The New York herald., 1871-02-20
PLYMOUTH caURCH, BROOKLYN

Seldshness from a Benevolent Point OF View
An Appeal for France.
Mr.. Beecher preached yesterday to his usual
large congregation upon the subject OF individual
and national benevolence based upon q wise SELF
interest. At the close OF the sermon he made an
eloquent appeal for the French, which was
sponded to by a collection supposed to be large.
The text was Philippians H., 4-"Look not every
man on his own things, but every man also the
things Of Others" There are two great principles
running through society which are seemingly an.
tagonlsc yet all true prosperity depends upon their
co-operaton-the law which compe.s us to seek our
own good and that which teaches US to seek the
good OF others. Every man must first
LOOK OUT FOR HIMSELF,
for the health OF his body, for shelter, sustenance
and mental and physical stores. Taking care OF
ones self is preparatory to true benevolence. 1t is
dangerous to relax the responsibility OF selfcare.
When we are commanded to love our neighbor as
ourselves
THE QUALITY OF THE LOVE
is referred and the quantity. We are to give
love that is large and generous; but 1t is ex-
pected that man will think much for his neghbor
as for himself We are not TO neglect own affairs
for the sake OF pretended benevOlence. Many indi.
viduals lake care OF everybody bot themselves. II
you are a father or mother, there is your first
sphere of duty. There you serve God and society.
But many take care OF the community nrSt. They
seized with an
INTERNAL SPIRIT OF USEFULNESS.
They always busy with this committee and
that society. Whatever else you neglect don't
neglect yourself and your house. Make home
strong rich, beautiful and happy ana then let home
.Overnow. Make home garden from which you
carry flowers and fruit for others. Intrusive
curiosity ana advice-glv1ng are not to be
couraged. some people are atmospheric popcs.
They suggest here and advise there; their advice Is
70 a ap a is 10 be-
ordinated with this sellcare Is the care OF others.
Because some peoples steps are rarer on their own
thresholds than anywhere else Is no reason why you
should be nun or q monk. sympathy is like the
Qullls in WINGS Exclusive thought of SELF, OF your
own plans, produces friction. man who lives en-
trely for himself Is
MAGNIFIED AUGER,
Boring his own little diameter, and the further he
goes the harder IL Is for him to turn himself round
No man Is more cheated than the selfish man. He
seals up the cells from which he might get honey,
happinessa There are men In New York mot In
Brooklyn) who repeat with golden bricks the old
nshness q chord on which no angel will play; it
makes a good bass, but alone II is harsh. You
Give; for You want foundation. First you are to
look out for sell, but 1t is that you may
some men are too kind they trust everybody; they
can't collect their debts; they bring Denevoence
anto contempt. Such careless, almless, dawdlng
men seem to serve only the purpose OF an example
for stngy men. who point to them US proof of the
dolly OF bcnevolence.
LOOK OUT FOR YOUR OWN AFFAIRS,
AND when you are grown strong use your strength
1or the good OF your fellow men. We should bring
up children to despse charity unless 1t goes out
They should take nothing without giving an equlva-
scnt; not in the spirit OF bargaining, but III pride
brave, forcble; to be willing to do without what
they cannot earn; willing to be poor, but not
paupers This regal independence, when attained,
should be given for the public good. TO consider
the public welfare should be part Of the education
that children receive at home and at church. II
IS u shame for a man to have q good farm and
A BAD ROAD
IN front OF It, to have beautiful grounds and OPAQUE
fences. believe some people are mad II they see
their neighpors' bees go OF with honey from their
their orchards all to themselves. / am told that
there are men in Brooklyn who do not want to pay
their taxes; l am told tnat they evade them, that
they hide property depreciate the value of properly;
j am told that
THEY EVEN TELL LIES.
but that cannot believe. They do make 1t a study
how they shall best get their shoulder from under
the burden. Their excuse is that the taxes they pay
no to feed corInorants. 1t Is always so in this
world; the good must pay for the bad. denounce
which men are allowed like moths, to cut through
the threads Of rhe commonwealth. 1t is not tile
worst thai they take away money, but they take
honor 1t is the curse OF charity that we doubt
the honesty of the beggar. II Is the curse OF public
spirit that men do not believe that the money they
sewers, to build up the schools Different sections of
the same country should sympathize with each other
The prosperity OF part benefits every other part.
To build up the West TO the injury of the East is
tnjure the West. The law of the individual should
De the law or nations. Nations are
s VAST ORGANIZED ANIMALS
at present. Look at their banners. Ours bears the
eagle, the cruelest bird OF prey that infests the air
and England carries upon bloody 1eld RAMPANT