The Freedom Ring

Rev. Henry Ward Beecher in his 50's When Henry Ward Beecher passed away (1813-1887), t here was a universal expression of esteem, love, and affection, that sprang forth from every part of the country, every class in society, and every religious denomination. This is an indication of how wide and deep a hold he had upon the American people during the 19th Century. No other man has exerted such a wide and profound influence on the progress of thought — moral, political and religious—in this country during the 1800's, as has Mr. Beecher. It may be claimed that other reformers have done more to change the political constitution from a pseudo-democracy governed by a slavocracy to a genuine democracy governed by its free industrial classes. Or, that other teachers have done more to promote that political enthusiasm out of which new parties are born (Republican Party) and by which they must be inspired-or die. Or, that other theological thinkers have exerted a more permanent influenc...

Puck Magazine Passage from "Evolution & Religion"  By Rev. Henry Ward Beecher,  -Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, NY, Sunday Morning, May 17, 1885- “When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning. It will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowering. Oye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?"   — Matthew xvi : 2 , 3 . This could mean nothing unless it meant that, as the weather changes, God's miraculous developments are presenting a diversified appearance throughout time. He was in the world and the world did not recognize him. He was among the then most religiously cultivated people, and he was developing a higher conception of morality and spiritual religion than theirs, and they could not understand it.  They looked upon all the miracles that he brought, the transcendent works of goodwill and of grace, as if they were in a circus, watching the athletic fea...

Two Ships, One Lie — 1619 & US History The Story of 1619, the Birth of Slavery in America, as told in 1861 (US Civil War) Introduction by Michael Soussan , (Author, Journalist, and former UN Humanitarian Worker) who unearths and presents to us a speech given months before the Civil War broke out, given by the Abolitionist Pastor from Brooklyn, Henry Ward Beecher. This took place at Plymouth Church on Jan. 4th, 1861. The Speech is Titled — “Our Blameworthiness” The year 1619 has recently become the subject of a series of articles called “The 1619 Project” published by The New York Times because it narrates the origins of America’s enduring race problem. It can be said that the early American Puritans traded in slavery from day one. On the same day that the Puritans arrived in the North , another ship with African bonded slaves reached the American coast in the South . The Puritans — whose religion preached a purist adherence to biblical values, were not “pure” when it came to slav...

Liberty Under Laws Preached by the Abolitionist Pastor from Brooklyn, Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, during Christmas of 1862. Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, NY Adapted and Intro by Matthew Hernandez Matthew is a Mexican American who was born in LA, served 15 months in Iraq as a US Soldier, and is now an independent street-journalist living in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, NY. Liberty is defined as, the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or political views. In this powerful message from Reverend Henry Ward Beecher, he describes the same power struggle of corrupt men who aim to dampen the liberty of our collective society. Beecher warns of how those in power will always aim to subdue free thinking in hopes of leaving people helpless against tyranny. He however fills us with great hope, in the face of these ongoing threats.  - Matt Hernandez The only liberty that a man has, is the liberty to use himself, in all his powers,...