The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-03-31
JLIMOTTif'S TROUBLES.
Mr.. Beecber CopuratuintinR his Flock that
the Persecution" IL Ended.

Mr.. Beccher last night in his lecture room
Talk said: "Wo have now como at last TO an cnd
Of the persecution which this church has suf-
fcrcd. / dislike 10 call IL persecution, for II
sounds like cant. Mon always say when they
have littlo trouble that II is u persecution.
Upon survey Of tho history OF Plymouth
Church for three or four yoars. the way which
it has been followed up. and hunted. md
harassed. us no other church Of which I
know has. justines tho namo OF prolonged
persecution. There has never been n point
before whcro | have not soen storm ahead
on tho horizon. 1t was by strange CON
catcnation Of circumstances. not. | think. by
means OF preconccrtcd campaign, that we
have beon followed. Our adversary is now sat
isilcd. think that thcrc is no weapon that can
be used against Us with avail. that nothing can
be done in tho civil courts or the ecclos sastcal
courts to affect our unity and prosperity, and IL
is my belief. and thnt of all knowlcdgoablc men.
that we have come to IA period in this persecu-
tion-an end Of IT, A for the unity and LOYALTY
of the church. he could only say this. that il had
given to history n now Interpretation of Nhnt
church asso 'iaton and Christ an fcllOwshi u are.
God will employ the fidelity the unity. tho self
sacrifice. the loyalty Of Plymouth Church to
toa'h men what church life ouEht to be-. Hav-
ing come through the Ercat wilderness.
thought they were now hythc river Jordan. md
hi"'ul 10 'ill'i lu' lInillH'u ttn'l. ne Mpnli ho
ashamed il they followed the example of the
children of Israel. and settled Themselves down
I'm ingrniitulr and forgwfulncss OF their CON
voyage. Tho spirit and temper of Plymouth
Church in ia troubles WIS a violation go ma n
Of the disposition Of God. The first thing for
th"m to do wus to lay asId" nll malice. all guile
all anger. Mr.. BeeHhor stopped suddenly,
saving. | can't ~ any further without gcttinl.
my Bible" Turning over the leaves of his gilt.
edged book g. EphrSiun-. he read:
Let all bitterness AMI wrath and anger and clamor-
Tint il NIL this tulf talk tulk tull fulL
said Mr. Beechcr. iabbcrlng cOmically-
and hr Ne Mind t' ou Nuourr ndcr hearted, for.i
ouc another. even cod ios thrsts saAc hath forgiven
you.
There was never an opportunity since the
Hugu"notS for ANY Christian church 10 better
show what Christian III" H. They had hcon
suffering long under that which they regarded
~ gross violation OF lustiro and right. Now
that il ends. Il was for them To get into a forgiv-
INK tnwp"r. II Thought u positive effort should
hn mad" L. Srcurc am affinity and frlDW-hiu
with those Who had become o-irHnEod. Two
chur hos had ayOwcl. hy their oil 'ial heads
that IlymOuth Cnur. . stands not in their .fr lo
of fellowship. H. didn't think that in either
case tho churches Themselves wore roprH-'u 'ut'd
IN the sent mont There w.r' many neigh-
hgry relations which l!d her tuiore exist
"d h'iw'"n members ot Plymouth and th'~
church TINT should be- renewed. Christ an
brethren. ~ exclaimed VIGOROUSLY. ttol is
not - NJ t. let these tur'e ErtAt churches -
long without com us together m harmony
whether go ont of iuy way. or others ~ out
friendly relations on" toward th' other in.l
Ga" spirit of rrophr-y uu me-. anl -iy that tho
"rNfN'fI,ru tn tiir- three chur hes is going L.
rUiN.No tho r'.l eil-fl'.irl.' lApllau.'.l