VIII.  DIVINES.

CHAPTER XXXI.

Henry ward Beecher.

A Connecticut boy—­The minister’s family—­A gloomy childhood—­Ma’arm Kilbourn’s school—­The loss of his curls—­The dull boy—­A bad voice for an orator—­His first religious impressions—­Aunt Esther—­The Sunday catechism—­Sent to boarding school—­Love of nature—­Enters his sister’s school—­The hopeless case—­An inveterate joker and an indifferent scholar—­Removal to Boston—­Gets through the Latin school—­The sea-going project—­Dr. Beecher’s ruse—­Life at Mount Pleasant—­Conquers mathematics—­Embraces religion at a revival—­Resolves to become a minister—­Removal to Cincinnati—­Course at the Lane Seminary—­How he learned to preach—­Marries—­His first charge—­Life at Lawrenceburg—­Removal to Indianapolis—­Life in the West—­His popularity—­His theory of preaching and its success—­Conversion of his brother—­Mr. Beecher accepts a call to Plymouth Church in Brooklyn—­Political record—­Literary labors—­Pastoral work—­A large audience—­Government of Plymouth Church—­Description of the edifice—­The congregation—­The services—­Mr. Beecher as a preacher—­Sympathy between the pastor and his hearers—­His ideas of religion—­How he prepares his sermons—­His prayers unstudied—­The social receptions—­The Friday evening meeting—­A characteristic scene—­Labors during the war—­Visit to Europe—­An unpopular sermon in a good cause—­Personal characteristics.

CHAPTER XXXII.

Peter Cartwright.

Birth—­Removal to Kentucky—­“Rogue’s harbor”—­Condition of the country and the people—­Frontier life—­Early life of a preacher—­Becomes a Christian—­His account of his conversion—­Is made an exhorter in the Methodist Church—­Removal to Lewiston County—­Begins preaching—­Qualifications of a backwoods preacher—­His energy—­The jerks—­How Peter frightened a bully—­A brimstone angel—­Enters the ministry—­Appointed to the Marietta Circuit—­A good school—­Hard times—­Marries—­Quiet heroism—­How the old-time people married—­His devotion to the Methodist Church—­Troubles with other denominations—­How he argued with a Universalist—­How he met a wrathful dame—­Encounter with a Baptist preacher—­Adventure with Father Teel—­Taming a shrew—­Removal to Illinois—­His reasons for taking that step—­Death of his daughter—­Arrival at his new home—­Life on the frontier—­A large district—­The Methodist circuit riders of sixty years ago—­Perils of frontier traveling—­Success of Cartwright’s ministry—­How he was superannuated—­His courage—­How he cleared a camp of rowdies—­Encounter on a ferry-boat—­Frightens a bully—­Advocates temperance—­A practical joke—­Is elected to the Legislature—­His opinion of politics—­How he raised the devil—­“Another sinner down”—­Missionaries from the East—­Indignation of the backwoods preacher—­The proposed mission to New England—­Cartwright declines it—­He visits Boston—­His reception—­How he preached for Father Taylor—­Summing up—­Sixty-seven years of a preacher’s life.