He had not uttered more than three sentences
before my feelings were excited, and the more I listened the more awful
I felt; and I said to myself: 'I will stay to the inquiry meeting.' I
heard Mr. Nettleton talking about souls writhing under conviction, and
I thought my soul was writhing under conviction. I had heard father
say that after a person had writhed under conviction a week or two they
began to come out, and I said: 'Perhaps I will get out'; and that
thought produced in me a sort of half-exhilaration of joy. I stayed to
the inquiry meeting, felt better, and trotted home with the hope that I
was on the way toward conversion. I went through this revival with
that hope strengthened; but it did not last long."
It is evident from this chapter that if we would understand Henry Ward
Beecher and the influences that went to the formation of his character
and to the success of his life, other things than parentage, home,
school, or nature must be taken into the account. The vast things of
the invisible realm have begun to speak to him, and his nature has
proved to be peculiarly sensitive to their influence.
He is thus early groping, unresting, and unsatisfied; but it is among
mountains, and not in marshes or quicksands.
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