The New York herald., 1879-12-08
MINISTER'S AND PEOPLE.
The Voice of Teachers and
Preachers Yesterday.
DIR. NEWMAN DENOUNCES HANGING.
Mr.. Beecher Crticises the Pulpit, the
Press and the Politicians.
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.


THE PEnsEourISG SPIRIT IN THE CHURCH, m
JOURNALISM AND IN 'PoLITIcs-sERMoN By
REV. HENRY WARD BEEcHER.
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher preached at Plymouth
Church yesterday to crowded congregation, taking
us his text Matthew, Xxx. 20-2S-'rhen came to him
the mother of zebedees children. with her sons.
worshipping him and desiring certain thing of
him. And he said unto her. What wilt thouY She
saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons.
may Sit tho ono on thy right hand and the other on
the left. in thy Kingdom After an eloquent
explanation of the text and the lesson to bo
learned from it. Mr.. Beecher described the
pride and intolerance of the Pharisees and pointed
out how the same spirit exists to-day and can only
be counteracted by initiating the humility OF Christ
"whosoever shall be great among you. let him be
your minister. And whatsoever shall be chief among
you let him be your servant. Even the Son of Man
came not to be ministered unto, but to minister,
and to give his life ransom for many" II the base
of the brain, he said be depraved and men indulge
in dissipation and the grosser vices. how much
turned to the service of sin; when intelligence edu-
cation religious culture used solely for the
qualification of sordid ambition and envy for the dis
tortion of the truth and the overcoming ofour fellow
men? What a criminal waste OF Gods noblest gifts
to turn them to the persecution OF those who differ
with us. Is there not as much persecution and in
tolerance in modern times among Christians, ir-
respective of sect. among the Jewish Pharisees
What could be terrible than the spirit OF
hatred and persecution indulged in by the Church
OF Rome in past times? What could be more in
tolerant and inquisitoria than the spirit which
tries? Were not the .Methodists and the Baptists
animated by a spirit OF bitterness and hatred? Even
among the Congregationalists the spirit of tntol-
epence and repression could DO found. Mr.. Beechers
own father was regarded as heresiarch, and he
cited instances to show the intensity OF the
scouting spirit when he was young man.
SPICY PERSONAL JOURNALISM
Look at the religious press OF to-day. 1t will never
correct mistake, will never take back injurious
statement the editor never has the Christian hu-
mility to say. II committed an error and am sorry
for it," He will write some explanation hattering
to bis own pride and calculated to make the injury
done tcnfold than before. In this the secular
press is no worse. There might be some difference
between them; he would not undertake to decide.
Mr. Beecher then went into an elaborate description
OF the power and influence. for good or evil OF the
ing itself felt wherever tho English language
personal 1 was demanded BY the public and tho
personal column was the first thing looked at IN q
newspaper The human !! hash , had to be served up
not relished except highly seasoned with pepper A
simple citizen was almost as helpless against the
the thunder and lightning of God above him. 1t
could spread the truth or make o lie. and could
crush the individual with its all powerful influence
The growth OF this personality and sensationalism
was to be deprecated.
In political contests how the same persecuting
spirit manifests itselt What abuse is heaped
on the Individual What raking up there is OF his
hidden sins! What slanders are circulated to his
detriment! Sometimes 1t takes the shape Of spicy
ridicue, passing the bounds of propriety; some
times it necessary exposure OF actual delnquen-
cies uniting the for positions OF public trust.
but generally it is reckless abuse, having the mere
object of gratifying envy or satisfying ambition.
This tends lessen respect for the magistracy, to
lower all men holding responsible public positions
in the public estimation 1t blasts regulations and
develops spirit of hatred and uncharitableness.
These OWLS can only be remedied by studying the
spirit of Christ by teaching charity and endeavor-
ing to soften the spirit of persecution. Excessive
zeal may be itself grievous sin IL it take the form
OF persecution. The excessively Jealous man should
take lest at tho judgment day the Lord may
rise up and say, Your anger against sin Is itself
sin: your hatred against sinners is worse than the
o;p fhavc init