New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-31
PEACE FOR PLYMOUTH At LIST

MR.. BEECHER'S FRIDAY EVENING TALK-IHE POSI-
TON OF THE CHURCH.
Many persons went away from flymOuth
Church last evening unable TO gain admittance. All
standing room occupied. The windows opening
from the in the parors were thrown open
and the parors fu-a thing that has not oc
Cured for many months Mr. Beecher looked tired ana
worn ; by no means as fresh as las' suhua!' III 'he
course OF his remarks he said:
take It to be fit thing this night of Good Friday
that we should take into consideration the position that
this church occupies and that should bring 10 your
minds some thoughts which may help in your future
course We have at last, Think reached the ehu OF the
persecution which Plymouth Church has suffered lor 50
long time I dislike TO call it BY that name, but for
four or five years this church has been followed up ana
attacked as no other Christian body has ever been be-
fore and think am justified in calling ii persecution
II has been Intermittent and not connuous Dnt al DO
time has there been such cessation of the STRIFE that
coud not look forward to a still more bitter conflict
There has never, during all these years. been e De
fore when did not see another storm just ahead NY
opinion is that the adversary is satisfied that nothing
he can do will harm this caurch; that nothing
that can be done by civil ecclesiastical courts
or by any other weapon avail. For this we ought 10
he deeply thankful As to the loyalty OF tLs chuch'
have ONLY this to saw II has given to the history OF the
church new and lOter conception OF what CHRISTIAN
fidelity hope and faith Should be, and hope God will
1900
what position the Christian Church should occupy. l
have been TOO intimately concerned in these events TO
sneak of Them infinitely; but now that We nave come
through the Red Sea of trials, think. aud stand by
the Jordan about TO enter the Promised Land hope
VIII not be with us as with the children Of Israel who
settled themselves down into forgetfuncsS OF the con-
voyage of the Almighty 1t is to direct year attention to
your duties toward tie churches about ou toward your
friends in them and toward the community At large that
wish to speak In the first place. remember that social
power, prosperity, wealth 90 not make Christian
assembly; which makes Christian body Is mat
Won are Cnris and that You revelations to men
orthe teachings OF Cod The first step must be the lay
lnc aside OF all anger ana bitterness and guile. Il wish
could GuCe moe Scripture, int can't, so must read IL
10 ygu1 Here il il Let all bitterness and wrath and
anger aud clanor (which is talk and tax and tall ana
tal ana eylI speaking be put away from You Wiz an
forsiycn YOU" Now yoW ali know you have caance
to DO ths, for you all talk good deal,
and Won say many hard things: you are
rash and nasty. Then yoU are sorry Tor your
are true. Wen they may he hut yOu canrOt afford to
show I'M, disposition a. Christians There hever has be
Hugucuo,s driven to the mountains auG lived there
such an opportunity shoT forth true Christian spirit
as Is giyel Plymouth Church 10 show The spirit OF Him
who prayed for those who were pcrsecuiing Hun Now,
il, does not follow that are TO take this position by
assuming that our assaiauis have done rghi-n This
matter i is better 10 let judgment alone-ba We arc tn
stand in iorgying spirit toward those VINO have done
ms TINS wrong Wherever have tailed in of
Ict us take mat person to closet and pray until
are IN a tCTCiVing spirit toward Inn.
Then there sho.ld BE- positive effort on your part by
continued nducs and acts or ElcHdilnesS toward those
OF yOuT fICS hostile churches 10 restore the fellow
snl which has been denied TO Plymouth Church. Two
churches this city have refused extend the hand OF
fellowship 10 plymouth Church. The members OF these
churches themselves cannot be said 10 stand III this
position, but their .epesenycs nave lut lle there
There " III naturally be tendency 20 cOldncSs be-
tween friendly families IN Plymouth Church and those
churches This on ght not to be. Ii should be your
effort 10y social rienduess to hold still to the feeling
of Christian love. Christian brethren, the LGrd is
helper declare to ~ my belief that He will not suffer
these three 7ea churches 10 remain long apart The
prot hcrh0Cd III these Christian churches VIII survive the
II is for sou to guard your hearts IN
gutie qud fJrgvipg spirit. When ths disposition is
shown il taHnOi long De resisted.
Then hold, too, that thing never anticipated Is
coming 10 US The weaker churches III THIS vicinity VIII
soon have nowhere to turn 10 but 10 Plymouth. Ihey
Cannot because they Will make II necessary
condition gGat they shalt accept thr form u eccle alas
ti.sm But IL there is reasonable hope thal ihey viii
DO good undertake TO say, whatever Their tilr differ
cnCes blicf Chat they snail not apply AT the doors ~
II mouth Church in vain All hese things 10 be attained
feel that You Will only by individual Christian
tNucliences aud a cOusecratcd home life Gro higher
take step upward until you reach higher plane on
which your Inc shall hereafter be passed.