In Preaching and Preachers, Dr. David Martyn Lloyd-Jones
referred to Lyman Beecher’s (1775-1863) correspon-
dence with and about Asahel Nettleton, the great preacher
of the first half of the second Great Awakening in America.
Beecher himself was greatly used of God in the early part of
that awakening in his local church, and throughout his long
ministry stood firmly for a Reformed faith over many con-
troversies and trials. Lloyd-Jones recommended Beecher’s
biography for an understanding of the controversy between
Nettleton and C. G. Finney that focused on the “new mea-
sures” employed by the new evangelist, Reverend Finney.
The book was published by Harper & Brothers Publishers in
1865, and the two volumes of more than 1,000 pages reveal
much about the life and ministry of Lyman Beecher. In read-
ing it, I found much more than I was looking for, particularly
in the material that covered the period before Beecher died.
Four incidents especially stand out.
First, in retirement he attended Plymouth Church of Bos-
ton. During one of his last times ever to speak to a group, he
“said feebly, ‘If God should tell me that I might choose’ (and
then hesitating, as if it might seem like unsubmissiveness
to the divine will) – ‘that is, if God said that it was his will
that I should choose whether to die and go to heaven, or to
begin my life over again and work once more’ (straightening
himself up, and his eye kindling, with his finger lifted up), ‘I
would enlist again in a minute!’” (vol. 2, p. 552).
Being a preacher of the gospel, I thrilled to read those
words. Beecher, aware of his diminished capacity, longed to
depart and be with his Lord. Yet his love for his God-commissioned
work was such that he would gladly do it all again.
The great preacher, neither cynical nor discouraged by the
unfaithfulness and error around him, still approached the
pulpit to plead with sinners. Though an oft-wounded warrior,
he was ready to take the field anew. Beecher’s “feeble”
words will long stay with me.
Second, when asked by a friend who was trying to rouse
him from drifting to sleep, “Dr. Beecher, tell us what is the
greatest of all things,” he replied, “The answer, I quickly
admit, I have memorized, since I know I will repeat it often:
It is not theology, it is not controversy, but it is to save souls”
(p. 555). Not that theology was unimportant; in fact, Beecher
was a staunch defender of the faith once delivered to the
saints. Furthermore, Beecher did not shy away from the controversies
of his day. But the one great thing, the one that
thrills me also, is to preach the gospel so that sinners might
be converted.
Third, Beecher wanted to be buried next to his dear friend
and long-time pastoral colleague, Dr. Taylor of Connecticut.
The biography includes several references to Pastor Taylor,
and contains dozens of their letters to each other. Though
Dr. Beecher’s memory was nearly gone, he remembered his
old friend, and one day declared that he wanted to be buried
next to him. He reasoned, “The young men [the students]
will come and see where Brother Taylor and I are buried, and
it will do them good” (p.555).
Beecher’s burying place would be, he supposed, a last
sermon of inspiration and encouragement to his students,
probably referring to the students of Lane Seminary, into
which Beecher had poured so much of his life and ministry.
Even in that last detail of a resting place, Beecher had his eye
on the glory of God. Could I be so concerned for the kingdom
of God?
Fourth, knowing his earthly life was quickly coming to a
close, he examined his own heart to see whether he was truly
converted. His son and chief biographer, Charles Beecher,
wrote, “Such was his sense of his imperfectness before the
divine law, and such his profound humility before God, and
such his sense of the solemnity of that great change that
settles all forever, that he seldom or never spoke of his own
condition with assurance, but only of prevailing hope on the
whole” (p. 557).
Nonetheless, his daughter, Harriet Beecher Stowe,
reported that he twice quoted these words of Paul toward
the end: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my
course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for
me a crown, which God, the righteous Judge, will give me in
that day;” and added, “That is my testimony; write it down;
that is my testimony” (p. 557).
The examination completed, Lyman Beecher found his
hope to be sure. I likewise hope, if possible, to make a similar
examination now and then. For I, like Dr. Beecher, know that
there is one great and important thing, and that is to know
the Savior who is the resurrection and the life.