The New York herald., 1877-10-15
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.

SIMPLE HONESTY THE GREAT NEED OF OUR
DAY-THE CONSCIENCE AND ITS TRAINING
SERMON BIZ HENRY WARD BEEcHEg.
"Iy Is clearly implied in the text have read " said
Mr.. Bescher TO his immense congregation yesterday
shat ignorance conhdes men to very imperfect guides
in hfc-that true reli gion ought to develop growth
knowledge not only. but skill using knowledge as
the means OF rectitude The passage referred to was
from the ath chapter OF HeDrcws:-"But strong meat
bclongeth to them that of full ago; those
who by reason OF use have their senses
exercised discern both good and evil"
That the conscience Of requires education,
Mr. BeecLcr thought is declared in the closing words
OF the passage Use" exercising and discpnng
the human conscience according TO the inspired
writer was the method by which It might bc made TO
discern both good and evil Mr.. Beechcr stated that
he proposed TO preach q series OF sermons con-
scencc-ts nature, functions and scope and also Its
education and its pcrversons FIRST as to its nature
II Il, he said, moral sentiment OF emotion subject
TO all the conditions OF all other emotions in tho mind
OF man. All the great desires or moral sentiments
are dependent for opportunity ana for ncitemen upon
the foregoing action OF the intellect Tho intellect
thinks and perceves for the just much
as It does for hope for fear or vcneraton-it is tho
precursor. There not, therefore, any oi the de-
sentiments IN ana ol themselves intelligent
IL IL the intellect VIII ch secs agreement differ
ence between The conduct aud any RUE Of right. With
out an intelligent mind there - no Intelligent con-
science The emotions and sentiments are Ike The
pipes OF an organ tho mind corr spends 10 the
keyboard-they all possess tho power OF utteriug
certain sounds, they open their throas until
tue Key Is pressed and the whoe range and harmony
oi the Instrument IL determined by the Keyboard.
Strong emotions inspire the intellect win sensibty
aud with sensibility peculiar TO the truths which
belong 10 the sentiment or 10 tue emotion which Is
acting
In conclusion, Mr.. Becchor expressed the opinion
that our needed training Judicial ethics rather
than in intensity OF spirituality. Morality was The
fouudaon OF spirituality, and IN our days the questions
right and wrong arc, by the very fertility o mems
BRAINS, SO multiplied aud multiplying that men need
training conscience great deal more than they
need spirtualiztng III affection. Ibc class meetings
aud celebrations aud similar methods OF stimulating
men TO emotion are reversing the order oil nature. IL
morality that develops spirituality and not spiritual
ity that develops morality, ana that which wo
neod overywherr, IN politics, IN professions,
business, We know by the sad exposures
and revelations that are daily taking placenen need
be educated in the slmpe practice OF honesty aud
honor aud Justice. Tins the want OF our time, and
the lack OF II Is tho weakness oi time IL ought
TO DC taught not only in The family, Mr. Beechcr con-
tended, but also IN the schools Morality uni
vcrsa. ln India, IN China, the Pampas OF South
America the fundamental elements oi truth, fidelity,
justice, honor and honesty, the orms were
versa and belong TO all mon. IL could not bo said,
therefore, that their introduction into schools had
anything scctarian about them Beyond that tho
schools ought not TO go; but tho very foundations
OF society stand upon those principles and therefore
for had right TO toacn these either less they
we're considered necessary Tor the we'll being oil tho
State.
REFORM NEEDED IN SUNDAY SCHOOLS
There ought also tho preacher said to be revolu.
tion In sunday schools IL was all very we'll TO