Description:

Henry Ward Beecher
n.p., November 3, 1872
Henry Ward Beecher 8pp Handwritten Notes on 1st Sermon After Reveal of Free Love Hypocrisy
AM

Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887). Autograph Manuscript, 8pp, on two sheets of bifold stationery measuring 8.25" x 10.5", no place, November 3, 1872. Unsigned. Folds and creases, with minor separation at central vertical fold. Isolated insect damage along top portion and upper right corner. Age toning, foxing, and scattered ink bleed. Overall, in near very good condition. Accompanied by an offprint of the complete sermon from the Plymouth Pulpit series.

At top right corner of the first page of our manuscript, Beecher has written, "Sunday AM Nov 3/72 first Sunday after publication Woodhull slander." Initially a reluctant seminarian, Beecher became one of the most influential clergymen of his time. His unorthodox views and bold oratory likely served as the basis for his popularity, which grew with the size of his congregation. He advocated for the emancipation of slaves and suffrage for women. He also publicly condemned the free love doctrine of outspoken feminist Victoria Woodhull, one of his longtime critics. On November 2, 1872, Woodhull retaliated by publishing in her weekly newspaper an account of an affair Beecher had with the wife of his friend and former coworker, Theodore Tilton. These charges led Tilton to sue Beecher for adultery. The lengthy trial cost Beecher a lot of money and a good deal of his reputation; however, his popularity did not fade, and he returned to the lecture circuit.

The here-offered sermon was the first given after Beecher's free love hypocrisy was revealed. His handwritten notes focus on scriptural passages Philippians 2:13, Colossians 3:3, 1 John 3:2, 1 Peter 4:17, and Matthew 6: 25-34, and read in part:

"Our Lord comforted his disciples with the assurance of an External Divine Providence...He also assures them of an Inward, Silent, Invisible Providence - who shall deal with the subtle & Evanescent qualities of the soul. It is this last, - so little regarded that is by far the most important...Consider, that every outward achievement, has an inward history far longer...He who builds a house...The life of a woman who bears a household of children...Consider that this silent and invisible life within is working channels; building walls - adding stake after stake...The fact. Nothing in universe happens & leaves things as they were before..."

Beecher was also a prolific writer. He was one of the founders, and for nearly twenty years, an editorial contributor of the New York Independent, a Congregationalist paper. Besides his sermons, Beecher's many works include Freedom and War (1863), Life of Jesus the Christ (1871), Yale Lectures on Preaching (1872), Evolution and Religion (1885), and a novel, Norwood: A Tale of Village Life in New England (1868).

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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