Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-04-21
Outside Point of View

Catherine H. Dali SIS years Of age
writes to the Springfield Republican:
In 1887 1 became actively interested
in the education of women, and the
first friends I made in this connection
were Maria Weston Chapman and
Catharine Esther BeecheE
I have always wondered how those
who do not believe in the force of
heredity dispose of Lyman Beecher's
family: Lyman Beecher had seven
sons, all of whom became Congrega-
tional ministers. Edward Beecher. who
was settled in Boston, was a full broth
er of Catharine, for Lyman Beecher
had three wives. Edward Beecher,
whom / had the opportunity to know
we'll in social science work, was not
only one of the ablest men, but one
Of the sweetest souls that ever knew.
I 1t is not necessary to mention the
work Of Henry Ward Beecller, but his
younger brother, Thomas K, son Of
Harriet Porter, Lyman Beecher's sec
ond wife, was of all the clergymen Of
all the denominations that I have ever
known the strongest and sweetest spir-
it. Lyman Beechers daughters were
three: Catharine, who never married:
( Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Isabella
Beecier Hooker who was a sister
of the two.
1t could not have been long after
1887 that first saw Catharine, at the
house of her brother, Edward, in
Prince street, Boston. He was then set
tied in Boston. 1 don't know for how
long a period. For dignity, for simple
| devotedness and entire disinterested-
ness I have never known his superior.
went to see Catharine to discuss the
I views set forth at a meeting Of educa-
tors at the Boston state house about
that time. Young as was, earnestly
and publicly advocated equal rights,
as did Catahrine Beecher, but I found
in her unexpected sympathy on the
subject of educating women for the
home and family, and the uplifting of
children.
The Beecher family has long been
the object lesson of the disciples Of the
doctrine of heredity. But is seems to
furnish the same arguments for en-
yironment. Imagine a condition VI
4 circumstances that transplanted the
seven sons of Lyman Beecher, call
congregational ministers" to "the sew
en- corners of the world" The eldest
placed with the Sioux Indians when
four years of age. The next one raised
in China, and then successfully plac-
ing each one of Lyman Beecher's boys
at New York City in the old Five
Points district, one in Paris, one ir
soudan, one in Venezuela, and the las,
on New England farm. Would her.
edity have made them all Congrega.
tional ministers, with the environment
their is from five years Of age till they
were men grown! And one can mag.
inc the strength of the environment O.
: a Llman Beecher household. The yer.
: air was saturated with congregation
, ialism. Not only father and mothe
iexuded the doctrines of the church, thi
morning, noon and night, but the who'll
!. neighborhood was filled with equal.
' devoted adherents Of that particula
form Of religious belief.
: OF late years the followers Of tn
doctrine of heredity, have been dis
posed to accept as a substitute tn
a pre- disposition theory as the one o
e cause and effect. This fits we'll tn
e Lyman Beecher family. It may be ad
: mitted the boy of Lyman Beeche
= growing up with the environment Q
:. the Sioux Indians was pre-
I disposed to become a preacher
q but the chances were in favo
!. Of becoming scalp gatherer. In Chin
the offspring Of Lyman Beecher woul
be more than likely to become
e preacher OF some other religion. /
, New York City a bowery politician,
Il a. ~ -
iinsurrectionist, and the one the Ne