New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-25
NATIONAL VS.. OLYMPIC.
L.. 81 A nnn =
PRAYER IN MR.. BEECHER's CHURCH.

The Friday evening services held in this
place Of worship well attended last evening, and
the discussion mainly turned upon the constitution and
the in which prayer should be addressed to God
Mr. Beecher said that confidence the stability of all
their intercourse. There nothing that weared a
than the want of confidence. or the proper de-
sire nature underlying all their actions. II a man
treated another in kind way, but all the time be-
grudged the time and wished that he not doing that
which he then engaged in. it would be reflection
that Yet in their prayers to God, n they
analysed Them if they did not imply reluctance, II
knew what would imply such truths. 1t was supposed
that this confession OF sin and unworthiness was
pleasing to God and this implied, or rather it was
assumption that there something heavy on the
hands OF God II person nyed In orderly con
that that person was trying TO maintain his
integrity he would forgive him. and he would not think
OF alludng to past oenses. That was condition OF the
Divine Creator when He said that He would never make
mention OF their transactions again. Many people
pray IL il matter Of rite. Prayer was good and
wholesome to the soul but person must feel what ne
toward them the most generous percentage ana the most
romantic friendship. They should never take up forms
and phrases in their prayers when their conseenees told
feel when they talked to Him Just they felt when
M Sherman arose and said that many times their
hearts not glad but sluggish and when engaged in
prayer, they felt aversion to continue In it, They
also bound TO say something in prayer which they
MI Beecher observed that prayer must not be formu-
lated Everything that asked not conceded by
God but only those things Which would beneht them;
Journalism 1t better to pray from the heart than TO
rattle through them meaning nothing at all.
Prof Raymond desired 10 know how the objection to
repetition OF words OF praise and OblaOn would apply
their hymns Many passages occurred in their hymns
which people considered and yet they sung them
without feaing their influence
Mr.. Beeeher-Yes, but they were not intended to be
sung without feeling them.
Prof. Raymond-1f they had to feel all they sung.
many would have to wait a considerable time They
would have to look their books and see if there
any passages which they would not ndorse that the
unanimous and joyful song would diminish into little
ril
Mr. Beecher asked what it for person to sing
and pray who did not feel realize the import and
meaning of the Of the aspiration OF the
heart They should love God, feel the need of His sup
port realize their sinful condition. and sing and pray
cOrdngy but both these exercises should not DE TesOred
to in order 10 bring out these emotions.
Mr. Sherman said that he could not agree with all Mr.
Beecher said,but there times and seasons when
engaged in devotion when these Christian feelings could
not be enjoyed and when their temper was disturbed
Suppose Christ the EARTH in whatever mood or
temper they in they would go up Him and tap
ping him the back, they would say, Well old fellow
how you e. and would then apply for the fulhlment
of their desires.
Mr. shearman's oratory and manner were not reished
by the audience and occasioned considerable comment
Mr. Beecher said think we have had enough OF TINS
discussion for tonight" aud the congregation mime
diately separated.