New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-05

Armitage. Henry Riddle, ex-supertntendent OF the
public schools, at Republican Hail. stated what be
believes to he the reasons why modern Spritualism
is opposed.
MANS SIN AND NEED OF AN ATONEMENT.
The Rsr Henry Ward Beecher at Plymouth Church (oon0re
odttoaaD Brooklyn.
Yesterday was Communion Sunday at Ply
month Church. and the usual throng was considerably
augmented; many persons went away unable to
secure seats, and others stood throughout
the service Mr. Beecher preached power
mi and characteristic sermon upon mans sim
f,lness and need of an atOnement, aud replied
70 various criticisms which had been made upon his
views.
In announcing the rental OF pewe TO take place Tues
day evening, he said A." We have always cndeaVored
10 preserve good ncighborly feeling In the
matter OF selecting but no enc has any en either
moral or pecunary, upon any sitting. and everyone
is free TO select whatever one he chooses But II you
are going TO take anybOdys seat take the best ones
those OF the who cit here right In 'front.' OF the
pulpit and get the pth and cream OF the sermon. II
anyone wants particular seat. he is at perfect liberty
TO try and get it, II several persons join together totake
one seat the cost TO each but little. SO ALSO some
families arrange for two to have the same pew one
occupying II in the morning and the other in the even
ing. In this way the house accommodates more IMAM
tie number Indicated If yon count the pews."
As the text of bis Mr. Beecber took Philippians,
spprehended but this thing do, forgetting
those things which behind and reaching forth unto
those things which are before press toward the marx
for prize of the high calling OF God in Christ Jesus
This is an admirable specimen OF the right way
TO look at stu, he said. fundamental principle
IN religion is the doctrine OF sin and the need for
confession Of Gin. l have been much criticised as
taking zoo little account of sin, and as giving
little place for the Atonement and Christ as
a Redeemer. l admit that If these deficiencies exist
they are fatal defects. 1t is as II man should teach
medical science the theory that no one was ever SICK
or ever would be- The whole world is imperfect through
sinfulness this is the foundation OF all system
The doctrine of universal snfuness and that the exer
ton of the mighty power OF God is needed to rescue
men lies beneath all our efforts. That TO those
who use the old nomenclature my teachings seem
astray and incomprehenslbe and void DO
not doubt. Bat I Go not look az these
matters as the old theologians did. have different
philosophy from that employed 70 Systematic Theology
do not complain Of Misrepresentation It's natural
MY views and teachings In advance Of those who
hold 10 the past. by more profound and sound doc
frnes way leads through philosophical methods to
freer salvation, bringing in Christ in manifold manes-
tation TO the souls needing Him. In the matter OF the
record and confession Of sin hold myself 10 be a good
deal more orthodox than the orthodox. My views are
sounder than those o: most men.
/ make these statements personal because have
right For twenty years l have had noth-
Ing private my mnstratiOns pastoratc as most
ministers have whether IN the great congregation or In
the private and social meetings am glad that by the
ministry Of press have been enabled to preach TO
40 large an audience !: is unspeababe comfort 10
me to know that utterances turned TO for light
in distant homes; that from them some guidance and
hope are furnished to many IN doubt. darkness |
and despair that / can can give sustenance to
many who are sick, aged or destitute. 1t is
not often that privilege is afforded 10 minister
10 have m andre ar
inside And perfect my utterances are, IL is
OF perennial JOY that as much as In me h can
preach words OF comfort to hundreds thousands and
even hundreds of thousands
AS write nothing but the barest notes there much
Of imperfection IN speaking by of npusive and
i'm gfnatve temperament What feel express here
with more emphasis than calmly written out
my study. There Is tendency to exageerate, TO
use strokes IL the portrare OF ideas strongly felt
am not as charitable should be- 1t is fault OF
men that they critcise believe in the universal
right to find the truth and to express it, want the
same granted But certain great points would
not be misunderstood. On the doctrine OF the sinful
ness Of man and his need OF Christ atonenent
will be misunderstood Ny profound conviction OF
universal sinfanoss Ia derived from theology,
but is founded IN tho experience OF life The
theologians had " dim apprehension" Of fact IN
the idea that sin means OF the greatest
good but not as they explain 1t do hold 1t. Mans
record The creation has been an account Of nrmi
ties apses aud sins You might as well
expect the pless child make mistake IN WALKING
or to acquire language without making errors as to
suppose that has up from the lowest with
10 man violating law. No man ever lived who did not
violate law every day OF his life. do not think Adams
sin came 10 descendants. Every makes his
sins they not heirlooms There OF course close
connection between man and his anc' o Deformi-
ties pecu,'ariiies passionate tenuei 90 sn , III
iatioDs But That the whole ehs sin dividend OF
Adams sin-let those believe 1t who cannot and
reject the theory OF imputed SIM and recognize the
strong, aud Is Immense distance from ideal
manhood in perfect obedience. Only perfect
ever earth, tie man Jesus. No other individual
ever lived ard care up III development sinessy.
second place ind fault with the terms sin and
sinfulness taught and employed IN churches. While
holding with immense strength 10 the reality aud warn
ely Of slus and cam t6a, dt Is not proper
Men do not teach thst SIN is specific mat
per- the iuordinae pride. the coquesh vanity the va
grant agnAliOn the dominance OF appetite All SIN
IS special. know that when child sat before the
realize OF sn, looked in tie air for con,
could feel that was hit longed, prayed, wrestled
and sang for conviction OF sin. Inose whom l osken |
only spoke OF sin gsDorcaly; specific trausgressions
all lett ont. Law was represented 10 me as frame
work set in The Heavens ior when Goo cared muc.
10 die Why, IL the facts had been mace clear |
i've Years as we'll as at ffty, for was az a child, |
quickly apprebensye; but was fed with genercs and
Starved. My AFTER experience nss oeen aNoieht re-
bound from all tins.
Thea object TO the indiscrimnate way In which |
declare themselves They ali agree that they
are sinners and are be saved by and Join the
church but the inex0rabe old avaricious fellow does
admit this particular sin Of his must be given
MP The man VINO Is obstinate and SO fixed that Que
change him does not give this up Men arc hard |
and call 40 justice they proud with the pride which
makes oil near them 10 tingle, they have Thousand
passions which play out waters OF bitterness but they
do that these things are sinful, they merely
call themselves sinners 1t is as II should |
look at his old house and not regard the rottipg sill
fned eCaV viz I'm Gny geuQr
that the house bad There f. need OF feeling that
nl su Is violation OF the Law OF love. and Of individual
ling tue matter.
also object To the speaking OF the venomousuess OF
all SINS There some tha are as "a