The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-23
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
MIR. Beecher ON Salvation by Hope-H,
Criticises the Everlasting Preaching O
Eternal FOreOrdained Damnat

MIR. Beecher ON Salvation by Hope-He
Criticises the Everlasting Preaching OF
Eternal Foreordained Damnation.
There was no spare room In the Orange street
conventcle yesterday morning. Hooper was the
subject of Mr.. Beecher's discourse, and his i'm.
mense auditory sympathiZed with him in the
hopeful aspect. not only OF the near, but Of the
ultimate future. So at one point in his sermon he
was greeted by hearty outburst of applause, not
tumultuous or rowdyisn, but sharp, decisive ex-
preston OF appreciation, manifested by vigorous
capplng of hands and mild use of canes and
bootheels upon the carpeted nOOrs In spite OF
the possible nfraction OF Congregational canons it
was evident the champion OF religious freedom
was not displeased with the demonstration which
he acknowledged, not with stage bow to be sure,
but by witty remark which appeared to court
the attention OF the coming National Conference,
which is intended to sit In judgment upon the
regularity OF Plymouth discipline. After invoking
the Divine blessing upon the deliberations OF the
conference in his prayer, and having said in his
weekly announcements that it was called to con-
suit upon church matters, but instructed to con-
slider the aiairs of Plymouth church, which had de-
cined the invitation OF two Brooklyn churches to
join in calling it, but held itself ready to meet as
should be proper any action Of the council ITSELF
MIR. Beecner read his text Romans viii, "a and
25-"For we are saved by nope, but hope that is
seen is not hope; for what man seeth why
doth he yet hope for9 But If we hope Tor
that we see not then do we with pa
in the New Testament to be saved by Christ some.
times by faith, ana here hope Is named as the
means OF salvation. This, though expressive OF
variety, is no real variance In the statement. They
all contain the same thOught-all look with conf
forward as the New Testament-so directs our
minds to the development and perfection which IL
promises. Hope carries with 1t to the soul all that
I'M halvn orr nA nj cor nlan
The view OF the future, Deaming with joyful expec-
tation, IS hope. BY hope are we saved. 1t looks
gloom and acerbty and fear. but with happiness
at the escape from the limitations and hlndrances
and present as source OF knowledge ana occa-
sion OF duty, but looks on the future Tor our true
season Of happiness. 1t is as the dews Of
not born at our full power. We have
our elements OF weakness. OF mperfectiOn and
sinfulness, even In those who endeavOr to lead
Christian ves as clouds that will at last open and
disclose better condition. ! would ike to see
oaKs as AS WITH
things ye are" But they grow in hope. II they
are not well grown 1 remember when they were
''YoU HAVE IN You TO GROW
TIL you may shelter men under your shaoe." The
toughen them by their rude blows. My SHRUBS
seem insignificant wnen contrast them with Ing
lisn oak and Austrian pines on the mountain side,
or the towering ash. But when tree Is finished
you cannot nurse 1t. SO with men ana women.
Mems true nature Is to be known by their
eDding-not their first stages Of growth
ana development. Hope is what men want
to lead them In tine way OF spiritual
growth. SO is faith. They are golden cords ond
Ing us to the serene future. Hope sanctifes the
present to the uses OF the future. Hope gives US
courage. Years are required TO form an aOle gen.
eral so soldier OF God who fights against prin-
clpalitles and powers OF the air needs long expe-
renee, cheered by nope. God meant we should
develop slowly, and HIS spirit is leading US for
ward. Any presen Lati0n OF the Gospel and mans
destiny which has not cheerful forelOok Is q
cruel mistake. To make the way OF salvation hard
and gloomy Is contrary the spirit OF Gods Word
No Just man teaches the bard tenets OF predes-
tined, inevitable. eternal damnation. cruel as q
lions paw holding mouse, from which there Is
no escape ana calls that good news That's a
grim joke. Fore0rdaned to eternal damnati0n,
and held still responsible Tor actual transRres-
siOn 10 say mat such doctrine OF relentless fate
is taught by Gods Word Egypt, with her grim
deites and Greece and Rome, with aveng1ng furies
had more human theoi0gies than that. You 20 to
man imprisoned and say, IL have good news"
what Is IT. Am l releasedY Have i new
trial ~ mo; you are to be
CUT INTO INCH PIECES,
and your children are to stand by TO rejoice over
IT, so we were to be the angels in heaveD-were
to be dellRhted spectators OF the tOrments OF the
damned In hell. MOnstrous doctrine. The Devil
could have preached that. Any presentation OF
Christianity does not show 1t balmY to the soul