The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-03
PLYMOUTH PR.-YER MEETING.

There was as large attendance usual ut Plym-
outh prayer meeting last evening Mr. Beecher dis.
at considerable length the subject prayer
After tho usual singing and prayers, which were
offered by Brothers Charles Morton and Conner. Mr..
Beecher sad:-The philosophy that reigns in church
at any given period, and the condition Of q church
in those periods whom she IS revived,
bring in a peculiar style OF expression and a
peculiar way OF thinking. Now, IL you should road
tho celebrations in the New Testament to payer my
impression is that prayer would DO regarded
cheerful and joyful exercise. / struck with the
number of times the Apostle says, pray chcerfully
pray hopefully, gladly. Not that he those
exact words but ones to that effect But
when in certain OF church life the
doctrine OF dcpravity was considered necessary
then there up habit of teaching Christians to
pray with profound recognition OF their sinfulncss
This took place when the Church reused up from
its carnal condition and was in state OF fcrvidc
reformation Both account of the emphasis given
to that doctrine Of human dcpraviy and on ac-
count d the fact that the inspiration OF
zeal to new life in the church took place
IN tho midst OF great depression, the habit
uncompimentary fashion. Far be IL from me to say
a not confess his sins, but when every ing
is bright and hopeful don't want TO get out of that
feeling and go 10 try and find something 10 make me
feel the other way. II ] am hopeful want to
pray 0yinn,y and don't any,, want to confess
we f" abhor ourselves that we repent in
sdust ana ashes" II a feels let him
confess il; but does he feel SOY understand how
some men carry with thom shadow all the time, but
the other hand, a man is naturally confident
courageous, hopeful have seen Just such mon pray
ing in just such ways. II don't belong TO them they
have not that feeling; and IL Is
A MiscuiErovs HABIT
to bring into docrnal statements they
personal ngs. man ought pray what Is tho
truth or what he wants TO be the truth but
OF ourselves in extreme terms does no good. Persons
with bright amablc disposition, who discharge their
duties faithfully begin TO chrp out prayer In which
they confess that they denominations before God "
and 1t is midnight their sonln II Is that all
sinful not true that such experiences are
given in ordinary cases
Now Why confess it at alls II is not pleas
his ailments. would &C. TIED Of lit il aud would
Talk about something else. How do you suppose
Christ likes TO hear about your all the timeY II
you icc that you cannot help cheating or lying go
before God and say, Lord feel that am thief"
"Iord, have lied like pirate MI day. That goes to
the point II does good. But when people confess
that they clothed with nlthy rags Of unrghte
ousncss;' that they we're born IN SIN they never
touch the point where they are faulty. They hide
themselves under these gcncralitics whereas their
envy, their stnginess their avnrcc their grasping
ambition, their personal SINS they touch. Now,
II man Is convinced OF his inhrmlty and really needs
help, let him 60 alone before God and confess
the sin that touches the point where no needs
help. II IL unwise 10 use figures Of speech in
prayer unless they are and orgina by repetition
they prevent the object they attained In the beginning
When man talks about hope anchor, that does
well for the rst time, but when no has said It
5000 times he thinks all the about the anchor and
no; ut all about the hope laughtcrl II can come
to cd to a father and talk children to father
we get the best idea OF God as represented in the New
Testament.
Mr. Bccchcr here gave opportunity for any who
desired TO speak. and two brethren drew Mr. Bcecher
out further on this subject of prayer; AFTER which
Brother Morton told Mr. Bccchcr he glad they had
had that talk he had found things he would not
have done otherwise. "lcs," SAID Mr.. Beecher; "a
minister Is like a cow you have 10 milk HIM.
a business meeting was held after the prayer meet