The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-27
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
THE EVILS OF FRETTING, MELANCHOLY AND

FEAR-sERMoN BY Mr.. BEECHER.
The traces of Mr.. Beechers illness were yet upon
him when he mounted the platform of Plymouth
Church. but though his cheeks paler than their
wont, they yet wore a warm and roseate hue, which
in most people would be accounted an indication OF
the most perfect health. His manner, however, and
the accents of his voice. he proceeded to offer the
opening prayer, showed that he had met and van
quished some unusual physical trial. In the very
middle of this devotion Le seemed to feel access
of feebeness and spoke weakly and with effort. His
words at the time strong and original
as they ever have been like occasion.
The text was from st. Matthew, vi, 27-''Which OF
you, by taking thought, can add one cubit unto his
stature ?" This. said Mr. Beecher comes nearer
to what might be called humor than any other
passage that I recollect in the New Testament.
Here have an argument against the fret
and worry to which humanity is prone. against the
nameless forms Of mental suffering which como
from the attrition of life. Troubles were neither
dsdained magnifed by the word Of God but in
this passage it assumed fact that in the
movement of human life at large men squander
happiness on occasions and for unworthy of
them. The word of God assumes that it is the duty
of man to be happy The great ends and aims of life
are to be sought through an atmosphere of happi-
ness. "Fret not about tomorrow" would be fair
tended that man should be happy on this earth Mr..
Beecher outlined the general course Of nature. In
stead of having faith in providence, men were too
ready dsavow it. What good did it do to fret? It
would not make one hair black. 1t might, however.
make all of hairs white. But 1t would not
change stature. Many could not be satisfied
because they dwarfs. How were they to help
it? Fretting would not make them any taller.
1t was the right of the soul to be happy,
and no man ought for single moment to forfeit
andae tho nnd gorhid nhanceI those e anu
that were feared beforehand. II there was a slight
Inflammation in ones eye the worst thing that he
could do was to rub it. But men rubbed their
troubles until they actually grew and they be-
almost blind to everything else. The nerve is
the man. The whole of manhood lies in the brain
and nervous system. All besides is but animal. To
get them into o feverish state disqualifes man
from bearing any trouble with fortitude and tend
ency of always looking upon the dark side of things
grows upon him. 1t is the worst habit that could be
formed. No person had right to pencil his
mind that like scratched pane Of glass, 1t distorted
everything that looked at through it. What
would be thought of man who insisted upon form
ing a more familiar acquaintance with nettles.
thistles, thorns and briers-everything that could
give him good scratching? What of one who sought
out every fruit that was sour or bitter or acid that
he might taste it? What of one who went up and
down, here and there. and to whom all flowers that
good for sweet purposes were as nothing it he
could find some grievous stencil in the air?
THE FOLLY OF FRETrING.
1t was great folly TO reject and put aside hun
dred other means OF happiness because ones expec-
blotted out; to let ones whole day be Swallowed
while the yet shone with ten thousand mercies
whole banquet because the one dish which he most
loved not on the table? Every man could be
master Of the economy of his own soul. How pitt
full them to reject the wealth of universal service
for the lack OF some petty trifie!
Then, too, experience taught us that we suffer
selves to be tormented about things we could be
just well without. We made ourselves unhappy
in order to seek unhappiness On the other hand we
often lament over a loss that did us no harm. II
bad hack f,dfh hat ha
places were those which were now the most
worthless to us. Wherever the mountains
i'll stability and grandeur there did encounter the
greatest difficulties and troubles. Man made
manly by softness, but by hardness We would all
like to be ground on sleeps fleece. but what kind
of an edge would it put on us? We did not like the
grndstone and the anvil; but what were the trings
that were best but those which had come through
the fire and from under the hammer?
THE WIDESPREAD INFLUENCE OF FEAR.
Fear was one OF the post widespread influences
which disturbed love. labor and hope Yet the wise
man might console himself with the assurance that
the things which we fear most constantly never
happen. Fear would lie to every day and hour,
and yet will still believe it, As 1t worked largely
with the organ of invention it never the same
for two hours at once. All that accomplished
under its influence was drudgery. 1t not of in
spired work. Shame upon him, then, who would sell
himself to this devil. In way did it help him,
in every conceivable way did it hinder and hurt him.
tranquil soul was indspensably necessary to a
true Christian atmosphere. fretting person never
knew the true Christian religion. God did not speak
to men who had unhealthy, nervous systems. He
only addressed the soul when 1t Is in silence, calm
and serenity.
Men formed the habit of fretting far more than
they know. and thus did they dull the pure mirror
of their consciousness blasting periodically the
very bloom of life Men should not be in bondage
their business but they should look down upon it.
You superior, said Mr.. Beecher, to the effects
which you can produce. No man is less than a son
of God. Hold fast to yourself, to your better SELF
your higher self. You should also consider, what
very few people think Of what disagreeabe COM
pany make of ourselves for God If we are ever
fearful and foreboding.