The New York herald., 1873-10-11
BEECHER'S LECTURE ROOM TALK.

The Selection or the Disciples-The SINH
larity Between the Disciples and Men
Means Of Developing Higher Life.
The attendance at prayer meeting last evening
was even better than last week. everybody know
ing by this time OF Mr.. Beecher's return. The
parlor adjoining the lecture room was thrown open,
and even that proved insufficient to accommodate
the congregation. Mr.. Beecher came in about one
and half minutes late. walking very quickly, as
II to make up for lost time. After the usual exer-
cises Mr.. Beecher said:-
1t must have struck every one-the great
change which came over the disciples after the
ascension OF God and the pentacostal scene.
One Of the phenomena OF the Bible is
the selection OF the disciples-why such
men should be taken when there were Others
apparently far better adapted to carry out the
relationship. Peter, James and John seem to
have been the active ones the others followed, but
appeared to produce little impression and cer-
tany in the New Testament none of the disciples
has left a record that can be compared with that
OF Paul. They could not be called intelligent even.
You remember the udicrous mistake they made in
the Interpretation OF their Masters words. You
remember when the
DAY OF TRIAL
came they fed; the boldest proved coward and
Christ was left alone; and then how bewildered
and how like children they after the contest.
Then came at last that glorious description Of the
comes the fire OF inspiration, and rom THAT that hour
you hardly know them. They became bold they
went everywhere and turned the world upside
down; that power was latent III them; power
called out power.
what was true Of the apostles is true OF men
now. The energyof men go with the lower facul-
ties-strife competition. These provoke men to
the intensest OF thoughts; but how many
% In y and
things, or, II they do, how comparatively feeble it
Isl Now 1t was that mood the use OF the higher
xuh hinh Vnn fhn shto
fact known from age to age that IL Is possible for
men to hold themselves 80 that they shall be filled
with
DIVINE POWER
and 1t Is that part or mind that Is powerful that
creates power. We need divine influence on the
soul, and for this the truth OF the divine Spirit Is
revealed, and 1t Is possible Ior men to live so that
the higher part OF their nature shall be in an In
occuous nafne. 1t Is In this mood we lose fear OF
man, we love the praise OF God more than the
praise OF man, we are lifted up from temptation
anxiet!es OF to-day for tomorrow, the morti1ca-
o. ifit were possible for men to ny higher, they
would soon come into an atmosphere IN which the
fear OF the world passes away; the olice ofthe Holy
Ghost is to lift men up, II Is the profer that God
niousness that comes In that state, 1t brings not
only JOY and peace, but II reconcileS douDy. But
then in the next place. by this spirit power Of the
to their feelings, there Is nothing SO potent as
sinful errnr men are appointed TO teacn men. and
only IN those higher moods have we anything APP
preaching to universal power. You remember
times In revivals OF this Church, when men we're
lifted up and filed with the Holy Ghost, the
Spirit OF God, and they were mighty. Men believe
In men something's when they don't believe in ab,
stract truths This Is the greatest gilt that God
can bestow; he loves to give us good gifts
better than parents love to give TO their children,
He challenges us, saying, "Hye, being evil, give
good gifts unto your children, how much more shall
your Father which is In heaven give good gifts
unto His children" IL Is more blessed to give than
to receive, and II you want enthusiasm and Joy and
peace 1t Is TO be received the rain falls-every
man should seek and should take.
AS Mr.. Beecher closed his remarks brother rose
and said :-"l think II we should 20 away and
leave the subject where you have, We would all be
dissattsned. You have said we are TO
RECEIVE THE SPIRIT
and then that we are to seek IL. ! know we need
it, but we don't know how TO seek or 10 receive;
we DO not feel impeed by higher feelings. | do
wish you would tell us more In detail how to get
this life.
and hard one. ! can answer u partly.
others. Faith Is a belief In things not
seen. All can have some; many can
have mucn; they that have Imagination can re-
alize more than those without; persons under the
influence OF c0mbatveness are on the side oppos.
ing the development; dinerent natures have dI1er-
gates OF Jerusalem viii suit you best, ! don't
know; some come through showing the
foundation pretty thoroughly knocked out rom
under them. sickness helps grace some, but not
much but bankruptcy does. (Laughter) business
is IKE sponge; II sucks everything up But
when God takes the sponge and squeezee, IL and
we feel like squeezed sponge. we begin TO think
there Is nothing sure but God. There; don't sup.
pose nave answered yop to your satsIactlon'