Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-10-08
MISCELLANEOUS READING.
TIE MODERN PULPIT.

TIE MODERN PULPIT.
The following is condensed extract from
Photographic article in the New York
World, of recent date:
There is class of preachers who may be
designated as popular" With biblical crit
cism they have nothing to do. They hardly
deign to read the connection in which their
text lies on the sacred page. All they want
the Bible for, is to furnish them motto for
the discourse or essay which they intend to
read or recite from the pulpit. They think
that biblical sermons are out of date. Men
don t want, say they, to listen to dry homily
| on the meaning OF this or that portion of
Gods word. The demand now is for some
thing novel, racy and smart. A sermon to
go down now, must, in fact, not be a sermon.
1t must rather he lecture or discourse upon
some topic of popular interest. 1t must be
of christianity in general, as opposed to in
fidelity; or it must derive its interest from
some passing event of great importance, as
IL railroad accident. Ifthe preacher has
talent for description and satire, he may 60
against the prevailing vices, such as profani-
ty, mpurity and dishonesty; and, provided
he does the thing well, men who are addict
ed to these vices will sit and applaud, and
say they never heard such an eloquent dis
course before
But the popular preacher is careful how
he touches upon certain old.fashioned doc.
trines, such as total depravity, the enmity of
the carnal heart against God, the necessity
of regeneration by the Holy Spirit, and eter
nal retribution. These are doctrines which
no eloquence can make acceptable or popu-
lar; and so they are left out, or delicately
handled. Don't you believe them?-"Oh,
yes" answers the preacher, "but we don't
think it profitable to be harping upon them
You can't dr1ce men to Heaven, you must
dram them"
The popular preacher thinks great deaf
of the effect which his sermon will have on
the audience. lie don't intend it shall dis
gust, or Offend or drive anybody away. He
likes to see the seats filled, and the audience
in rapt and admiring attention. He plays
upon their feelings.-He evokes tear or
awakens smile; and when the amen is pro-
nounced, he almost overhears the congratu-
lations of his auditors on the rich treat
which they have had from the eloquent prea-
cher. The congregation breaks up in sort
of operate ight Religion never appear
ed so beautiful and attractive before.
There is another kind of preacher, but
we fear any description of him would be re-
garded ASA very tame and commonplace
affair. He is man, however, Of deep pie
ty. But while that renders peculiarly tit
fer work, it does not make him generally
popular The mass of hearers do not wish
to feel the force of such Il trait on their NOR
al habits. They choose rather to have min
lister Of more social and plant qualities.
lie is a close student of the Bible, believ-
ing that he is set for the defence and incul-
cation of its truths He prepares his sermone
with much prayer, under the conviction that
the Holy Spirit must first teach him, in Or
der that he may properly and etfectuaily
teach others. lie, too, is thinking of effects,
and the question with him il, how he shall
so shape the message as to produce conyic-
tlon in the minds of the unconverted, and
lead the saints to become more holy and
men. He wishes not to concentrate their
praises on himself. He hides himself behind
the cross. and knows nothing among mer
but JESUS CHRIST, and him crucited. With
these views he brings forth all the doctrines,
however offensive to the carnal heart, and
presses them upon him. Quietly he
keeps ON his purposed path of usefulness,
aiming at the appreciation Of God and of his
own conscience His name is seldom in the
new spapers, nor is he honored with frequent
invitations to preach or lecture on great oc-
casions. Yet, in the hearts of the few who
appreciate moral worth and ministerial faith
fulness, he holds high place, and when he
dies, the tears OF an attectionate people be-
dew his grave.