, 1867-07-05
A few words ON Sermons.
Suggested on hearing of a sermon preached on the
25th May 1867.

~OlA NIdJ AOOf'
The utility of pulpit exhortations is now almost
universally admitted, in evidence of which it may
be cited that in almost every place of worship this
duty is performed and in cases where repeated
neglect of it was observed, it was at the risk of
mourning a heavy displeasure that the same was
enforced. The records of remotest antiquity as
found in the old and New Testament speak of
public instruction, we read therein that the people
were gathered and the Law expounded to them,
which certainly can mean nothing else but what
we call to-day a sermon. In fact Joel recommends
TO his people to preach the word of God, "your
children and your servants shall also preach"
says this ancient Writer,-bUt however liberal we
may be we must admit as the first qualification
which those who fulfil this duty should possess, that
they practice what they profess to teach,-the
lesson must at same time proceed from pure lips
and sincere hearts for earnestly speaking what
good can be expected from a sermon when it en-
anates from one whose every day Conduct is III
direct opposition to his words, the beauty of Ian
guage and the elegance of oratofy - vanish before
this monstrous defect in the public tcacher,-for
instance what opinion are we to form of q speaker
who ~lengthiiy expatiates on the sin OF hating, and
in whose heart it is too well known there exists the
bitterest hatred. The man who denounces SANDER
must Certainly not delight in speaking i'll OF his
fellow-men, and still less in holy places where
sweet charity should prevail and make us drop q
heavy veil over the foibles Of our fellow-creatures.
Immense good has been accomplished thro' the
+'foolishness of preaching" and however much we
are inclined to recommend its practice we feel Con-
strained to admit that too often what is offered as
u sermon falls far short of what it ought to be, and
is plainly discovered to be only the outpouring of
an excited, and reyengeful spirit. Now can a les
son administered under such circumstances pro-
duco any favorable result? We say no, and can
mention instances to corroborate with our assertion
that such teachers have alwaysin enlightened circles
brought on themselves the dislike of those whom
they thought of delighting Imam as a general
thing prefers earnest reality to a mere display of
what is represented as such, consequently for q
preacher to endeayor by a pFofuse flow of words
TO trumpet himself forth as an angel surrounded
by demons is worst than preposterouS and can
never be realised.
Therefore it is, that as unfortunately some pub
lie teachers are not of the right stamp, they have
failed to entice listeners to their teachings, but
have on the Contrary estranged them from them,
far be it however from my mind to assert that OF
all those who have undertaken the task there arc
none who evince q due appreciation of it, on the
Contrary very many there are who by q strict adj
herence to truth, and an impartial administration
of Justice have won the respect and esteem of
Communities where they have labored. The pulpit
is destined to continue its laudable mission, it has
vet much good to accomplish, but this result will
not be attained unless the lessons taught be prac-
tised, and impaired, not with a miscreant object,
but with the meritorius intention of tracing q line
of Conduct worthy to be adopted and pursuing
it in order to induce others 10 follow. We live
in rather an increduous age, and people sooner
adopt what they see, than what they hear, conse-
quently to reap the precious fruits of our exhorta-
ton our conduct must be in unison with our words,
and under no circumstance is it proper to indulge
in i'll natured censures and false judgement especi-
ally when it is done on q spot dedicated to Him
whom we look upon as the essence of truth and of
every thing that is pure and holy.
IF preachers could only adopt it as q fixed rule
to put aside personal feelings and to preach to
those assembled i'll true sincerity of purpose and
with a single eye to the spiritual welfare of their
hearers avoiding remarks which might give offence
not only to those present but also to those who
may not hear, or if they did might treat them with
Contempt as coming from an impure Source-we
might look for the time when Pulpit preaching
would effect the good for which it was originally
intended.
st. Thomas, 2eth June 1867.
TRUTH.