New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-30
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
,rrTERs ON THE MINISTRY OF THE GOSPEL BY
FRsNCIs WAYAND l2mo ~. DO Gould Lme'iD
NswYoIk; Sheldon Il Co.

the novel, not TO say revolutionary, character VI
teachings. Among other symptoms ana iiu,'S VI '1e
seryesceuce of the age in regard to the hHes' tup
ieets of thought must be regarded ne OF no common
ifcapce and the eanes practical appheaiIon oi
,L vies of the writer brings II home 10 the every
dav interests Of readers in any degree connected with
the religious world. In the opinion of President
wovlapd the Christian church and ministry have
deoenerated from the primitive model by connections
n the worldly spirit of society. The elevated aus
,ere and pucompromising tone of the original teach
era Of Christianity hiss been lost; softer, more
.eductive more efeminate voice is heard in lie
,aos. the love Of fashion, Of secular distinction, OF
literary renown has usurped the sphere Of the pulpit
the ancient herald of salvation, strong il the divine
message which he was commissioned to declare, has
given way to the wel-dressed, wel-fod, polished,
ard prosperous man Of the world, the ornament OF
his profession ana the pillar Of the church. There is
far correct rhetoric in the pulpit than formerly
The preacher is more familiar with modern litera-
iure and with the usages Of ood society, than were
The sturdy pioneers whose voices were heard crying
in the wilderness Frequent illustrations OF tie truths
OF the gospel drawn from current scientific DIS
covelies. The worship of God is enlivened by the
choices, music, performed at magnificent pense by
professional artists Everything s smooth deeorous
painfully centeel. But little moral emotion, little
religious conviction produced. Not much seems
70 be expected /. is very uncommon thine-and
no one can speak with more authority on this point
than President Wsylsud-for a hesrer 10 be con-
WINGED or converted by sermon. Such result lie
scarcely anticipated the immediate elect Of
preaching.
OF those who attend public worship, the greater
part 20 because it has been their custom from youth
Others 80 Tor tue sake of respeeiabiityi some 70
Get good example; all, IS rule, for the pleas
ant occupation Of ali hour. The converts TO religion
s1c,mosdy from the Sunday Schools, although these
are losing their efficiency a means Of moral tran
ins by the introduction OF geography and biography
instead Ct the cardinal doctrines Of the gospel Tie
conversion Of adults is hardly expected, and they
sre lei without an effort in their behalf, to quietly
pursue The road which leads 20 everlasting death"
Ths was not the state Of things FROM thirty TO
nfty years ago. Speaking especially, we Pre'Ume,
OF the Baptist denomination, of which he is dis
tingushed member, DR.. Wayand remarks, that
we had then no magnificent or even elegant houses
of worship. The meeting houses were frequently
IL out-ot-the-way places aud difficult Of sccesS.
They made no pre.ensions 70 taste scarcely 10 com
sor.. There were no expensive instruments Of mu-
sic. The singing was by no means Of high orGer
Of excellence; sometimes il was quite the reverse
The church members were generally persons IN the
middle or lower walks Of life. Their dIess was
Ylin, their manners simple, Their social intercourse
for the part with each oher their conversation
Usually confined 10 religious themes. Few Of the
preachers mad enjoyed the advantages Of classical
eduestion. Those who had were not in general e.
tesmed more efficient aborers than their brethren.
But these plain simple-minded simple-msnnered
men exerted an influence which is little known at
,be present day Although their mnistratioDs were
10, ikey 10 be attractive 10 the rich, TO men OF
specially literary tastes studicus Of rocal po-
rilion crowd Of earnest-beafted people intent On
The pursuit of salvation waited their steps. In
tie country, az they preached when on journey, !
or on missionary tour they were followed By sueh
,erons from schoolhouse 10 schoi-hous6, and their
Isbors were seldom without visible and permanent
fruits Both ministers and people regarded them-
,eives Sc chosen race, peculiar geneTGtion unlike
the men who were living for this world. Scofers
might ridcule them for their nasal twAng their fo
emn looks their precise and formal wGys; but none
could deny that they were honest end sincere; that
their word was 40 good as their bond and in the
hour Of alarming sickness spiritual anguish 1t was
these very outlsndish Christians that most ear
ne.ty sought after. 1t evident, argues President
Wsyland that the character OF the brethren III
former generation differed in many important re-
spects from that Of Christians a. the pnsent day.
We have doubtless cast asde many OF their errors,
but 81 the same time. have parted with many OF
their exceleDces.
But not to press the comparison with too great
urgency, it may be asked, continues the author,
whether the ministry lie actually fulfilling tic pur-
pose Of it's divine appointment The great duty oil
the Christian minister is to proclaim tue message oil
salvation 10 perishing sinners He 10 called to tins
Office by the inward moving Of tie Holy Ghost. Ills
DUTY is 30 set before him 70 God IN this manner
that he can with good conscience serve him IN no
ether. 1t is not enough that having surveyed the
several modes Of life open 10 his choice, he prefers
Ills one because he may thus enjoy life OF literary
ease and crafty bis intellectual tastes, or find IN 1t
stepping-stone 10 more congenal sphere these are
selfsh and worldly consideratiOns but still they
often appear to usurp the place Of the higher motives
without which the ministry ia nothing but secular
trade. Many, accordingly, after brief trial OF the
calling, leave il for some pursuit in which they may
labor for good cause without osepsbly reiinquisn'
ing the ministry They become professors In colleges
teachers Of schools agents for benevolent a'soca'
ions editors Of religious newspapers officers OF char
liable societies in most Of which the paid Offices are
held by cergymen, except that OF treasurer, "hich
n always held by layman.
This union Of sacred and secular affairs by the
same individual 10 inconsistent, according 10 DIR.
Wayland, with the true idea OF the ministry. Nor
doee he less orcby protest against The secular style