The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-10
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.

REV. HENRY WARD BEECHER ON CHILDREN.
Plymouth church was crowded yesterday TO the
DOORS and late corners the risk of losing their
seats The Plymouth pastor seemed to be in excellent
spirits and took his accustomed seat promptly at
half past ten O'Clock.
After the usual preliminary exercises Mr. Beecher
preached his Sermon selecting his from the Psalms
cxxviL, g. 4, 5-'Lol children heritage OF the
Lord and the fruit OF the womb is his reward As
arrows in the hands Of a mighty men, chill
dren Of the youth Happy is the man who hath his
CULVER full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but
they shall speak with the enemies in the gate There
was nothing he said, addressing itself to nature to
which the response quick, universal or so
joyful the coming of the young into the world.
1t quickened joy in the feathers and in the fur And
as we assembled the OF life the joy did not d.
mInsh The cares increase the responsibilities aug
mented, but the joy also augmented, and it was a
proud day IN every household when the child was
born. 1t bright day in the neighborhood of the
village and kindly feelings were expressed when there
was added a little child to the population, and
If they turned to the Word Of God they
would find the Old Testament particularly, the
kindes notice on this subject for the Old Testament
was the naturalist book alive and as near TO the
God giving instincts of the human race as any book
that was made. And the more become familiar
with nature and the results Of natural causes uninter
preted by perverse theology, the more come into
TO this subject But upon the whole exhibit of nature
and upon the representations OF the Old Testament
which looked upon the whole state of things in this
regard as OF blessedness, there was feeling OF
blight placed by Roman theology, which, if it be true
and II be believed in OF It's aspects woe be to
that and woman that ever dare TO bring another
child into this world; for there could be no CRIME
greater than TO bring child into the world with the
chances OF eternal damnaiion resting upon its head
II not much TO discuss these doctrines as 1t was
TO relieve parents from the pressure which upon
them--unconscious religious parents who loved their
children who often in great distress about their
fate when they died. and to afford them conso-
lation that he would say few words. In what light
did Scripture look upon children Was true had
been taught and was now taught by the
GREATEST SECT IN cHRIsrEEDoM
that upon children rested the guilt of Adams sin in
such that If they died in infancy unbaptized
they would go into eternity with the accumulated
weight of Adams sin resting upon their unconscious
natures9 Was it true that the Old Testament taught
that doctrine that the New Testament taught II
was the mournful feeling OF many. II the teach
ing multitudes had received that did not believe it.
They lodged IL and they shovellcd 1t away Now
mothers love afforded brighter hopes than any old
theoogians pen Scripture did not give the slightest
ntmation Of any such doctrine There was not a sin
gle line that could be interpreted to the effect that chill
dren came into this world under the pressure of the
transgressions OF their ancestors had been taught
ON the other hand, that the vices Of parents were
often transmitted 10 their children in such sense that
they modified their bodily condition and modified their
natural tendences-that this taught by the Old
Testament he believed and the virtues Of the parent
OtentiInes transmitted 10 their children;
this doctrine which reason reDelled against At
any rate Il a fact But II the child we're not hap
tized il TO perish Such doctrine taught and
was believed and oppressed thousands OF minds Many
OF his Protestant hearers had doubtless been baptized
BY a Catholic priest the tender feeling of the good
nurse believing that the infant must be baptized II
would be damned in death Loving the child Of
her what II she did steal away 10 the priest and
have him sprinkle the saving water from the ontS Il
did not do any harm did good 70 her She fet that
sHB SAVED THE CHILD,
and he would take away the comfort from her for
all the world. "And they brought young children TO
him and he did teach them, and his disciples rebuked
those that brought them; but when Jesus II he
much dispeased and said unto them, Suffer the little
children 10 come unto and forbid them not for Of
such Is the kingdom OF heaven" OF such, however,
said theology was the kingdom Of damnation. And
again, from Matthew, xvii. l-"At the same time
came the disciples unto Jeses, saying, Who is the
greatest IN the kingdom Of heavenY" And Jesus called
htte child and set him In the midst Of them; and
SAID verify Say unto you, except ye converted and
become as little children shall not enter into the
kingdom OF heaven. Whosoever therefore, shall hum
oe himself AS this little child, the is greatest IN
tue Kingdom OF heaven. And who shall receive one
such hlue child IN my name receiveth me. But who
shall offend one OF these little ones which believe
IN me, II we're better for him that a milestone were
hanged about his neck and that he we're drowned the
depth OF The sea" IL true they were born into the
world where they liable rniscarry and in that
respect they did not der from the planting OF the seed
In the earth. The plant liable to be DESTROYED by
many adversaries and vet hnShandrv was a fact