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Brainy Quote ~ Henry Ward Beecher 002

“Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher 002 ~ Ok "Setiap seniman mencelupkan kuasnya ke jiwanya sendiri, dan melukiskan wataknya sendiri ke dalam gambarnya." ~ Henry Ward Beecher 002 ~ Ok Bagaimana Anda menselaraskan isi jiwa dan menuangkannya ke dalam bentuk yang kasat mata? Mampukah Anda dan saya seperti seorang pelukis yang dapat menunjukkan isi jiwanya lewat lukisan yang dihasilkannya. Melalui sebuah lukisan, kita dapat mengetahui perasaan dan isi hati seorang seniman pelukis. Ia tidak dapat dan tidak akan ‘membohongi’ kata hatinya bila kita mampu memperhatikan hal yang nyata lewat lukisannya. Saat melukis, seorang seniman akan mencelupkan kuasnya ke dalam jiwanya sendiri, kemudian menggoreskan kuasnya, sebagai isi watak ke kanvas gambar. Seperti yang pernah diutarakan Henry Ward Beecher, seorang pendeta dan aktivis berkebangsaan Amerika, hidup dalam rentang tahun 1813-1887 (73 tahun), lewat quote-nya, ‘Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.’ Secara bebas diterjemahkan, ‘Setiap seniman mencelupkan kuasnya ke jiwanya sendiri, dan melukiskan wataknya sendiri ke dalam gambarnya.’ Kita tidak mesti menjadi seorang seniman untuk melakukan hal yang sama. Faktanya, setiap diri kita pun mampu mencelupkan ‘kuas’ ke dalam jiwa, kemudian menuangkannya ke bentuk tulisan atau tingkah laku. Dari sana, terlihat nyata bagaimana watak seseorang lewat tulisan maupun tingkah polahnya. Memang, ada saja orang yang mencoba mengelabui dirinya dengan mensamarkan isi jiwanya lewat perilakunya. Namun, hal tersebut tidak akan berlangsung lama. Pada akhirnya, ia akan kembali ke ‘wujud’ aslinya.

Brainy Quote ~ Henry Ward Beecher 002 Page 1 Indonesia, 31 Juli 2019 Riset Corporation --- Henry Ward Beecher Biography

