The New York herald., 1874-11-21
BEECHER's FRIDAY NIGHT TALK.
What Constitutes Real Orthodoxy-The
/ Conflicts and Controversies OF the

l.
Church.
| The stars came out last night Just in time 10
prevent decrease in the attendance at Ply
mouth Church prayer meeting. Mr.. Beecheris
table was ornamented with large vase OF now-
ers ana ferns. After the usua exercises Mr.
Beecher began his talk by saying:-A person who
really desires TO enter upon religious lie, II he
had given him the power OF vision. by which he
could look down on the whole Christian Church
and see the whole organization, would be led
TO iee that there was no such thing
as religion or an organized church. Organized re-
llgion presents very imperfect side OF religion
the other hand, II those refusing the organized
religion could look into the homes and see per-
sons sustained by the divine Spirit through sick
ness and death, II he could see the struggles and
combats, he would be satisfied that whatever be-
came or records or Bible there was such thing
as religion. In other words, II you look at the re-
atty, this development in
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
in the household and private religion OF llfe II
you look at the development or the power OF God
In the human soul in individual religion, l am
sure 1t can but be interpreted by the power OF
God in and among men.
Now am called on as clergyman to look into
everything and see everything, the forms OF new
thought which are transnguring theology, the
strife among men in religion. TO church dis.
pensatlons. church organizations, controversies,
conhlcts OF the philosophy OF religion ana doctrine
aud administration. ana disasters Lnat beiall
religion, and looking on the whole, don't wonder
there are infdels; wonder there are not more.
The organized side or religion, the Church. the
amount OF prde that goes into organizations. the
most palpaole development OF the lower side OF
times colors my feeling. on the other hand, the
religion OF the individual, the strife, the varied de-
ve!opment and the thousand forms OF unrecog-
nlZed experience, the contact with the thing ITSELF
settles all doubts, clears the horizon. To-day II
you look over the denominations what DO you
Convention OF New York. Look at the questions
they were veXed about; dissenslons running all
them which thes cannot escape, wDch they nave
. to adjust, which won't ADJUST themselves. LOOK
al the question among the Baptists as to
sions in our own Cnurcn; look beyond
that, at all churches; look at men who have the
are. Now, 1t is worth our while TO look back.
Read the twelfth chapter OF Corinthians. ana you
VIII find the Apostle Paul adjusting such case IN
great conflict attempting 10 subordinate one
thing 10 another. He begins IN this chapter,
mo man speaking IN the spirit OF God ealeth al I'll
fore the synagogue their form or remuneration OF
religion was that
THEY ANArHEMArIzED JESUS,
and those who believed accepted him. Now, SAYS
he, they therefore all oneg No they diverse.
The same spirit is one OF the evidences of genuine
inspiration OF God. God does not desire the same
thing IN different persons; variety is the rule OF
nature and OF grace; the manifestation OF the
ton and profit. And he says OF the quarrels about
special gllts, because one has one gift
ana another another. do you say he IS inleriors
WHAT Is more important than these things,
miracles and gilt of heangg Paul says, covet ear
nestlv the best gilt. Then comes that wondrous
chant OF ages, "Ihough nave the tongue OF men
and OF angels, and have not love, | am sound
ing brass and tink!ing cympals." And OF these
various gifts he says:-''Tnese gifts are all OF
the same ,u value; but me highest OF an
spirit of love TO God and man
coorS the whole experience, giving vitality 10
life; 1t dominates. 1t rules. Now, II you apply this
70 all forms oil Cnurcn government, all system
attic statements OF doctrine this sweet, kind, ra-
diant benefit OF the SOUL tnat spirit Is highest,
nigh priest bishop, cardinal, pope. That spirit IS
true orthodoxy double orthodoxy. Laughter.)
So II men 1--we never so oDediently, II they are
exact in observances, II they color their circum.
stances OF any particular pattern, and have not
this living spirit. all these things are good Tor
nothing. He that is most loving is nearest right
Doctrines will not be thought of In heaven; but
hope, laith, love, these Will De recognized. Now
l say, III these great conflicts he Is orthodox
whose soul Is moving in the same circle Gods soul
moves IN. The spirit IS more than the body. and
the love among Gods people is evidence OF tue
presence OF God. Let US hold fast to our faith; !;
hold last to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of
Love-