New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-24
MIR. BEECHERs CURIOUS EXPRESSIONS.

Well. | have been furnished with few of
the quaint and extravagant expressions Oh MI Beeche
perhaps worth particular notice, yet one or TWO OF
them may not be unnteresting. In his Life Thoughts
particular occasion is not given to mehe says at
page 178:
could have killed old jeremiah, could nave got at
his ribs. Laughter
Then. in his Talks" page 1873, he says he thinks
that men Overeat their prayers" so do That Is in
the Seventh Series" of his Sermons" page 16O This
is from the Talks" page 1873
Ipray on the principle that wine knochs tne coA ou'
of the bottle.
Well it is a good principle, it is praying from the
heart the wine the spirit starting the cork and open
ing tho mouth. lLaughterl In his " Life thoughts,
page 24l he says he thinks "he elect are whosoever
will and tho non-elect whatsoever won't" Rather TOO
much ippancy rather too frivolous, for the consdera-
ton Of that great and interesting topic Of Election Some
of his forcfathers believed In that doctrine fancy
Some OF the great lights OF Christianity believe m It, or
course not competent to enter into theological ds-
cussion upon that subject; but 1 remember, In my
Younger and better days. to have heard that doctrine
taught By many who revered as the chosen leaders
and teachers of Christianity. have copied from the
print very interesting and forcble extract from SER
mon BY Mr. Beecher on the Prodgal Son. He says:
There are thousands OF bad men who. like him the
Prodgal SonI have good aspirations aud honorable in-
sncts They longing to ascend by the path that has
below that line Is ANIMAL and all above II Is himself
MANY a man lives entirely in his lower nature until,
through wild indulgence of It, the door Is opened TO that
which Is above.
Well that Is o new idea, to me at least that
me good and the evil In natures are sepa-
rated by an equatorial line, and are unminged
and distinct. I had thought that our emotions,
our passions our inclinations, proceeded from the
same attributes. and organs that We were q mingled
mass Of good aud evil between the two equaltes close
and continual conflict forever wagtng that we did not
live entirely bad "below the equator altogether In Vdr
animal passions; nor ever live wholly In the higher
atmosphere above it, In our best spiritual nature.
Trouble brought the prodigal son TO himself He was
alone aud starving. He hsd time, among MS gruntlng
father and state the circumsances He called It SIM
He attempted no excuse OF palation The man whose
soul evinces higher aspirations mas partly reformed
The son returned with good orthodox confession
Yes. 1t Is o pity other prodgal sons do not return
with like confession.
and found himself embraced and forgiven. Our
Father In heaven art thou neaner than the fathers Of
earthi There another son. He heard the singing
and the dancing and he angry and would not in
His father came out and entreated him. Now, l had
rather have been the prodga son than his brother.
That IT, had rather have been the erpg and the sim
ming child Of God than the obedent lov, faithful
OF the fatheri And whyt Mr.. Beeeher gives US the
reason for his preference.
too stngy ~ get drunk langhter he too cautious
too unsympathetic " sin lasciviously
All would rather be such mani would rather be
the LIBERAL generous fellow who does not hesitate to
get drunk would rather DO the free the incautious the
synpathxing soul who can sin iasciviously
He was lean, aud mean, and stl6, and proper"
Ali you rigid Christian you true model believer you
arc lean. and mean, and stia and proper you don't
minse with tAe toues Of lilo ysu don't gst drunh yoa