The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-01

MR.. Brrcurn's TALK ABOUT CONFESSION.

MR.. BEEcHxRs TALK ABOUT CONFESSION.
When a man is in distress, said Mr.. Beecher al his
prayer meeting last night, he frequently cries. show
wish were Christian like and so, that might
have friend In the Lord!" These men seem TO think
that God has drawn line between all who have joined
the Church and all outside. Now think God sees but
one class OF people, some Of whom trying to do
good, while others working evil putting forth
exertions at all When was boy looked upon God
as one who would do good TO upon certain condi-
tous; as one who said, "You do thus and thus for
me- and I'll do something for your That was
storekccper's God When boy, there were
many storekeepers in Litcnneld who would give all
the candy wanted. the condition that should put
down my money on the counter. ! long balanced
when was = boy whether should keep q candy shop
or drive stage, when grew up fyou say a SIN
full man, "forsake evil and will love you y IT does
not help him to become q better man. He Graves
love and help, and cries out for some kind thoughtful
soul in the universe that will take pity on him even
before he knows enough to take pity on himself Is
there such soula The lies in Christs own life
He came TO seek and to save what would have been
lost In the New Testament it Is the SINFUL the out
cast the lost that pitied. When you are in SIN
and distress, in all trouble, remember there is only
hands breadth between you and heart that has in IL
all the force and power Of the universe and is full of
unblemlshcd kindness. Come to Him simply because
you in need that is the only condition necessary
1t is not more prudent for man to leave his heart
open before than II would be for him leave the
door OF his house open. When q man needs advice
sympathy, succor, there elements prevent his
pouring out his soul 10 man. The first mans want
OF power 10 help him, and not only power lacking
but that healing element that passionate benevocnce
which is the only balm that u soul that has been
wounded by sin, or that is in the trouble that
panies sin. Reason can no more heal IL than
AooSBEAMS CAN MAKE MELONS GROW.
We miss that power among men, even among men,
bers OF the Church They are narrow, intense nery.
They are kind Of Christian ferrets You put such
men at hole and say to them, 'srhcre is sinful rat
in there" and they will wait and watch and Woe bctide
tho poor creature for its blood they will have. Who
would 60 to anybody of that kind for comforts What
Christ-hkeness Is there in thatY II is atrocous
Islander the of Him they bear--these white
faced cod, persistent, narrow-mindcd and intense
men that run down and hunt IL TO carth that hate
sin, but do not love anything
Mr.. Beechcr instanced the case OF a man who had
led wicked life aud onged for somebody to sympa-
thize with him. and to whom ne could pour out his
soul in safety There was no one on earth TO whom
he could safely tell his sins and receive comfort cx-
cept his mother. "Do you suppose" he said "that
she will tell? DO not suppose that the brood
ing soul OF the mother will bend down upon him with
moro love than ever, feeling that neededs 1t
perfectly safe TO tell another those sins which are
just like anybody elscs SINS But in any hing that
separates man. that puts him apart from his fellows.
anything that is more grevious than any others sin,
enough, loving enough to confess to- They are not
willing TO lay down their lives Tor anybody else
part OF their lives. What need TO be safe lis
to 90 into the presence Of holy being who is large
enough and good enough for to make II safe for
reposc in HIM everything, and that Being God and
He tells you that the angels rejoice over sinner
that repens more than over ninety and nine that need
NO repentance