The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-01-25
Ministers.

The salutnry influence of the Christian
Ministry is undoubtedly as highly appre-
cated in New England rs in any part
of the world. But few persons live here
who dsown their obligations, to that sa-
cred vocation for the culture of those
higher and nobler sentiments, which they
consciously passes Fewer still are dis
posed to disavow the effect OF the noble
christian virtues, in regulating their pas
sions, aud aiding and refining their enjoy
mens
But those who most realize hose inHu-
ences, and acknowledge them most CRATE
fully, may fail to appreciate their greatest
force, or even to recognize them in their
ten thousand forms of operation Were
it possible to examine for single day the
bearings, of all the good influences which
the Christian ministry yields to us, un-
doubtcdly the result would astonish us
Much indeed of that influence depends
upon the ability. the picty, the learning,
the social standing of the preachers. If
he is literally educated, we are entitled
to suppose he will exhibit an Acquaintance
with good usage in language "a general
knowledge Of the sciences, and in IA good
degree, knowledge Of all the learned
professions. In theology he is at home.
The other professions sometimes treat a
clergyman as if he were necessarily an
ignoramus. That is a mistake. But he
ought to be free from superstition and
from all those ,,a,s which take their root
in superstition. A very wide range Of
topics, invite the preachers consideration.
If he is sound in doctrine, and consistent
in his work, so that what is preached one
day, will not virtually be unpreached an
other day, he will contribute to his con-
gregation more useful, important infor-
nation in given length of time than will
be impaired by any other profession in
the same period.
Those congregations which are accustom-
cd to listen stately to an able, learned,
laborious preacher, will very soon show
the evidence Of corresponding improve
ment
A feeble preacher is in the long run a
bad piece of economy, a misfortune to
his hearers lie may be good man And
feeble preacher. if good man, i; more
acceptable than a strong preacher who is
bad man. A school teacher whose A.
bility to teach, is limited to the present
recitation, must con6ne his efforts to the
narrowest sphere of usefulness, while the
teacher of large attachments will evcrmorC
give significant hints of rich and bound.
less treasures of learning, but just beyond
the present grasp of his pupils. Such
/. hints conspre to lead the mind along, by
the inspiration ofever increasing diligence
through the fields of illimitable progress
So with large attainments, the preacher
may constantly arouse his listess hearers
and bear them along through boundless
tracts of knowledge to them before I'M.
known.
The sermon acquires new interest at cv
cry point, as the preacher incidentally
points to kindred topics, branching off in
to other fields useful inquiry, not within
the scope of the present discourse. A
traveller passing from the source Of somc
great river towards its outlet, is shown OF
the adjacent shores, here pleasant farm
and there towering rock, here a churcl
and there barracks, and pleasing Incl
dents of their history fixes them in hi
mind. So discourse, rich in argument
or glowing with pleasant incidents of use
full knowledge, like widening river bear
along the nearer, with its great stores o
intelligence to the boundless ocean o
knowledge. Every congregation ough
to seek an intelligent preacher whose frs
and greatest aim is the conversion and sal
walton of his flock, but who can incident
ally instruct them in the deep things o
!, the kingdom. In this land OF colleges i
, deplorable that we are blest with so man,
feeble preachers. / occasionally hear
sermon from Dr. Kitchel, who has tn
Archimidcan power to compress into on
discouse,a the profitable instruction ofal
inferior preachers life time, and | wonde
that all the other congregations of Wey
bridge do not leave their seats and hea
him. CyrHAx.
.