The New York herald., 1871-03-13
BROOKLYN CHURCHES.
The Growth Of Evil and How
to Check Tt.
BEECHER ON PERFECTION.
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
Fhe Divine Standard OF Perfection-Love the
Only Justice.

u
Plymouth usher yesterday, as he partially made
arrangements for the morning tide And house
full it was each one Of the crowded congregation
forgetting In the flowers, music and eloquence
within the sloppy drearness outside. There was
look in Mr.. Beecher's face rs he came in that
augured well for the coming sermon; and every
movement-even to the tucking Of his unfortunate
hat In its obscure position behind the bookstand-
spoke OF subdued power that by and by meant to
let itself out. Mr.. Zunde and Miss Thursley who
were seriously missed in the musical service last
Sunday, were in their places, and the organ volun-
tary and anthem, "Oh Come, Let Us W orship," were
executed with spirit
Previous to the sermon Mr.. Beecher asked for
collection for the Park Congrega tlonal church.
saying that Plymouth church had pledged $4,000
IN its aid over two years ago, and he was ashamed
from the TOP OF his head to the
sOLE5 OF HIS FEET
that the pledge had not been sooner redeemed.
When Plymouth church has not promised money
nows from 1t ike water, but once let it pass Its
word and 1t seems to think that sufficient The
help that proposed to give to this church ought
TO nave overnowed the measure that they ncld out,
instead OF their being obliged TO milk, milk, milk TO
get 1t. the ushers and pewholders were patted
the back and scolded little, judicously, and re-
BE- patient. and. - in the other, get settled
In their seats early so that order could
The usners We're reminded that If any Doors present
ed themselves. they were the very ones whs needed
70 60 to church, and the text I'm patience possess
Ye your SoulS,n was recommended to these
LONG SUFFERING INDIVIDUALS
as suitable for inscription upon their hearts, Not.
outstanding the reproach OF wealth that is cast upon
Plymouth church, Mr. Beecher thought that more
plain and humble people were accommodated there
seats m Very ~ @ are
and no man can say that ne was turned away be-
cause mis- clothes were shabby These preliminaries
IGn fav UUo nA nSM Moffh
Is in heaven IS perfect" This IS not rigorous, i'm
perfecuon is the effect OF gradual growth. 1t is
said Of Christ Himself that He was made perfect
Was Fne Of the aposes and IN ve sce
high spiritual life has been evolved through slow
processes The tex! means that we are to be perfect
as according as God is perfect; chat not
fall the wrong model not to try to be perfect in
tho wrong way. We are to model our life by the
SUPREME BENErIcENCE
ID the ideal OF divine perfection and must be OF indl
vidual Christian perfection. In the text and con.
text we have from Christ sufficent Indications OF
that nature and OF the point IN that nature that we
are TO initiate Divine love is not given on account
is the point that wish to dwell on. God works
towards bounty from the pressure OF his vast be-
highest form when it Is forceful, and gives with
out solicitation Thus some natures develop music;
II they were put on an island in the middle OF the
ocean they would think choruses ana symphonies
Others are self-moved to poetry. Many men write
poetry as they would
for the Market but there are some whose lives are
staiIed with poetic color, who see visions and
dream dreams. What is genius? 1t is a faculty de.
veloped above the ordinary that works unsolicited.
God Is being whose attributes are so full OF sensi-
bNty that they do not need the solicitation OF CIR
cumstances. We In our lower sphere know some
thing OF spontaney and by carrying the Idea up and
enlargIng II Infinitely we obtain some conception
OF Gods necessity to pour out goodness. In the
Apocalypse Gods life Is spoken OF as ilowing like
. river. The Bible compares God to o sun. The
onltntf I'D nnfo Cnnf
stream OF heat; 1t must radiate from ITSELF The
sun shines as warmly and as brightly upon the
sTlNGY OLD MIsER
az upon the philantnropist We cannot get away
from the fact tnat 1t Is in this power OF giying regard
less OF desert that we are to be IKE God: we are
strength In keeping ourselves bright and building
ourselves up. We are not to have the Phariseesm OF
beauty and mistake esthetcism Tor the spirit OF tue
Gospel would a. soon try to raise harvest by
the noonbeams as to build character by esthetics
How does tins idea Of divine benencence agree with
the popular ideas OF justiceY There is a kind OF
justice that Will be found outside Of this world.
Justice generally divides men into the good and the
bad, the deserving and the undeservin9. There is
no possibility Of such justice. We don't know what
can't tell what hereditary strains have come down
to HIM that we call bad; how education has warped
that
MAKE Us FIT TO JUDGE.
What Is justice but an administrator OF kindness
suited to mans necessities? Justice may often give
PAIN remember whom used to come in from my
sports all smouched, with hair that had PLAYED with
the win0s OF heaven needed my sisters discipline
to make me ut for society,". The rubbing and the
Il hope they found it) and a necessary and kind
process. WhenI had quarreed with my brothers
Or sisters these Mysterious 1ngngs we were lor my
fruits OF righteousness. The mother, with her
bosom OF love, says:-"My child, you shall not go
wrong love you, but you shall not sit with me or
come TO the table with me till you have asked the
forgiveness Of that poor servant ! am right TO-
have the bene Of my love we Isn't that jusces
drunk another s2 ssns
preserve the purity T Of the community" In.
difference 10 suffering Is Internal. He who commits
glad"
and, though the man may deserve the punishment,
there Is no justice in the juages heart. No man
has right 10 put his hand on except in love.
s Is are the 70 ps psreiI sd d
the animal In man; IN God 1t is love shap.
ing and moulding into the image OF Itself.
Forgiveness 10 the instructive action Of true benevO
Yes everybody All Rtand on an equal footing. But
no man is benefited by forgiveness who does not
take It, man comes to his native land after
weary wanderings. He knows not whether his
nor o Is s Me IS sa
very doorstep OF his lathers house and leaning his
head on his hand, sheds homesck tears. Inside an
old man aud woman sit side by SIDE. She looks in
the nre and sees ships, and on every one is
HER SAILOR BOY.
The father looks at tho mother, and each knows
what the other L. thinking about. Both would give
all tue world to put their round the boys neck;
and be sits outside crying What good does 1t do
for God to forgive men II they don't know 1t and
don't want 10. The sun don't guide blind man. 1t
IL ready TO guide him soon as he opens his eyes.
People pray 70 God 70 forgive then They might as
well pray lor rain In an equlnocual storm. The
whole heavens are saturated with forgiveness, but
Will do you no good unless you take 1t. You like
this forgiveness Of God but forget that there
other slde. lou, too, must forgive. Men are all
willing 10 forgive when they are patted and their
prize satisfied. There is nothing In forgiveness but
NOT QUESTION OF DESERT
in another; u Is question OF your resemN,ance 70
God. 1t may be that the spirit OF love may inspire
you to discipline. but must be sve not conscience
not selnShness and you not In state to decide
. until your heart is full OF love. Thousands lurx in
devils dens that he around this subject Many