The Death of Henry Ward Beecher.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 199, 16 April 1887, Page 3

The Death of Henry Ward Beecher.

The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher went to bed on March 3rd complaining of severe pain in the head. After a while he dropped off to sleep, but awoke toward morning and \omited considerably. He was unwell during the 4th, but not ao seriously as to cause alarm, but on the morning of the sth a sudden change for the worse took place. Dr. William A. Hammond, of tfaia city, was sent for, and after some consultation the physicians decided that Beecher was differing from an apoplectic attack, Ho lay in a eemi-comatoae condition, apparently suffariug no pain. He was still sensible, though in a condition of stupor. He could be roused, however, by loud talking, but in the afternoon he fell off as soon as this ceaaed, and he would thon relapse into a condition of stupor. He appeared to hear what waa aaid, but apparently did n«t care to listen or care what was said. He was partly paralysed in the left arm and leg, especially so in tho arm. The leg he could niovo a little. His speech was indistinct. He could not move his tongue, and gradually the paralysis stupefied his mind and he steadily sank, finally passing away quietly in sleep. Ho waa entirely uu conscious towards the end. On the day of the funeral all Brooklyn went ioto mourning. The public offices were closed, business was entirely suspended, and memorial services were held in a large number of* churchas in the vicinity of Plymouth Church-* Wnile a vast crowd of people gatheied outside the church, lady members of the congregation were working withiD. The whole interior was turned into a perfect flower garden, ai-id I the fragant perfume from roaea persaded the air. The fa§ade of, the gallery waa covered with potted plants. The pulpit waa leaded down with flowers and floral emblems sent by the friends of different organisations . „ ' The casket was placed on a catafalque of white voces, white carnations and aimilax, directly in front of the reading desk. Not a vestige of black covering the, casket could ba seen. There was nothing to in- ' dicate the presence of death, except the j stillness which pervaded the room and the hushed conversation of the workers It waa nearly 10 o'clock before the doors were thrown open to those who had been waiting within for nearly three hours. ' Tho first four eeata on the right of the i centre aisle were reserved for, relatives of the deceased. Beqcher's family we,re not i present, and the family pew waa filled with flowera,< Mrs Beecher was in the church for a few minutes, before the doors j opened, and went with her sons before the crowd entered., , promptly at 10.80 o'clock t Dr. Charles H, ; .Hall, robed in his, .white surplice and ac- j companied by Rev, ,S. B. Halliday, entered , the, church and ascended the ( platform After music Dr. Hall commenced to reaql in a low,, but clqar tone/the opening sentences , of the Protestant-Episcopal -burial service.. After this : ca,me the, double quartet. , , , • In closing his, sermon Or, Hall, among 1 other things Baid : " A brave and weary, rriau is, here at ( , rest. Brave of- old to darb the brutal force and defy ; the violence of, mobs •ad ruffians' in flpgakirig for' the ■ slave ; brave to accept the murmurs and doubts of

' Vu'rW ' Vi iK'<-'' i ' i hi> ■'»,", rr > il (.>»t i> ;r ; >'*/> hio political friends wheti' conscience 1 prompted him to part from thera| bravest '<to wrestle globe with great Borrow wh< whe oould tindno earthly help. 5 - W<J h6botnf him for the- courage of hia formeraotß/ j We love bittii aaii him for- the - cahti. ' sweet, 'gentle resignation of the past ye*TBi f> <>'. ; -' >«;'.. , - •• • , , r Other ohurohes in which services ( were ■WJld'Were all- crowded to tKelr utmoat | capacity;; The surrounding atreeta in all directions were crowded with pebplei wait} / ing patiently for their turn to gaze up.>n the face of ''the dead preacher. It is eati^ mated that fully 25,000 people attended the cervices in the various churches, and that fully twice that number were gathered I in fcheatreet in front of Plymouth Church.