The New York herald., 1877-12-17
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.

INDIVIDUAL KNOWLEDGE OF GOD CONTRAsTED
WITH oRTHoDoxY-sERMoN by REV. HENRY
WARD BEECHER.
Rev. Henry Ward Bcecher's text was from Pauls
Epistle to tho Ephesians:-'hav,ng made known
unto us the mystery OF his Will according to
his good pleasure which he hath purposed in him.
SELL that the dspensation OF the fuIncss OF times
he might gather together In all things In Christ
both which are in heaven and which earth,
even in him." One great difficulty In understand
ing Paups mpassioncd writing said Mr.. Beccher,
arises from the fact that his ardor moved
him TO use high hgurcs and seemingly obscure
allusionG This was evidence of his elevation of
spirit and near imitation OF Chrst's own teachings
In this passage he speaks OF mystery, but dimy
dicated, that is Gods purpose TO bring all things TO
ono in Christ II was loose statement, with vague
flashes OF farseeing prophecy OF what relation this
universe should IN time bear toward Christ. In
other place ne speaks Of tho mystery this intent
The great background OF all theology Is mystery In
this realm, the 80 remote from positive knowledge,
mems fsncies become most remarkably discursive and
despoic, The slightest alterations OF belief on such
subjects the nature OF God have been visited by
marked penalties IN many ages. And yet, despite
orthodoxy, men learn Oi God through their
experience. rms Is the one Indispensable door TO
knowledge And this TACT OF itself implies that
men have faculties IN quality similar to the divine
attributes. III there be anything winch requires
sonality IL Is that Whcu We wish to fix hearts
Human nature. ike the morning glory however ready
to cmb ana twine about object Of support, cannot
cling 10 shadow. II must have substance TO cling
to. Truth Is one thing God and In man. II differs
only tho experience OF the wise father is greater
than that Of his young child The child and the father
have the, same quaiiiy vi thinking. True, between
and his Creator there tho same difference as
there Is between he light OF taper and the sunlight
but the principle the same ana We get an idea of me
from the candle. There rs, to DO sure, the vast
difference tnat exists IN tho great OF mys-
terry. our views are limited. Cod is above ana
"A 4.
dard anu space but viewing all things ON an
innnitudc and eternity TOO vast ior comprehen-
DEAD WITHOUT KNOWING IT.
In effort 10 picture tnis idea tho more graph-
cay the preacher alluded TO tue PRACTICES Of tue
Spiriuallsts AS mcdums interpret spirit hfo hc
said II was only bringing back OF humanity IN at
tcnuatcd form ana under conditloDs somewhat slmi-
lar those ol tho ilcsn. w,dcnborg had described
man IN his heaven, or hereafter, who had been dead
for twenty years and dIu not know II. lie knew OF
many living illustrations oil this idea-men TO ali
intcnts ana purposes have been deau Tor years and
nave never realized the TACT We can think, he sad,
OF spirit somewhat as drcam and the qualities. wo
attribute 10 IL are as tns ccho vi some ATTRIBUTE Ia our
own natures To conceive OF a pure absolute spnit
existence traEscends luc power oil human Intellect
la this sphere nave the word time, winch was IN
ventcd 10 measure the ncrspacc between two events
All elements OF time come iIom the motions of mat
ter IL docs not follow tnat IN the spirit lie thcrc Is
any such phenomenon. When we como 10 Judge OF
nnnity We BRING measures that Doiong ~ tho time
element, ana thus are liable 70 fail INTO
cont nuai mistakes ~ our estimate OF innnitc things.
To 90 OIL into realms Tue unknown Dting down
ideas and say men, ''Tbescvou must believe" IS
b.athcnlsm, even u orthodoxy Men must not DO
compelled To Dciicyo III perpendiou cuannelshor
that af,cr this lie people Immediately shot up 10
heaven or down TO he'll Christ treated the human
family children, and often educated them by Dcon
ana fable rs grown people educate cnidrcn II every
thins hv had douo weic done regularly aud sguarely
by ruu ana law He would then Du merely groat man.
II every ,hlns nad gone regularly lie would then bc
/. only human, but Ouiy ono wnh NJ, stcry about him
would nave acted 50, HIS dlscourscs discovered a
familiarity with the upper sphere ana showed sonsc
III. NOTIONS DEITY
Alter depictius the universal Application OF The in
spired Writings as guide TO personal morality, SOCIAL
order ahd ciyic dut,es the preacher awet upon the
trials aud dithcunicr that compass the preacher.
Preaching the truth Vas great bondage nhd trouble
oI soul Tie then UraDcned INTO "a dissertation on the
testimony oi science about ina oririn OF he