The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-20
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
GOODNESS AS A GARMENT - SERMON BY
HENRY WARD DEECHER.

GOODNESS AS GARMENT - SERMON By
HENRY WARD DEECHER.
Mr. Beecher. who has been unwell during the past
week. announced in the morning that he would not
preach at the evening service but that the usual
hour would be spent in song and prayer. His text
was Romans, xiii, 14:-"But put we the Lord
Jesus Christ" This of the instances In the
Bible of q sentiment which in its metaphorical and
imaginative form is very powerful. but which, IL
ccped in its literal sense, would be preposterous.
1t is with all the prophetic symbols. There is
long line figures unlike this the New Tesla
ment. If they conceived of in sentiment and
poetry they sublime but If the conception
ricd single step further they turn to ashes In
hands. The garments of man the most in
innate of his belongings. He becomes
used to them that he is unconscious of
them. II was in this sense that the Apostle spoke.
No W lille thinking always of himself could be
either artist, All orator. friend or q man in any
great degree. The constant sense OF personality
quenches the higher fire of manhood-ts enthusiasm,
It's originality, ITS boldness in any direction. Car
ments not good only for protection. but as a
means OF Identification well. 1t IL comey in one
able and disposed to do to make his apparel
blessing to the eyes of every who looked upon
him If God creates things beautiful men need not
be afraid TO indulge their taste for them. Grotesque-
ness and denominations of fashion. however. do not
come in the range of these remarks. The end and
drift OF all religion ought to- be ethical and IL is to
. very great extent. st. Augustine said very dar-
ingy that Christianity IN the world before Christ
were mercy and truth born eighteen hundred years
ago. They all coexistcnt with the human race.
All natural religions, they called, embodied
al idea of following after God II hapy they might
1nd Him.
IMPROVED CONCEPTIONS OF DEITY.
What, then, constitutes the difference between
Christianity and the old religions Judaism and tho
best interpretations of mythology 1t is this-A
liner notion of the nature OF God introduced
through Christ aud of His adaptation TO the enthu-
siastic love of mankind. The sublime conception Of
God In the Exodus could not be changed for the bet
ter by an omission addition. The New Testament
has SIMPLY given the relation of God to the human
soul ~ He IN made manifest through the Lord Jesus
Christ. All tho way through Christ addressed Him.
self through the love principle TO the disciples The
primitive Church had just this one idca-Jesus
Christ the lover. Love when IL lives creates all
things and when IL Is stricken there IL
nothing in nature which bo sub
stitutc for 10. Perceving what were the effects of
this idea in the primitive Church has led often to
say that wished could believe in the second COM
ina of christ IL would be great deal easier 10 live
II We could that II this be what great
mischief Is done by the dynastic arguments among
thcoogians. l constantly brought in contact
with persons doubling the divinity Of Christ. Will
not contend with them -
The very moment that man begins to read the
New Testament argrmentative spirit IL loses Its
flavor and it's peculiar beauty is destroyed. With
nl'n who 40 into that controversy all Of tho most