Charles Beecher

It was said of 19th-century America that “the country is inhabited by saints, sinners, and Beechers.” The famous preacher Lyman Beecher and his wife Roxanna had 13 children, many of whom became well-known American writers, preachers, and educators. I’ve already written in Prayers from the Cloud about Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and Henry Ward Beecher, a prominent pastor. Roxanna wished on her deathbed that her seven sons would all become preachers. The youngest, Charles Beecher (1815-1900), was the last holdout. His passion was music, not preaching, a keen disappointment to his father. Charles broke off his engagement with Sarah and left home to become a musician in New Orleans. The family held weekly prayer vigils for prodigal Charles. He fell on hard times, came down with yellow fever, and reversed course. He returned home, married Sarah, and joined Brother Henry’s church in Indianapolis as music director and organist. After a transformative conversion, he became organizing pastor for a new Presbyterian church in Fort Wayne, inviting any who were curious “to hear the gospel” and “before they knew it, the Lord had a cord around their hearts.” His ministry had its challenges. His pay was meager, barely enough to support a family, and he experienced considerable pushback for his abolitionist convictions. He accepted a call to a New Jersey church and helped Harriet edit her epic anti-slavery novel. He became more vocal about the evils of slavery and preached a sermon in 1851 on “The Duty of Disobedience to Wicked Laws,” challenging the Fugitive Slave Act requiring the return of runaway slaves who crossed state lines. Since people, made in God’s image, have a right to their own lives, he asserted that the rights of African people are greater than the rights of slave traders. Believers have a sacred duty to defy laws that nullify the laws of God. “If you are arrested for aiding a fugitive slave,” he said, “tell the court you obey Christ and not Beliel” (Satan). He wouldn’t let up, “If they (Congress) repeal the Golden Rule today, they can fine me for obeying Christ.” Charles edited brother Henry’s Plymouth Collection of hymns, including his own compositions. One of them leads us to pray: