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| David Dixon PORTER (1813-1891) Autograph Letter Signed “David D. Porter” as Admiral, 8pp., 250 x 197 mm. (9 3/4 x 7 3/4 in.), Washington, 18 March 1887, to Edward W. Bok* eulogizing Henry Ward Beecher. Porter writes, in large part: “ I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of your communication, and while thanking you for the compliment paid me in supposing that I could do justice to the character of such a man as henry Ward Beecher, I fear you have assigned me a task which I am not competent to execute. Ten men have performed so faithfully the labors he assumed as Mr. Beecher. Whether in the capacity of theologian orator, lecturer or citizen his life marks an era in the history of our country, and his vacant place is not likely to be filled. When I saw Mr. Beecher in the pulpit, or in any other position where he brought his oratorical powers into play, I can’t compare him only to the mighty falls of Niagara sweeping everything before it— he was sovereign among orators as Niagara dominates all other characters. He was the Himalaya overtopping all others of his profession, the Leviathan compared with whom the Common herd[?] are but a shoal of minnows, and although there are many occupants of the pulpit— men of hight aspirations and Without talents, yet none of them can fill the vacancy— none but himself can be his parallel. In the pulpit Mr. Beecher occupied the place se to in the forum by Daniel Webster and his great talents were only exceeded by his benevolence. It was simply necessary to look into his face to see how full of sympathy and kindness was his heart, and should any question arise his account books would show the thousands of dollars spent upon the needy. The first time I ever saw Mr. Beecher in the pulpit was in Plymouth Church. It was an imposing sight, the hall was crowded, the aisles were filled with people standing and many were unable even to enter the building. The pastor stood in his place wiping the perspiration from his brow, for the weather was very warm. With him in the pulpit, were five little boys, from six to ten years of age and I wondered at their presence until I remembered the words of the Savior— ‘Suffer little Children to Come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.’ These words were his text and it was handled as only Mr. Beecher could do it. Pointing to the little men he said ‘I love to dwell with children for they are the best part of humanity and will often teach the way to Heaven when other means fail.’ One can imagine how eloquent Mr. Beecher could be under the inspiration of such a text, and although thirty years have passed since I heard that sermon, yet I have a vivid remembrance of all that was said and down on the occasion. I remember in particular, one little fellow who about the middle of the sermon climbed upon a chair at the pastor’s side, and stood looking intently into Mr. Beecher’s eyes while the latter paired forth his most eloquent periods. Mr. Beecher closed with a prayer and as he did so placed his hand on the boy’s head and said ‘God bless this child’! When I first saw Mr. Beecher’s benevolent face and Conine head, I said to myself— what a grand man that is! but when I heard him speak it was as if a nightly river was rushing through my should washing out every vestige of sin abiding there and I think I was a better man after listening to that sermon. I went again to hear Mr. Beecher and would have attended his church regularly had I lived in his neighborhood. The gifts with which nature had endowed our great pulpit orator, were never used to better purpose than when he made his pilgrimage to England during our Civil War, to plead the cause of the Union and battle against the prejudices of our transatlantic brethren. For his services on this occasion the people of the United States are to Mr. Beecher an eternal debt of gratitude. The death of this great Christian orator is an event that will long be remembered. It is only necessary to recall the weeping throngs who attended his funeral, to realize how he was appreciated by those who knew him best, and the floral offerings laid upon his coffin were tributes of affection such as few men have ever received. Henry Ward Beecher was a great national Character and as such will always be remembered. He was ever ready to devote all his energies to the service of his Country and had it been necessary would have shouldered a musket in her defence. I am not the less willing to bear testimony to the great abilities and serves of Mr. Beecher, from the fact that I had with him a serious misunderstanding that was never cleared up. On that occasion he showed some asperity if temper for which I forgave him, recognizing the greatness of the man too fully to permit a matter of that kind to affect my opinion.“ | |
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| Light creasing, usual folds, light bleed to signature, overall fine condition.(EXA 4662) SOLD. ________ * (1863-1930) Dutch-born American editor and Pulitzer Prize-winning author. For three decades Bok edited Ladies Home Journal where he coined the term “Living Room”, updating the Victorian parlor for the twentieth century. Bok began collecting autographs in his early teens, impressing presidents, generals, and celebrities in numerous fields with his engaging questions. |
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