The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-09
PLYMOUTH PRAYER MEETING

The attendance at Plymouth prayer meeting
last evening was q very large increase over that
OF the two previous weeks, every available place
being occupied. Before the services MI. Beecher
said This has been q week set apart by the
Christian Church Tor prayer for the conversion OF
the world, and the week has been divided up and
q different topic assigned to each day; and you
will remember in your supphcatons that the sub
ject for supplcation to-day is, "The revival OF re-
ugion in our land and all lands" Brother Charles
Morton and Professor Sprague each prayed, CIV
ing the specified subject due attention.
After q hymn. Mr.. Beecher said The TWO ex-
tremes OF opinions IN respect to revtvals OF re-
ligion are alike incorrect and mischievous. There
are those on the one side who suppose that re-.
vivals OF religion are mere paroxysms OF artificial
enthusiasm by which ls meant that kind OF enthu-
siasm which gotten up by the definite application
OF visible influences, and not in any proper sense
divine; that they have no basis In philosophy
that communities are drawn up, as the sea is
by strong winds into waves that pass
away leaving things as they were before.
That is one extreme and o mistaken one. The
other is where men look on revivals the only
method OF spreading the Gospel and largely men
think OF revvals of religion after pattern OF one
In which they have engaged. regard revvals as
Just as much provided for in nature as human
nature, as society, as any other organization, be-
cause they follow from the application Of known
because 1 preach the truth and It IS
taken IN according TO the capacity OF
eacn hearer, does 1t follow that It Is not divine'
according to the minds given by Cod Is IL any less
sacred and divine because 1t aces through natural
causesf That Is an idea that has prevailed in ig
norance but cannot prevail In this day. But be-
cause these states we cali revivals OF religion are
can they contain the dlvine spirlts don't hest.
tate to say 10 any man that revivals are
so Is
desired effect Now what can be called revival Of
renglonY There are three elements:-first 1t Is
an intensihcatIon OF moral ana social feelings !;
second, 1t is emotional and moral sentiment at
work IN great many mnds-these are the two
that We can understand; third is that the minds
Of men are opened IN this way, they are brought
together in iervor common TO many, and are
open to
| In way that they are not at other times, It
seems special form OF the spirit. II you let grass
| grow untouched there IS just so much sunlight
available, but II you plough deep and expose 1t TO
the sun IL a0sOrbs five times as much sun as be-
! fore. Now there are conditions OF the human mind
in which the Divine spirit IS coordinate and works
getner there is power comes down rom on nigh
| such as you do not have at other times. This is
what understand By revivals. AS long as they are
the Oper atiOns Of the human mind-Ol the human
intelligence and conscience-they will be OF every
| degree OF excellence; they Will be OF the lowest
form and rise as mems intelligence rises. The
| lowest forms will be parOxysmal naturally. such
REVEALS are invested more or less with the excess
without afYectlng the central element These re.
vivas are not on the whole, to be desired. ana
| yet they are UNNECESSARILY better than
| LETHARGY AND UNBRLIEP.
As communities grow more and more in moral
truth all these violent and agonizinR forms OF re-
vival tend TO cease, and they become auieter.
| deeper and more erecIuai; and in the improve
ment Of the type comes an Improvement In the re.
vivas, till you come 10 an average state 80 high
that it becomes . continual revival in the Churcn
Yes, some say, That Is the style, and we won't
overcoat, well made warm, luxurious and say,
| there Is q rough roundabout or pea Jacket.
know 1t Is greatly inferior, but woulu rather
saan 9.n.r than take
cold. Therefore, say that the lowest forms,
though they have many drawbacks, are unspeak.
not O' seek SEEK qnieser msnod, BY educaon, By
We should. THIS world is whole. The
uses schools ana colleges. and all institutions.
| The Church stands among them, IL Is one OF Gods
messengers. But then why seek this wayf There
| are great many Things men can do, when under
the influence OF this common tide which at other
times could not be done at all. DO you suppose
this late great contest would have been carried on
| but Tor q sense OF patriotsm9 Who supposed that
that first gun fired al Sumter would have turned
about those VINO had been In opposition to the
South? 1t was not twenty-four hours before men
were lifted out OF their Old opinions Old Presby
terian elders who would hardly dare TO walk across
the street on Sunday, stood on the corners and
talked politics openly on sunday. Q.aughter.) We
see the advantage OF unity OF feeling; we see II IN
war, IN politics. In fashion 1t Is greater thing TO
see It IN religion: once IN wGiie inc ION, Gomm az
out Well communities need flushing once in
while and afterwards ior years the average ten
After Mr.. Beecher had finished Dr., Edward
Beecher gave q few remarks tending to show that
no man leads an individual life; that all are de-
pendent on some circle or community.