The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-09
PLYMOUTH CHURCH

Mr.. Beccher on Conversion and Chris
tian Lile-A Training school, Not o
MunifestatiOn OF Perfection.
Plymouth church was filled to its utmost CO.
pacity yesterday morning, ana many went away,
unable to find standing place where the preachers
voice could reach. IL was baby Sunday, and
number of infants were presented for baptism,
the choir chanting an appropriate sentence be-
fore the application OF the typical sprtnkling.
Alter this, with the usual prayers and sacred
songs, including the charming opening anthem,
'GOry TO God in the highest and on earth peacen
Mr. Beecher announced his text as found in He
brews, third chapter sixth and fourteenth verses,
and tenth chapter, thirty-ffth and thirty-sxth
verses-"Whose house are If we hold fast the
confidence and the rejoicing Of the hope firm unto
the end" "For we are made partakers OF Christ
II we hold the beginning Of our confidence stead
last unto the end" "Cast not away, therefore,
your confidence, which nath great recompense
OF reward. For We have need OF patience, that,
after We have done the will of God, We might receive
the promise"
Though 1t would probably never be known who
was the author of this epstle, Mr. Beecher thought
it quite apparent it was addressed to the Hebrews
at a time OF great weakness and gloom, to cheer
and support them in their attachment to the cause
OF the dead and risen Master They suffered ex.
patriation and persecution. SO, too, In every age,
Christians need encouragement and support In
their endeavor to model their lives after that OF
Christ Conversion, as change in the direction
aud tendency OF ones lie, and endeavor, not as a
perfected revolution was the theme of the dis.
course. 1t was filed with reasoning drawn from
scripture and everyday lie, with those homely and
witty illustrations which give such q charm to
the Plymouth PASTORS familiar tales He consider,
the Church and Christian ordinances as the school
IN which persons DESTROYS OF moral elevation may
train and drill themselves IN the
II - Az m nVrI ID Afvrusry
He ridlculed the idea tnat an instantaneous re-
vulsion could wholly form a Christian character
As ScbOObOy has first to be taught how to hold
his pen, then gradually and painfully how to form
each character before he can write lairly, 30 each
OF our powers must be trained in the Christian
school. Christ's followers were called disciples
scholars, learners, who endeavored to make Their
lives confOrmable to His precepts. Let none doubt
the validity OF their conversion because they do
not ind themselves perfect; do not fulfil their
ideal OF Christian lie. We buy pianos made per.
feet, and If they are imperfect we consider our.
selves cheated and require perfect instrument
But we cannot so test the genuineness Of the at
tempt TO follow christ. Men cannot be always kept
at concert pitch They try and fail, and are tempted
to DOUBT thereby. Tae Christian life is process
entered upon OF moral change into the likeness OF
the Divine Master. 10 undertake to perfect this
In Gay. in all sorts OF men, Is most ridiculous.
PERFECTION Is NOT FOR THIS EARTH
When men are perfect they are out OF place
here. Some men need bur little repairs compare
lively, and In them the change Is not apparent.
Others are like houses Quilt below the street
grade, which need to be lifted a dozen feet IN air
before they reach the level at which decent man
would keep respectable dog. We have basilar
instincts 10 be overcome, unruly passions to be
crushed. IL cannot be done at once We make
infinite mistakes. Some doubt their conversion
because they cannot pray. Others might as well
doubt because they pray too easily, like faucet,
which Will dow all day and all night If 1t be simply
opened. There are varieties in churches as in
orchestras. All should not be alike like candles.
Some doubt because they are perpleXed by doc
trlnes and interpretations OF Scripture, or even
doubt the great truths taught by the Bible.
They never doubt God and duty. Then
chr nnf cunh dnrhtn
to obscure their faith Christian LIE should be full OF
liberty, should welcome wit, humOr, Imagination,
poetry, art and music. 1t should not take the fair
trees OF the forest, hew them down, strip Off their
branches and bring them into the church four.
square sticks OF timber. 1t should preserve, I'M
fold, develop all there Is good In man; should
produce true manhood.