Minister, Activist (1813–1887) Henry Ward Beecher was a 19th-century minister, preacher, and social reformer who supported abolition and women’s suffrage. He was the brother of author . Synopsis Henry Ward Beecher was born on June 24, 1813, in Litchfield, Connecticut. Son of the prominent Calvinist minister , Henry became a celebrated Congregationalist preacher who emphasized God’s love rather than God’s punishment, also using his position to advocate while encouraging churchgoers to buy freedom for enslaved individuals. In the 1870s, he became involved in an adultery scandal widely covered by the press. He died on March 8, 1887, in , . Early Life and Education Henry Ward Beecher was born on June 24, 1813 in Litchfield, Connecticut, the eighth of 11 children fathered by Lyman Beecher, a prominent minister. His mother Roxana died when Henry was 3 years old, and he developed a close relationship with his slightly older sister Harriet (who later wrote the famous antislavery novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin). Beecher developed a robust love of nature while having a challenging time with public speaking due to a stutter. His time at Mount Pleasant Classical Institute in Massachusetts ameliorated his speech difficulties, with the youngster growing in confidence as an orator. He later attended , graduating in 1834, and in 1837 married Eunice White Bullard, whom he had met at school. The couple had 10 children (some reports say 11), four of whom lived to adulthood. Famed Ministry Like his father and brothers, Beecher entered the ministry. He attended Lane Theological Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio, where his father was president. Beecher's first parishes were in Lawrenceburg and , both in Indiana. During his years there, he became an enthralling speaker and antislavery activist. Even though struggling financially, Beecher developed a solid reputation in what were then the western states, which were less formal and rigid than the more established eastern states. Then in 1847 Beecher became minister of the newly founded Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, New York. Biographer/scholar describes Beecher as possessing an “odd combination of western informality, eastern education, and unabashed showmanship.” These qualities led to his fame and influence, second only to that of sister Harriet among Lyman Beecher’s accomplished children. 'Gospel of Love' With Henry Ward Beecher as its minister, Plymouth Church regularly had a packed house for its 3,000 seats and became a tourist attraction for people visiting New York City. Henry Ward Beecher was a full- out celebrity. His beliefs about God contradicted the strict that his father had preached. Beecher instead emphasized God’s forgiveness of human sin and preached a “gospel of love,” which posited a caring, rather than a punishing, deity. Eventually, as Beecher's religious beliefs evolved, he was so Brainy Quote ~ Henry Ward Beecher 002 Page 2 certain of God’s love that he stopped believing in hell. Aspects of this theology would have reverberating effects on U.S. worship decades later. Abolition, the Civil War and Suffrage Beecher also believed that politics had a place in the ministry. As tensions increased between North and South in the years leading up to the Civil War, he spoke out against slavery, using his role as minister to spread his views. Beecher became known not only for controversial ideas but for controversial methods as well. For example, he staged slave auctions at his church to convince his congregants to donate enough money to buy freedom for enslaved people being sold. During the period known as “” (in the 1850s, after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act), Beecher corralled resources and weapons for the abolitionist settlers engaged in combat to keep the affiliated territories free of slavery. The guns came to be called “Beecher’s Bibles,” because they were shipped in boxes labeled “Bibles.” In 1863, Beecher went to England, where he presented five speeches about U.S. slavery and abolition. At the time, American leaders were concerned that Great Britain would support the South in the Civil War, and Beecher’s eloquence helped ensure that it did not. President was so certain that the minister’s speeches had influenced the outcome of the war that he sent Beecher to , where the Civil War began, to raise the U.S. flag after the South surrendered. Over the years, Beecher aided other reform movements. He supported women’s suffrage and spoke out against the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which restricted immigration from China. He also believed in ’s theory of evolution. Notorious 19th-Century Scandal In the 1870s, Beecher became embroiled in what was seen as a major 19th-century scandal. One of his congregants, , accused Beecher of having an affair with Tilton’s wife Elizabeth. With Beecher widely rumored to have had dalliances with various congregants and activist making media-based allegations about his behavior, two church tribunals nonetheless found him innocent. (Elizabeth Tilton also confessed to adultery and then withdrew her confession several times.) In 1875, Tilton sued Beecher. The civil trial lasted for six months and ended with a hung jury. The scandal didn’t affect Beecher’s position at Plymouth or his popularity, as attendance to the church increased and he was given an enormous bonus. Beecher kept his job and continued to enjoy celebrity until his death from a cerebral hemorrhage on March 8, 1887 in Brooklyn, New York, with an official day of mourning held upon his passing. A lauded historical work from Applegate was published in 2006—The Most Famous Man in America: The Biography of Henry Ward Beecher. The book won the Pulitzer Prize the following year. Adopted from: https://www.biography.com/people/henry-ward-beecher-9204662 Henry Ward Beecher AMERICAN MINISTER WRITTEN BY: The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Henry Ward Beecher, (born June 24, 1813, Litchfield, Conn., U.S.—died March 8, 1887, Brooklyn, N.Y.), liberal U.S. Congregational minister whose oratorical skill and social concern made him one of the most influential Protestant spokesmen of his time.

Brainy Quote ~ Henry Ward Beecher 002 Page 3 He was the eighth of the Rev. Lyman Beecher’s 13 children and showed little promise at various schools until he went to Amherst College in 1830. Though never distinguished as a scholar, he became a superior speaker and popular leader. After three postgraduate years in Cincinnati, Ohio, at Lane Theological Seminary, of which his father became president in 1832, Beecher in 1837 became minister to a small Presbyterian congregation at Lawrenceburg, Ind. He gradually cultivated his pulpit technique, there and in a pastorate at Indianapolis, Ind. (1839–47), and came to believe that a sermon succeeds by focusing on the single objective of effecting a moral change in the hearer. A highly successful preacher and lecturer, Beecher furthered his reputation through Seven Lectures to Young Men (1844), vivid exhortations on the vices and dangers in a frontier community. In 1847 he accepted a call to Plymouth Church (Congregational), Brooklyn, N.Y., where he drew weekly crowds of 2,500 by the early 1850s. Though his influence upon public affairs was sometimes exaggerated, both his pronouncements and his personal life were regularly matters of national and even international interest. He gradually became more emphatic in opposing slavery, and his lectures of 1863 in England won over audiences initially hostile to him and to the Northern point of view. Increasingly outspoken after the Civil War, he supported a moderate Reconstruction policy for the South, favoured ’s candidacy in the 1884 presidential campaign, and advocated woman suffrage, evolutionary theory, and scientific biblical criticism. His outlets for these issues, in addition to Plymouth Church, were the Independent, a Congregational journal he edited in the early 1860s, and the nondenominational Christian Union (later Outlook), which he founded in 1870. Beecher, always considered an emotional and sensual man, became in the 1870s the subject of rumours alleging immoral affairs, and he was sued in 1874 by his former friend and literary protégé Theodore Tilton, who charged him with adultery with his wife. Two ecclesiastical tribunals exonerated Beecher, though the jury in the civil suit failed to reach agreement, as have later students of the evidence. Despite the scandal, however, he remained active and influential until his death. Besides his sermons, Beecher’s many works include Evolution and Religion (1885); Life of Jesus the Christ (1871–91); Yale Lectures on Preaching (1872–74); and a novel, Norwood: A Tale of Village Life in New England (1867). Adopted from: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-Ward-Beecher Henry Ward Beecher Biography Henry Ward Beecher was an American clergyman and influential social reformer, who staunchly supported abolition of slavery. This biography profiles his childhood, life, contributions, achievements and timeline. Quick Facts Nationality: American Birthday: June 24, 1813 Spouse/Ex-: Eunice White Beecher People Also View: Quotes By Henry Ward Beecher Writers Sun Sign: Cancer Died At Age: 73 Born In: Litchfield, Connecticut, U.S Political Ideology: Republican

