The New York herald., 1873-01-20
BROOKLYN CHURCHES.
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.

Opinion OF ChrtsttaM Ltfe-wA Mul.
duplication Table with . Skin Ds avn
Over It''-What Mr.. Reeehsr said Yes
terday.
The immense throng which once week pours
through the thoroughfares and over the various
ferries leading to Brother Beechers church was
not wanting yesterday, but came one ana all ~
though hidden to the feast, and doubtless they
were. Not seat or even an inch OF standing
room was left un0ccupied by the time the great
smiling face Of the hero Of Plymouth church. hat In
hand. and himself snugly ensconced beneath the
ample folds Of colossal cloak, slipped
from behind the organ on the platform.
But the reverend gentleman was little
noticed for the time, for the vast audience
was too intent on admirtng the beautiful MOWERS
which adorned the stand. And why should they
notf for how much Of heaven is wrapped within
and smiles from among their delicately tinted
leavesl They are such holy things. born Of beauty
and nursed In purity, fed upon the dews, and sell
dom looking upon aught less sacred than the stars
as II they were more allied to heaven than to
earth. An old lady who has for years been con-
stant attendant at Plymouth church, ana whose
hoary tresses and atering step tell but too plainly
that she has almost done her journey, remarked
to the writer, while admiring these
''THlNos OF BEAUTY"
III the virtue, goodness and love represented by
those flowers were but practised by mankind they
would again make the children OF earth what they
were In the infancy Of the world-litte lower than
angels" Presently Mr.. Beecher prayed. He was
at once earnest aud eloquent, and ere they knew 1t
his hearers forgot that which charmed the eye for
that which ravished the ear and touched the soul.
selecting tor his text John, XIV, 10: " Henceforth
not what but sVs caeS yon
friends, for all things that have heard Of my
Father have made known unto yOu." Mr.. Beecher
vlV ufnop h0t to
unquestionably contrast between q forced
and free religion. forced religion is not only
vitude and slavery being not then so marked as In
our day, but still 1t was being held In bondage.
Christ says ao come into partnersnlp M with me. can
lor another's will His master says do such thing
and that is all lie knows about 1t; but friend IS
united in love to another that he instinctively per-
ceives and complies with his wishes Christ raised
DOM This Is hot accdeDts for 70 ye shall Il know
the truth and the Truth shall make you free"; and
now the Lord is that Spirit and where the Spirit
think when they join church they must be sober
and go around with long faces, and innct all sorts
ike tree, long-leggcd. trimmed up-s0mething
good at the top may be, but long way up. People
say he Is
GOOD FELLOW, BUT SPOILED.
Is that not the current ideaS But is that what
Christ promises Liberty by stealth-yOked-
thinking 1t better to undergo little discomfort
here than to risk the hereaiterjust as men insure
but they have to do it for fear their houses viii
burn down sometime ana they will have nothing
for them. What is the nature of liberty Doing
what you please !? SOmetimes-when you please
to do the right thing. 1t Is that condition In which
men understand the laws which God laid upon
slave to them Men are free in proper
ton to their knowledge and understanding or
who has learned his tradc-he who has traircd his
muscles SO that he s master OF them, not they
% master Of him, as IN the BEGINNING; A carpenter,
when learning his trade. saws with his whole body,
after time he has trained himself so that he is
menced the study OF algebra there never was any
thing 80 perfectly bewildering and opaque-so ab
began to see into it a little, and fnaily mas.
tered what at first seemed inscrutable. man
never masters anything without being born again.
what is true OF ply sical servitude Is true Of
MORAL sERvITUDE.
In proportion as man rules himself he Is a
our highest safety. It Is the expression not OF ca
price or wilfulness, but Of drilled and perfect
tian life they are apprentlced to God. Some are
already advanced part way and to make believe
girl. Her parents have always prayed for her con-
version. She thinks she ought 10 do something to
She has done that She has been trained
from her cradle, Take up her crossf She
has has taken up her or, cross since she was
be hsrnessed by Christ All she wants Is m q little
impulse in the right direction. Men need not look
S"mty and OBEDIENCE 70 ccds ws' sws
you have saucy servant and choose to put your.
SELF self on level with him by losing your temper,
rightly there is no cross to take up. boor goes
into a.school where there Is young, gentle, deli
VIII do as he likes SIT where he likes spit where
he ,nr likes and set himself up in Opposition
q q He il
her; Love is absolute liberty. Some have
others, and liberation comes gradually, until the
whole is ree. man thinks he ought to read the
Bible " nM and pray at certain times like the people
and they new out in every direction as the wheel
turned. It must be spontaneous prayer, coming
man saws II forgot to read the Bible this morn
Ing, was In such hurry. God forgive me-" Was
er Wea oS in wa tSe Sans WITH MS
ny this morning. Why, he would feel 's iSsaiteS aS
we are free to say or be silent.
GOD UNDERSTANDS MOODS.
Pray when you hunger. Don't make believe. Some
s % sysr tdS% nSu S1 OF h
could not pray chronologically- not be mul.
tiprcation table with a skin drawn over 1t. am
nor regular In anything else and how could be in
thatY The Bible Is our precious privilege, and he
that knows not must learn Men say that priests
embroldcred robes Of different 1 kinds. r.' and and
should face the congregation or turn their backs
MY opinion is that they are better for having their
Dacks turned-or lace the east or west at certain
times as symbols Of religion. II they ike to wor.
ship In that way IL is their liberty. That is lower
when We can worship without the symbols we are
getting higher Not that don't believe IN sym.
bois; / do believe In universal symbolism.
All things are ladders-we commence at the
bottom Don't sit down on the way. But lot US
rise In large liberty, pleasing to God and best Tor
men.