Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-05-09
MIR. Beecher,s Sermon.

said it is the duty of Christians to make good
ness go attractive that men shall! not require to
be driven into the Church by appealing to
their deluded fears, but shall long to enter it,
seeing its brightness aud beauty. All great
moral qualities are beautiful to the natural
man. though in a still greater degree to the re-
generated man. Many preachers claim that
the natural man cannot appreciate the beauty
of moral qualities; but that is in direct oppo-
sion to the teachings OF the Bible. When
Christ says, "Let your light shine unto all
men," lie declares that there Is among men a
universal appreciation of these higher quail
ties When man leaps into an icy torrent to
save drowning child, aud, struggling for Q
tune with the little one casped TO his breast,
oWn life and only holds it tighter, and goes
over the falls, where their manged bodies are
found by the spectators, he is regarded as
hero. Was there ever, asked Mr.. Beecher,
ri, ce of sculp. ure or painting that thrilled the
soul like this? All men are moved to admira,
ton by it, aud yet it is a moral act. The ad-
miration felt for devoted wife who olings to 0
brutalized and drunken husband during lie,
and when he dies weeps alone over his grave,
was adduced rs an example of the sense OF the
beauty of self denial felt by all men. When all
the beauty that is In moral quality shall be de.
yeoped, the preacher said, the day OF millen-
uium shall have come
Those who had just joioed the Church were
then particularly addr ssed by Mr.. Beccher.
He warned them aga nSt retreatlng from the
world as men hy from mean and desplsed com-.
paoions. No man coming into the Church, he
SAID, who produces the impression upon
those from whom he separates that he has
separated 80 that be has no longer any,
fellowship for them, no longer any heart warm
Ing for them, acts contrary to the doctrine Of
Him who gave Himself for US wheo We we're
far from the knowledge OF God and were even
iuimical to iiviue government. No such method
Of teaching pripary doctrines as shall make
tn, III seem harsh and uukind can possibly be
Christian. When we are preaching any tru:h,!
oblgug men to give up and conform to 1t,
there may be resistance, so Tar as personal
will is concerned. But even when men do not
themselves submit tO it they see that II is beau
tliuI. AL men admire heroism, but all could
not or would uot, be heroes. The great scheme
of Christianity should be so preached that men
should understand their high origin and noble
destiny, and whoever makes God seem tyran-
meal, instead OF adornlug the doctrine makes
1t hateful.
The preaching Of men who arouse the fear,
opposition, wrath and passion of men, aud
think that if they are then converted they Will
become better Christians, was compared to the
action of man who wanted to enter house
guarded by terocious bulldog, and who, in
stead of slipping 10 quietly without arousiug
the beast, should staud over against the house
- fpr uh Dbpp
dog was wide. mouthed should 90 at him. liza
mau, said Mr.. Beecher, thinks that is the way
TO preach the doctrines Of Christ he has not
understood the Instructions Of the Master.
The preacher went on to deprecate the usual
treatment OF young converts, who are told
to 20 out and start prayer meetings OF
distribute tracts He did not say this was lm-
proper, but he claimed that to represent a
Christian life as having its first conception and
its peculiar testimony ln setting everybody to
deny something on or about everybody else, was
grave mistake My advice, said he, to every
one of YOU who has found the Lord jesus
Christ is to make yourself mere goldly. Begin
10 YOUR own family. Let every duty that is in
cumbcnl upon ! ou a. husband vile or child
rise Instantly to an exalted place and become
more luminous; and do not look for place to
be better in, like q church or conference
meeting, but be better in yourself. After hav
ing made your OVID home beautiful, If there be
opportunities to help others do not neglect them
Another thing to beware OF was the practice OF
bemoauiug ones wckedness to others. When
men tell about their miserable lives or their
Christian experience, the effect oft is about
as likely to Inspire religious feeling as six or
eight chunks of ice around hearth would be
to kiodle fire. The essential power of the
Gospel of Christ. said the preacher, So far as
you are coucerned, will lie IN how much Of
Christ you have in you and can exhibit to your
fellow men. Christianity meant a larger, nober
manhood. Mr. Beecher warned his hearers
against the low and vulgar bottoms of being
Christians because they dare not be anything
else. They should not, alter entering the Church,
lay aside all effort and feel that, being 10 the
Church they we're like passengers in railway
car. that all their duty was done, aud it was now
Incumbent upon the Church to take them to
their destination. Iu conclusion MIR. Beechcr
exborted his hearers to lead true Christian.
lives, glorify God, adorn the teaching OF the
l. rd Jesus Christ, aud then when He should
appear they would appear with him in glory.