New-York tribune., 1874-10-19
THE CHRISTIANS PERSONAL LIBERTY.

The Rev. H. B.ecer Plymouth Church (Con9regahoadp
To ANYBODY who has seen the paraphernalia
of authority-in the shape OF bue-coated policemen
which has now become a necessary outside feature OF
the services Plymouth Church. there would not
80 much yerdaucy after ALL in the remark of stranger
visiting that church for the first time week ago last
evening, who hemmed in by a pushing crowd hustled
to the right or left according as he happened to be in
somebody's way either by citizens or boiserous officers
and compelled to observe ladies treated alost un
tremendously rs himself said, "Why do they fight to
get in herei' Nobody complains OF tardy people at Mr.
Beechers church. The other extreme prevails. and
long before the clergyman steps upon his platform his
audience ready for hm-a dense mass OF people. sat
ished II they stand within sight and hearing
yery one coa see no d
inside. Capt. Bourne with his squad from tho
grand came-that when the last twang OF the
great announced that those not entitled 20 seats
at the doors. and with their arms spread
resisted the ingress of more than dozen Mt time. The
gentlemen OF ndispensably large acqnantance-the
ushers-who detect instantly the unfamiliar face, now
abandoned their OF the privileges OF the pewhod-
ers and became temporary policemen, preserving order
and occasionally varying The monotony OF the advance.
as well as shifting part OF me burden IRON ther
door" Then the soft opening notes OF the organ under
the familiar touch Of the Old organis John Zlnde who
made his rst appearance since Ms return from abroad
began Mr. Beecher entered and took his seat beside the
stand beautiful flowers ever present the line OF sing
ers composing the choir with precision, and with
the swell OF many voices the services began. -
Mr.. Beechers text was TAKEN lrom Epheshns, w., ~
"a verses, beginning: " But ye have not 50 learned
Christ" Ii IL the doctrine o. the New Testament. he
began that the knowledge OF God Is made known from
the product OF the Divine Spirit IN the human soul IL
that OF the Divine nature which shines out from
that constitutes the essential and the most precious
part of knowledge OF the Divine nature The
knowledge Of God may be regarded as external and
tona internal and experimental. There are two
causes which have and are still turning thought
more the Investigation OF the Divine nature in its
ternal aspect. TIE one in the past has been the em
bodying OF the truths the Divine nature philo
sophcal systems and teaching them IN dogmatc forms
approached the mind OF on the rational
side or the slde OF intellectual apprehension In
time the tendency is carried on and intensified.
however, by entirely different methods. VIZ by the
progress with which material physical science Is
ing the methods OF creation, and so bringing appre-
henson OF God the mind from the side OF his working
from his creative side.
Now, both OF these methods are, within certain limits
Indispensable but both OF them are absolutely incom-
petent represent tho Divine nature and that
by which God may DO made known TO ana through
made known to uien Ia ono that differs profoundly.
Without 1t there Is no substantial progress that
can DO made-I moan Internal aud experimental kpOw