the rapid outlining has been ex- ecuted and I am willing to do what l can to finish the portrait. have noth- ing more at heart than to perpetuate, if I am able, the unparalled influence of Judge Reeve It will, however, suit my convenience better to publish it in a memoir in The Christian Spectator with notes or an appendix. The ser mon, aside from the memoir, is a mere introduction, and not enough to be called a sermon, and I should be un- willing to publish it in that form Be- sides, asermon on such an occasion bought not to be volunteered, and for particular reasons no request was made by the office and none has been made by anybody. The time also has now gone by for publishing sermon de- livered at the interment of the Hon. Tapping Reeve In a memoir the in- troduction may be preserved, if it is thought best, and if it is desired the type can be put ins pamphlet form after the Spectator is printed, and as many struck off as particular friends may desire. These are the views and feelings which I have on the subject, | and if they meet your appreciation, I | will execute what it belongs to me to do whenever the sermon with your notes or whatever you may prefer, shall l be put into my hands.
 I was sorry to learn from your son, when I saw him in Warren, that the | object of the paper, which we have it | much at heart to establish, was mis- The prospectus Is a bona fide exhibition of our conscientious purpose in the establishment and con- luct of the paper. It is not to be war paper aginst sectarians. It is not to be apolitical paper in any sense which implies desire to meddle with the fluctuations of party or any desire to influence the administration in any other sense than as the circulation of correct principles effects directly all our institutions, both civil and re- igious. multitude of minds are by committed to our care as he ministers of Jesus Christ to whom we have access by the pulpit and may nave access by the press. The newspa- per is more extensively used and more operative than any other moral cause besides the preaching of the gospel, and f neWspap pers were merely made to sell Ind circulate advertisements, or to en- ure the ephemeral purposes of poli- icians or of religious proselytism, we annot expect from them much positive ,enefit or avert inevitable evil, if we an provide for the families of our de- ominatio a paper which they will cad and approve, we shall silently dis lace much that is injurious; silently i reserve and purify that part of the ublic mind committed to UT care and l reduce also homogeneous state of I ceiling and interest of incalculable im- $ ortance, while at the same time we I reduce revenue to build up our pub ( c societies and make our zion a city | ompactly builded.
 am most respectfully and affection r tely yours, f
 LYMAN BEECHER, S
 President Dwight's Death. g A letter of considerable interst in r few of the approaching bicentennal at $ ale has been found in Governor f mitlls papers. It announces to Gov nor Smith the death of President G wight, who was at the head of the il )llege from 1795 until 1877, being as e 'llows
 New Haven, January II, 1877. I, y dear sir: |, It is with extreme pain I announce n you the death of our excellent presi- ,, mt. Apparently as well as usual un- c Wednesday last, he was then seized ,., ith severe pains and fever, inducing ~ modification, and expired this morn- E at o'clock The loss to our alma ,, ater is irreparable. The distance of =, ur excellency will prevent your at i. ndance on his interment on Tuesday n xt, which under other circumstances ~, low your excellency would honor by sS,.. UT presence. It is probable meeting ,i, the corporation, of which your ex ., llency will be advised. will be had a U. ,i rtnight or at most three weeks from IL lesday next
 I am with all esteem ei
 Your excellency's friend, "A
 ELIZUR GOODRICH. ei ,- co
 NOR1IFORD.