Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-12-21
Correspondence Of the Boston Traveller.
NEW YORK. Nov. 80


PROT. ". C. 7. sHEDD.
About twelve years since there wss called TO an
Andover protessorsbip q comparatively young
man whom some critics had declared TO be one Of
the greatest thinkers Of America. He hsd been
fayorably known in professorship which he
had previously held. but his name was not fam
liar 10 the great body Of the denomination be
represented. and it was necessary that he should
then ill the chair that had been occupied by
one whose fame was in all the churches He
proved himself to be more than equal to the po-
sition. He at once became a power in Andover,
and gave to his department prominence, an
interest and value that it had not before en-
j9yed.
few years since he accepted a call to DO
colleague to DR.. Spring of the Brick Church,
hnt after serving short time, he resigned TO
take a chair in Union Theological Seminary,
which position be now holds.
Il is an unpleasant comment on the literary
as well as religious taste Of the church goers Of
this metropolis that Prof Shedd is so little ap
pgeciated here By those who have the opportu-
nifty Of listening to his preaching. During the
past summer he has preached in the Broadway
Tabernacle and in DR.. Adams's Church on Mad
ison Avenue, but in neither places has he sue
eeefed IN interesting the majority of his hearers
There are few Comprising the thinkers and
scholars) who admire his abilities and appro-
ciate the power and originality of his discolrses,
bus Suppose that the numerical majority are
more pleased at the close than at the beginning
Of any Of his public efforts.
believe have heard majority Of the most
eloquent preachers in the Eastern States, but
Lave yet to see his equal in logical power. His
diction is simple, at times conversational, his
style is adorned with but little imagery, yet that
little is Of the best and purest. HIS voice Is
better fitted for the parlor than for the pulpit,
and bis manner IS more earnest than eloquent
His appeals are powerful, and would be almost
irresistible if they were made TO the heart in
stead of the intellect. The simple truth is. that
in his pulpit discourses he makes the same mis-
take that DR.. Bacon charged upon DR.. Taylcr,
namely, "he goes upon the supposItion that
people think
Judged by the standard Of thought alone,
there is not preacher in this city who can be
compared to him, unless it be DR.. Bellows DR..
Thompson and DR.. Adams, in whose churches
Prof. Shedd 50 frequently offciates. are Is much
inferior to him in logical power, as they are su-
perior 20 him in their ability to interest and
hoii ths.r audiences On the whole Dr. Adams
is the best type Of popular clergyman in
large city. His sermons have Just enough OF
thought to give them dignity, without so much
as to demand very active exercise for the mind
to foloS them.-while they are ever character
ized by an almost matohless gracefulness Of die
tiou, and the most exquisite imagery, and are
delivered with JUNCTION and pathos Of manner
that cannot atil to make them attract even when
it does not eiify.
Outside Of his peculiar sphere as professor
and preacher and theologian, the influence Of
I Prof Shedd is but little folt He hiss never
identified himself with any of the popular re-
: = =
/ 10 the momentous questions that sgitate the
/ country. Conservative in his theology, he has
/ little sympathy with the free-thinkers Of any
school. Conservative in bis politics, he silently
| froWns upon all The schemes Of radical reform
ers. lie has never used his pen in favor Of auY
I party; his voice is never heard at cur popular
gatherings. While DR.. Thompson identifies
himself with all the progressive ideas Of the
/ time, willie Bacon aud Beecher are as Eealous
out Of the pulpit as 10 il, and feel called upon
to proclaim what they believe to be the
truth to all men. upon all the themes
Of vital moment, Prot. Shedd concen-
trstes himself upon his chosen calling, and
corsecratss himsel! TO the one purpose Of hi1
/ life, that is to convince men Of religious truth
through purely logical reasoning.
How can !. be otherwise than that he should
fiil When he comes before the people, The
heart sees farther than the head always. and
the human race are 10 be elevated more by sp-
Veals 20 the feelings than to the reason. II
PrlL Shsdd's serene and logical intellect had
bccn coupled with the rich and powerful imagi-
nation o. a Chalmers, il that mastery power Of
analysis we're set Oh by the sfiuence Of imagery
aHi :-licIiy of expression that give such 4 charm
10 the 81 rte Of DR.. Adams, then indeed would
be be par sresilsHes the pulpit orator Of the
metropolis How often have l wished. as
N - III. = Il
iIeAs, that nature had completed her work, and
had given him the power Of srousing the feel
in as we'll as Of convincing the understanding
In private life few men are more respected
and few are more worthy. Simple and almost
uusconscious 10 manner, affable, ready and con-
muhicaiive. IN conversation, 1t is nc wonder
that the students all love the man, though thsl
do no; agree with his politics or his theology.
MEpIcry.