Year: 1872




Loving Kindness and Morcy-Christ Ac-
ceptfng HaIf-Faiths, Haif-cries and
Harf-Pra yers-The Cxlfmora or Human
Perfection Agafn-Reiicf tEe Precedent
Condition OF fBEiracles--ScrmoR by Henry
Ward BoechcF.


Mr. Beecher preached his second morning SER
mon since his return yesterday. and from the text
or ST. Mark, lx., A:-"Lord believe; help thou
my unbelieEu He commenced by saying that
Mark In his Gospel gave more striking pictures than
any other evangelist 1t was by the use OF single
and strong words that his scenes started forth
In their minutest details He was evidently an
eye witness OF the facts which he records Tho
scene in question was minute not merely In regard
to 0utwardness but the passage has the same
sharp discrimination of details In respect to the
mastered in the chaos OF dcmoniac possession.
The victim was mere child, who had from birth
have been man OF strong affection. When tho
Saviour comes he appeals to Him. identifying him
sell Win tne poy. ior no says :-ii tnou oansI 90
anything, help US, being moved OF compassion
towards u.s."


FAITH THE PRECEDENT OF THE MIRACLE.


1t was not true that the SAVIOUR was accustomed
to work miracles for the purpose Of exciting faith
His motives were those OF benevoence and human
precedent to the success OF tho miracles He did
not intend to teach men by the spirit of wonder.
but He demanded that there should be belief; "Al
of pain the father bursts out Just In the agony Of
suspense, "Lord believe; help thou my unbelief."
ways he knew that the curing OF the child
depended upon certain state OF mind. He
whether it were true or not. There was at the
moment that invincble earnestness OF purpose to
press the Master onward In the miracle that what
ever was necessary he proposed to have or to fu
Ill. At this time he hoped that his belief was not
insncere. He wanted to believe; he half believed
while in doubt whether he really did believe; and
spnfa Inv hio Inn nj ia m az
Help thou my unbcel." The lesson OF this cpl
sode in the life OF Christ was that although there
yet He did not refuse help and encour-
agcment nor cast him of because he was not per-
feet and had not reached that standard.


THE IDEAL or CHARACTER AND MANHOOD.


There was nothing throughout the New Testa-
mcnt more grand or imagination satisfying than
strive with all 0nr might; there is no lowering at
all of the standard In the New Testament, although
there Is q cnience shown towards those who fail
to attain 1t. IT is the ideal or manhood and charac
ter; but Gods sympathy ana pity lor sinners was
great If they strove to obey His commands; and
imperfect, needed not to hesitate to go
to Him Tor help They should not be deferred
from praying and seeking Divine assistance
II your physician had warned you to beware of
luXurles and the temptations of the table were too
strong, would you not go to him again ior fresh
help ana advicea Jesus so administers His love as
to succor those who ask Him for help, to cheer
those VINO greve for past sin and to comfort those
who are now only half way right.





Mr.. Beecher closed with an cxhortatOn to those
different classes who needed the Masters help for
their unbelieE-those who believed they were once
Christians, but had fallen back Into the old way,
discouraged with but half formed purpose, and
who looked wistfally at the right path and wished
that they were once more truly consistent Chris
tians. God would accept their haf-laith their half
wish If they would only go to Him.
ACCEPTANCE OF HALF-BELIEFS AND HALF-PRAYERS.
There was another class who were under great
trial; whose lot was darkened, 1t might be- by suf
fering excessive sorrow the effect OF which had
n n
doubt and despair. Jesus was ready to help them
and the more so because they were In this sad and
unfortunate condition OF mind. There was no
such thing as perrection men must go through
life and the portals OF death partly imperfect. II
they walked In the right spirit they would receive
encouragement indeed God listened to half-cries,
heard haf-faths, succ0red hali-beliels and took
men, who were even but as grain OF mustard
and for their own The kingdom of God began at
the minimum, and grew into all strength, oil
grandeur and all glory for the life that to come.