The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-02
BROOKLYN CHURCHES.
PLYMOUTH CHURCH

PLYMOUTH CHURCH
Sight and Faitn-The Imagination,
| Aided by the Comforter, the True Ex-
pOnent OF Moral Truth.
Mr.. Beecher appeared ON his platform yesterday
| morning, showing no traces OF unusual fatigue
alter his week OF lectures and travel Plymouth
! church was full, the cold not suf1lclng to Keep
| away either the regular attendants or the
strangers who occupy the free aisle seats and sup
Elementary chairs which, with the pews, fill all the
| space in the great barnlike edldce. After noble
anthem in which Miss Dunphy, the new alto, sung
a sweet solo, the pastor read mis- usual notices,
with remarks, which, If not so intended, brought
I general smiles and put the audience In good
| hunor His text was from John xvi. Tt Is ex-
pedient for you that go away, for II 90 not from
you the Comforter will not come unto you" The
last scenes of our Lord on earth DEFY expression,
and HIS latest teachings especially, as recorded by
John, are so full OF the upper realm to which lie
was so to return that they are with difficulty
understood. even II they be ever SO perfectly ap-
pretended. His soul shOne so brightly through His
discourse that even its hight obscures by dazzling
our weak vision. Johns record OF the last days OF
his Master, the supper, the betrayal and the
crucifxion, full of love as TO be I'M
equalled in all the literature OF the AFFECTIONS.
There Is so much OF love- OF elevation, Of inspra-
LUu ttuucIucSs, VI ScuIc tIuthS WulcH boueu WIG
human soul so pOtently, as nothing else we know
can do AS children in noble orchard can only
taste the windfalls, beng so small and the fruit
laden trees so high so is IL only through expert
ences of moral excellence beyond the ordinary
range that one can interpret the sayings which IN
those last days Tell from the lips OF the Divine
saviour. When we come to the history OF the
forty days know not yet how to read these utter
anees OF supreme wisdom
WAIT AND HOPE
for the spiritual revelation. He must leave. lie
tector ' their inIalIlble guide Among His chosen
band OF disciples everything rebelled against 1t,
yet He a M is Hexpedentm 1t b Is for yG s
been pondered ny all. Some spell out sufficient
seen, touched or heard our Lord speaking the
words OF light and life, witnessed His wonderful
works, we should have more readily and more
firmly believed. We could then more heartily say,
I IL know that my Redeemer liveth." That the
truths OF revelation would have made more last
ing and distinct impression on the mind. lts
belief would have been 80 strong as to DEFY
sceptcism IN the Church circle at Jerusalem.
truth would have been avoided. Perfect unity
would have regDe sao in the church;
W H1ene have veu been taught directly by
the Master. We should have had no doubts,
but have known the exact truth, and the Bible
would not have furnished weapons Tor its believers
to fight each other wlthal. Men OF equal wisdom
and piety would not then have been divided IN
opinion and held varying and contradictory tenets
while the Lord was at hand TO solve all doubts, to
settle all disputes. How, then, can it be that there
is variance of belief IN the Church OF the Vcegerent
of God on earth2
IS IT DESIRABLE TO HAVE UNITY OF BELIEF?
Yes, in the sense the Master used the phrase, not
in mans sense IL would be no Improvement II all
the worlds minds and opinions were moulded eX-
actly alike, like cakes on u bakers counter. The
idea of absolute agreement among men in matters
OF belief OPINION is but an illusion dancing in an
air of sorcery. Men may think II Christ were stll
living in Jerusalem we would nave an doubts ana
questions autnOrtatively solved, so there could be
no variance. How was IL during His life on earth2
Even among His twelve apostles there were dissen-
SONS, dlsputngS and JeaousleS. Had Christ re-
NAMED He would have been
EITHER A MIRACLE OR A MONSTER.
A man 1000 years Old would grow entirely away
from men, or If His youth were constantly renewed
He would lose the nature OF man. Living here He
was subject to bodily conditions. His superior
nature was in bondage while He dwelt IN the mesh.
From His infinite condition for our sakes lie sub.
mtted to be imprisoned within the limitations of
conditions. Is it best that the Head of the Church
should lie forever in prison? The infinite
spirit under such conditions would be hampered,
manacled. TO make mission TO atone Tor our
sins Is one thing; to remain permanently here an
other. Even had the Lord remained only few on
earth could have seen Him. Great natural currents
may bring the oceans waters from the tropics to
visit the pole, which man can never find, but only
an Insignificant share Of mankind could enjoy the
privilege OF seeing the Lord were lie permanently at
Jerusalem. Even II you could see Him 1t Is not GER
tain you would believe. Did not the Lords iOl-
lowers in Judea doubt?
SAVED BY FAITH, NOT SIGHT,
is the teaching OF the Holy Word only by faith and
|
ers powerful in truth. All knowledge comes not
by the senses The true Christian has his moral
sense illumined by the direct assistance OF the
Holy Ghost acting upon his moral element, by faith
lifting him to higher plane and nobler sphere.
What is the design OF lie Are we born here with
all the elements OF grace simply to be perfected by
a life OF harmony, and then be carried to another
life Instead we are hurled into this eartn like
the soil thrown from plt-rough, nnsiehtly, i'm
perfect. We grow by labor, by experience. re-
sponsibility. To be OF value men must earn
their growth. They are not made like
a makes vessels q
pint to be pint and quart to
ever remain a quart. Men are made at zero, to
grow by their own eXertiOnS-n0t born furnished
with house and clothing and a table served by
AIRY messengers, While they have nothing 10 do
born into world Of benches OF anvi!s, Of tools TO
work withal. and they are to
WORK OUT THEIR OWN SALVATION.
II Christ were in Jerusalem we should have no
better Church. we don't want the unity OF stereo.
typed men. We have men who never dispute
IN the graveyard There might as well all be who
90 not inquire and endeavor alter the truth-men
content with just SO many articles, who must
follow just SO many rules ike machines, WITHOUT
individuality, pigmies, hOmunculi, not men, The
disciples did not hold one opinion. Even Peter
could not understand the teaching Of Christ, but
ton OF the Jews. There are some truths which are
not susceptible OF proof unless they be enter
tanned by minds susceptible to their influence.
Moral truth can only be appreciated by those
who appreciate moral ideas. Truth. to be
susceptible OF absolute proof must be as low as our
physical constitution. No two men see or hear
exactly alike, nor can two men have exactly the
same knowledge of spiritual truth which cannot
be tested by figures. only dead men or wooden
headed men see all alike. Blessed be variety Of
belief, honestly entertained and taken in love.
With Jesus IN heaven He Is near to every believer
and ready to help all. Imagination, aided by the
Comforter, is better enlightener in the truth
than the senses. BY 1t we gain knowledge OF In
visible things The senses create idols, whether
unsghtly stocks, Apollo, the Bible, crowned
church. The necessity to see Christ by the imagl-
tanity. 1t was necessary that our Master should
go before the comforter. the Holy Ghost, could
Christ How near is death! Your friends have
gone home. Lost, but not lost. They are with
Christ You go soon to them and to Him VINO
hath redeemed you. Welcome those gray hairs
and signs OF failing life; welcome infirmity. You
are not far away from home. Hope, trust that ere
long you may be with Christ
SEVENTH AVENUE METHODIST EPISCOPAL
CHURCH.
Sermon by DR.. Wild on Hating Between