The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-24
PLYMOUTH PRAYER MEETING.

Last night for thu FIRST time Mr.. Beecher gave
his platform Tor the accommodation OF the multi
tude. row OF cnalrs extended across the plat
form behind his char, which were mostly nIled
by members OF the church, while on the other
side OF the table Edward Beecner sat. The doors
on the orange street side OF the churcn were kept
open all the evening ana settees were placed
outside In the nan, and then many had to
stand. Mr. Beecher opened the meeting by prayer
himself Toward the last he said oh, God. con-
tinue, as We know Thou wllt. in Thy goodness 10
US. We pray that men may learn 70 trust Thee,
not TO SIN, but to help them from SHINING We
pray that we may be delivered from all merely hui
man feelings and tnat we may come into the Chris
tian lie ana brotherhood. Grant thy presence with
US tonight: may we demean ourselves as children
Of God. We thank Thee Tor what Thou hast been
to THIS church. We rejoice TO ask that not
one burden less be LAID upon us, but
we ask, how they snail profit usf We make sure
OF the promise that we shall ind rest TO our souls,
we have found IT. May we grow more aud more
in submission; may we press forward toward that
blessed LIE where all things need.ul shall be inter-
preted.
Alter another prayer, by his brother Edward,
Mr.. Beecher began his remarks: lit is curious to
observe how such man as Paul looked at things
familiar 60 US. don't suppose any man could go
TO Athens md look al tne Acropos-a az that sIruc-
ture representing the highest art OF that nation
without poetlcal feelings, or the beautiful.
We know Paul was there, and We know perfectly
Wen, from other sources, what the glory OF tnat
city was at that time but you cannot find a single
word OF the apostle that would lead you to think
he saw anything beautiful in architecture or
painting Notwithstanding he uses
ARCHITECTURAL ILLUSTRATIONS
constantly. When Paul went into 8 temple ne
thought about It's foundations underground, look
ing at it with a Contractors eye-not as regards
money; but he thought OF the substruc-
ture, or the long process, ana he uses
these words ito Dulld.w He thought OF the way in
which the temple was built, little by little. You
might say, this Is low form Of view; you might
say, he was rough spiritual Jew, but had no eye
Tor beauty. But he hado an exquisite sense OF
beauty, profound sense OF nature; but 1t was
the beauty or the human soul, ana nature as de-
veloped IN man. You recolect he says, Il have
laid the foundations, other men build thereon
Did you ever stop TO see men laying loundatlons2
Did you ever stop with the vulgar throng in New
York and IooA down thirty or forty feet
and see men snovelng and digging ana
LAYING In stones lar out OF signt, except 90 some
curious old minister Ike me DID You ever THINK
what lt was 10 be tonemaSon, not one Jnat puts
on the qutrligigs that every one can see out one
VINO worGs weeks before anybody can see MIN or
he can see anybody what comfort Is there As
as he gets TO the surface, some one else puts
the top on, and he goes to another place, down
thirty ieet again. TO lay foundations. 1 have
watched such operations with great deal OF in
terest and have come TO tue conclusion that the
lie has a sort OF cnarm In it; it brings the
wages and the wages bring all the things for the
little giris and boys, and Paul saws, Paul the only
educated man among the apostles, Paul the
proudest man living in Palestine by nature Paul,
VINO said he ACCOUNTED himself not less tnan the
chleest. sad:--"l have chosen to Law foundations.
other men build. 60 TO cities where no one has
been before me, take all the labor and care aud
importantly. bring together humble folks and
ate them with a sense OF Uars; lay he iounda-
ton and as soon as they get where they canstand
will go away ana let others build above tue sur
face.n There are hundreds OF men willing to
BUILD ABOVE GROUND,
but not many IKE to build below. understand
thls very well. In my-let me think. 1 have
lately been catechlsed 50 mucn that don't dare
make anything of q statement without thinking
1 think 10 was nv second or third year In Indian
apolls-I came nome rom Terre Haute, wnere
had been TO revival We had never MAD
one. l came home Saturday night and preached
sunday morning . sermon OF encouragement,
and IN the evening gave an account or tue re-
ylVal In Ierre Haute. aud remember / said, II
am going 10 p,eacn every nlgnt.n l was All
aglow, and Monday night found the lecture room
two-thlrds iuL IL was little discouragtng, but l
VINO might wish 10 converse VITA me on tneir
spiritual condition, and not one renamed. Tues
day night two servant Girls renamed. Their
clothes smelt as though they were hung In
the pantry or Kitchen. When went down, |
am sorry tD be obliged 10 confess, | FELT
the risings OF pride aud lett hike saying, "lil
see you some other time; ~ but | had hardly
thought IL Wnen | felt rush. i had q sort OF
Pentec0stal season. and thought, Is there a soul
on eartn so low that should dlsdaIn 20 bring 1t
20 CHRISTI ana talked win them earnestly. and
they were converted, and 1t went on TIL there
were two or three hundred converted. 1 know
wnat IL is to feel price and vanity. have both.
in that Keeling OF Revision and the alter feeling
OF more than willingness have an understanding
OF what Paul says. / am willing 10 do everything
In season and out OF season. out OF myself; but
prefer 90 do what NOBODY else Will do. DO not
think OF what people Will say, but think OF what
Christ says:-.lnasmuch as ye do 1t unto the
least OF THESE my brethren, ye DO 10 unto MEL
Don't ask what IS best Tor me Don't ask your
pride. Ask your saviour, and by the power OF
the loving Christ make everything that DelaIs
yUu sweet aud pleasant.