, 1875-03-15
PLYMOUTH PRAYER.MEETlNC.
bvccuEh'a rAf,r

The Inevitable crowt1 tl,at attends Mt. Dcbcfl-
crs public nainfstra1iops was present at hla
prayor-meeting lag! evening. D'e lecturo-room
Of Plymouth Church WAS filled to ovoraowing,
md mapy were uuablo TO obtain Heate. Previous
to a{r, Doechet'I remarks, Dr.. Edward Ecccher
offered = prayer, In which fio Gail. ave do not
need 10 nanttou to Theo tho trial Which our pas
tor ia undergoing, but In faith and love NO COM
mend him to Thy caro-. Nay ho stand IN the
sunshine Of Diylne love and Divine light, and
wilt Thou carry through this trial 80 that 1t shall
10 for bis Owl good for Thy glory. aod for tho
wslfaro of tho Church. Make hia viadication IA
ciaar a. tho sun 10 tho heavens"
Alr. I;acchet's talk mas largely retrospective.
1Io roNowcd tho history OF his pastosato, nal
showed how successfully tho Chnruh hEd pasaotl
through u 1pnS eauapaign OF tsia!. Ae aasd In
eubslanco Tho MastAs coinfoauds His disciples
to lot tileir light shiae 50 tat otiiorH nslt see
Of good qualities, which psainly ahows that ho
regarded praise ~ q proper aud cnoo:na1 moral
instrument. Thin.G n.Ghufch is ny child. aud Do
not tohenrso its history for tho sake OF personal
lore when thsro waa only tho shadow Of
church. and haYo boon twsuty-Eoven yoars
your paHtor. Tho church has grown up, not
uuder my Influence, but nnder tho doetEInal
Cd Independence both In. tho pulpit aud tie
pows. II Inns bosn mY profound desire to have
i church. lilo independent Of mo. LILY Influence
hBa boon 81 great that 1t Was dangerous for mo
to chow what dcalIea In nAuy cagcs. But
hago never foIborne to cxproas. my Judgment
when asked. I have uever :" colloagued with
anYhodx. nor baya had any church plans. For
tbs c1A!tation OF mnnhood iu Christ have
lahored With every power Of soul and body.
This church was set In critical nmes, when
every tight or min Haa brought into Discussion
During tho slavery contest tho church Was largo
and gsuwiug, aud II that content 1t maintained
no doubtful position. Wbic hayo prnschea
tLo truths OF the Bible nayo alAo defandod tho
rights OF man. Thcro nnssr was n ti1ue when .
colored person could not SIT tn thsa church, and
yet have noycr sald word on that subject. It
was because preached ut oxaated ideal sense Of
manhood. Right through slavery .anl tho War
TIN church kept growing aud rovtgala ilonElshcd.
Wklcn reconstruction wRs asttated thero wRB no
dt4cora, no division.
When twonsy-iro yoars Ind elapsod, I said
thoro had neycr beon au occaHion when hadl
had to call mectin. Of the Doacons Of the
church. When aasd that had no iaea on w1,at
| M ctIge was BtatdinR, Then camo thu most
intestine tlifloultlos that any church over oxpe'
roueod. In tho earlier stages Of dlssuason raa
sh0'G spsesatos sss aso from s'q qeasons os doese
and Justice. But marked With atlonl
| Joy the ofToct Of what had prescllct
that the rcgnant power Of thu universe y
| for your pastor. During tho interference ol
slgter churches. and tho seaRtou OF tho Nationa
Council, tho church msintained q sptsit Of ano
| stanktA unity.
Closo upon those events, in osdor that tht
church might not be pnffod up with ps.de. tLa1
VIC might not wear ono thorn bnt "liol0 crown
came tho difficulties Of last Hunluler, aud tht
present emergency. And Wish TO ray that ou'
great distinctive doctrines havo nnSor neel NOR
stgnally vindicatod than BY tho prascns condno
Of Tue ehn.ch. 4 largo snouut Of lll.wi1l
| which might hays taken on the form Of words
las Leen cstoppad. Tho church las: not Joy
tho spirit Of PRAYER. nor has i been made scliisl
ana selfcontrolliug. You lave passcd titous,
three years OF t,ial without aoan's and has
fn you the Christian graeos have become deeper
wider. and moro luminous. Your aillictlon
have bean btessed. Tha view Of manhooi il
Cltist Jesus which have preached has kept yo
IN peace. II should die Tomorrow it would b
without pang a. to the doctrines which hay
borne their fruit In your lives. Now tho da
dswns aud The night has passed away. I'll
morning star shInes, and 1t shall not caase l.
slime until the Sun OF righteousness shall arise
Tho Ba,ne dlviuo spirit will keep you unto salYa
tion In meekneas and humbleness and tho lov
I of Ghfi4t.