Brainy Quote ~ Henry Ward Beecher 002 Page 4 Father: Lyman Beecher Mother: Roxana Foote Siblings: , Charles Beecher, , Harriet Beecher Stowe, , Thomas K. Beecher Children: Harriet, Henry, Herbert, William Religion: Congregationalist Died On: March 8, 1887 Place of Death: Brooklyn, New York City, States, Provinces & Districts: Connecticut Henry Ward Beecher was a revered American theological Congregationalist clergyman, preacher, and influential social reformer. His reckoning and beliefs regarding the abolition of slavery and God’s unconditional love has left an indelible impression on American history. His sermons proclaimed the adoration of God’s mercy above punishment, and his speeches were a comforting alternative of humour and slang instead of the usual serious testimonials. Amidst the Civil War, he raised funds to release men and women from slavery and stood in support of the “Union”. Unlike other clergymen who challenged the theory of evolution, Henry Beecher supported the theory, stating it didn’t oppose Christian faith. As an ambassador of Women’s Suffrage and asupporter of the Temperance Movement, he advocated reforms necessary for social upliftment. Contrary to his work, he was accused of being a womaniser, and was reported to have had an affair with a woman named Elizabeth Tilton. The news flashed on all sources of media and Theodore Tilton, husband of Elizabeth, filed adultery charges against Beecher. The entire case was monitored closely by the press and it became one of the most widely reported trials in all of America. Childhood & Early Life • Henry Ward Beecher was born to Lyman Beecher, a conservative Congregationalist minister on 24th June, 1813 at Litchfield in Connecticut. When he was three, his mother Roxana Foote passed away and his father later married Harriet Porter. • He was the eighth child among his parents’ thirteen children. Some of his siblings went on to become established authors, educators and activists, of which the closest to him was Harriet Beecher Stowe, who went on to write the noteworthy novel on antislavery ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’. • The refrained from entertainment such as dancing, theatre and celebration of festivals. Their days were filled with prayer meetings, lectures and religious services. The only other entertainment the Beecher children had was listening to their father play the fiddle. • Henry’s father wanted him to follow his footsteps. However, his childhood was a struggle as he often stammered which was an obvious flaw for a minister. Unable to deliver academically as well, he would be punished every now and then. • At fourteen, he joined a boarding school at Amherst, Massachusetts called ‘Mount Pleasant Classical Institution’ where he was trained to be an orator. He met Constantine Fondolaik at the institute, who became a fellow classmate and lifelong friend. • After receiving his oratorical training there, he studied at Amherst College. Following his bachelor’s degree from the college in 1834, he attended the ‘Lane Theological Seminary’ and received a divinity degree in 1837.

