The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-15
PLYMOUTH PRAYER MEETING.

Plymouth lecture room was even more crowded than
usual last evening Mr.. Beecher was in a mood very
unusual to him. His whole talk bore the sufcrings
and death OF Christ ana tho hymns sung were of
q peculiarly dismal character. After the usual pre-
lminary services Mr. Boecher sad-Thcrc has been
q tendency TO separate the suGerings and death Of
Christ from othor parts OF His life and to attribute to
them special efficacy. The sulcrings OF Christ
part of HIS life and the climax and contamination OF
His ministry. He came to the world 10 dis.
close a purcr and better idea OF God, and the
knowledge of this God Is TO be the instrument by
which tho world Is to be lifted up and carried forward
in u higher spiritual sphere. To have died. alone,
apart from His teachings and example, would have
been tragedy moro sublime and touching In parts,
than any that has been recorded; but II would
have been simply drama, a tragedy, and could
have had the relationship, 1t could not take hold OF
it has has DONE when connected with His pre-
ccdng life. His teachings required some such excm-
plincation. Christ lifted the Interpretation of
love and duty far higher than 4, had ever
been before Now, IL is in the nature
OF things that when man teaches breaches Of
things lar above the ordinary experience OF man II
almost necessity Of humsn nature TO regard them
poetic higher than anything possible among men, and
martyrs, Till somebody has suffered aud died for it
When Christ taught duty He showed il when He taught
love His conduct showed It, When He sealed His teach
ing OF disintcrcsted and sesacrifcc when
for His enemies Ho up HIS life, there not pos
sibe to givo any teaching beyond that Everything
was thrown In the suGerings and death OF Christ
make that teaching Of noble sanctlty TO mankind and
to make 1t an authority TO every generation
whatever effect there may have been IN the example
OF Christ working that way, VIC know nothing Of IL;
but OF tho effect OF the suHerings OF Christ
do know Il gives power to His doctrines that could
not come any other way. The surcrngs and death
of Christ the seal OF His ministry. II there be
those who car take the wings of Imagination and ny
back that time and 60 AL over II in thought and
takc comfort in Il, far be II from 10 discourage
them; but II there be those who have tried TO turn
their thoughts TO melancholy and have found
fort in It, let say 10 them II is not neediuL
not make myself believe that for 600 years Christ has
not been seated Ia heaven Can cry over the cross
Don't know
GETHsRMASE CORONATION
aud death has been lief ] have given great deal
OF time and thought this ind have sought be
honest man, and 10 hold old theories when they
seemed idolatrous; but to part with any Of mans
faith is hard thing. II Is TO great comfort that
Jesus cried out, my God, why hast thou forsaken
mcn He lost His hope, and it helps me 10 say my.
SELF Shall tho servant be above his Lord In
all our experience the life, tho suf.
ferngs Of Christ full OF fool and incte-
mcnt and instruction and comfort So, what
ever befas us, wo have Christ refuge and
relief II rejoice, rejoice with the Lord; II wo
suffer- suffer with the Lord, and shall also reign
| with Him.
A meeting OF the Examining Committee was held
after the prayer meeting TO converse with applicants
for membership.