The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-08
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
MAY ANEIvEHSAIY-Mg. BEECHER ON APPIEcI-
ALTON OF THE BEAUTY or HIGH MORAL


QUALITIES.
Yesterday OF the days TO be marked with red
letters in tho history of Plymouth church. About
twelve years ago, on first Sunday May, $50
persons were admitted into its membership. From
this circumstance tho anniversary OF the day has
to be regarded occasion for rejoicing in tho
church. and II Is set apart for the reception Of new
members Sixty-fvc were received yesterday, and
fourteen Of them were baptized by Mr. Bccchcr before
the sermon. A number OF prominent citizens belong
Ing to other denominations present, attracted by
the interesting services The PASTORS platform was
turned into conservatory, being almost hidden by
of smilax and other trailing vines interpreted
with roses and ending either side OF the platform In
massive vase. OF gorgeous coiorcd and fragrant
flowers The musical portion Of the services was in.
auguracd with Dudley Bucks ITO peun, which was
finely rendered by Miss Clcmcntine " Lasar, Miss En-
ma Cranch, Mr. Eugene Clark and Mr. Henry Camp,
sisted by the CHOIR under the direction Of the latter
gentleman
Mr.. Bccchcr preached from the last clause Of the
tenth of st. Pauls letter to T,us-"That they
may adorn tho doctrine OF God our Saviour in all
things" Tho special injunction, Mr. Bccchcr said Of
which these words part was addressed 10 ser
wants. and tho cxhortaon ~ make the profession
OF Christ and His teachings which they represented
bcaunful-to adorn IL by their lives We have been
educated he continued, that we apt TO connect
beauty only with material shings and to apply the
word to moral things only by sort Of figure While
not denying that there was sense OF beauty in
physical things he claimed that there is also
Of the beautiful in spiritual things. This view tho
preacher claimed, pcrvadcs the Bible II is, he
tended duty OF Christians to mako goodness at
tractvc that shall not require 10 be driven into
tho Church by
APPEALING TO THEIR DELupEp FEARS,
but shall long to enter y, seeing It's brightness and
beauty All great moral qualities are beautiful 10 tho
natural man. though Sill greater degree to the
generated man. Many preachers claim that the natural
cannot appreciate the beauty OF moral qualities;
but that Is IN direct opposition 10 the teachings OF the
Bible. When Christ says "Lct your light shine unto
all men," He declares that thcre Is among mon uni
vcrsal appreciation or these higher qualities When
leaps into 10y torrent To drowning child,
aud. struggling for time With the little caspcd to
his breast pcrccivcs that he rclnqush 1t lose
his life and only holds it tighter ana goes tho
falls, where their mangled bodies are found by the
spectators, he is regarded ms hero. Was there
ever, asked Mr. Peccbcr, a piece Of sculpture or
painting that thrilled the soul like this? ALI men are
moved to admiration by i, and yet tits moral act
The admiration felt for devoted wife who cngs to
bru allied ana drunken husband during life, and when no
dies wecps alone over his grave was adduced as an ex
ample OF the OF the beauty OF scfdenal felt by
all men. When ali the beauty that is IN moral quay
shall be developed. the preacher said. the day OF NIL
lcnnium shall have come.
Thoee who had just joined the Church were then
particularly addressed by Mr. Bcechcr. He Warned
thcm against retrcatng from the world as men fly
from mean and despsed companions. No man coming
into tho Church, he said, who prod1ccs tho i'm
preston upon those from whom he separates that
he has sc para,ed so that he has no longer any
fellowship Tor them, no longer any heart warming
for them, acts contrary to the doctrine of
Him who gave Himself Tor us when We were
far from the knowledge Of God and wore even In
imical to divine government. No such method Of
teaching primary doctrines as shall make them seem
harsh and unknd can possibly be Christian When VIC
are preaching any truth obligng 10 give up anu
CONFORM H. there may be resistance, SO far as PER
themselves submit TO il they that |, is beautiful
All men admire heroism but all coui1 not. or
would not, be heroes.
TnE GREAT SCHEME OF CHRISTIANITY
should DO preached that men should understand
their high origin and noble destiny. and Whoever
makes God seem tyrannica, instead OF adjoining the
doctrine makes 1t hateful.
The preaching OF men who arouse the fear, opposi-
ton wrath and passion OF men, and think that IL they
then converted they will become better Christians,
compared to the action Of man who wanted 10
enter house guarded by ferocious bulldog and who,
instead Of slipping In quietly without arousng tho
beast should stand over against the house and throw
tor while, and when this dog was wide
mounted should 20 a. him. II man, SAID Mr.
Bccchcf, thinks that Is the way 10 preach the doc
OF Christ he has not understood tho instructions
OF the Master Tho preacher went on TO dcprecatc
the usual treatment OF young converts who are told
to 90 out and start prayer meetings
distribute tracts Hc did say this improper,
but he claimed that represent Christian lilo hav
ing its first conception and It's peculiar testimony In
setting everybody to deny something on or about
everybody else, was grave mistake. My advsc-
said he to every one Of you who has found the Lord
Jesus hrist make yourself more gody Begin IN
your own family. Let every duty that Is incumbent
as DuSDlDu WHO or CHilu rise instantly 10
an exalted place and become more luminous; and do
not look place 10 bc better In, like church or
conference meeting. but
M nErrER YOURSELF.
After having made your home beautiful II there
be opportunities TO help others do not neglect them
Another thing to beware OF was the practice OF be-
moaning ones wsckcdncss TO others When men
tell about tier miserable lives or their "Chris,an
experience the effect of II Is about as likely
TO inspire religious feeling six or eight
chunks OF ice around hearth would DO
TO kindlc 1rc. Tho essential power
q( lkr{c mid Inn aiar fu
as YOU are concerned will lie in how much Of Christ
You have you aud can exhibit TO your fellow mon.
christianity meant larger, nobcr manhood Mr..
Bcccer his hearers against the low and vulgar
notions OF being Gu rstans because they dare not lie
ANYTHING else They should moi, after entering the
Church. lay aside all effort aud feel that beng the
Church, they like passengers in railway car,
that all their duty done aud was now incumbent
upon the Church to take them 10 their destination. In
conclusion Mr. Bccchcr cxhortcd his hearers 10 lead
the Lord Jesus Christ and then when lie should ap-
pear they would appear with Him in glory.
AT the close Of tho sermon the major part Of the
grcrat,on approached the communion table and par
took OF the elements.
ST. VINCENT FERRER'S CHURCH.
SERMON by THE REV. FATHER LILLY ON IN
ORDINATE LOVE OF THE WORLD.
Al ST. Vincent Fcrrcrs church yesterday morning
tho high mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father
Dunnc and the preached by the Rev. Father
Lilly Tho light airy, pleasant cdncc, with its many
frcscocs and charming paintings, good harmony
with the warm, sunshny weather. This being the
month OF May, the Virgins altar was handsomely
decorated Around tho statue surrounding the altar
handsome blue satin fcstoon was drawn, and flowers
and lights wcrc abundentiy displayed Immediately
adjoining The altar beautiful picture OF the Sacred