The New York herald., 1869-05-31
RELIGIOUS SERVICES IN BR00KLYN.
PLYMOUTH CHAPEL.

Sermon by the Rev. Henry Ward Bcccher.
The Kew. Henry Ward Beecher has been in the
habit of devoting one Sunday evening every two
months 10 services in the chapel in Hicks street.
Fulton street. Brooklyn, and last evening he delivered
his last address for the season. large audience
gathered to hear the famous orator employ his ad-
mirable and polished style OF denunciation; the
exact fidelity with which nc caricatured
ostentatious follies the thrilling eloquence
Of his appeals to everything good and
noble in the consciences OF men, his cutting nervous
periods in popular faults, his graceful humOr,
terly invective theatrical illustration, and c0piOus
stream OF pointed figures, which rppled from his
lips In his own inimitable ntOnaton IN one OF the
most eloquent eXposItons of the parallels OF Christ
probably ever heard from metropolitan pulpit.
The reverend gentleman considered the parable
of the woman and the ten pieces, which. lie said
In similar manner presents that great truth
embodied IN "Like ! say unto you there IL JOY
In the presence Of the angels Of GOO sinner
mat repentethr Continuing, he sad, that the most
beautiful and effective OF all the PARALLELS related by
Christ is that OF the prodigal son. "A certain man
had two SONS, and the younger OF them said To his
father, give me the portion Of goods that faeth to
me; and nc divided unto them his living Yes,
one OF these was younger son, the pet, perhaps OF
the amiiy; and you have doubtless seen this type;
he Is the precious little darling" spoiled, PAM
of parents that look not to the necessity that he
must be taught habits Of steady industry. becomes
n.
should be skilled in some useful manual occupation.
Each one should know how to plough, how to saw,
to hew, TO cut and chop wood, TO cultivate the soil,
ana In this seaport city 10 navigate n boat and prove
himself master Of more tlan one element. IT these
points are neglected when the large inheritance
ceases 10 support the man that was idle and un-
trained when boy and when he becomes bank.
rupt and longer able 10 maintain his Opulent
post then he begins TO feel his utter hopelessness
Of far.secing parents do not avail, be-
cause they have never been given, and this
mi fla
in our day, was ambitious TO make parade OF ms
wealth; ne asked his father Tor his portion Tor lie
did moi want TO wait tlll his parents death. This
mama now rife in the community to cut a dash IL
70 dangerous sh0al. The young man gels little
money; ne ls VAN; he says that his neghbor that
has great deal more is se-proud; but the young
man continues, and should fortune favor he, hint
self, becomes arrogant and purse-proud. "And
not many days after the younger son gathered
ali together and TOOK mis- journey into a far
country, anu there wasted his substance in
prodiga son LETT hrs home and went into far coun-
try because 1t Is always manly and Independent for
youth 10 start out with the idea that In his future
ne ID to be his own support: but when one goes to
escape the restraints imposed by Christian parents
evade their fond instruction and TO avoid follow
ng their well considered counsels, when he breaks
away, then he is culpane aud cowarily And there
wasted his substance IN riOt0us living" How sug-
gestiye tins SENTENCED In II we see The fine. hand
some and intelligent young man. full OF hope and
promise begin his career Of sin amid the flowers
and the sweets Of lie. lie becomes fast; he mag
ines that 10 stand In front OF bar and
drink, to he convivial over wine and fast
horses Is beng sociable warm hearted and filled
with the generous impulses or youth. He Keeps on:
his Is one Of excitement and hilarlty. He en-
joys himself: hut this Is but one phase Of terrible
TACT, the bright side OF q dark picture. Who NIL
your hospitals with rottcnness, with shattered con-
stitutIons ana bankrupt mindsy Who occupy your
poorhouses and the bread of public charity. and
who the mnatic asyums with Wild and frantic
yellsf 60 there. That young man was once the son
Of governor OF a state. that one had prominent
lawyer for his father, ant, IN the corner yOnder you
zee all that u left OF minister's son.
Look about your street corners, IN the
sewers and by lanes. Note that manwno holds out
his trembling. aching hand that tches i0r your :
smallest charity. lie was once "A young man IN the
sion Of sins moves on--gambinR, drinking. degra-
dation bodily pains. misery and damiation. How
strikingiy tins IL shown IN the pafabe-When the
son mad spent his portion he was sent into the fieds
ITO feed swiner' In the old Mosaic law hog was
the fouest or animals. rhe Jews would not eat its
meat, and prohibited even personal contact with
one Of the species. Then think what must
have been hts degradation To consort with nogs- to
be only tine equal of hog soon the small spark of
viii arise and go TO INV father and say unto him,
Father. I have sInned against heaven and m thy
sight, AMI am no more worthy 10 he called thy SON..
He returned was seen afar OF 10y his father whoran
and fell upon his neck ana kissed him: the
fatied calf was killed, aud the people round
about gathered at his fathers house and
made merry. Thus II viii be with God when lie
that you sincerely repent OF your sins aud tnat you
desire TO live IN the sunlight Of His loving Kindness
spark into great flame Of religious deyotion: file
had much rather assis; than punish. and you nave
only TO accept His word and lind redemption nnd
salvation.