The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-03
popULAR pREACHIN0.

DUR each week, for acquiring and maintain |
ing religion. The many phases of religious
experience presented during the progress of
the great revival of 1857 have long ceased 10
be prominent not however, without deeply
tincturing society with their influence. The
MONDAY prayer-meeting is still maintained,
though, Of course, in reduced degree. Min
isters Of the gospel are as spiritually assduous
ns ever. But the warlkc interest Of the hour
ie Olives into itself all other interests. and
retards the progress Of revivals.
Church-going is very cheap. It is one of
the least expensive Of all duties, and is at the
same time a religious luxury, with which
many Of those who do not even profess reli-
gion could not easily be persuaded to dis
pense Aud 70 varied is the ability oil our
clergy, and so conscientious their devotion of
il, that no one need wander from sanctuary to
sanctuary, with either his religious convic-
tiOns or his intellectual cravings unsatisfed.
II is only from those adventurous spirits who
are cut loose from every denomination, who
profess no one knows what, and who, essaying
the instruction Of the multitude at large string
together unrelated paragraphs that furnish no
argument and produce no conviction,-it is
only from such as these that the inquirer need
turn away with yeXation and disgust. There
is one form Of popular preaching, ofwhch the
popularity consists in saddlng some we'll
known text with an idea rife in the commu-
nifty. The ear of the people is gained, aud
curiosity, which, like the Phoenix, is ever rising
from its own ashes, is once more evoked. To
this style Of popular preaching we allude. 1t
may be called a speculative, if not a money
making style. 1t reaches the peoples pockets
through their hearts, and their hearts through
their pockets. They come and come again.
Piety is expressed in postage currency, and
hearts are changed though Treasury notes
be not.
If religion be a most sensitive subject to
treat of, even in general terms to urge it per-
sonally requires yet more delcacy and discre-
ton. To surround ones self with an immense
number of hearers, male and female, of all
ages and conditions il comparatively an easy
matter. To persuade, to instruct, TO admO-
nish, to eXhort, is difficult indeed. 1t is task
which neither great genius, nor great learn
Ing, nor great piety, nor a great desire to do
good, will, alone, enable man to do. A
burning, iueXtinguishable religious zeal is an
immense help. In more than one instance, in
the performance OF task like this, have we
| seen how all the richest jewels Of heart and
mind have displayed their wealth effect
+ lively only when enclasped by the simple casllet
o. eloquence, and cleaning in the mellow
atmosphere of common sense.
In the first place, no preacher Of this style
I ind nfa otylp-qhOuld pmDlOV the
vulgar arts of popularity. He is not expected
to choose text because it will take well, or to
hit upon a particular title merely because it
will tickle the public. HIS theme is not to be
a thread upon which, like coarse beads of
various hue and size he shall string his
own ill-assorted notions, his vapid common
places, his fantastic abortions. But this he is
: very fond Of doing. Like the magic piece o.
, money, which every time it was turned was
redupicated, his one idea is constantly repeat
ing itself, with this difference, that each repe-
tition lessons the value. The text which he
hits upon is his hobby for the hour. He is
continually dragging il in. Like one Of those
revolving Chariots we see at country fairs, it is
constantly runninground in circle, and whisk
, ing by us before we arellware. No matter how
inapposite 1t may be with what preccdes, tha
texts as invariable in its attendance as poo
relation is at Christmas dinner. 1t point
l every moral, it adorns every tale. Sometimes
e indeed, the intelligent hcarer from its haviu!
t been out of sight longer than usual, is led t.
/ believe chat it has lost itself. But it sOO
2. makes its appearance again, dragging in a BIZ
n joke by the ears, and actually dancing wit
p delight.
II The fashion Of using theatres as places {
st worship is being revived While no objectio
D can be urged against it when the religion
d enthusiasm Of a community crowds tn
" churches to overlooking, and consecrate
l. places of amusement TO u purpose superio
Id to their legitimate objects, we are of tn
es opinion that peculiar order OF ability, and
a. rare purity of intention, are necessary in th
Or individual who would preach with good eleC
lr TO the heterogeneous crowd who would go I
nd hear sermon in theatre, and would NJ
Is habltuaIly go to hear ono at church. With a
Of our social sins, the religious tone of ot
c- society is deep. We have plenty Of churcht
to go to, and plenty Of Legitimate ministers
re the gospel to hear. The social taste is vitiat =
Of when those who create in an audience the in
MI preston that they are religious charlatans a
ng encouraged.
lot We have the highest respect, the deeDe
nd veneration for our clergy as a body. 1t is on
g the equivocal members the very exception
Bile cases, 10 which we refer. The chief duty OF Il
A minister is, we take it, to teach men the WI
rly of salvation. His duties are more sacred tn
les those of most men. The religious and t
nd irreligiOus are almost equally offended, whC
nd as will sometimes happen, an incapable m
lp- essays TO instruct both. With the one class
rts will seem to travest, and degrade all that
ed holy OF sublime, AMI with the other he W
entail an odium on things that are really love
zen and of good report. We do not say that su
The mans notions are sordid and unscrupuloU
cir We say the very least that can be said VIII
be we argue that he does not possess the CO
tell sistency which should distinguish the Chr
ful tian, and that his fantastic conduct vili6es
Dor who first illustrated 20 perfection all the ST
lch lime meaning Of religion.
I'M The generality OF peOUle II they are I