The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-13
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
Beeeher' Friday Might Talk to Talka
ing Christians.


Plymouth lecture room was crowded. as usual
last evening. Mr.. Beecher's table was adorned BY
two beautiful bouquets. After the customary
services Mr.. Beecher said There Il danger In
this time when Christians IN all churches ara
taught to labor for Christ and
am sorry to say many sacred phrases
and endearfng terms, ~ being run
around the world are becoming mere can't Words
ana the name OF Jesus think, Is In great dam
ger Of being unhallowed by the impuistve way IN
which II is continually used-'Come to Christ"
"work for Christ'-until instead Of being
name that sheds divine influence, 1t becomes
the handle OF q door, . mere latch. Now,
in time when there are organized efforts
to bring knowledge home to all persons and all
communities, organized EFFORTS to repress dtshOn.
esty, TO educate men TO truth and manllness, to Q
benencent development OF the spirit OF Christian
isy, instead OF decrease in zeal, It should be tho
duty OF every Christian man to augment the scope
OF his influence. Nevertheless, as the heart In
continually tending 70 the lower and carnat
things, 80 these very institutions by which we
deavor TO correct Christians become snares, and.
SO 1t is my duty TO put In question what may GALE
LNPERsoNAL LABOR.
The kingdom Of God Is increased not BY
means OF churches communities or Sunday
schools or books or tracts, but the Kingdom OF GOD
Is righteousness, peace JOY, sweetness gentle
ness humility. So real increase in 0 community Of
the cause OF Christ Is to DO measured BY tho In
crease Of interior disposition. II the Church -
only another organization for social purposes.
II you only spread its particular belief, there
is Just much pride, Just much cold
ness. just as much quarrelling. You may build Z
sunday school in every ward and multply asso-
Citations, and yet make no progress Tor IT IS IN tho
OF Sweet fruits Ss That tn inc GoSRel
you are not like some. some go out profession
ally, because they hired to do it;it Ia theiE
ronhingy they are those persons s Who have
found out something and condescend to tell It To
who don't feel as they do and they offend;
they don't represent the spirit OF the Gospels
Tne5 have an unwrit1an liturgy. They taiE
.Uu sSsy sna repea. The d sss' after s Ssg
They do some good, IT is to be hoped but not mpch.
and ION Work - IN VANITY Nothing " 80
bring to bear ~ yoursef-a Christian disposition,
patience, Charity: lslgeness u mind, being true
and Just and gentle and generous; that Is, IN tho
strongest testimony that we are allowed to make
and the hotels svinos On anxiety 70
have prayers In the parlor, aud look out for any
to. and press religion on the people ana do II sin-
eerely. and YET they may not be acceptable simply
1sa 1es sss sSsS % e
the master. And ! can understand how
sno'ns, very md never opening their
one VITA . sense OF their goodness. ! notice
At horticultural shows, while books have nven
you descriptions 1t ia the lruit that attracts your
attention. see the same thing in regard to new
Movers. There is a fashion IN roses and tulips:
aud you pick out the rose that 10 most beautiful
and fragrant; and II oneis religious life ID such
- to be seen BY men IT has more influence than
dispsraginr takers. when you are yourself
beautiin BY the fragrance OF the Gospel-by the
you carry that, then official duties become more
powerful; but the want Is apt to be rhis-we run
BUT WE HAVE NO WHEAT
TO grind. Keep the mills running all the Tune.
and talk, talk. talk ana after all we don't say
any thing, Tor It IS out OF the abundance OF
i the heart that the mouth speaketn, and my
exnortaton to you Is TO be useful, and, m
you are . pray 50 many times every DAY merely
say this rnat you should be such, that when per-'
understanding OF Chrstlanity. II 10 easy for you
not TO get angry a. things that don't provoke you
70 90 gentie serene in things that hurt you 1t 10
Christ-nke to be full OF goodness and charity, not
risn but what yon'ii DO good had rather have
sprig OF mignonette than CARLOAD OF sunnowers.
and 80 the fragrance Of Christ, the beauty Of
may have 1t, that wherever you 60 you shall be
EPISTLR
known OF all men. Here Mr.. Beecher gave an op-
portunity for any one to speak, and brother said
ne wished to ask question and nrst to make
simple statement. lie said in visiting town in
Kansas, he visited PRAYER meeting ana was much
struck oy their exercises; the prayers were short,
the speaking was short and the proceedings very
interesting, and in speaking to the leader alter
wards, he asked where they had learned their
style. "Why," said the man, I'VE are Brooklyn
boys; we learned it at Plymouth church."
Here were the fruits Now the question,
said he, is Ought we, when We feel that we have
not tue ability to talk try to do III II our dutyf
wen, said MI. Bcecner, 1t III becomes me 10 talk
against takers. think talKing In Tree country
is a safety valve. and people let OF Q good deal
tnat otherwise might make mischief In regard to
the spirit 1t Is different. l am always glad when
:, any one 1pds anything to aai on the subject OF
fa1,tgidGs life, bat II they have not tue git they
Christians stacked up like tfteen-inch guns In
the Navy Yard; tney are ready, but they never
average, it would be better on Both Sides but as
! for these spiritual bummers they do great deal
OF harm, stringlng text aiter text ike boys
making kitetai. The rise and fall OF kingdom,
in spiritual view, is not great as the rise and
iall of an individual and the experience and testi-
mony Of such as have been trained Tor immortal