The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-26
VANITY IN THE PULPIT.

VANITY IN THE PULPIT.
Taulere was popular preacher belonging
to the church of Rome, in the thirteenth
century. He had just delivered sermon
on the best means of attaining spiritual per
fection, which was highly applauded. A
poor but pious layman came to him soon
after, and by faithful address made him
sensible of his personal imperfections, and
concluded, by telling iim that he was little
better thu. LrisA. At:this word Tau
lere lost patience, and began to justify him
self with some warmth, but his reprover
proceeded quietly to explain himself. 81
call him Pharisee," said he, "who, being
full of himself, or too conscious Of the es-
TEEN of men, seeks in his actions, even in
his best performances, his own glory, and
not the glory of God. See if you are not
of this number. With what disposition did
you begin your studies? With. what self
complacence do you contemplate your pro-
gress in them? What satisfaction have you
in thinking of your dignity of Doctor, and
of the gifts with which the Master has en-
dowed you? Instead of referring them to
the glory of God, who should have all your
love and all your trust, you regard yourself
too much; and then, with all your knowl-
edge, you are really ignorant; and with all
your writings and your sermons, you do
very little good. Your doctrine is heavenly;
the word of God is often on your lips; but
in consequence of your want of humility,
you do not yourself relish the truths which
you teach, and they produce little effect on
your hearers. The pure in heart, who seek
God alone, are shocked by your sermons,
which contain many good things, but abound
too much with yourself"
Here the layman paused. For some time
Taulere was silent. He was confounded
with the clear view which, for the first time,
he had of his vanity and defects; but the
message was blessing to him. With manly
ingenuousness, he replied; Il acknowledge
the truth of all you have said. The Holy
Spirit has spoken to me by you. You have
read my heart, and God alone has enabled
you to do it. | was stranger to myself,
I thank you much for your faithfulness."
This little incident is both q text and
sermon. We DO well to ask sometimes why
so little prof. Is seen from so much preach
ing? May it not be because the preacher
strives to produce a profound impression of
his learning as theologian, or his subtlety
as logician, or his eloquence as declaimer
of sonorous periods and well-turned SEN
tences, or perhaps because he aims at noto.
riety as retailer in the pulpit Of shrewd
speeches, smart sayings, and most excellent
conceits, which stir the people at times to
merriment in the house of God?
To preach the gospel is no small matter; /;
for it is to declare Gods counsel to dying
men, as an ambassador of Jesus Christ; and
is it not horrible impiety to treat the mes
sage of the great God of heaven to rebel
sinners as though it were philosophical es-
say, or moral lecture, or poetical rhap-
sody, or play designed to make people
laugh? The review of such substitutes for
the earnest preaching of Christ and Him
crucifed will afford little comfort in dying
hour, and less at the judgment seat of
Christ. The more the preacher thinks of
his theme, the less he will think of himself !;
and the more he waits upon his Lord in
prayer for the direction Of the Holy Spirit,
the greater will be the blessing which will
rest upon himself and upon them that hear
him. 1t is a solemn thought that the Mas
ter may reject as reprobate the instruments
which he has used to save others.
A few years more and not one of those
who are now in the habit of meeting to.
gether in our houses of worship will be found
among the living. A few years more, and
not one of those who now fill our pulpits
will raise his voice as preacher of the
gospel; the hearers and the preacher will
have finished their work, and the results
will be published to the universe on the
great day. In view of this summing up Of
labor and influence, it is worse than vanity
in the preacher to exhibit himself instead
of Christ. Let self be hidden and forgotten
in the glorious themes of the gospel lei
Christ be all in all, and the preacher who
has forgotten himself in zeal for his Lord
will be remembered by Him when He comes
to bless the faithful stewards of the myste
ries of God, and to give them home with
Him in glory.-Christian Intellgeacer.
CHRISTIAN HopE.-In the deepening twi
1;L4 &c a aummer avapino a nastOr called