New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-13
PLYMOUTH CHURCH IN TRYING TINES.

MR. BEECIIER ON THE ATTITUDE OF HIS ChukCh-
THE LOVE or THE PEOPLE FOR THEIR PASTOR
-AFFIIcrIoNs BORNE WITH patience AND
BLESSED TO THE SOCIETY.
The inevitable crowd that acends MI
Reecbcr,s public minstrations was present at his
prayer-neetng last evening The lecture room OF fy
mouth Church was filed to OVERLOOKING, and many were
upabe TO obtain seats Previous to Mr. Beechers re-
marks DR. Elward Beecher ofered prayer IN which
he sad 1--WE do not need to mention 10 lnce TIC 'a
which our pastor undergoing but In 1a'h anu love
VIC commend him to Thy care. May he stand III tue
suusbne OF Divine love and Divine light and VIII Inou
carry through this trial so it shall DO for his own
good for Thy glory and for tle welfare OF the Chuch
Make his yindcatiou as clear tue sun il the heav
ens.i
Mr. Beechers talk was largely retrospective. lie IT,
viewed the history OF his pastorate, aOd sDo"eo "o"
successfully the church had passed through iong ca
pagn of trial. He SAID, In substance; ihe Master c""
manded bis disciples to let their ignt shho 30 tha
theirs might see their good works We fad in Paul
recognition OF good qualities, when pany sno"s
he regarded praise as proper and effective moral 'n-
stru,nent This church is my child aud do not re-
hearse its history for the sake Of personal eratuato
but for higher reasons. came mere wheh tne'e was
only the shadow OF church, and nave Deen years
your pastor The church has grown up, not under
nv influence, but under the d0ctrlnal uuths
which | have preached. / have maintained
independence DOtn III INC puipit anu VI" PN"''
II has been my profound desire to have church life IN
dcpendent OF me- NJ Influence has zen 80 great that
Il was DANGEROUS for Inc TO what desired In many
cases But have never forbOrno TO express my Indg'
meDt when asked. l have never "coleagued' Win
nybody nor have had any church plans For Tue ex
aton OF manhood In Christ have labored with every
power Of soul and body.
This church was in critical times, when every right
of nan was brought into discussion Daring the slavery
nd nviu nd
contest 1t maintained no doubtful position While Ihave
preached the truths OF Bible, have also defended
the r,lts ol man Tnere never was time when col
ored could not sit In TINS church. anu yet nave
never said q word on that subject. Ii was because
preached an exalted ideal sense OF manhood Right
through slavery aud the the church kept growing
and revvals hJuiished When reconstruction was aga
tated there was 10 discord no division.
When 25 wears had elapsed | said there had never
been an occasion when had had TO call meeting OF
the deacous OF the church When ! said that bad no
idea on what an edge was standing. Then came tho
most serious intestine difficulties that any church ever
experienced In the earlier stages OF discussion there
was divided counsel. Then was Il spectator from
reasons OF dehcacy aud justice. But marked with
silent 10y the effect OF what had preached-that the
reppant power of the universe is sympathetic love.
You were animated with love for your pastor. During
the interference OF sister churches the session OF
the National Council the church maintained spirit OF
substantial unity.
Close upon those events, In order that tho church
might not bc pulled with pride, that we might not
wear one thorn but whole crown, cdmc the difficulties
OF last Summer, aud the present emergency And ]
wish to say that great distinctive doctrines have
ever been signally vndicated that by tile pres
ent conduct of the church. large amount OF nl-w,
which might have taken the form OF words, has been
estopped The church has not lost the spt Of prayer
nor mas IT self III, qleruou5, nor hasty II
| aIf. A huua azaal
through three years Of trial. without SEAM aud have
| preserved tho whole economy OF the Gospel. Ia
Won the Christian graces have become deeper,
wider aud more luminous. Your Affections have been
blessed. The Of manhood IN Cnrtst Jesus which
nave preached has kept in peace. II should die
Tomorrow IL would be without pang as TO the doc
trines which borne their fruit IN your lives Now
| the day dawns and the night has passed away The
morning shines and 10 shall not cease to SHINE unt
the san OF righteousness shall arise The same divine
! apiriJ will keep you uuto salvation III meckness ana
| hunibencss aud the love OF Christ
1907 Procsfn1s ia Bher Trial 81 Al, 9t, Gad l0i.
pIges