The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-13
PLYMOUTH PRAYER MEETING.

REHEARSAL OF THE WORKS OF PLYMOUTH
CHURCH DURING THE LAST TWENTY-FIVE
YEARS
Every available place was occupied at Ply.
mouth prayer meeting last evening long
before the time OF tho meeting, and stand
ing room was eagerly sought aud held through
the entire service By the fortunate few who
could obtain 1t. After prayers BY Brothers Daven.
port and Edward Beecher. Mr.. Beecher sald:-
When our Master commanded HIS people to let
their light shine 80 that men should see their
good works, suppose the apostles were giving
TO US an example OF their interpre lation OF It's
meaning when, mentioning different churches
that had sprung up, they reherased to them their
good works and the signal qualities or church life
developed in them. For you will ind In the writ
ings OF Paul that he recognized good works and
good men, which shows how much be thought
was gained by announcement; BY q recognition
OF good.
think the rigorous habit Of thought which
sprang up among the Puritans has taken away. to
o large extent, that quality. think the moro
natural life which broke out In the Methodist
church, though IN the extreme often, was more
apostolic. That great rigor, that sefcondemna-
ton. the intensity with which they carried out
their religion In New England, think its spirit
was IN the extreme and led away from Goo.
am going to make In regard to this church. This
church Is. ! may say. my child, have been so
the Years OF discretion here. II am ever to come
tolt. do not repeat any thing for personal con.
graduation; but want to point out some things
Tor the encouragement OF your future lite.'
1came here when as yet there was nothing OF
II there was shadow OF q church gathered to-
getner, put that was all, and from that day gong
ON TO twenty-eleht years have been your pastor,
and wish TO say that this church has grown up
not with my personal influence much as the
Understanding OF the great doctrinal truths Ihave
preached among you, and, therefore, We are our
OF the character OF the truths preach. cali YOU
to witness white have forbidden and made IL
almost impossible ior any one to touch me or med
die IN my pulpit, while l have most jealousy
maintained
MY PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE,
In my proclamation OF the truth as God gave It to
me. yet have maintained most profound de-
sire that they should have Christian lie among
studiously avoided medollng with the liberties Of
THIS Church, except to enforce them | have
Wnen have Wused any tnr paSs
my own. have never sought to interfere in
any movement Of the Church In any special way.
sucn weight that 1t would be dangerous for me to
intimate what desire, ana have gone to an ex-
IRENE o! abstracting myself IRON the Church. l
do not mean IL to oe understood that when con.
suited by a committee have loroorne to give
moderate expression Of my judgment. 1 have never
coleagued with anybody-never had any chur ch
plans Or projects. Ny simple aim Is to Develop
higher staodard OF Christian manhood, and lor
that have abored IN season and out OF season.
not without naws, not without SIN, but, as God Is
q ne and
the Church, mas been my am Our lot fell IN
a. critical time time IN the worlds history,
In debate. allude to the great transition,
now happily competed, Of nation holding
burden. And during that time this Church main
tanned no doubtful posluon. was not a lazy
tanned BY far the greater proportion OF my preach.
ing. still IN proper manner l maintained the
rights o. persons Inere never was time when a
colored person could not sit IN my churcn II he
were Clearly dressed, and yet never spoke to
you one single word on tins subject, at a time
recognize as the reason OF this that my preaching
had exalted their
IDEAL SENSE OF MANHOOD
in my congregation. The value OF man As . crea-
ture OF God redeemed by Jesus Cnrlst going to
the Judgment seat with you and TO be forever
nothing here, he might be priest or king before
Goa. THIS exaltaton OF man was slow and power.
leaven that they never rejected coored people
wnen they could not 60 to the theatre
because drummed up this congregation as an
abohtlonist society," but because my preaching
they lelt ike dealing tenderly with all men. and
right through the war the Church went steadily.
part in that concs that history win not Saq to
record in large measure the Church made itself
ielt IN that conflict not because we blew our
q that truth. that God had MADE man IN
His image and that above all things
pleted we went through all that followed without
dissenslon and held together firmly, and when
twenty-five years had elapsed THINK said ma
there had not been mucn division and trouble
as to require me to call the deacons, as com.
mittee, together. Well had not the least idea on
the edge Vi what was Standing when | made
on the eoge OF the most serious intestine
labor that ever came into any church, allude to
the council and committee, and l say in that 1
was spectator, because when any charge was
ana SAID. although am chairman of that CON-
mlttee, l Will never attend meeting in which
would use no personal influence Whatever; /
cnurcn. tAppause. which MIR. Beecner quickly
night Tor your enthusiasm. / am speaking lor the
vlndlcatlon OF the truth l have preached among
you; and so, wnen the church was brought into
That great difculty, notice with jov the effect OF
the grea. truth and divine love which have char
ELEMENT " sSeoogy snas the e ds
tnctvc element OF Christianity was love tnat
never iailetn, that enduretn all Things. And so,
looking at the wave which slowly came up, |
looked to see how the ship would carry her.
sell, and she went through oravey. Tnen
There is nothing so provocative OF untemper IN
human nature as the interference OF persons who
did not reap small crops or anger, but / wili say
this church maintained itself In consistent split
we Sen he
IN letters severer than l shall put together
and the church did not attempt to revenge
ITSELF put put its trust and vindlcation IN the
hands OF God and then following close came trials
OF last summer, and out oil tnat into the present
emergency.
And say the great doctrinal preaching In this
church can be INDICATED by the conduct OF the
not come to pass by any effort OF mine, but be-
cause have preached such view OF Jesus Cnrst,
and to-day ieel, II ! should die tomorrow, |
could die without fear as to the
DOCTRINES OF THIS CHURCH.
They have been INDICATED as doctrines seldom
are, AMI so as the day dawns ana the night
passes away, for the morning star 10 showing on
the horizon, and VIII not cease TO shine till the
sun oil righteousness rises. l believe the same
divine spirit VIII hep you unto salvation in meek
ness and sweetness and gentleness In all fruitful
ness, through the love OF Jesus Unrlst.
THE REVIVAL IN LONDON.