The Freedom Ring

The Story of the Invasion of a Slave State, told by Henry Ward Beecher John Brown an Abolitionist — Known for his raid on Harpers Ferry, 1859 Adapted Passages from “The Life and Work of Henry Ward Beecher” published in 1887 In 1859 occurred the unlawful invasion of a Slave State for the avowed purpose of liberating its slaves, by John Brown (abolitionist) and his associates an attempt, though really insignificant from a numerical point of view, which aroused and embittered the entire South against the North, for pro-slavery men thereupon naturally concluded that Brown was secretly encouraged and abetted by the Abolitionists of the North. The false nature of these accusations was clearly demonstrated in a sermon entitled “ The Nation’s Duty to Slavery,” in which Brown’s entire career was reviewed by the Abolitionist preacher, Henry Ward Beecher , and from which some extracts are here presented : John Brown, ca. 1858. National Archives “An old man, kind at heart, indus...

This famous sermon by the most popular American preacher during the Civil War, Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, was delivered in 1861 to the two Civil War Regiments of the “Brooklyn Fourteenth . ” Many of them members of Rev. Beecher's Plymouth Church , located in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood of New York City. The Church on that day contributed $3,000 to aid in the equipment of this Regiment. “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth.” – Psalms 1x. 4. FROM the earliest periods nations seem to have gone forth to war under some banner. Sometimes it has been merely the pennant of a leader, and was only a rallying signal. So, doubtless, the habit began of carrying banners, to direct men in the confusion of conflict, that the leader might gather his followers around him when he himself was liable to be lost out of their sight. And thus in our day every nation has its peculiar flag. There is no civilized nation without its banner. A tho...

Rev. Henry Ward Beecher Speaking on The Strength of the Family Institution, adapted from "The Original Plymouth Pulpit" Brooklyn, NY ca. 1868 “Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind ; and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee; for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." -LUKE XIV., 12-14. The Loving Household Beecher Family Portrait - The Beecher Family, ca. 1859, photographed by Mathew Brady.  The household is founded upon love; and with all its imperfections it is still the best institution which society has ever had, or which it has now. Though its foundations are the natural affections; though it is very possible for father and mother to manifest love full of self-denial;...

American Democracy Explained American Democracy as explained by our forefathers: Country, Liberty, God and Freedom.  US Capitol Building Under Construction, 1861      The year was 1862. Exactly one year after the Civil War had started. Brooklyn, New York, at Plymouth Church, the abolitionist preacher and a spokesperson for the newly established Republican Party, Rev. Henry Ward Beecher was helping Americans understand what made our American Democracy worth fighting for!     These words of  Freedom and Liberty are a true gem of our American history, which now with the publication of this article is the first time these words have been brought to life in over a hundred years! The following adapted passage is from Henry Ward Beecher’s sermon, “ The Success of American Democracy.”      The history of this year is the history of the common people of America. It is memorable on account of the light that it throws upon them. We are fond of talk...