The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-12-18
NEW YORK HERALD.


the reason why the pulpit has not exerted, IN our
times, that active and pervadng influence, for the
creation and employment OF which, it seems so adj
mlrably adapted 1t is not with the solemn mystic
res of the invisible and the future world alone, that
the preachers of christianity have TO deal. 1t is
theirs TO reveal the deepest secrets of the human
heart-and it is their peculiar privilege TO speak
without disguise to the conscences of their fellow
men. There is nothing affecting interesting in
the human condition-nothing connected with the
affairs OF men, that may not form the subject OF
their mnstrations. Invested with all the sanctlty
of their high office, and clothed with delegated
authority which the great mass OF mankind are dis
posed TO acknowledge with reverentla respect, the
clergy possess, it would first sight clearly seem,
ample means of securing the omnpotence of their
oratory. Yet how easily measured is the actual
extent of their influence the daily business Of
men, We have no hesitation in expressing the
opinion, that religion, in day, exercises whatev-
er power it does on the hearts and conduct of men,
rather through the medium Of its forms and cere
monies, than the pulpit. The sermon has, itself,
indeed, come to be regarded as mere matter of
form. 1t is submitted TO with pious resignation
And in fact it rarely interferes with the comfort of
the hearers. They are left at liberty to "chew the
cud of sweet or bitter fancy" as it peases Them
undlsurbed by troublesome prckings of conscience,
or Impairment visitations of sorrow and remorse
Now it is certainly well worth while, to seek
some explanation of the nefficiency of the pulpit
There must assuredly be very prevalent lack of
ability or fidelity boh the part of the clergy.
The subjects OF their dscourses are too frequently
badly chosen. They are too much addicted to the
thorny paths OF theological controversy. From one
age to another, they have gone in the same beat
track of polemcal discussion Instead of tracing
the broad shadows cast from impershabe realities
on the shtIng scenery of EARTH they have spent too
much time in settling the fate of Calvin and Armn-
us. Whilst they should have been LAYING bare
the sources of the evils which desolate the
social condition, and convert this fair earth
into wilderness, they have been busy in
finding out in each others creeds, and
building up their several ecclesiastical structures
Instead OF going forth to the immense harvest
OF immortal souls from devouring beasts, and the
threatening tempests of an eternal winter, they are
engaged in rending from each others arms the
sheaves that have been already gathered and ac-
tually convert their sickles into weapons of war
meeting and fighting the ridge, till the precious
crop is lost and the fleeing day is spent.
The great fault of our clergy, however, is their
want of fidelity and decision in exposing the preva
lent vices and crimes of the day. What has the
pulpit done to prevent, or reprove that universal
aihessness to public and private trusts which has
produced such frightful commercial disaster, and
shaken the credit even of the nation itself? We
heard, indeed of one excellent and pointed sermon
on this subject, which was delivered few weeks
since in one of the most fashionable churches in
this city. We were surprised at such unusual cer-
cal boldness. But our surprise soon vanished when
we learned that this miracle of ministerial fidelity
was stranger. He was not the pastor of the con.
gregaton whom he addressed. We admit that it
does require some boldness in preacher to reprove
extravaganza, and dishonesty, and commercial i'm
morality of all sorts, when his congregation is al.
most wholly composed of bankrupts. 1t is hard to
rebuke men publicly for their sins. But this is what
we want. This is what the clergy are bound TO do,
by the most solemn obligations
Occasionally, in this city, and we suppose else
where also, some of the clergy-by way, we sup
pose, Of compeunding with their own consciences,
| and pouring balm on those of their hearers-are in
the habit of attacking the newspaper PRESS and
assembling to it the paternity of the vice and immo-
rality which flourish in such luxuriant profnson.
The leader slumbers of their hearers are thus bro
ken by fierce vituperaton, and the chilling
atmosphere of their sanctuaries warmed by
an unusual holy fervor. Some paper is
perhaps singled out, and represented, in
terms most wisely indefinite, as the incarnation of
every thing that is vile and revolving Torrents of
virtuous Indignation are now poured on the monster.
which is then allowed to sneak off, to be unearthed
and hunted down however on some future fitting
occasion. In this way, without offending his hear
ers, shocking the delicate sensibilties of their
chavae oh ioho aba
racter for faithfuness and ZEAL and sends his audi
tors away to eat their Sunday dinner with an unim-
paired appetite, and thank God devoutly that they
are not other men, or "even as this publican.
Now want, it will be seen great reform in
the management Of the pulpit We do not want
trite generalites, and Improbable discussions We
| do no not want pretty essays composed of shreds
neatly put together, but destitute of point or power
| But we want skllfu dissecons of the human heart,
and faithful treatment of its moral diseases. We
W mt earnest, and searching appeals to the con-
science. We want faithful and forcible exhibitions
of truth We want the clergy to keep within theil
own pale, and to do their duty fearless of the feal
or favor of mortal man. Was the pulpit thus con.
Quoted we would see more of that all-pervadug
| spirit of religion, uncomfortable and unraceabe,
like the mysterious of life land which coming
ih'o INC heait Wihout opsefVatlon, is known only
by Its efiects-by the feelings inspires-and the
mighty changes On character and conduct which it
| works
| The LIBERTY THE PREss-THE LAW OF LIBEL
The recent trial Of Horace Greedy for libel on
Mr.. Cooper, and the result of that procedure have
excited good deal of attention amongst the con
ductors OF the public journals and all who desire to
| extend and maintain the freedom of the press We
think that the time has fully come when some uni
ted and decisive action in this matter should be
adopted. The law of libel is at present defective