Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1856-12-14
SUNDAY READING.

Too MANY SERMONS "A Contemporary hits our
ideas exactly when ne says that " the world
particularly our own favored portion OF it's too
much preached to. Sermon after sermon is given
in rapid succession, until that valuable means OF
grace has either lost IFS power degenerated into
a fashionable entertainment Routine naturally
creates duness, and Indifference follows as its
handmsid. There is too much preaching and too
little worship in our churches and while this truth
is so manifest in the evident decline of true piety
and the world ia improving in everything else, it
is remarkable that the hand of reform has failed so
long to take hold of so appropriate subject.
And another touches the same point to the true
issue when he says that one sermon week is IS
much as any divine can preach with credit to his
reputatou. and as much as any congregation is
likely to digest into practice Yet two, and often
three, are demanded every Sunday, and they must
all be tp-top ones; no milk and water; the en-
ergies must never flag; no allowances made for
trouble. sickness, for mind and body worn down
from continual labor. If the sermons are not first
rste--splendid- superb minister is thought
to be rather failing.
This matter is most happily treated by the Spec
tator. in paper number LOG; in which he describes
visit to Sir Roger de Coverly, in the country,
and his meeting, on Saturday evening walk,
with very venerable man who is ever with Sir
Roger. and has lived at his house in the nature of
chaplain above thirty years"
As was walking with him last night, " Gays
the Spectator: Sir Roger asked me how liked
the good man whom l have Just now mentioned
and without staying for my answer, told me that
he was afraid of being Insuted with Latin and
Greek at his own table: for which reason he desir-
ed particular friend of his to find him out cler
eyman rather Of plain sense than much learning,
of good aspect, clear voice, socable temper,
and if possible man that understood little of
backgammon. My friend, said Roger, found
me out this gentleman, who, besides the endow-
ments required of him, is, they tell me, good
scholar though be does not show it. | have given
him the parsonage of the parish and, because |
know his value, have settled upon him q good an
puity for life. He has now been with me thirty
years aud though he does not know have taken
notice of it. has never asked ne for anything for
himself, though he is every day soliciting me for
something IN behalf Of one or other OF my tenants,
his uarishloners. AT his first settling with me, l
made him present Of all the good sermons which
have been printed in English, and only begged Of
him that every Sunday be would pronounce one
of them in the pulpit. Accordingly, he has d.
gested them into such series, that they follow one
another naturally, and make continued series OF
practical divinity
As Sir Roger was going on in bis story, the
gentleman we were talking o. came up to US; and
upon tbe knights asking him who preached to-
morrow, Tor it was Saturday night, told US the
Bishop of St Assph's, (Dr. Fiestwood) in the
morning, and d. South in the afternoon. He
showed US the list Of preachers for the whole year.
where l saw with gre at deal of pleasure, Arch
bishop Tillots1u, Bishop Saunderson, Dr.. Barrow,
DR.. Calamy, with several living authors, who have
published discourses Of practical divinity.
g I could heartily wish that more of our clergy
would follow this example, and instead of vast
ing their spirits in borlous compositions of their
own, would enforce what has been penned by
greater masters This would not only be easier
to themselves, but would be much more edifying
to the people"
Beyond question it would But would our fash
ionabe congregations agree to the innovation 2
We fear ON Y Picayrme.