FROM THE WRITINGS OF HENRY WARD BEECHER EDITED BY MARY STORRS HAYNES WITH INTRODUCTION BY ROSSITER W. RAYMOND BOSTON D. LOTHROP COMPANY WASHINGTON STREET OPPOSITE BROMFIELD 770 B4140 INTRODUCTION. It is both delightful and difficult to describe the characteristics of Henry Ward Beecher. We who knew him love to recall his words and ways; and each of us, like a lover sketching the features of the absent beloved, makes picture after picture, bearing for us some trait of likeness, yet not complete and satisfactory, even for us--how much less, then, for those who would seek by such means to gain acquaintance with a stranger, not merely to be reminded of a familiar friend! Additional tributes of love and admiration to Mr. Beecher's memory are not needed. On the other hand, the time has not come for a critical estimate of his influence upon the political and religious history of his times, and the permanent value of his contributions to both. It is still too early even to pronounce upon the results of that work which was to him the noblest and dearest of all: the establishment of Plymouth Church, and its spiritual education through his views of doctrine and duty. As the first pastor of that church, he drew to it those who liked the minister, and were willing to receive instruction from him. And for forty years he impressed his teachings, not only upon adults trained already in other churches, but upon a new generation, of which, from its childhood, he was the guide. That generation, now in its prime, is the fruit and test of his labors. If it has been fed on oratory, “personal magnetism”, sentimentalism and weakening heresy, under the taking title of "the Gospel of Love", its failure now will be the failure of Mr. Beecher's system, though it will not disprove his own sincerity and devotion in the |