Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-05-09


When we consider the frequency of the
ucrasion, the nobleness Of the topics, their
supreme Importance, the efficacy of the act
well performed, the genius requisite, the
variety of congregations, the number of
| preachers, we are at a complete stand to
account for the deplorably low state of
preaching This confession, extorted from
us by the facts Of the case, may afford mat
ter of astonishment to many who are very
well satisfied with the present state of the
pulpit-who ask for nothing better-whO
perhaps could not comprehend any thing
superior. We have always been well pleas
ed at the recollection of that passage in the
| Spectator, where Sir ROGER DE CovERLY's
parish clergyman being asked who was to
preach on then Sunday for him, replied !:
Doctor SOUTH in the morning, and Doctor
BARROW In the evening-meaning that he
intended reading sermon from those great
| divines ON both occasions. We most hear
tily wish that some of the divines of
this day would have the courage, as
well as the good sense, to adopt similar
practice at suitable opportunities. In points
OF essential merit, no critic, any way quail
fed, would hesitate to give the preference
to one of SoUTH's best sermons over ma
jority of modern discourses, even by di-
vines of considerable eminence, especially
when politics are preached instead of the
| gospel. What pithiness of sense and point
of expression in the old divines! What
weakness, flaccidity, badness, in the pres
ent race of political preachers, who claim to
be ''in the interest of God and humanity!"
If the excessive length of BARROW, or the
local satire of SOUTH, or the extravagant
erudition and overflowing fancy of TAYLOR
be excepted to, let BARROW be condensed,
expurgate SOUTH, and prune the excrescen-
ces of the Bishop of Down and Connor.
Taste, no mean talents, and rare good judg-
ment, are requisite for the selection and
purgation; and only to the hands of first
rate man would we consign the task. In
ferior intellects, if admitted, on the plea of
piety, into the Church aud the Ministry At
all, should not pretend to this, but take the
best sermons as they find them. 1t is not
for them to abuse and dislocate the fine
thoughts of genius, which learning may
have overloaded, or temporary illusions
rendered quaint and obscure. 1t is almost
presumption in a man of equal genius, to
try his skill on the same subjects that have
engaged the attention of those master in
tellects; for CowLEY to attempt flight with
the Theban eagle. 1t is absolute protana-
ton for petty parson to endeavor to hurl
the thunders of avenging justice, or to imi-
tate the silver eloquence of an Angel Of
Mercy.
From the practice of reading the best
published sermons of standard and orthodox
divines two good results, if no more, would
follow: The art of elocution would be
much more attended to, and the sermons
could be studied and carefully meditated,
by which means the preacher might deliver
them with far greater effect. We suspect
that many minister would then under
stand his theme better than now, that he is
obliged to write so frequently and at such
comparatively short notice.
TO this practice many congregations
might demur, SO strong is the hold of an
cient usage upon mems minds. Many good
people appear to suspect Incidence or in
difference on the part of preacher who
reads printed sermon. They call it an
imposition. They must have return for
the salary. But is meager discourse
from your parson as well worth your
attention as sermon from the lips of
the English Chrysostoms and Austins?
As it is, are they all original preachers
who deliver written sermons? A SER
mon may be transferred as we'll as any
thing else! There are other "conveyances"
beside those of legal description. The
very critics, who speak so authoritatively,
are not always acquainted with the sources
of the finest thoughts, and most sparkling
fancies. When they abuse the preachers
tediousness, they may be rejecting upon
TnLoTsoN; and when pleased with grace
full expression, they may be only asserting
to the sentiment of SHERLOCK or AFTER
BURY.
A defect of literary accomplishment,
among the body of the clergy, may be taken
as the cause OF the inferiority of modern
sermons: style and manner are not suffi-
ciently attended to. Art is neglected, and
yet pulpit eloquence is an art, as much so
as political, and higher art, at the same
time. Natural eloquence is not enough by
itself; it must be trimmed and trained by
scholarship, research, elegance and breed
ing. To the sacred character of Divine
must be appended the no less valuable,
though less sacred characters. of scholar,
critic, orator, and gentleman. Arrayed in
such vestments, the clerical character shines
the leading order. Deprived of these acces-
sorry qualities and ornaments, it is likely to
be abused and degraded, by the political
charlatans who now make up majority of
our preachers.
A SMALL specimen of an Abolition news
paper attempts to justify BRoUGH's vituper-