The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-04
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
Mr.. Beccher's Annual Feast OF Flowers
The Joyful Nature OF Christianity.

Mr.. Beecher's Annual Feast OF Flowers
The Joyful Nature OF Christianity.
1t was. as Is usual on the first Sunday In May OF
each year. iestal day at Plymouth cnurch yester-
day on the occasion OF the ingatnering Of more
than 100 new members into the cnurcn. Flowers
In great beauty and prolusi6n surrounded the
choir gallery. On the speakers stand to the right
crystal vase to the height OF three leet nom
which the graceful iern reared its delicate green,
and over whose sides boss0mny vines dropped
lovingly. On the lett OF the pulpit was q floral
Cross surmounted by crown, cnieny white, with
the word victory in PINK buds at the base. ana
from among the glItserung communion service
another arose, holding number OF pure and
regal lilies. The roses, and there were hundreds
OF them, alter the service given by the pastor
To the new members souvenirs OF the day.
The service was begun by a ne Derm" CON-
posed by the organsi, Pro essor Zundel and or.
tsticaly rendered by the choir; and alter the re-
cept0n INTO the church vi the new members Mr..
Beecher preached from Romans XIII. 12-"Reiolc-
ing in hope, patient tribulatlon continuing In
slant IN prayer" and SAID
Tnis may be called very brief but condensed
charter OF happlness-rejoiclny In nope, patent
IN trlDuation. instant In prayer. Joy Is not
faculty. 1t Is quality OF action, mood winch
may belong to any or all or the faculties Of the
physical organization and the mental. The
nerve that is In health and treated according to
its nature responds Pleasantly, Ioyuny. lit be in
an unhealthy condition or treated contrary to Its
nature 1t has the inverse powes, the induction OF
pain. Pain Is quality oil the body. Suffering IL q
term whicn designates pain OF mind. Now, pain
or SUFFERING whether OF body or mind, Ii not pri-
mary; II Is not the end Tor which they
created but cautionAry, remedial, educarory;
and pain bears to the body and suffering to the
mind the same relation which medicine bears to
the organs OF the body II Is not i0od--it is that
which Is taken for the purpose OF restor-
ing health where 1t is impairec-and all
pain or suffering are either cautionary, indi-
eating that we are doing wrong, or remedial, to
bring us back from wrong ways, Or educatlonary
TO inspire us to higher development OF llfe Joy
Is normal or 1t IL tnat when best becomes every
faculty; 1t is the response which we nave rgnt
to seek and TO expect nom every faculty OF the
human soul. Though In Imperfect beings souls
working upward, suffering u needful, and the
need illness OF II test1es to our lInitat ions our
lnerlOrity, our defects and all forms OF disanec-
TOD, they are not TO he dispensed with, nor are
we 10 suppose tnat any man In this lie or condi-
ton Will escape suffering and pain. But IL Is one
thing to regard 1t as cautionary remedial or edu-
catory, and another to think that pain and suffer-
ing are legitimate and things to be sought for as II
they were gool. the ideal OF periectness is the
mind getting into q mood SO hlgn and 80 perfect
that there IL pleasure IN all Its action Pleasure Is
the testimony OF any faculty that is acting In
Now, IS christianity to be pain or pleasures
Is religion TO be O plan OF victory or q requiem
tyr a Uefeat7 n 1t set to the key OF Joy
or 0I sadness2 In reading the New Testament
prornlscuOusIy both are continually recognized
tne iact Of the certainty VI suffering aad q