Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1885-03-28
THE LYMAN BEEcHER LECTURES

mOny, Life and W0rk,' at Marquand
Chapel.
DR.. John Hall continued the discussion OF
the subject 'tForces that have modified
Christian testimony, life and work" in the
Marquand chapel yesterday afternoon. We
must consider the circumstances in which
doctrines and dogmas have been given to the
men before US and also know the circumstan
ces from which we are to hand down doc
trines. There are certain laws of nature
which work regularly; that students of ma
ture misconceive and misinterpret them is ne
reflection on the laws, but on the students
So we may misinterpret the instructions and
the laws of God It is proof of the falli
bility of human wisdom, not of the fallibili
ty of the laws. Why did not God give us {
revelation so clear and transparent as to b.
unnecessary of analysisP God has adapted
the eye to the light, but no sane man would
demand that the eye shall never mislead and
always be correct. On the same principle
God gave US the law upon which we mus
use our reason. We know the history o.
Paul and he is the one to tell his fellow mer
that what we do will not make title fol
divine favor in heaven. Works do not
amount to much. Then the apostle
James comes in with the complement o.
works and gives us "Faith and Works.
We must look at the circumstances in which
this truth is revealed and developed. The
prominent feature of the early church was
its tendency to astheticism and the philoso
ply of the Orient was in the same direction
This tendency came into play with the Chris
tian doctrine and naturally grew stronger
and stronger and took upon itself various
forms of exhibition. We must keep alive
the spiritual identity and live for God and
with him, was the way in which the old
forces co-operated with the tendency to Sc
clusion. There was need of important truth
to correct this drift; the early feasts were
good for some, but soon they took on features
and peouliarities of heathenism, and mingled
with the life of men; then the feeling arose
that they must be dispensed with altogether.
This line of travel and these tendencies are
illustrated in later times.
The Puritans came to their convictions and
conclusions by slow process Influenced by
the reaction against despotism, authority and
Journalism. There is no doubt but that the
gradual development of power was Influenced
by those views which the Puritans could not
submit to. So to the Baptist church in Eng
land many were driven, not so much by alb
stract reasoning as by seeing the way in
which other churches dealt with those around
them. So the Quakers rejected the sacrament
because, seeing the way in which it was used
in the churches, they were driven to the con-
clusion that there should be no such thing
in the church of the Lord Jesus. Those who
strike off in reaction take stand
too strong and lose sight of the
of the truth which is given
them. People habituauy look at restraint
rather than simpler organization, grasping
at the belief that none should exist rather
than the conception of modified existence.
In this way misinterpretation is brought in
and the penalty must be paid.
If we go back to the middle ages we find
the monastic order thoroughly established.
But millions of people were left out of the
range of good influence and had only that of
was necessary and the order of
preaching fliars was established
which came in direct contact
with the people. As long as the pure spirit
continued great deal of work was accom-
plished, but in time the penalty for the vio-
lation of the principles given by God had to
be paid and the order was looked at in the
SdIlS 1lSuG DIS buo OTOOE VI uuOHhS uSttA pCCI:
The Dominican order became the promoters
Of persecution, though probably the founder
did not have any such end in view. 1t be-
came the powerful agent of the suppression
Of free speech, thought and action, though
it began as we believe with pure purpose.
Are there any forces affecting us in these
principles? Do any forces modify the
nomination: we find great wisdom in the
earliest efforts of the church. It was built
IN the simplest possible system, laying OBJ
igation on each of it's members to lay tbs
ruth on others. Wesley had wise and just
stimate of the circumstances in which he
vas placed and adapted the machinery of
he principles of the Bible. So ministers of
O. day must adapt the message of Christ to
he circumstances in order that no power
nay be lost.
We unduly boast of our nineteenth CEN
ury There is broader and more general
ED of reading which is brought in contact
18th the various religious systems, the con-
squence of which is that things are not held
, strongly to-day, but that people are more
beral and not SO sure of their foundation.
his is the way in which the human mind of
he nineteenth century is working. What
lust we do? Regulate that force and say to
nose who feel it: Brethren, prove things in
ne way God puts it into your power to prove
1em ond hold fast to that which is good. |
We stand before God, and therefore evidence |
1ould mingle with the preaching.
1t is difficult for the rich to enter the king |
ON of heaven. It is difficult, not impossi- |
lie. The truth that the Lord meant to con- |
ey in this passage stands to-day and must |
Q kept in mind. The rich think that some |
ling belongs to them because they are rich |
lat there is a special difference between them |
nd the poor. 1t is one of the greatest evils |
the time that the rich do not count the |
49,
,ntend against this feeling and strive |
bring all to the same level |
it was intended by God that they should |
D.. We have vast mass of illiterate peo-
e. Some of them are religiously inclined,
ut have limited views in the narrow range |
truth with which they are in contact. The
motion of the church is to lift them up
eadily by intoxicating the principle of the
rowing of all things and the acceptance of
lat which comes with adequate evidence of
nth. The mind must be broadened, but, at
lie same time, there must be kept in con-
iousness the element that we must prove
l things and hold fast to the good.
We are brought up among mixed people;
is circumstance which we must take into
count. Mixed with a variety we are apt to
I'D our peace where others are not in SYM
athy, and not to obtrude thoughts upon
em which they have no access. to. This
Try variety broadens our views and should
the cause of our bringing religion into the
tegory of views in order to broaden the
inds of those with whom we are dealing.
ut the broadening, as in the case of water,
almost always at the expense of
.pth. 1t makes shallow people
Il people must be brought to the test of the
fallible word and be taught to try things
I'd judge between the right and wrong; in
cir simplicity, purity and dignity these
inciples will lift men up steadily and grad
lily. Jesus and the gospel are the same to-
y, yesterday and forever, pure, holy and
gnifed. In the same spirit we must go to
en- in peace and truth and lift them up to
q level on which we stand. We must re-
ember the circumstances! That a
ing is ancient and widespread
,es not make it necessary for us. We look
the purposes for which particular truths
ere built, and keep them in place. When
are satisfied with the truth of principles
must set them forth in their simple truth
lness, and God will do us justice, for he ],
cans us to be the witnesses of his truth. /
he last lecture of the Lyman Beecher
urse will be delivered by DR.. Hall next
lursday afternoon.
BASE BALL.
Trial Game To-Day at the Park
The New Haven Club Effort.
A trial game of base ball will be played at
amiIton Park this afternoon by a nine COM |