The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1862-02-15
SERMONS FOR THE TIMES.

The following is one of Henry Ward
Beecher's editorials In last weeks Zndepend-
ent. It contains much that is well said and
suitable for the times:
lis mistake to suppose that the preoccu-
patton of the public mind with the war, and
the great excitements which are fed by the
everchanging rumors and news, are unfa-
vorable to the work of a true minister OF
the Gospel.
There was never a period when religious
mlnistration was so much needed, and when
ministers should be so abundantly active.
Itdoes not follow that men do not care
for religious truth, because your SERMONS
fail to interest them. A convalesciug pa
tent may reject strong meat, and yet de-
sire food. But it must be food suited to
bis condition. There is an indefinite varie-
ty in truth, requiring ever new adaptations.
It is the very Office of the minister to study
the condition of mems minds, and furnish
that which they specially need. If doc
trine seems not to in: crest them, If tbev
fall away from moral exhortations, if the
secular excitement overpoWe:s interests itei es.S ID
topics which have been profitable in calmer
times. yet it is not true that religion has
nothing for them which they will accept.
Religion is as the seasons, and has some
power for every possible condition of the
public mind.
1t may be wise, or may not, to discourse
upon the topics of the day. That is ques-
ton of prudence. It has much to do with
a mans own temperament and power, and
with the system of labor which he has
adopted. Doubtless, in every ministry
there should be, IN some aUay, direct in
tluence Of religious truth brought to bear
upon public questions. A pulpit is not
lectureship, founded for the purpose of
weekly monograms. It is universal pow
er. Like the heaven above us, it has va
rious influence for every month in the year.
But how often, or how, by influences ex-
erted through other channels, public
questions shall be religiously discussed, it
is the prerogative and duty of every man
to decide for himself.
Preaching for the times may mean some
thing besides preaching on national topics.
Are none of your people left poor by the
war, and is there no heroism IN Christian
self-d denial that can be made to come to them
with inspiration? Are none of them timid and
easily respondent, to whom the sources and
spirit of Christian courage should be open
ed Are none of them struggling with an
unsubdued and murmuring heart, that re-
fuses to let go the child or brother that is
gone, or to resign him to the divine care
with calmness and trust ?-and is there no
phase of truth that shall comfort. persuade
and help such Are there none that mourn
for those who shall not come again till God
shall bring with him all the dead ?-and be-
fore these are you dumb and powerless, as
one that can find nothing in all the treas
ure of Gods Word that has power over hui
man weakness and grief?
Such times as these throw great light up
on many portions of the Scriptures, and the
feelings of men can now be made means
Of interpreting many psalms, many parts of
the prophets writings, which were the off
spring Of troubles and of national exigency,
and which can be understood only when
like troubles tend to reproduce the like feel
ings and the like great necessities.
There was never time in our history
when men needed more to have mind and
heart buoyed up by religious faith. The
loyal States are engaged in a sacred cause.
They are to be severely tried. The con-
c;ence should be braced up; a sacred enthu-
siasm should be breathed upon the whole
people. To the church must we look for
instrumentalities by which this shall be eff
fected.
Meantime, the great elements of human
life are not changed by this war. Men are
born, and men die. They marry and are
given in marriage. There is poverty and
its trials, wealth and its perils. The young
are to be taught and trained. Hopes will
still as ever. swell high, and be disappoint-
ed. There will be disasters, sickness, be-
reavemen.s, losses, heartaches. While the
awful drama of war is going on at distance.
still mora sublime warfare silently RACES
between good and evil. right and wrong, the
passions and the reasons; in short, between
spirits celestial and spirits internal.
1t is the very time for men of religious
faith to work. Now should ministers vim
dictate their mission. It is for them to
rise in spirit above the mere secular aspect
of things, to come into personal sympathy
with God, and to 60 forth, from day to day,
breathing an earnest patriotism, tempered
and enriched by holy fervor of divine
love.
Nor should it be forgotten that, as the
Adversary sows evil at all times, so all days
are Gods sowing days. There are some
persons now accessible that never were so
much so.
The spirit of consolation will discover to
us those who need comfort. The desire to
! lead men into Christian life will soon de-
tect those who can be led. There is work
enough for all who have workful spirit.
This year should be fruitful year in spir-
itual husbandry. And if the great events
and controversies now pending are en-
ployed to educate the moral sense of the
people. We may confidently expect that
these disturbances win be followed by re-