The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-07
BEECHERs FRIDAY NIGHT TALK

The Universally OF the idea OF Com
tinuance of Existence-Shan We Know
Our Friends Herea fter !-What is Done
in Heaven-Shau We Choose the Way
To Got
Notwithstanding the inclemency Of the weather
last evening, Plymouth lecture room was well
filled. After the usual exercises Mr.. Beecher
said
The whole human family, without exception,
has developed strong desire to know something
OF the other life. From the earliest period trace
faith III the continuance OF existence, and, how.
ever imperfect, there Is that tendency in mankind
to design and believe in q hereafter, and in one
respect 1t Is The same in a-namely that tue other
life Is made up OF the best thoughts of men. II men
in lower lie described paradise 1t would be state
OF feasting and OF beauty; 1t Is the highest they
know, but as you rise the images become elevated,
Testament, men don't believe there are cities
PAVED WITH GOLD;
nevertheless. men feel the power or those images;
they arect them though they don't know why.
Think OF 1t literally, one gate made OF pearl
don't IT produce glowS Don't 1t produce a feel
ing OF unwOrdllness IN the other liieY The Chris
tan methods select this scheme they select things
men consider best and group them together and
affect the heart and reason through the magma
ton. Ii you attempt to answer The questions that
spring up you find little to answer. For instance,
every mother wants to know, "Will | know my
baby IN heavenS' will friends be what they are on
earth, and then what do they 40 there? Men don't
find time enough here, what shall we do there? So
far as the Bible Is concerned 1t looks like pralsng
CELESTIAL AND UNENDING SINGING SCHOOL,
and these questions, though not improper, we
can't answer. Look further. The idea OF heaven is
that 1t Will be everything that Is highest and best
but the impression ought not to be produced that
person going out OF lie, fun OF divine traits all
purity, and think, What Will such one find in
heaven Nothing that dehles. They meet the
JUST MEN MADE PERFECT.
If you take away all falsenood, all sin, you get
a very good idea of heaven. 1t is enough ior me
to know that In the other life every one is wiser;
the best things become common. 1t does not fol-
low that the feelings Will be the same in the other
life. There Will be the mother feeling. How? l
don't know Shall know my friend Friendship
Is imperlshabe. 1t will be a thousand times bet
grander. You can afford to let the ''howi 90 It
Is a thought That has gwen great comfort to my
know my father and motherf Shall friendships
formed here be lettI q don't believe ever formed
friendship that died OUT lam satisfied that the
essential qualities will not only exist, but be
higher no matter how. 1t is enough to know that
you viii be satisfied on every point. suppose you
friend said, "Leave this matter to me.
You can trust me. | Will attend to
.can and will do 1t, and that Is enough. Would YOU
not let him do TT And SO IN regard to the other
lie. say He that loved Inc 50 well as to give His
fed There are other questions coming up such
as DO those gone to heaven think OF us Now, it
ns Us Ve ydn 10 s e o aS IF 1aE
think 30. 1t may be poetry, butitis
BLESSED POETRY,
and harmless. 1t was part Oi the ancient Chris
tianity TO believe that the great Christians above
held communion with the ones below. Another
question 49, When we die shall we 20 Immediately
to heaven, or go TO sleep, or take Roundabout
journey, OF what Is going TO happen? Some be.
lieve That we shall lie in state OF uDconscousness
till we are all aroused TO nve IN heaven. II a man
think So let him: but say not !. 1 believe that
the souls OF Christians when they die
ENTER IMMEDIATELY INTO HEAVEN
Do you ask Inc on what ground believe thisf
say no positive ground; but the whole tenor "
the epstles implies it, in my opinion. / have one
other thought and that Is the thought OF the mode
by which we shall enter on our rest, and whether
we have right to wish 1t in one way or another.
II am SICK do interfere with Gods design be-
cause try to get we2 May go on resisting
things don't Ike and at last stops II is my
privilege to desire way; 1t Is my desire to die
suddenly-to die working up to the last minute
don't like the idea OF wasting and wasting, and
very likely shall, because don't like 1t. don't
wish TO see myself conquered by the
BATTLE OF LIFE.
don't think l am wrong. prefer the lnstanta-
neons method; but SHAH die as God pleases and
can't help myself.