Year: 1869

The Ordinance Of Baptism and Sermon by


the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher.


After the opening exercises at Plymouth church
Yesterday morning the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher
called the names of large number OF persons who
were candidates for membership. Seats had been
specially set apart for these near the desk. Mr..
Beecher directed all the persons whose names were
on the list 10 stand up, when he read to them the
articles OF faith 10 which they are required to as
sent He then baptsed those who had not been pre-
viousy sancti1ed, and required the female candi-
dates to their headdresses for the purpose.
few persons were admitted to member
ship in the church by letter. An impressive
and eloquent prayer concluded this service.
The reverend gentleman selected as the text of
mis- discourse Hebrews IL, and part Of the eleventh
yerse:-"For which cause he IL not ashamed TO call
them brethren" The preceding verses showed how
Jesus had lowered himself TO the level OF common
humanity to save man through the shedding OF his
blood and TO make OF his disciples his.brethren-to
admit them into his household ana TO make them
one with himself. SO IL Is that those who believe IN
Jesus united to him like branches TO vine. The
personal relationship OF God to man has given to
have possessed. lie gave TO the cause OF sorrow
and suffering moral meaning. There was much In
the condition OF the early Christians TO lead them 10
suppose that Christ was ashamed of them. The
Jews were hated by all. They were OF all races the
most hated and they still are so. Not another nation
on the globe could be selected as more likely to be
held In disfavor by Christ. The Jewish disciples were
the detested OF detcsted nation, yet God was
not ashamed OF them a. people; nay he was not
ashamed OF them as brethren. 10 call them brethren
to unite them to himself IN bonds OF unity. The
divine nature OF God Is illustrated IN this, tnat ne
sustains towards his people the relationship held by
n parent towards his children. The moral delll-
quency Of man, hts moral obligations would be sup
posed to form reason for Gods being ashamed OF
men. This awakcns the supposition IN many OF us
that God must be ashamed. Every Christian man
has moments OF reflection, when ne accuses MN
self OF having brought dshonor on the name
of his Master. We then do feel that COD must
be ashamed Of Yet IL Is just such that christ IL
no. ashamed to call his brethren II we reflect now
far from eminent experience the average Christian
IL, we are surprised that God Il not ashamed The
cowardly intermittent Christian does not dare 10 DO
mis- duty. His name IS written, nevertheless IN the
palms OF His hands and He calls him brother. He
has been made in the likeness OF man and knows the
wickedness OF such natures aud has compassion on
them. The lowest, meanest, most wretched Chris
tan finds I'm Jesus q friend who Is not ashamed OF
him. There can be reasons Imagined why God is
his people. II is his glory to be mag
unanimous and that Is his pleasure. THIS
world is his hospital, his healing
ground wherein he brings up the soul and prepares
II to be like unto Him. Children are not so much
loved for what they as for what they will be, and
we love men not for what they are, but for what
their manhood will develop. SO God loves his peo.
pie. No one can hesitate to begin life with such
Saviour The preacher could conceive that man
might hesitate TO cast aside evil and to try to be
them, and the hope He holds out TO them VINO put
their trust I'm Him. No man mas power to become
Christian except he has faith. Christ was pre-
sented TO all. There was q way opened TO Him, ana
none need be DISCOURAGED. No man ever Iaied
until death closed his existence The reverend gen.
teman concluded by admonishng the novices,
whom, he said. he did not regard a. saints, to per-
severe IN the path they had taken.