Litchfield enquirer., 1858-01-28
Too Many Sermons.

We commend the following article to all those churches that have pastors, aud don't want to kill them:
 A clerical friend recently expressed to us his apprcbaton of the article of the Dispatch on this subject, and stated that it had been re- ceived with strong approval by the whole re- ligious press of the country. We are happy that the views expressed in that article have the appreciation of the clergy but no good can be done, unless they receive the approval of the laity. The congregations of the coun. try must consent to give mp the cruel tyranny of compelling clergymen to preach two ser mons every Sabbath, besides lecture in the ! week, or the abuse can never be remedied. There is no profession in the country worked 1 as hard and paid as poorly as the clergy. We know a prominent clergyman in Richmond, 1 who, during the last summer, actually preach cd eight sermons in single week. Can any man stand up long under such exhausting tolls We venture to say that no member of the congregation would require as hard work of good horse. One sermon a week is as much as any divine can preach with credit to his reputation, and as much as aly congrega- ton is likely to digest and practice. Yet two, and often three, are demanded every Sabbath, aud they must be all tip-top ones no milk and water energies must never flag no aI- Iowancc made for trouble, for sickness for mind and body worn down by continual labor. If thesermons are not first rate, splendid, su- perb, the, minister is thought to be rather fail ring If they come mp fully in every respect to the standard logical as Whatley, eloquent as Whitfield, sublime as Massilon, very well :: he has the applause of the pit and boxes but, after all, he is an unproftable servaht--he has done no more than it was his duty to do The clergy are regarded as a sort of spiritual four mill, always bound to produce the best family flour and when there is 8 falling off in the quality, people begin grumblng, get the dys- pepsia, and lock around for another brand.
 We would respectfully suggest that minis. ters have other duties besides preaching, and congregations other besides hearing. As much benefit is accomplished by pastoral intercourse as by pulpit orations but no time is permit ted for this. when the clergyman is kept con- stantly in his study preparing and writing sez- mons. He has hard lot certainly In or der to gratify the public expectations on the Sabbath, he must stick closely to his desk through the week yet if he does that, people complain that he doesn't visit enough that he is reserved and unsocial. It is a difficult thing to satisfy mankind Let congregations consider this great oppression and crying wrong to the scholars and gentlemen who oc- cupy the pulpits, and in fact the impolicy of the thing. If they want good sermons, they may insure one week, by requiring no more if they demand two, they may not get one worth hearing, for the reason that ,he speaker has no time for preparation
 When the public shall be satisfied ,ith one sermon on Sunday, and shall be willing to meet together second time for the purpose of prayer and praise. we have no doubt they will afford as substantial evidence of their zeal for religion. and advance their own spiritual pro- gress as much, as under system which breaks down clergymen, and deludes congregations; by making the intellectual qualification and entertainment of all audience prominent and indispensable part of public worship.
 E1ehange.