New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-15
CHARITY IN JUDGING.
tn. Rev. Henry Ward Beecher al Plymouth Church.

The familiar text, "Judge not, that we be not
judged" clearly explained and sirdily applied to
common life by Mr.. Beecher yesterday at Plymouth
Church. Prelimnarily, he defined the Specification of
the words in the text meaning the habit Of seeing In
men faults rather than the forming Of conclusive
comprehensive estimate Of all their excelelces, and
regard of their actions in view of all the influences
brought bear upon them at the time In short the
word Judging" here used in the sense OF treating
men as if they your antagonists. 1t was an un-
true, unjust, partial. and unlovng criticism upon our
fellowmen, made without consideration Of their cir
cumstances
This command said Mr. Beecher, does not point to a
formal regulating process which is oftentimes indspen-
sable the affairs OF We called to discrim
between public good and evil truth and falsehood,
/ 1t would be spurious charity which would confound
and se s Of IS G
In 10 that that man is Praising me- IL man is
charity for H. Is only borrowing. We have a
right to look at things ashey are and IN dealing with
extent also OF antecedent disposition. The safety
OF your affairs and of those committed to your
charge demands just and careful judgment OF men.
So then should not commit trusts to untrustworthy
men, 1t would not be safe to put men upon the bench
for the impartial administrator OF justice who are par
tal and unfair themselves You must OF course dis
t1e hn from 10 inc IN
man. We all children OF God. and all possessed OF
common sinulness, and all have common depend
on the Divine forglyeness for lie and liberty 1t
Y
occupy ourselves in raking up every hand and at
opportunity those things which are common TO us
II there should spring forth in any hospital dspos-
ton OF criticism, and men with fevers should gibe men
themselves 10y pointing with ulcers and
sores. would represent the Church Of Christ Laugh
grounds. All OF them together in hospital, and all
subject to ailments THIS whole tendency springs. not
of That which is animal You will take notice that there
are many qualities that indispensable In the lower
hDha nf yi.f-
ence become positive wees. As men develop out OF
the animal conditions it takes away that necessity and
1t takes away and the tendency TO judge has
y There men who crticise wlthOu: any particular
good IN view 1t may be true but that don't Justify
unless with that VIII stand The test of the udg
seat o. has eSs ana whv sh
they be dragged out unless there be some hope OF rec
Tying the wrongt You say ~ Is your auty 70 hgna weak
you will find trouble enough there to keep you occupied
all the rest OF your life lLiaghter On, ,o .rs
always looking about to detect it. II you say man did
oft" They, Ike eeches, suck the blood of every
they IN contact with We are all in the warfare,
struggling in society There is one class OF men, thank
God, that at least working towards high and holy
eDd-not perfect, but searching after perfection. I
think more of good nature than do Of many of the
Christian graces aud In that follow my Master There
are many that are seeking good assiduousy that
they do not mep at pl but those that Just get
50 God as 10 walk on other mems heads full
Of uncbartableness. Honor all men. The poorest
every natureeven the lowes-that when unfoIded,
shall shine star. Outward grandeur is not TO be-,
monest nature. because God is behind him The rich
mines Of California are not to be judged by what has
been taken out but by what their developments promise
for the future aud Is precisely with Men
born sent through the world seeds The best
seeds do not always come out the best You cannot
measure their natures aud you must not assume to
judge them have seldom seen half dozen persons
gathered together In whose hearing tae-bearings
scandal were not observed How far from being
ps a in on inns SO o apa
nant principle but absolutely hateful to natures
arc that the Of parents in the
cases their children is more nearly the correct judg
may be born with severe and kindly nature, whose
right actions as easy and natural for him as walking
aIneDt which is always leading him down, whose life is
continual struggle against the wees and evils OF bis DIS
with any kind Of fairness Persons in perfect health
are frequently unjust IN their treatment and Judgment
to work, aud the natural cry is "Oh they
idlers!" man who has blood making Frame aud
by using his energies, while another may have the
forces Of life feeble, and he cannot rush through fe
weak and the worst place for sucn Is among the Yam
KEGS, who all energy and "rush." and who think
"shack" Upon my word, had rather he In an Italian
dungeon than in New England poor house Laughter
condemn those who have not the qualities Of good
ness a ssse oSers ,n ha envy OF
There Is good field for applying this subject In the
churches There Is no denomination perhaps that Ia:
Is better expressed than In another and II leads
haable judgment their part Churches have gradu
ally separated this until they look like checker
The old spirit not yet dead and the churches
are even arrogetDg to themselves the right
" Judge and 10 condemn. The spirit that exists
gazed Christianity looking out into heword Is not far
different from the sprt which animated the Pharisees,
for they substantially unsympathetic with the
great Ouside class making distinction not founded
positive excellence but on the sense OF being
themselves and they further from God. This IL che
most position for TO take. man who
sricy honest and truthful does not srrogae anything
10 himself whrn hs says, 81 am not dishonest or
untruthful," but IL II dangerous thing for bodies
of men like tho denominations throughout our land and
world, mDgliUg as thoy 10 r.tA ucD very low In tho