The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-25
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.

sermons which were OF more Than ordinary interest,
VIII be found noticed in the following reports:-
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
Training and Development the S0ul-Ser.
mon by the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher-
ThcsPresence of Pere Hyncinthe Daring the
Services Causes Considerable Interest-EIis
Introduction nnd Welcome.
Plymouth church was yesterday crowded to the
doors by fashionable congregation. The day being
delightfully."- fine there was of course, a charming
array OF toilets, which looked quite picturesque as
the genial rays Of the shone through the spacious
windows Of the edice causing the varegated colors
to blend harmoniously. The Rev. Mr.. Beecher took
his text from Galatians w., 10. The reverend gen.
teman dilated at length upon the early culture
of the soul. When the babe came into life every.
thing was against him, and SO in like manner was
the commencement of real Christian life. Those
beginning the true paths Of rectitude were as In
fants just born; for how could they be teachers
who were not practically conversant with the
truths they endeavored to inculcateP Christian life
must grow and be properly cultured. 1t was q
spark, name, from which ut first issued much
smoke, and at length became O pure and burning
coal. Children and youth might become disciples
Of the Lord Jesus Christ ana might be safely
gathered into the Christian fold II only their parents
spirits the faith OF Christ Some parents brought
up their children with the expectation that when
they arrived at the years OF discretion they would
become good Christians. But II properly instructed
when young they grew up in the nurture OF the
LOrd-sOme without q break at all, and others sub
tect to certain normal disturbances. As general
working principle, however, II Christian families
were early educated in the faith OF Christ he be.
lieved that generations and generations OF children
might be brought up In the love OF Christ without
afterwards departing from 1t, so that they woulu be
1raa mol nntn srIn nnfd Inn
and ordinary experiences, and would come full
OF faith, full Of hope and purity from the cradle 10
church. After abiding to the great necessity Of
giving proper instruction to the young at an early
age he went on TO state That children were very
ceptble and comparatively comprehensive. Thus
they found the babe Jesus In the babe child, and did
not discover that great Christianity looked for in
after years. Feed them as little children and they
would go through all the temptations and all the
trials and IN the end would become good Christians
There were many persons VINO lab0red under the
erroneous impression that by too early Introduction
10 the Church young persons might disgrace 1t. But
the Church was not to be compared to soul, for
1t was merely the servant OF the soul. 1t might as
well be said that hospital was disgraced because
patients died in 1t when doctors did their utmost
cure them, or that school was disgraced because
Moreover, It was not to be supposed that because
man was imperfect he was not Christian. II
osr en wod be e
though Of course IN different stage OF
he Was SIN a. man he
be, 30 long as he looked up to GOD with the con-
seriousness or his defects. The thing TO
sympathy with God ana receive the impulse TO re-
organize his life. The principles OF life had two
quaes-the force OF nature and the voluntary drill
to work in harmony. In order to grow to true man.
hood the eye, the ear and the halid must be edu-
Gated. He must learn his trade or he must learn the
profession which he intends to follow. There must
be spontaneous intentional power vigorously eX-
ercsed. And IT was precisely the same in the Chris
tian life. AS men drilled IN anything in which they
eXceled, 1t was exactly the same thing that took
place In regard to progress IN religion. Nature did
great deal, but learning could only be acquired by
Inc spirit OF humility was not infused into man
without prayer. 10 be sure many persons thought
that temperance humility, faith, patience, hope, Joy
IN the Holy Ghost were divine gifts. SO were corn
aud sheep and cows upon the mountain top
divine gifts, for which men muGt WORK. they were
the fruits OF mans industry not his laziness. Faith
could only be obtained by practices nor did all
divine gifts come, just by inspiration. They must be
learned and studied as the soldier learned his steps,
The experiences IN life were not 30 prOmiscuous
most people imagined. There was o regular order
OF things. First came the leaf, then the blossom,
the green fruit and then the ripe lruit; SO 1t was
in the Christian life. The later developments cannot
be had before the intermediate ones; but just as
some youths asplred to manhood before their ume,
many persons did not like TO walt Tor the proper de.
Vel0pment. 1t was only when IN an advanced state OF
righteousness that men came thoroughly to compre
nend and appreciate tnat serene JOY enanatng from
Q sincere love OF Christ. II might be SAID that no
nan was perfect while IN this world, but there We're
those who came to perfect state VI rest Tor when
man came to That state OF experience that ne knew
he loved Christ he enjoyed the triumphant feeling
that he was beloved by Christ, and reazeu beyond
The Rev. Mr. Beecher had just concluded the
benedictlon and the members OF the congregation
were about to dispense when an unusual buzz arose
inside the church. Persons VINO had already
reached the DOORS and the throng that had arrived
at the outer gate turned back, and sea or faces
eagerly looked towards one particular object as II
something unusually interesting and attractive had
suddenly sprung IRON the ground. The low and
tnqusi,lve whispering winch mad hitherto prevailed
now sweled forth audbiy, and "Pere Hyaclnthe
Pere HyacntneW was heard distinctly through the
building. lhe aisles we're quickly packed again ana
order to have more complete view Of the distn-
gushed visitor some sto0u on tptoe upon the seats
while Others more lucky In their natural altitude,
Stretched their necks with considerable eanestness,
anu altogether the appearance or Pere Hyacinthe
Plymouth cnurcn yesterday created regular sensa-
uon The surnlses OF the congregation we're indeed
very numerous rne probable cause Of his arrival
was discussed IN the Dreiest possible sentences and
truth r. say, the advent OF the reverend gentleman
was, Judging by the general expression, very favor
ably regarded. Had Pere Hyacnthe been the veri-
tab Luther himself he could scarcely have excited
more attention or awakened a greater feeling OF
curiosity. The ladies were none the less anxious to
get glimpse OF him; IN TACT, the sudden announce
ment Of his presence In the building actually star
tied the congregation. surrounded by throng,
the eyes OF ali composing IT rveted upon him.
Pere Iiy8clnthe, accompanied by his interpreter.
had left the seat winch he had occupied during the
services and proceeded 10 greet the kew. Mr..
Beecher, who, meanwhile, having been informed OF
his VISITORS presence, advanced to meet him. The
TWO great pulpit orators shook hands and the recep
ton on the part Of the Rev. Mr.. Beccner was appa
rently, very cordial Through the aid or the inter-
prefer Pere Hyacinthe expressed the qualification
he experienced AT being present; meanwhile the
crowd gazed with the most Intense interest, doubt
less In anticipation That some Important topic might
be alluued 10. With the exception that iere Hya-
cinthe was very closely scrutnled by not unlrenuly
eyes, nOthing OF Importance occurred. Alter very
brief conversation the divines parted the Rev. Mr..
Beecher saying that he cordially welcomed Pere Hya-
Cinthe not because he was curiosity, but because
he had asserted his independence. rms brought
the interview To close. Iere Hyaclnthe and his
Interpreter then withdrew, entered carriage and
returned TO the city.