Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-09
CLEVELAND LAUDS DEECHER
Says Famous Preacher Was Highest Type
Of National Hero
PLEADS FOR FIT MEMORIAL TO DIVINE
Justice Brewer Also speaks Words 81
Praise and Pastors Successor
Outlines scheme for Ma
tionaI Monument.

NEW YORK, March s.-A great mass
meeting was held in the Academy Of Music
in Brooklyn tonight to raise funds for a
memorial in honor of Henry Ward Beecher,
the founder Of Plymouth church and for
forty years its pastor. Many hundreds
who we're turned away from the doors gath
cred at an overflow meeting at Plymouth
church.
Mayor Seth Low presided and among the
prominent persons who paid tribute to the
memory Of the great preacher were former
President Grover Cleveland, Justice d. ].
Brewer Of the United States supreme court,
Rev. Newell Dwight Hills OF Plymouth
church and Rev. Frank w. Gunsaulus Of
Chicago.
Mayor Low introduced former President
Cleveland. who said;
/ claim the right to Join In these exar-
cises for reasons peculiarly my own. 1 am
here In o5edience to an impulse that will
assemblaee BY a condition of heart and by
an influence which has been strong within
.It Is now more than forty-nine years ago
that 4 heard ~ plymouth church a sermon
Which has rernained fresh and bright in my
mind during all the time that has since
passed. IN days OF trial and troublous
perpiexity its remembrance has been an
unfaiing comfort and In every time of de-
pressien and encouragement the lesson II
taught has brought renewed nope and con.
hdenee. I remember as If II were but yes
tefday the fervid eloquence Of the great
preacher as he captivated my youthful
understanding and pictured to my aroused
imagination the entrance of two young
men upon the worlds jostling activity, one
laden like a beast of burden with avarfcious
plans and sordid expectations and the other
with a light step and cheerful determine
ton, seeking the way of duty and use1ui-
ness and striving for the reward promised
to those who love and serve God and labor
for humanity.
Sermon Echoes Through Years.
preston made upon me by the vivid con-
trast thriiiingly painted In words that
burned; neither have l ever failed to realize
the meaning of the truths taught by the
description given OF the ones happy COM
pensations in life and the peace and solace
m. death, and the others racklng d.rap-
pointments In life and the despair of death.
what this sermon has been to me in all
these years alone know. L present It's
recollection today as a personal credential
OF my own, especially emitting me 10 rep
resentation among those who meet to re-
call and memorabilia the fame and useful
ness. OF Henry Ward Beecher.
1 am not here, however, alone TO give
voice TO a grateful recollection, or solely
to the personal benefit and
service l received from the teaching OF the
INDUSTRIOUS dead. have come to Join the
kind Of hero worship which Is but another
name for q reverent recognition OF that
greatness which manltests Itself when
humble faith ana trust in God inspire sin
humanity's elevation and betterment.
1t has been wisely saiq that hero worship
cept this as a pleasant truth, p the con-
diIion. that the man or. parties .worshtped
and the manner q their Worship. are the
essence OF the matter. Let us believe that
there is no sadder symptom OF a genera
tons bad moral health than Its lack OF
faith In its great men and its loss OF rev.
crence for its heroes; but let this behef be
coupled with the reservation that those
called great Isl shaIl be truly great and that 5hst
be truly heroic, measured by standards adj
Iustsd TO the highest moral conditions Of
civilization.
Beecheg compIete Hero. "a
we cannot have the least misgivins CON
name Is on. our lips tonight, and. whose
memory is In our hearts. A hero's aims
our hero devoted his life 10 teaching the
life OF God and pointing out to his fellow
men the way of their souls salvation. He
generous; the self-sacrince OF our hero
shone out constantly and brightly AMI his
life Will be searched in vain for a selfish,
nngenerous act. He should be courage
ously and aggresstvely a lover of his coun-
try sno a champion of freedom; our hero
trial challenged all Corners In defense OF
our national safety and unity. He stood
like a rock against doubters at home, and
he confronted angry, threatening throngs
abroad with a steady, unyielding courage
which wrought triumphs for his country
4AA@ - - ~ - AIAAAA00 anu
freedom not less important than those OF
an army with banners. He should be brave
afiiciion; our hero when Affections came
from HEAVIER submissively continued to
praise God. and when he felt the cruel
serenely looked toward his heavenly
Fathers face and kept within the comfort
should crown all his hlgh moral attributes
with great and beneficent achievements;
our hero led thousands upon thousands to
! the NAV ~ OfaVnnl nfas he Uf1gTnnnAod 70
ligion with cheerful brightness. and taigh
that 1t grows best. not in the darkness OF
terror, but In the constant sunshine OF
Gods unfaillng love; he performed the
highest service to his country In a spirit OF
absolutely ~ pTrs pa hFs sna ana tndu ssIrseT nss
blessed benefactions to his countrymen far
and near, and by no means the least. of al
kindicd there a light OF Christian faith and
hope, whose ~unwavering and unwaning
warTtho a Dsln light have nav c n EVERY srg Garner sIoon q Q,
doubt and fear.
Memorial Must Continue Work.
We desire 20 establish a memoriaH to our
nero. We know that there Is no need al
duplicating a reminder that Henry. Ward
IN the body. We know that neither monu.
ment nor memorial avails to the dead. anc
M nHS our her hero has himself erected n the
hearts OF men Il necessary to his remem
brance. And yet. In loving honor to his
1 aNAC We WAAkA GA1&N . IA al a. 0AAN
which the living VIII be quiekened anc
strengthened In the emotions and aenti.
ments so much part OF his lie and death
We would make our memorial an agency
for the continuation OF the mission which
he undertook when he consecrated himself
TO the service of God and the elevation and
} Improvement of his fellowmen, and by the
love he bore toward God and man we would
Invoke his approval OF our work. We seol
! 10 build a memorial which shall be q
|, shrine, surrounded and pervaded by ouI
hero's Influence and spirit, Inspiring all who
worship there 70 noble deeds. We would
invite to his shrine from near and far thosg
earnest tones, II haply they might hear
again his words OF love and comfort; and
, we would invite those who have nesel
known his minstration to come and, stand.
ing within the influence OF hat sacred
place, to feel its gentle influence leading tC
4 better and more useful life.
Our hero has himself declared In whai
manner his shrine ghouid be approached:
When i fall and am buried In Green.
wood let no man dare to stand over the
turf and say, Here lies Henry Ward
BeecheF,' for God knows that 1 viii not IL
! there. Look up. II you love me. and II yol
! feel hat l have helped you on your way
look up; for 1 win not hear anybody who
: does not speak with his mouth TOWARD
heaven"
. Humanity Must he Aided.
II would SAVIOR Of hardihood, II we who
knew Mr.. Beecher and his work and WHIT
|. now contemplate the building Of a me
J mortal 70 the spirit and inspiration OF hi
labors. should be content with q mere idll
token OF remembrance. Assufedly II II II
r to typify his lofty intents and purposes
and II II Is g, memorialize his unsDaring