Lyman Beecher
(1775-1863)
WHO HE WAS:
Lyman Beecher was an influential American Presbyterian minister, social reformer, and one of the leaders of the Second Great Awakening, which swept the United States in the 19th century. As a passionate preacher, he advocated for the temperance movement and spoke vehemently against both intemperance and slavery. His sermons and writings contributed significantly to shaping the moral and religious outlook of his time, promoting a wave of evangelical fervor and social activism.
WHAT HE SAID:
"Difficulties are God's errands; and when we are sent upon them, we should esteem it a proof of God's confidence - as a compliment from God."
WHY HE MATTERED:
Lyman Beecher's legacy is marked by his fervent crusade against societal vices and his efforts to renew religious faith across America. He helped to catalyze major social movements, such as abolition and temperance, and played a key role in American religious education, leading to the establishment of several theological institutions. His emphasis on moral reform and personal salvation helped shape Protestantism in America and set the stage for the cultural landscape that defined the antebellum period.