The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-12-25
TRYING THE SONS OF LEVI.

a writer IN the CNFtSttuH IHtetttyehCef makes
some pungent, searching remarks concerning a
certain class of ministers. Our hope and be-
lief is that the ministers of our Church in gen
eral strive to preach the word in simplicity,
and that in their lives also they try in cody
sincerity to commend themselves to every
man conscience in the sight of God. The
faults and evil practices censured in the article
are so pernicious and corrupting in their whole
tendency, that they should be met by the CON
demnatiou of all people of right mind. Let
the extracts we make be read and pondered. =
After expressing the opinion, in regard We sup
pose to the state of things, around him in New
York, that there was g fearful decline of the
clergy in religious earnestness and divinity
preaching" and that "there seems to be a
universal relapse" The writer says:
"a degenerate swarm of divinity quacks
have appeared here and there, who vend the
gospel as they would, in other circumstances
pins and needles, Recommendations warrant
ed to curse.
"The ambition of such is to acquire fame
notoriety. To be spoken of in the prints, to
be Landed by wits and gainSayers, and TO have
the popuace bark at ones heels, are thought
to be the things. and are the fruition of the
homes of such clergymen. The most unworthy
practices are sometimes descended to in order
to secure such displays. Let us hope that they
are rare. The desire for popularity, or more
truly publicity, on the part OF even prominent
perSOns in better respects, can scarcely be
enough deprecated, when the means to obtain
it are considered.
What ,yould Won think Of n minister who
after preparing his posters and quaint adver-
tiSement for the Saturday J.rints would, after
the Sabbath services, sit down and become the
most extravagant and laudatOry reporter of his
own performances; carefully noting the vast
ness of the congregation, the almost inspired
elOQuence of the mighty preacher, than whom
no greater, doubtless, stands before the people,
and rounding off with a most elaborate exhOr-
tation to all the world to step in and hear this
wonder. And then going boldly into the edi-
tors or publishers office. and in order to OBJ
tain column place, paying for At all, as all 9th
er quacks are bound to do! How prevalent
such a custom is, it does not become modest
man to conjecture, but the writer hereof has re-
corded the plain truth so far as some are con-
eerned, and can furnish proof abundant if
called for. There are those who excuse such
vanity, on the grounds of amiable weakness,
or some peculiar eccentricity, burning desire
to do good; and others, equally good in them
selves, but which have no place in our accept
ance"
This is an astounding statement, and let it
be hoped that such contemplate quacks will
receive the lash without stint. A merited Wis
itation upon them, and one likely to be effect
ual would be to publish their names
- IL Il. /
by declaring the present deafness of the rel
giouS world. and their ambition to wake it up.
Which is all very fne; but who are they who
use the means indicated? Are they scholars,
or earnest Gospel preachers? Do they plainly
deal with souls, and are they faithful in lead
ing them to Christ? Mo- they are the stroll
ing players Of the pulpits, who take their best
pay i'm nOtoriety, and when it comes not, they
20. They are the pious jokers, whose witt
ciSms. stale and foolish tickle the tickle ear,
and bring laughter to a conscience that ought
to mourn and weep. They initiate folly and
caricature wisdom They pause in their dis
courses for the initiated to laugh and applaud,
and, then, with significant mods and grimaceS
proceed to further effort. They speak of Seri.
0uS Christians as monks and friars and glory
in being free, jolly spOrtful, and fond of frolic.
" Why should Christians wear sour counte-
naneeS? say they.
So say we but WIZ should we dance and
Airt and Joke 49, the midst of diving
men, aud destroy owen for good by COM
promising our Lord character.
In earlier times Let us eat, drink and be
merry" was supposed to DO the prevailing
thought of the lovers of pleasure more than
lovers of God; but it seems to have changed
masters, and to-day do we not frequently see
such a sentence as this The reverend gen
tleman was exceedingly felicitous, and kept
the company in roars of laughter the whole
evening.
Laughter is certainly good and innocent, but
for minister of Jesus to have chiefly the
ability and fame of Il caterer of the risible ma
ture, Is quite a different matter, Those who
applaud such mans nonsense would never
think OF sending for him to direct them to
Christ IN dying
1t can scarcely be claimed as necessary
proof Of love, to become the joke, by-word or
familiar Merry-Andrew of those whose souls
are the objects of our Christian SOlicitude.-
To address men well, they must be loved
much; but frivOlity is not an attribute of love.
The Gospel came without observation and
where it is compelled to follow in the wake of
the triumphal car of worldly applause, it be-
comes simply panorama passing by,