The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-27

MR.. BEEcHER on THE PEACE THAT PAssETH
UNDERSTANDING.
Mr. Beccher's benevolent beamed on his congre-
cation again last night and consequently there
large increase In tho attendance. Every spot In the
lecture room was hlcd. Alter the customary exercises
Mr. Beecher said
You recollect when our Master was earth and
especially in tho last years OF His lie. when troubles
gathered around Him. how Of the darkness and dis
He continually giving forth peace TO HIS dis
ciplcs 'Peacc give unto you; my peace l
give unto you" You recolect the express
sion, "Peace that passeth all understanding"
and beyond analysis, beyond reasoning, MS we
reason from cause to effect This was not transient
NATTER much IL In the mind Of the Apostle Paul
that you will be astonshed In his letters how
much no looked toward that the nnal experience Of
Christians-not faith nor JOY, but peace, being
stage higher than these, as it is We brought up
to have an impression that true Christian evidence rs
inscparable from feeling of dissatisfaction, that
who finds fault with himself every day has evi-
dence that he has life This is on the ground, sup
pose, that when drowning man Is rescued VIC prick
him to soc II he has life. That is very well for
drowning Christian, but for one even but half
alive is very poor-t Is one OF the very lowest stages
of Christian experience. We brought up 70 have
a very low opinion Of ourselves; we have an
whelmng sense OF unworthiness; VIC keep
selves down before the foots,ool all the time That s
not Christlke; that is not disciploship II Is not
Chrstlike to be dscontentod my peace give you
That Divine peace, surely, is not made of such
periences as those we havc Again, we have an idea
that presumption and audacty 20 with confidence but
a calm and settled certainty IN our position Is not
likely to give us audacty. Then excitement and
general disposition TO activity is cultivated
very much Some people think they who are
always working and exciting themselves are the most
81 A
deal OF work requires energy and zeal; but these
not the characteristics OF Divine presence.
NOTHING GROWS ny THUNDER,
but when In the stiffness OF the night all the roots
sucking up the moisture, what power there is IN -
intenses Of life may DO needed but they not the
peculiar characteristics OF divine lifc in ourselves.
smrision than intense zeal or Joy What is ~
don't know. II does pass understanding. II Is of
God-in a sense peculiar, special We know something
Whole work GoS Is ono 8e oannos
trace. Consider what the root idea Of Christian
brooding OF the holy Ghost What ought we 10 expect
In the soul OF man, having the faculties no has where
God is the gardener Consider again that there Is
state OF excitement that gives men certain peace
atcrward when tranquility comes That s sure ease;
II nearly rest than peace II seems TO me that
peace is that condition In which every part OF the
moral nature OF vitalzed and nlIed and brought
into perfect harmony with God Did you ever sec tho
rocks on every side II is musical bu. is ssita,ed
BY and by, when the tide 10 perfectly full,
II smooths itself all over because u IL so iu ana " lies
placid anu the whole heaven reflected perfectly 1t 10
with the funcss Of the SOUL In the niDg there
energy aud vital activity but whom the sou is full II
discharges agitation and lies In tho perfect tranquility
of the peace th,t passeth understanding That is the
highest and usually the last stage OF Christian
experience. We want such men for beacon lights TO
guide tho world These are the lighthouses Of the
Church. They are the 10 whom Christ says more
than TO others, LET your light shine, that men may
sec your works which arc TO the glory Of your Father
which Ia IN heaven"
Mr. Bcocher here gave space for remarks Brother
White said he thought that doctrine might be hurtful
to some who, being only resting, considered them.
selves as having the or God. He was afraid II
might put consccnces TO sleep that ought TO DO
stirred up II should not WONDER" said Mr. Becchcr
IL would like the who could preach that
some one would not take advantage OF Il The Same
advice viii net do for all When you find man sitting
rock thinking he Is In the garden OF the Lord you
may give him hoist, because he ain't there(laugh-
ter)-but you don't want to hoist everybody"