The New York herald., 1878-11-18
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.

GOOD WORD FOR CATHoLICs-wHY PEOPLE
DoUBT-sERMoN BY HENRY WARD BEEcHER
"Be with Thy minister's everywhere" said Mr..
Beccher In his opening yesterday land If any OF
them under the shadow there the speakers voice
became thick with emotion, tears started from his
eyes and he was choked for moment. Drawing
out his handkerchief he wiped away the moisture and
proceedcd be Thou their light and their guide and
their exceeding great reward" The sensation pro-
huccd by this outburst the part OF the preacher
not dissipated until he read among the usual an
nouncements that precede the sermon . newspaper
slip to the effect that the Rev. Mr. Mitchell would in
she evening discuss The Twenty Points Of Inndelity
In the System of Mr.. Beecher" HE has not sent me
m invitation" continued the Plymouth PASTOR but
give this notice of my own accord in order that
those Of you who thought that Christian man
and had the faith of Christian may be un-
deceived" This produced smiles from many of
che congregation. The longest notice read by Mr.
Beccher in relation to q fair TO bo
held In order TO raise money 10 build
new hospital In Brooklyn 70 bo managed by Sisters of
Charity. to be nonscctarian like tho institution now
In the hands OF the parties, and to have ward
for incurables. Mr.. Bccchcr spoke very warmly In
praise Of the enterprise. "Thc time has passed. no
said. at least think is passing. when thought
II necessary TO briste at the of Roman Catholic
This pondcrous system Of forms and religious or
dinances may not he TO taste. but they devciop
among them earnest Christians and conscior-
tious teachers can be found anywhere else: and
have no question that good souls largely found
among that communion IA can be found In any other
communion know of no way OF winning Christians
by bombsrdng them or by building up walls between
them and you higher and higher. You not called
upon TO approve Of their ordinanccs but when they
present themselves to you with work of true Chris
tan charity there s opportunity to show your
cordial sympathy with them. Therefore commend
20 you this enterprise and trust that by your pres
encc and your lberaty you will show them that you
are not merely blind haters."
THE SERMON.
Mr. Bccchcrs sermon upon doubling and its
causes lie began by discussing tho philosophy of
doubt and OF certainty. He said this age of
doubt, ana went on TO discuss the reasons for IT,
Many persons who were in sort of vaporous indie
Cison in religious matters took credit unto them
selves therefor as IL IL were virtue; but Mr. Beechcr
assured them that IL was an infrmity. pragmati-
cal and practical man. he said, doesn't want "hifalu-
tin truths to come out of the air. Then there was
the man OF poeticnl temperament. who was the
OF this. Each of these classes needed truth with
evidence suited to their respective capacities To re-
ccve IL. Some men were too selfwilied 10 accept
anything; and the more obstinate n man was the
more firmly he declared IL on principle. some
men had strong evidences In the lower sphere and faint
appreciation of truths in the higher sphere Then too
evidence often refracted through the lower pas
sions like beam of light passing through medium
when evidences " truth presented In the great
sphere Of moral principles ~ whose tastes and