The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-22
concluded by the enforcsusnt Of some practical
truths as illustrative OF these great events
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.


Plymouth Church had capacity tested to the Ut
most No attempt was made al floral display, the
only decoration being large basket OF flowers stand
ing the floor Of the platform, and narrow glass
vase, with its complement OF buds aud blossoms,
rising from the table behind the reading desk. Mr.
Beecher preached from the 1rst four verses of~Co-
iossians elf ye then be riren with Christ
set your affection things above not on things on
the earth, ." Wherever, began Mr.. Beecher,
the traverses the earth throughout Chrisendom
to-day 1t finds ana urouses universal Joy aud SYM
pathy. These emotions may not, perhaps be the
deepest or most sincere but we cannot always dis
crimnats with respect TO The quality or deeree1ef
feelings OF JOY and sorrow, and it is great deal
that in this great part OF the world sympa-
th,zes in an event holy There Is no other ann-
versary that can compare with this The dying OF
Christ was like the gong down OF the sun, but with
His resurrection comes universal, singing 1oy II 10
good thing celebrate anniversaries They stand for
events and for persons but there IS no other ami
versary In the history OF mankind which stands Tor
such personage--.or one who came from heaven to
bring Joy peace and who lett record which even
those who believe HIS divinity are willing 10
acknowledge spotiess. HIS rising symboca OF the
sign ana symbol oil universal immortality. What IN
all history is comparable to this proclamation Of Gods
reconciliation with man? Yet about II have ragged
the bitterest controversies and from II have sprung
alterations and prosecutions, ior me church isei
S xas p wnsn ~ shouts dispute os
How stepped IN the Rrossast materlaiism
the world must have been, caring nothing
for tho event itself and everything for lis symuo-
as II the sign OF moments impor-
lance compared with tho thing signihed. At
first the observance oil days and ceremonies
was OF directing the mind 10 spiritual
ideas by OF material things, which is the best
use to which matter can be put But when attention
TO the thing itself was diverted BY the misuse and
abuse OF symbols It was hsn time tor the healthy
iconoclasm which swept away everything that stood
(.nd TAa Harn Mag mn
vances OF the Church having become corrupt u was
necessary to destroy them altogether. as garment
that has been injected by the contagion OF lever
hospital has to be burned or buried Tor long time
till is altogether deodorzed by the purifying action
OF the earth. The purifying qualities oil the ground
are wonderful, even newspaper might DO deouorzed
II 1t werc buried deep enough.
CAUSE FOR JOY.
When was u boy there we're very few Catholics IN
New England. Now they arc to be found IN dense
calhedrals and clergy learned, Jealous and devout
am stickler for ceremonial myself yet l am will
ing the good there ~ in u thing though II he
the utmost anupodes OF my own taste aud habits.
And J would say, If weren't AFRAID of ITS going
ABROAD that l rejoice in the progressing OF tho
would IN the progressing OF no CHURCH ut all IL 10
matter Of congratuatlon this country Of tolerance
where many opposing SCOTS and creeds come in
contact, that are coming TO accept eacn others
Christmas and Easter and holidays We accept every
thing, believe, except the last days.
When Christ rises and makes Himself the emblem
and ASSURANCE that shall rlse-that Nil the world
shall rise-and live again in happier and greater
state behave II not merely by the vulgar testimony
Of history by the cold demonstrations OF science;
when Christ says It true, all that is cries out.
srhat Is cnOugh!p