The New York herald., 1874-12-12
PLYMOUTH PRAYER MEETING.
The Bridge Between Earth and Heaven,

The Bridge Between Earth and Heaven.
Plymouth lecture room was even more crowded
than usual last evening. After the usual exer-
cses Mr.. Beecher said:-It would be extraordf-
nary to say that heaven would not be so useful
when we get there as It IS while we are here; and
yet If we did say so there would be truth in it.
Whatever may be that estate and we have but
little knowledge, we are left without any doubt
that we will meet with transcendent sympathy
and compassion, that we will he In the
society Of just men made perfect, the con-
oition in which we are by moral senslbility lifted
into intimate communion with Cod In the other
life we come into connection. not with that
which Is uncnangeable, but with that which
has no relation to anything else. Now, to hold
heaven up as the antithesis OF hell, as the only
way to escape being scorched, is low, coarse. un-
cultivated idea. We think OF heaven often as
refuge for the inquietudes and disturbances OF
this life, and to certain extent II Is right, But
let US try to keep before us continually this last
rest OF tho spirit this home OF the soul. by living
in the presence OF it every day; let us
feel that we shall reach there a condition
OF true sympathy and manhood, condition that
is wholly joyful 10 the noblest associations con-
Aid 'haW the conscfodsness that we are like Him.
Live in this thought and the living WIN not De SO
every one Of US please his neghoor. Let the
piness in your neighbor for his good his permaa-
nent goods and In the constant thought OF sne .lie
to come, when we meet with s0rrows and dlmcul.
ties here. we should think not how soon snall
get over these troubles and get to heaven! DuI
how shall | bear this trial, 80 as TO De NJ ior
heavenS There Is great adherence IN tneee
states OF mind. "Noblesse obhge' 10 great
proverb Now there are great many things we
ought to do because we are beirs OF heaven. we
belong 10. the company OF the Redeemer. say Il
am the child OF heaven. sent away to school, and
am going back again soon, and when am in
Zion before God will not be found unworthy.n
Now in this life we undertake TO vindcate
our pride: we undertake to vndcate our
vanity and affection Live with this thought.
How shall I seem better to my God
how shall be deeper, sweeter, truer, purer, more
inn OF honor: how shall seek to be more q man ?
IL don't make any difference II we don't see how
1t is going to end. Children are very much inter-
ested in the building OF this bridge, ana In after
ihe great work they have done. feel strange
interest in 1t myself look at 1t every day, and
see one tower done and the other side one IS
going up. and say to myself my tower Is gone up
and can see 1t and know there Is one gong up
on the other side, though cannot see II, mate
to this, and before long there will be-
stretched across wire and l say that our s0r-
rows and trials are wires God Is stretching across
the river OF death, and shall 60 on the other side
the other side so as to determine this side.
to be patient, sweet, gentle and full OF faith SO
live as that heaven shall drop down It's views on
the barrenness oil this life. So viewing heaven lifd
Is not very hard.
After the prayer meeting there was the annua
meeting OF the church for the election ol on1cera
Tor the coming year.