New-York tribune., 1874-09-07
THE WORK BEFORE PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
The Rec. Mr. Halliday Plymouth Church (CoRgreyaoaaD


The Rer HdttdIg al ftght0th kO0gItJIV"'J
Brooklyn.
The gathering in Plymouth Church yester-
day morning was very small The house not more
than third filed and the activity Of the ushers plainly
iadicated that a large part OF those present were
strangers to the place. As usual, the platform was
bright with flowers and twined about the support OF
the reading delicate, bright green creeper.
Mr. Halliday the assistant pastor, occupied the plat
FORM brief predatory remarks he gave an evidence
of the liberal spirit which has long characterized the
proceedings of the church by asking all Christians, OF
whatever name or whether OF at all" to par
take OF the Sacrament.
In his prayer Mr. Halliday said We bless Thee,
Cod that not been left here to bring shame aud
grief upon friends, and deepest upon our
own souls Be not alone with us as we gather
here to-day, but with brethren absent from u.s. Re
member especially this morning our absent PASTOR
Bless Thy to-day. Bless his preaching
on the mount May many return TO the city
from the Summer resorts renewed In love oi
God. Keep our pastor in all his absence, protect him
from all harm, building him up nightly, ana III Ihlne
good time bring him back to Us here 10 De oiess
ing to this city, to ms. aud to the great world We asK
upon his family also the riches OF Thy blessing Ihou
knowest how our hearts gather about them Ihe L'id
bless them and keep them" ar
MI Halliday took his text Nehemiah, vi, 3: II anl
doing great work, so thatl cannot come down why
sSoud tho work cease whe eaVe IL ana ana eone % 1 ~
take these your watchwords Ii every man, II every
their proper place and work IN building up Gods king
dom In tie world, and be as thoroughly mped Win tIe
text as Nehemiah, how quickly ana grandly the wa,is
would 1t has seemed to that the words OF the
text peculiarly fitting to US at this period OF our MS
tory God has committed 10 This people great work 70
perform. BY the providence OF God we
have had cOnspicuity allotted TO US tnot
allotted many societies. In this house OF the Lord TO-
dsy aud presence Of the supperable OF the cru
cited and risen Christ let us pledge ourselves TO
hearty honest OF the relations sustain 10
Christ aud His kingdom on the earth Our notoriety.
which been augmented through all these years has
come through the teachings OF the pastor mainly But
sangune or enthusiastic that they VIII Dot
admit has been Gods spirit IN the utterance OF
divine truth fsom this pulpit for seven ana
twenty years which has made Plymouth Chureh
stand out couspcuously in this and other
| nations. How thankful may We be- Christian
brethren that God has given TO us such teacher such
leader one SO capable Of instrucng. and who is
loved aud hOnored by many and many thousands the
world over We have by his teaching reached better
aud higher Christian life have felt thought
that the pastor thoroughly respected and loved
Familiar with many past0rates critically noticing many
Others the pride OF the church for Its pastor Is more
than | remember 70 have seen elsewhere for the
more than years through which can look back do
speak what hear but from what see IN my
past nine years, during which than 1900 visits
have been made. While they have been true
and loyal while they have been unyieldlng
in their confidence 10 their loved and cherished
pastor. / constrained again 10 ask whether the
breach 10 tie wall between you and him Is finished
All may well ask have they prayed for the pastor with
ervor which the interest Involved In his ministry
required Have you not neglected this much 10 ask
dspossess myself Of the idea there
Vailing among the notion that Mr. Beecher was 80
thoroughly armed 80 strong that he hardly needed
prayer that he could his broad shoulders ali
his own perpe exties and his peoples too.
We have had new and grand experience toward the
pastor in the few months just passed. Have you not
had recently baptism OF sympathy toward him never
experienced before II there a consciousness OF neg
the duty of prayer for the pastor let the earnest
honest determination OF every one OF be todsy that
will rise and plead.
We believe that the pastor is to retnrn to us TO be more
of blessing TO and to the world than before
The only thipg on which such hope can be integentY