Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-07-07

4 = = - 8 e -
the mos natural way the greatest tendency the whole
preaching; and supposed that none VINO
equal to the work Of the mnry incapable
If he took suitable pains for this attainment President
Edwards thought committing g w
Fly discard both. 30. 80.
For years several Introductory sermons q TINS
have BEEN and Others during the appeared . oe
wren read, the disappointment and grlei Of many u IS
members whom the preaching OF Inc e'ope
infant spnnklng is Gospel baptism. :
What have further offer this subject at this 'mes Wen
expressed following from the Chrian Secretary q
March and April last
aThe practice Of writing instead Of preaching may pc
traced back the dark ages Of popery Those VINO nave
the curiosity to know the truth Of this statement will find
substantiated BY peTusng oshem, History OF the Eighth
Cenfurys Vol /, page 512 To the words OF Moshem
respecting the utility Of the pacce contributed much
to oursh the incidence, and perpetuate the OF
aworthess clergy And the reason he gives - that they
frequently and in most where they could be obtained
Tread the composition of others But not to dwell on an
Gent times will look the practice OF many at the
present day. and if it has the influence
There are many things which might be brought against
the practice of reading sermons four OF which shall
mention. -zs ssszs..#@.s@ 4
l. It paralyzes the mind and shuts the door against
those warm animatng feelings which always essential
to powerful eloquenee The person who writes and reads
his sermons, have much to stimulate him. and
call forth the energies OF his SOUL the extemporaneous
preacher. Can have lively sight of the state
of the sinner while in his study, when surrounded with
hundreds, who pressing their way to Instruction. Can
shut from their sight, when surrounded by numbers
whose very counenaoes bespeak the JOY of their hearts,
I think the answer Of every experienced will beno
Then think this will stimulate ministers to preach extern
poraneously.
g. It nourishes the Incidence of minister's read their
sermons. am fully that by many this assertion
will be denied. It is often said by the friends of reodng
that writing and reading anantldote against
) Incidence, and persons from that sameness which
Fl so prevalent mems But think when
we discover that many read what they wrote,
*
tendency to increase the Incidence of the clergy. Should
we search the cabinet of many of gentlemen Of the
gown should find many homies [discourses written
by D. DIS and A. Ms, which have been handed from one
to another, until the writing hardly egibe. the prac
ce directly calculated nourish the Incidence of
the clergy, would ask what is? -
o Again, ministers who write their sermons read them
over and again. many times they chance have
different places improve, until their spht
and all that gives them interest to their minds is the self
graduation they derive from anticipated eclat.
), 3. written discourse has the impression the
minds of audience, extemporaneous COM
posed in private 1.-The character Of the audience is frequent
y unknown and the discourse is not adapted the cir
cumstances of the hearers consequently, portion
not be given 10 every one, and therefore part
interested in any matter except few high sounding
n licences, which would starve the pous soul.
A. It destroys that dependence which minister ought
to feel upon the great Head of the Chufc, who has said
n Lo, am with YOU The man who enters the pulpit with
y his wren has no fear f hseyes do fail hn)
but that he shall be able to perforthe duties OF the day
y And if his heart is cold his reading will be his
hearers he fears He easily satisfied when the day
= is closed for his affections Pauls, he
dare look from his for fear of losing his place;
neither he supply extemporaneous sentence for fear
10 OF destroying the unity of his discourse.
Many more reasons might be brought against reading
sermons; but the foregoing sufficient induce who
e are anxious to avail themselves of the best do
good to abandon the practice. know that finely writ
ten DISCOURSE which abounds with theoretical figures and
well turned periods please Of many who would
be disguised with the plain doctrine Of the But the
c minister who strives please the polite critic at the
pense of the poushe soul who is hungry for the bread
n of e had better stop and read his commission. And il
10 he is commissioned feed the sheep sof Christ he had
h better follow his direction But if he commissioned to
please the of the pote he had better leave the desk
and mount the stage in theatre.
We must be permitted to say that have been more
and more thoroughly convinced if possible that the svs
tenn OF reading smooth little sermons, devise of the
devil to cripple the energy and efficiency an intelligent
and plous ministry, and that it ought be forthwith aban
IN doned by all who would honor their Master"
And now in conclusion dear behen pemus to say that it
with extreme reluctance that things; would
. knowingly indulge captous spirit congenal with
christian feelings commend than reprose say all
and unsupported truth honesty com