Baltimore commercial journal, and Lyford's price-current. [volume] (Baltimore, Md) 1840-1849, 1849-07-07

~ we cannot wen refrain from permitting the
following spicy semi-domcstic article appearing in
our paper-by way of rterude
DEBATE ON READING SERMONS.
During the recent session of the Old School Presbyterian
Assembly, a resolution introduced recommending
that the practice of reading sermons be discontinued,
which drew forth an animated debate.
DIR. Plumer said: When such a subject this
Is taken up by assembly, it is absurd to expect
To do any thing for the ediication OF the Church Of
God, by means Of mere resolution: and if this
resolution is adopted does not the Assembly thereby
express by their vote that Samuel Davies was not 4
pattern of preaching-that he who never, on any
solemn occasion, entered the pulpit without having
every word written, with determination not to de-
part from his manuscript, who the best preacher
of his day-the man who has left behind him the
best Gospel sermons which were ever printed that
he to whom the King of Great Britain listened with
awc-that this servant of God knew not how to
preach to editcaton; and that DIR. Chalmers did not
do right who always laid his manuscript before him.
The best sermons | ever heard from DIR. Archibald
Alexander, of Princeton, were from his manuscripts
What do YOU do by this vote DO You change the
practice of the Church Do you affect any thing
but to put instrument i'll the hands Of certain
sefconceitcd members of the Church, to find fault
with their minister. Whenever | preach on the
Trinity, or any abrusc doctrine Of the Gospel when
| want to weigh every word, and give sound doe
trine to my people, will use manuscript. will
do it when please. | never will consent to take
instructions from such quarter I'll carry my
manuscripts where | please, and them when
please. | am not responsible for this to the Assem-
bly,, to any man, or body Of men. The only effect
of legislation this matter will be vcAatiun.
Mr.. Dunlap: was grievcd at the attempt made
to throw ridcule ON this matter. | thought DR..
Plumcr was mistaken in saving that Pres.
Davies used notes; but when he spoke of DIR, Al
eXander, | am sure he is mistaken. When that
venerable man came to Baltimore, he used no notes
any occasion, So far as | could see In Princeton
there is rule against allowing the young men to
notes, and the Professors earnestly bcsought the
students to preach eXtemporaneously | rccollcct
aneCdote they used to relate to the students to
enforce this. 4 minister's wife to his study
day, and told him that she wanted him to go
into the kitchen and sculd of the girls for her.
g No, my dear" he said, = am writing my sermon
and cannot 90, but | will write scolding for You
and you can read it to her. Well, the preacher
wrote the scolding, and his wife took it into the
kitchen and began TO read it. The girl soon began
TO laugh, when the lady then threw down her notes
and began an eNtemporaneous haranguc that had
much better effect.
DIR. Plumer: | fully agree that scolding is usually
best done extemporaneousv, but heard preacher
in this house say yesterday that he hoped his young
eXtemporanenus brethren would not come to his pull
pit. Preaching is, Think best done with study.
NJ b. Lowrie: | believe that our Church is suf-
firing by this means of dispensing the word of God.
Look at the growth of Seceder and Associate
Churches. None of their preachers carry
their copy books into the pulpit. hope the young
sent out of the Seminary will be told to preach,
not to read to their congregations. Puritan Rec.