Brainy Quote ~ Henry Ward Beecher 002 Page 5 • With his degree, he was rendered a licence to preach. Owing to his skills as a captivating speaker, he used to attract masses. He spoke in an engaging manner and revived the faith of many listeners. Soon, he received many offers from eminent churches in the country. Early Years as a Minister • He became a minister at churches in Lawrenceburg and Indianapolis. In his early years he emphatically protested against slavery. • In 1844, he delivered a speech catering to the youth, which was called ‘Seven lectures to Young Men’. His speech was aimed at spreading awareness about the evils present in a frontier community. • Owing to his theological believes, he was welcomed whole-heartedly into the west to preach, since the western states were liberal and not as rigid as the eastern states. • Although he was a public figure and delivered speeches and sermons every day, he faced poverty and financial hardships in his initial years. • In 1847, he was ordained as a minister of ‘Plymouth Church’ in Brooklyn, New York. Slowly as his sermons became famous in New York, people began gathering in thousands to support his opinions on social reforms. His Belief In The Gospel of Love • His sermons pronounced that God’s scriptures were not to be considered a reference book for punishment and duty, but rather a guide for the journey of life. • He didn’t defy the beliefs of the Calvinists, who stated that God provided scriptures to teach sinners the right way and take control of their lives. Rather he emphasised on living a virtuous life, not out of obligation or duty but rather out of nature and habit. • He professed that God’s love for mankind is projected through the “gospel” and that God provides people with opportunities through Holy Scriptures to live a life of enjoyment and content. • He spoke of the uncertainty of the existence of ‘Hell’ and encouraged people to seek happiness through leisure activities. As A Reformer • He believed that religion and politics were two sides of the same coin. Hence, during the Civil War between North and South America, he stood by his anti-slavery propaganda. • He preached about the vices of slavery and conducted slave auctions in the premises of the church to educate and convince the congregants to donate money so that more slaves could be bought for their liberation. • Following his abolitionist ideology, he campaigned for the Republican candidate, John C. Fremont during the presidential elections. However, John lost to Democrat, . • During the 1950’s he provided weapons to those guarding the abolitionist settlers who were engaged in combat. These rifles were shipped in cartons which were labelled ‘Bibles’. Thus, the weapons came to be known as ‘Beecher’s Bibles’. • President Abraham Lincoln sent Henry in 1863, in the middle of the Civil War, to usher support for the “Union cause” in Europe, as he was concerned that England might support the South. • Beecher was able to change the notions of the Europeans in his favour. Since, he played a Herculean role in the Civil War, he was invited to address a gathering at Fort Sumter in , where the national flag would be hoisted. Brainy Quote ~ Henry Ward Beecher 002 Page 6 • In the words of Lincoln, “If it had not been for Beecher there would have been no flag to raise.” Such was the honour and gratitude bestowed upon him. • As a social activist, he assisted in the temperance movement, which was aimed at opposing the consumption of alcoholic beverages. He also reinforced the women’s suffrage movement, and became the first president of the American Woman Suffrage Association in 1869. The Tilton Scandal • Elizabeth Tilton confessed to Theodore Tilton in 1870, that she had an affair with Beecher for a while. Shocked by the deceit of his friend and associate, Theodore reported this to ‘Woodhull and Claffin weekly’, owned by Victoria Woodhull. • Victoria and Henry could never see eye to eye as he often rebuked Victoria’s advocacy of “free love” during his sermons. The article was titled ‘The Beecher-Tilton Scandal Case’ and published in 1872. • The article caused mayhem; according to the article - the man who denounced the doctrines of “free love” had been practicing it behind closed doors. Though, he had been called as flirtatious and labelled a womaniser before, but this news came as a surprise for many congregants. • In 1873, Theodore sued Beecher on charges of adultery and a year later filed for divorce. However, Elizabeth Tilton took the blame for the affair with Henry receiving full support from his wife and family. • Beecher’s trial began two years after it was filed. It ended with a hung jury and the charges didn’t alter his life much. He still continued to preach at gatherings and a sum of a hundred thousand dollars was awarded to him by the Congregationalists. Major Works • His contribution towards opposing the ‘Fugitive Slave Act’ of 1850 is deemed his greatest work. He spread word to claim the freedom of slaves with force and advised Abraham Lincoln to emancipate slaves. He provided assistance in the reconstructive measures of the state government in the South. • Not only was he an eminent speaker but also an impactful writer. He worked as an editor of the Congregational newspaper, ‘Independent’ from 1861 to 1863. He became an author in 1868 with his novel ‘Norwood, or Village Life in New England’. Personal Life & Legacy • He met Eunice Bullard, the daughter of a reputed physician, during his years in Amherst College. The couple got engaged on 2nd January, 1832. • In 1837, after five long years, they got married. Their marriage was reported to be unsuccessful by several friends close to the couple. Henry spent long hours away from home, and his wife was mostly jealous because of the attention he received from women. • The couple had eight children from their marriage. Unfortunately four of their children died. As years went by, Beecher’s several extra-marital affairs unravelled. The couple hardly had anything left in their marriage but Eunice supported her husband publically repudiating such allegations. • Beecher died in his sleep on 8th March 1887 after suffering from a stroke. His death was mourned throughout America and his body was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in New York. • In his honour, the ‘Henry Ward Beecher Monument’ was built by Ward in 1891 at the Borough Hall Park in Brooklyn. In 1959, it was shifted to Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn.

Brainy Quote ~ Henry Ward Beecher 002 Page 7 Trivia • , the co-author of Henry’s sermon book, told a friend that at their first meeting Beecher had raped her. Contrary to her statement, Henry claimed it wasn’t rape but consensual intimacy. Though speculations regarding the incident became a matter of gossip for many, the duo secretly continued their affair for over a year after the controversy. Adopted from: https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/henry-ward-beecher-1617.php --o0o--

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