Viewing page 403 of 607

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

378

[[newspaper clipping]]
MR. BEECHER ON ANDOVER.

BARBARISM DRIFTING OUT OF THEOLOGY-MEN'S IDEAS OF GOD NOT FIXED.

Mr. Beecher announced in Plymouth Church yesterday that this week would be given up to social enjoyment in his church. A church fair will occupy four days, beginning with a concert this evening, when, in addition to the vocal and instrumental music, E. Heron-Allen will speak upon "Finger Rings," and Miss Settie Blume will read. Mr. Beecher especially invited the older members of the church to be present at the fair and the younger ones to come and see them enjoy themselves. The proceeds of the fair will be devoted to church work.
In his sermon the preacher , in beginning, paid a high tribute to Moses, whose name, he said, save that of the One above every name, stood at the head of the names of earth. He was the great leader of antiquity. The secret of his life was expressed in the words: "He endured as seeing Him who is invisible." The great invisible world was the source and inspiration of what he was, and it made him victorious. Mr. Beecher further considered the growth of the conception of God among men, widening and deepening from age to age. He continued:
Andover is the centre of the conservative form of theology. But men there are beginning to be shocked at the idea of cruelty in the conception of future conscious eternal torment. But what will become of religion, say some, if a fellow on the other side is to see Christ and have a chance of being saved? They want to destroy the heresy of one ray of hope, one dawn of light upon the barbarism of the old theology. They are not to blame any more than an egg is to blame because it is an egg in the order of providence. It may become a chicken or a saglet, and it never will come to itself until it comes to its altitudinous self. The idea of God is not fixed, but it is formed by the imaginations of men. We are the makers of our ideas of God from the materials in the consciousness and condition of men. The ideal of suffering love will be uplifted. The church is disturbed, because the barbaric elements are drifting out. But they are bound to go and our children will know it. It is impossible for men to understand the personality of God. The only conception of God that can be obtained is generic. God's goodness is the backbone of the Bible. Goodness is the universal and formal element in God, and He prizes it most and theology least. But supreme and high over all is His love, boundless, ineffable, everlasting. To live as seeing Him who is invisible is the supremest form of living. To live thus will lift you above the petty evils of time. You are the children of the Infinite and are marching home. The immortal in us is crying out for the immortal beyond.
[[/newspaper clipping]]

W.T. Richards who had grown so venerable looking I did not know him, Hamilton Gibson and his wife Mr. and Mrs. Chas Parsons, Mrs. Brownell and many others. They always insure ones meeting pleasant people there.

Tuesday Feb. 8" 1887. Still foggy and dismal. I painted over an old picture 12 x 20 a sunset sky I saw just before I left home. I am trying sky effects and hope to do something in which the sky shall be the picture. Went to Dr. Taylors as usual. Came to my room about 9 and wrote to Sara.

monday 9. Dined with the G.B. Club with Mrs. Helen [[Brihohs?]] 88/5" ave. I much [[?]] alone and not Keeping how far up it was I much too far,  and had to return several blocks {{?}} where I would have got pretty muddy why trail the mud had frozen. It was a beautiful house and filled with ((?)) and curtly things. We had an elegant time were elegantly served and all together it was a very pleasant and successful affair. There was Percival Collins, Eastman, Robbins, Lord, Wash, Alexander, Mc Dannough, Marbury, Harper, Judge Sedgwick, Dr. Otis, Dr. Meyers, Anderson and Berman. Marbury was in her best vein and made much amusement in her vincinity. I git to my room somewhere near midnight. 
Thursday 10. The carpenter came today and worked all day. I am getting on slowly. {{?}}and {{?}}Mr. Dennison the painter about the floor and the walls. He said he would come over before 3 o'clock and look at the work to be done but did not come. Fuller called and looked at my pictures. He wants me to paint some pictures which shall be mostly sky, which I am just in the mood for doing. {{?}} and I called on Mrs. Taylor and Lily. They are packing up after being in the country for six months and going back to Germany. I doubt if they will ever come back again. I think they find things very much changed here and are lonely. 
Friday 11. Two customers came today, and shortly after Mr. Dennison {met?} the painter. He took a great fancy to the picture I had painted at home that summer - "Autumn Fields" and I told him he had better buy it. He asked the price and I told him $600 but if he was inclined to buy it I would let him have it for something less. He is going to send money in {Normandy?} to do the wall, 

Saturday 12. The wind blew a gale last night and it is colder today.  I went to [[or.]]Taylors as usual and went home from there by the 6 oclock train Mr. + Mrs. [[?]] were on board.  

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-15 13:34:37 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-15 21:25:32 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-16 12:26:28