The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-27
The SERVICES IN THE CHURCHES.
Plymouth Church-Sermon Of Rev. Henry
Ward Beecher.

Plymouth Church-Sermon Of Rev. Henry
Ward Beecher.
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher the pastor OF Plymouth
church, preached q Thanksgiving Day sermon yes
terday. Notwithstanding the heavy rain that fell
during the forenoon and the heavy squalls that blew
ttfuly through the streets, the sacred edifce was
wei filed. For his sermon the preacher took for
HIS text the eighteenth and nineteenth verses Of the
eighteenth chapter Of Genesis-
Seeing that Abraham shall surely become great and
mighty nation and all the nations OF the earth shall
For know him, that he win his children ami his
household after him and they shah Keep the way q the
npon Abraham that which he hath spoken Of him
II was this feature In the patriarch's character
that made him the leader OF nations and families.
by his wisdom religious fidelity was tried aud be-
came permanently and universally established. II
Abraham was the father OF the faithful il was
because he the father OF the family OF nations OF
the earth. Our fathers rejected the holidays Of the
Church-and they old right-and we OF the present
time did right in resumlng them. Inevitably all
ceremonies, usages and even truths and dogmarc
ferns gather to themselves the prejudces and
errors OF those who use them. The d0mi-
nant party always employed all the ecclesiastical
and popular usages in their own spirit. Reformers,
therefore, are obliged to choose whether to walt for
the gradual cleansing OF customs or utterly reject
them. In the momentous stage before the dawn OF
religious and civil liberty the great festival and
pleasure days in the hands OF the parties that
represented despotism. In the Church and in the
state the rulers have desired to withdraw public
thought from the machinery OF governments. Only
let the priest and magistrate have una uestioned
power and control over the State and the Church
II the people do not vote universally they
VIII be permitted to dance Give power
.re rulers ,a aad sas rulers wiz se plea
policy OF the Church to wreath the emolems OF
Teligon-to decorate the winter customs with green
leaves and scarlet berries. The Church promoted In
every way the pleasures OF the holidays. As the OK
on festive occasions, when led to the slaughter
wreathed with flowers and ribbons so with the
people-they received pleasure In exchange for
hbertypleasure not nsticepleasure, but no rights.
y was this fact that led the purtans and Pilgrim
Fathers 10 array themselves against pleasure and the
holidays. And they did right. Innocent In Itself
and indispensable as an element OF education and
social Development, yet there are times when men
must fast from pleasure, so that pleasure may be
wrested from the hands oftyrants instrument Of
tyranny. Lnls InanssgiYns pay = she american day
10 celebrate the day. The advent OF the people Of
many nationaites Will enlighten the social customs
and Jars between the number OF customs likely TO
introduced by this advent OF people II was more
pleasing to ponder how much beyond all this there
Is OF graduation in all these things. II was TO the
northern races OF Europe the country was to look
for social wealth. The northern races were In fact
the races OF domestic and home habits. From them
shall be derived innocent amusenents and graceful
associations. But not always viii races run I'M
merged. BY the intermingiing OF the races we will
remit little OF rig0r IN the way OF amusements
and they VIII add little TO theirs They viii
learn Seif-reStralft anu we VIII gee reafons
for more innocent indulgence. These new Corners
bring us capital. labor opinion, sentiment and Gus
toms, and these are certain 10 have good ana en-
ricaing effect on the coming Americans. We must
lock u the mingling OF the customs OF al nations
ana rom these select such as may DE- safely erected
In American households, richer, purer. with more
influence and more power than any yet known. The
preacher very eoquenty elaborated ms subject, AMI
frequently drew forth the applause, the ciepping ~
hands and stamping OF feet OF bis auditors. CON
gludlng. nc SAID he had detained them too
long; me odor Of the coming FEAST was ill-
ing the air; The boys dssoying views OF thanks
giving turkey were becoming TOO real and
the part they would take therein TOO exciting 10
Keep them longer. The subject 70 come was more
paatabe % them ihan his dry discourse Then 90;
but remembering Gods bounty 10 you, let no dark
thoughts hold SWAY la your breasts. cave The one
day 10 thanksgiying JOY and gratitude. On this day
while you dispensing the bountes God mas given
3Cu. remember that there Is an eternity, and that
when that time comes for yon there Ia thing which
,ud csteens more than than sgiy ng-forgiyng your
enemies. Humble yourselves. then, one towards
another and - you go hence, as yon wash your
hands. sacrifice all your enmties, and with gentle
heart ana lpea hand dispense your charities 10 the
poor and Needy.
Christ Church---cruion OF Rev. DIR. r.. q.
Ewer-Prcgress % the Church--t.rounds for
TbaDkssi,ing-1he Political Situation IN the
limited states and in England.
The services ia Christ church lProtestaut
Eplscopall, corner OF Flfth avenue aud Thir
iy-6nh street, were OF an Interesting char.
acter. After few opening remarks Df. Ever
proceeded 10 give to his parish their grounds for
thanksgiving as a parish. Every way they were a
whole year ahead OF where they were las, sovem.
her This year. too had seen the division Of the
diocese INTO three, 50 that there were i've do
ccses in the state instead Of two aud these could
soon cluster into what would virtually be province
TIE whole American Church had beer
one province, bit It had become unwieldy
aud tins year presented the spectacle OF the vast
province breaking up into smaller and more manage
able provinces. This from force OF circumstance
would push zap tue national synod into seat o
higher dignity, ss the uniting element, no longer d
mere dioceses but OF large provinces The wisdom
and moderation OF the National Convention was
another cause OF thanksgiving The Doctor dwell
upon this AT length. lie spoke OF the signal defeat
tie radical evangelieals and said while the Church
had wisely absfained from Identifying herself with
Inc great Catholic movement, she had wisely left
~ 10 development and 10 God THIS settled the ques
too OF tie success Of Cathocity. Its rapid growth
aDnpg the next three years ives now iucyItabie