The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-15
BROOKLYN CHURCHES.
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
A Diminished OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES by
DIR. Edward Beecher tho Signs OF

Diminished COngreg0tion-Sermo by
DIR. Edward Beecher tho Signs OF
the Times.
Plymouth Church presented yesterday morning g
very deselate appearance. Pew after pew was de-
serted Of its occupants, and the strangers were
scarcely numerous enough to I'LL the central par
quet The absence Of the pastor the heated
term and the departure Of the pew-owners to
summer resorts were the causes that led to this
unusual appearance The preacher was Dr.
Edward Beccher, an elder brother OF the
Plymouth church pastor, but as unlike
in mental build ana temperament as /,
is possible for two men to be. The
subject OF the sermon was the signs OF the times
The texts were selected as follows:-First verse
OF the third chapter OF Pauls Episie to the Colos
SLAMS, and the first verse-'H yc, then, be risen
with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ sitteth on the right hand of Cod -
the third verse of the sixteenth chapter of the
Gospel OF st. Matthew-"Can ye not discern the
signs Of the times"
DR.. Beecher, after preliminary introduction on
the cardinal position in the Christian economy OF
faith said when God desires TO accomplish any
great work in the campaign of ages he indicates 1t
by certain providential events. These were the
signs Of the times. This was Illustrated h.
the signal fires in Scotland that preceded
the day of general battle. The great
events in the history of the world which were be.
fore indicated in the passa ge chosen In the
text. There Is to be one great battle, and after
wards Judgment OF Christianity itself in relation
to Church organization and doctrine. After this
there is to DC the organization OF human society
and the
MILlENNIAL REIGN.
These results were also to be the final conclusion
OF all preceding events. These false views will
eliminate IN closer communion with God, and
that WAS described in the sixth chapter OF Isaiah
The Bible predicts, II it predicted anything, that
man shall i've UNNECESSARILY longer than lie
lives now. As regards the great conflict
this is conflict tina. Christianity has become
corrupt. Christianity will, by the middle ground OF
free thought, be brought into liberty and unison
with God Before this will be reached there will be
reaction and Just before the best days the world
ever saw things will look the darkest Was not the
world now wiser than IL ever was beforep There is
more inhdeity now than there was before. Papacy,
instead OF laying aside OF It's errors, has recent
~ reafrmed every one, under the seal or infalli-
binty Popular institutions are being formed by
the Catholics 10 control political questions and to
bring some control over the Prussian government.
Every OF the conflicts described by Daniel have
been gone through, or are going through. There
DAY OF JUDGMENT,
which Is q kind OF historical fire that was burning
around every event. burning up the false and bring
ing out the true. The question then arose. IL this
was true, how were We 10 prepare for these mani
festations Of God ? The first essential was that we
should believe in God but 1t was not to he obtained
by argument, but by sereve'ation. Our concep-
ton OF God must be higher; We must not only con-
celve OF holiness but holy adherence of sin. We
are under the influence OF things that are tempo
rary and are local. There ought to be more in
tense desire for the fuliilment OF Gods designs.
There should be more earnest prayer, spirit OF
PRAYER in groaninEs that could not be uttered.
God had said, Behold am as a thief" and there
fore It was needed that we should stand with our
lons girded ready for his appearing.