New-York tribune., 1878-04-20
MR.. BEECHER's GOOD FRIDAY TALK.

wife WAS n surprise 10 him. Mr. Ialnage referred
TO the scandal in his Friday evening address.
MR.. BEECHER's GOOD FRIDAY TALK.
40 DIRECT REFERENCE 10 THE REvAMPED CHARGES
MERELY AN ALLUsIoN TO MS EXPERIENCE OF
TROUBLES
The lecture-rOOm of Plymouth Church, last
evening. wds hed TO its utmost capacity, and
the audience Overnowed into adjoining rooms.
Chairs and campstoO!s we're pressed into SER
vice, and all the available space about the plat
form was occupied in this way At four minutes before
eight Mr. Beecher entered with quick STEP threw his
ovcrcoat upon the platform in his usual caess manner
placed ou brOad-brimmed soft hat and then took
his seat His entrance rapid that few were aware
OF his presence until be was upon the PLATFORM
Then there was an instant lul in the whispered conver
sation. All eyes we're turned upon HIM. Mr.. Beeehers
face was a trae more nord than usual and the lines
about the mouth and eyes showed more than ordinary
fatigue Nothing In his speech or action, however bore
out testimony Of his face He spoke with his usual
fervO drectness and force aud alluded only once and
that in the indirect way, the recent revival OF
the charges against him.
Upon the table at his side basket Of wild flowers.
atNhich lie gazed attentvelya moment He then took
up book aud listlessly turned over its
pages. Some late cOmers provided with
seats and lie then announced the opening hymn.
In the prayer that followed Mr. Beecher asked that lac,
his church. and all Christians might rejoice In the resur-
Tccon OF Christ they gratefully shared In HIS
suffering. lie besought that pride and every
impure thing might be crushed out OF their
lives. that their conscience might be quick
ened, SO that in their nfrmities the power OF God
might be made manifest Afterward Mr.. Beecher
read John xiv, 3s42, describing the visits OF Joseph
and Nicodemus to the sepulchre Of Christ. Then he
said
Neither Joseph nor Nlcodemus seemed to identify him
self with Christ in the hour of His popularity Both were
filled with deep ponderlng OF the truths When ontis1
taught the Master brought into trouble,
then both seemed to grow more luminous D0lder more
steadfast, just as danger increased ana daraness %
Bible is this: Now in the place where lie was ciuci-
fed there was garden, ana IN this gagen ne" SoPol
cllre wherein never man yet laid" lt has always
been thing that fascnates my imagination. love 10
such surroundings. 1t was not a ghasty dfatD.
His was sepulchTe hewn in roce-placed IN garden.
dscipes took the body and buried with 1t all hope yet
the buds were swelling there flowers were exbalng
their perfumea about in the darkness the work
OF beauty was going and death and bural-the most
extraordinary death OF all time ana the most w0hdelut
burial that history has reeorded-were nevertheless taA
Sad as was that death the best thing that ever
happened TO the disciples and the best hng 20 World
In His dying the presage tnet an VINO ue III nIn
shall rise in Him. Those OF you VINO I'VE IN .e Gtuy, ,i,
know, perhaps that when pee stluss u ts @ s.6
in wound aud henceoIth IL is PoweIIess 10 harm
others. Death In stnging Christ sew himself
Touching lightly upon the aversion which he himself
felt toward gloom death and the sepuchre Mr. Beecher
continued remember that in my third yearin college
much trouble fell upon DO not think was terrible
now but then was young, ana lntApcIl III uouDlS.
| left Amherst one day in vacation, ana went 10
IItchded, where | born. | needs must pass by
the burial ground where lay my mOthei had not ceen
there since / little 10y. found the graye-a
simple mound, with a simple white headstone.
sat down and laid my head against the stone
could not interpret it ell. l had known but
little OF my mother for she died when
was three years old But felt If distinct stream
OF 10Y had down upon me from heaven lt seemed
as If had got back my mother ana felt the peace sbe
did I shall always remember that half hour as en-
phaticas almost mystic have been better man since
That day. AS we sit tonight by the scpuchre
may not the love OF God bring treasure OF peace INTO
our heartsl II God Is for who can be against us
He Is for longer the scpuclred Christ. but the
crowned Christ-ny Redeemer, my all His weakness Is
the worlds strength"
Aft,r tie hymn and benediction number OF persons
took seats at Beecher left hand These persons pext
Sunday will unite with Plymouth Church by letter or
profession As the remainder Of the audience
WAS passing out there many kind bows
toward the pastor, aud few paused To shake
hands with him. His brother Edward Hscended
the platform and talked with Mr.. Beecher
In a pleasant way. When the congregation had dis
persed Nj. Beecner went among the candidates for mem
bershp and examined their evidences OF iath Al half
past 9 O'Clock the lecture room was deserted.
George c. Robinson with his family. asked for letters
OF dismissal from Plymouth Church last evening lie Is
understood to be a relative OF Mrs. Frances d. MoultOn.
He is connected with the firm Of Woodruff & Robinson