Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-10
Plymouth Church.


BRooKINN y Y, January II, 1875
Old Dr. Todd SAYS that he prefers egotisIn To
wegotism Amen so do l. Besides in what
possible sense cana single woman be called plural2
sunday morning in brooklyn is no New Eng
land sabbath Amid the noise Of the street
cars and a din little less than that Of the week
day started for Plymouth church Walking
short distance after leaving the street car over
heard two voices. masculine and feminine, be-
hind me. Feminine, " I'd rather sit up gallery"
Masculine, " I'd rather sit below Feminine, too
low To be DISTINCT Masculine, ." suppose We
should see more style up stairs, but don't care
for that" What could she have said?
Alone aud a stranger wondered If should
find seat but the Lord sent his angel before
me in the form Of a plcasant-faced lady, who
asked, as | passed up the steps, II would
like a seat and followed her to Of the pleas
ATTEST pews in the gallery for eye and ear.
The church is very plain, with an old-lashoned
gallery four sides, something like our old
brick church, only that opposite the pulpit and
above the other gallery Is second and smaller
one bearing a strong resemblance to tho little pi-
ara in the attic Of the Pavilion, on the State
street side The church looked very common
place compared with our own beautiful Bethany,
and the organ quite inferior 10 ours My unmu-
steal ear unable to judge, made the tone seem in
foror, also Turning 10 the pulpit after a brief
survey of the church, the famous preacher had
taken his seat Now, o. to study the face of
a speaker a little before hearing him, and see
what can be read there especially II he be middle
aged or past; for man cannot live 10 that age
without some record Of his life in his face But
Just as began TO look Mr Dcecher over little
very stylish bonnet moved and completely hid
him This was the second meeting that day, and
just then l had strong desire TO see the poet
sitting ON the style, but wasn't gratifed,
The sweet Church songs that fell from the lips
Of that great congregation have faded from my
mind Not so the face that lighted up with Heav-
ems own calm, still radiance, IA lie talked Of
common, everyday Christian life; Of "the heroes
Of the kitchen and Of the nursery not the
voice that grew sometimes tender aud sometimes
strong, speaking Of Jesus Of Nazareth. There Ia
no installing Heavens own stamp in one who has
long lived with and worked for God. A man can
no more pray in public without betiaying his
status in the Christian life, than he can talk on
any other subject without the same result At a
certain gathering within my knowledge, a little
accident that occurred in the neighborhood came
up. child had broken his leg. One lady asked
II both bones were broken, The reply was; {" |
believe So whcreupon another lady very limo
Gently queried, WAS the limb broken above OF
below the knee OF course that settled her
status in anatomy SO In the Christian life; most
especially so in public prayer. When Mr. Beecher
draws near and puts his hand In that Of his Savior
and talks with Him as "man talks with his
friend, II you have been there you'll know il; II
you havn't shut your mouth.
nffa..n ..lor. l...l.a n.
lies II is not in his intellect others equal or sur
pass him 1t is not in his polished pefiods-they
uIs not all polished; and still further, we hear
others who surpass him in that respect without
pelhs followed by the same effect. 1t IL not In
his manner he did many things very offensive to
he, yet forgot that was in Plymouth church
forgot that Beecher was in the world, FORGOT
everything out the theme heard nothing but the
eiahgofoi arms ON the battlefield OF life and above
alli Noice-"to him that oyer-cometh"-an
saw oniy the patience OF the saints, and Imnlan-
uel holding OUT the crown of life Yet | do moi he
leye In the nfallibility OF the Pope' Win ali dne
respect mot particle of rcyerence) Tor Intellect
and experience, II Is OF no use for the angsI 90
hre 10 lay down the correct ,cdy for peonle Of
ordinary common sense, without backing II nm nv
." thus saith the Lord. But when thus sun
ported who stand before a man? ThousanXs
hang to-day upon the words that fall from the
lips Of leecher, as once they hung on the words
Of John iluss, OF Martin Luther, of White
field, Of Wesley men Of different minds and man
ners, of different nations and ages. II the same
results follow Beechers words that followed
theirs, we may reasonably conclude that the same
cause is at work. the spirit OF God speaking
through the lips of weak men, in spite Of adverse
outward circumstances and bringing forth fruit in
the hearts and lives Of men struggling upward
TO The light. God help Us all In the same path
EvAs0ELIsE.