The New York herald., 1876-12-02
PLYMOUTH PRAYER MEETING.

Plymouth prayer meeting was not quite so crowded
usual last evening. Dir. Beecher came in little
late, and the meeting closed unusually early
Amer the usual preliminary exercises Mr. Beechcr
said ALI forms OF sellshncss odous, though not
all alike; but want OF sensiby when legations
have been conferred strikes those comforting them
with great PAIN. Gratitude almost invariably implies
some signal striking act There is in the New Tesla
ment little recognition OF that precise phrase,
but all tho way through Is the giving OF thanks,
which is the same thing; aud you will be struck
in reading by the constant commands of the apostles
to prayer and thanksgiving, coupling the two together,
as If the two things naturally flowed together In
chemicals You cannot produce given result II you
leave out any OF tho constituent elements, and the
same Is true OF human nature, and the habit OF not
being affected by Gods provideni goodness Is one Of
the most hardening. of the tnings which hold
back men from realization OF the joys and experiences
we all seek for There arc a great many men who
are constantly IN state OF non-thankiuln who
should be constantly IN state OF thanksgvine-ior
instance, when the abundance and continuance OF
Gods providence deadens feeling. The shines
every day and men think nothing OF It, exce2. to
grumDc wnen IL rains. They quick to lee! the
Withdrawn oI oessihgs- inen tnere are many per-
sons who are IN the habit OF giving thanks along the
line OF some dominant faculty, those people
whose happiness comes IN The line OF so
cia influence, and whatever comes in any
other way they do not esteem particularly There
are many who sensitive to praise that when
they do recognize Gods mercy them IL takes this
line and every thing that does not that way is
neglected by them There are multltudes who are
addicted pride, and anything that sets them above
their fellow they conceive 10 be blessings, but
whatever mercies come other ways especially what
moriies pride, lar from being grateful they rather
express anger The same is true regard 10 selfish
ness They who think highly of themselves think
blessings ought 10 be gwen to them.
sELFIsH>Ess Is LEEcH.
You krow the lecch has three daughters; the first
was named GIVE the second was namcd"Give.' and
the third named "Give.' and Selfshness is nil
three childrcn-"-iyc,n give forever. SO the bless
ings that most merciiul not appreciated SO II
examines his heart and secs tho style OF hts
emotions and piety. Some are given TO work,
there nothing in that OF sweetness and
scnsibty. Others aspire to strong emotions joys In
anticipation; still they have not the fragrance OF tho
soul Almost everywhere men are most sensitive TO
their checks. People take their dainty doll Of dli-
Guilty their knees and dress IL am dandetnot big
ger than needle sometimes aud quite sharp These
stronger to them than all their nerces. SO men
lind fault with Providence, and inscnsioc
to IL, all because thcrc Is little
thing In the way. Men know how 10 have
Gods gratitude for special OF Gods merccs to
them, a. gracious, loving Saviour, there Is little
feeling and little exhibition OF It, These thoughts
come to me at thanksgiving tlmc-not exactly what
was considered yesterday, but applicable TO this part
OF yeserday-the prayer meeting, and you will feel
how Just are the criticisms.
BUsiSEss MEETING.
After the prayer meeting business meeting was
held, which Mr. Beecher said would be the
last opportunity for propositions 10 change OF the
mtecing. Brother Blair was chosen chairman. Tho
meeting was opened by prayer, and then the inquiry
was made as 10 whether any one had any proposition
OF change to make dead silence followed, and Mr..
Beecher finally said, IL am heartily glad there
rules to be changed The meeting was then ad-