The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-16
PLYMOUTH PRAYER MEETING.

MR. BEECHER's FEELING IN REFERENCE TO THE
SYMPATHY SHOWN HIM BY HIS CHURCH.
Plymouth lecture room was filed to overlooking
last evening. Mr.. Beecher entered just at half
past seven, looking. calm and serene. He opened
the service himself by prayer. He said, "Oh
Lord we have nothing to ask; Thou hast given
us all we ask and more. We know the AiDgdom
of God Is with US and we rejoice in it. Grant
us patience and encourage US to righteousness
in all Its forms. May they be more and
more comely to u.s. Sanctlty this church. Thou
art pleased to lay burdens on 1t, but Thou
sayest whom Thou lowest Thou chasteneth.
THOU Knowest Thy church needs to be chastened
and made to feel the need OF God May we be
made to feel tn Il Thou art in this baptism OF the
church. and make 1t for humility and trust in
God. We behold the opening OF the coming day.
The glorious day shall come and we that SOW
with tears shall come rejoicing with sheaves in
our bosom. We need not to plead with Thee: we
need only say, Dear God take-care OF us and bring
us into Thy kingdom"
After hymn Brother Robert Raymond prayed /:
80 Lordl Thou hast shown myself an everlasting
friend we pray Thee to help US to feel our In1rm-
tiles, but not to feel them to drive us away.
May we feel that our troubles, small as they are
are Thy troubles also. Thou dOsJ watch US when
we stumble and lift US when we TALL With the
knowledge Of Tiny presence we dare anything and
do anything. We would not shun the trials of
earth. We shall do battle for Thee. Make us for
Thy service, looking to Thee for our reward; and
60 being acco untable to Thee, may we not fear
what man do say. We thank Thee that out
OF all our troubles has come peace to us. We
Thank Thee tnat they nave drawn us more closely
know now to pluck the ruit oil joy"
Alter hymn Mr.. Beecher said:-l wish could
say what want 70 say, but suppose II would not
be proper. l think to have pubic interested SO
as to make the church full Is desirable IN many
ways: but it takes away privacy: and when, In
the most extraordinary period. a man cannot
speak In private to his church 1t IS hard aud thus
Is my position. l am placed in what might be
calle08
j would Ike to say few things nv church with.
out having it printed IN the newspapers; but peo-
designs at all. While love and prize your sym.
patty beyond everything, yet l shrink from the
shall stand KIND OF post around which all the
morning gorles OF the garden Shall twIne them
sympathy, and, on the other hand,
I DON'T NEED IT;
that Is to say, not since l know that have IT,
There are great many things we don't value
much when we have them 1t Is only when We don't
tnat we miss them Now. l should feel badly If 1
thought my church and friends were stone cold
but know they NOT, aud now l dread this
church lie standing about me; ano yet II rs nat
ural Chat when the interest of the church and nv
character are at stake you should show your SYM
pathy. But you should rise into higher state.
and you can do 1t safely, for do assure ,ou that,
PROBABLY the
HAPPIEsT MAN IN THE ROOM
(Applause) 81 would rather you would not make
these manifestations" said Mr.. Bsecher after the
applause mad died away, ''ior am speaking very
deeply and 1t rather jars. have rolled on my
burdens and am certain OF glory and salvation
In God. am surrounded by his people. have
got back, through storms ana troubles, to the
simplicity and quiet which belonged to me many
years ago. MY thoughts ana feelings are quiet.
am in the hands Of God. You are In
great danger OF forgetting God and making your
pastor your IDOL and that would be the worst
thing for you. l have prayed to be lifted into
sucn communion with Christ that may look at
everything rom His standpoint: and THESE mani
festatlons OF Gods providence should lift you into
o higher state OF mind. would say O great many
other things. out my one wish Is tnis, don't be
troubled about me, don't worry one particle; and,
secondly, In SO far as you can. discharge
from your minds everything vlndictive. Have
your minds 80 sweet and open that the power
OF the Comforter may descend upon you. II
Is not hall 80 important for my name TO be cleared
as that jesus uame should DC hted higher. IL Is
not half SO important that the union between US
shall be maintained as that the union between
God and you shall be. Strive that this church
shall be purified and spirtualized, and made
strong In the Lord and strong IN theattributes
which make God GOD. May God I'LL our souls full
OF His n0biest truths thank you Tor all you have
done and felt; but, after all, that sense OF your
affection IS not hall so strong as my prayer that
these fires Will burn out all dross. That Is my
dream and God Will do It,"
Toward the latter part Of his remarks Mr..
Beecher became 80 affected as 10 be hardly able
TO speak, and his emotion spread itself through
the immense congregation, many being affected to