Biography

You likely are familiar with Harriet Beecher Stowe who authored Uncle Tom's Cabin, but you know her father, Lyman Beecher was equally passionate about social justice and religious issues. Lyman was born in Connecticut just before the Declaration of Independence. Born in 1775, Beecher matured as America matured. As a Presbyterian minister, he led several congregations and was instrumental in leading an American revival called the"Second Great Awakening." In speech and the written word, Beecher spoke out against the consumption of alcohol, the practices of rationalism, and Catholicism. From his pastorate in Boston, Beecher moved west into the Ohio Valley to spread the Protestant faith to the people living there. In his book, A Plea for the West, his passion for evangelism was great, but also his desire that people who were being exposed to Catholicism would have the opportunity to hear the Good News of Protestantism. Father of 13, minister, theologian, professor, evangelist, author, and revivalist were all"ranks" held by Beecher. On January 10, 1863, Lyman Beecher died in the city of Boston, Massachusetts. Several of his children carried the"light" forward in their father's footsteps.

Wailand Groenendyk
CCEL Staff Writer