New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-12
MIR. BEECHER'S FRIDAY NIGHT TALK.

| TRUE BEAUTY or CHARACTER AND SOUL DESCRIBED
THE DUTY OF CHRISTIANS TO BE BoUNTIFUL
AND CHEEaFUL-CONsCIENCE TOO OFTEN MADE
STERN AND UNiOvELY.
| The Friday night prayer meeting III the
lecture Of Plymouth Church brought together the
usual throng last evening. There was very little I'M
occupied space in the room, and so the air was almost
insriferably oppressive Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe
came in as early 7:25 D. and took seat ut the
left of the PLATFORM which, besides the PASTOR were
Deacon Howard his son, John Howard Col. Henry
| Beeciier and wife, and the Rev. Edward Beechcr.
Sitting each other at the right OF the platform were
Gen T. +. Tracy, Assistant Pastor Halliday, Henry NJ.
Cleveland and Moses Y. Beach Mrs. Beecher came in
with her husband at five minutes before eight o'clock.
Levi Hart prayed at the request OF the PASTOR In the
course OF the prayer Mr.. Hart said: Strengthen our
to bear the burdens and the heat Of the day. the
cross or the whatever they are, which thou
shouds: lay upon us, which men unknowing the will
OF God should bring upon to bear" beginning the
evenings q" talk" Mr.. Beecher said:
was brought up boy to take religion as matter
OF duty and therefore often hard as SEVERE as com
batiye and OF quality that the wora was not expected
NJ heart by saving that That was OF the signs Of
grace But Paul above all was not only enoining 1t on
with cleeriuness; they were 10 give willingly they
we're give not grudgingly; they were 10 love the
beautiful without msincerity without simuatio II IL
called without the appearance OF putting II on Tor "a
purpose they to be filled with cheerfuness they
| we've be- kind they were To be cOndcscendlng.
Now, affirm that all the great points Of Christian ex-
pcrience nrinsicaiy beautiful declare that when
we hold as commanded ~ hold all faculties,
We have the quality OF being noble fine, admirable,
beautiful; and that there IL such adaptation OF the
appr,c atiug quality in mankind that in general IL
M. said that the world do the beauty OF holt
ness | that till have debauched their moral
ure until has been substantially eXfingnshed in
them men the admirabsness Of moral qualities
and religious experience. There should he exhibition
on the part OF Christian Of such beantnlness that
men, seeing their good works, shall giOrify God in
Heaven. Not that this Ia the only tning not that this 10
the end which you must seek In this first instance al
ways but 1t is enthusiastically the moral power that Is
TO work mankind namely, Christ formed In them and
exhibited in symmetry and beauty that seeing
| Ii should glorify God and become III disciples.
Now, how much does this enter into mans thought 7
We know very well that everybody would be
glad to be handsome personally. II there is any
chance men hide the bcmsh and advance the excellence
50 far they It, We should all be glad To he hand
some should Laughter don't consider my SELF at
you all can be helped" handsome Is that handsome
you put IT, No matter how coarse the canvas IL II the
artist be sul and puts glowing col0is, the picture
is good; and he who shows kindness, sweetness OF
affection, decacy of feeling indicates how beautiful the
soul s or ought 10 b.. Grace makes you handsome II
You enough VI II and let strike not IN but out
Now, let look nj the moral elements on which men
build. Il there anythng nobcr than consclcncct And
yet you when you look ut the way in which consccn
ious people II, what hari unlovey quality II often
makes Men that yVu eaA't ban nor bend; men that