Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-08-18

than his predecessors. We mean sim
ply that the average audience in ouI
churches is much better trained to
think and to discriminate than those
of the last century and that there is
less distance, intellectually. between
the pews and the pulpit.
Again, the great diversiiication OF
business and the consequent demand
| for men of the first order Ofintellect to
| superintend it. has drawn many strong
and acute men who formerly would
have entered the pulpit, away into the
various avenues OF commerce and pub
lie life. Thus the clergy has lost
ground relatively to other occupations.
These facts suggest, as we think,
the true explanation of the seeming
decadence of the pulpit. 1t is relative
and not absolute. For we are quite
prepared to retute the assertion that
sermons are duller, and the clergy less
able. than in former days. The prop
cr field Of the pulpit broadens in GER
! tain directions, if it is contracted in
other respects. The application of
the gospel to all the problems Of do
nestle, and social, and national life.
grows wider with all that Increases the
scope and wealth Of these relations.
And the pulpit shares in the general
march of mind. II is enriched by sci
encc; ii is cultivated by philosophy
II Il yltalIzed by literature. The min
iStry IN this age are too closely con
nected with the great mass Of the peo-
pie not To be affected by every move
ment OF society Mt large.
The proofs Of this are ample. Some
OF our most vigorous writing. not sim
ply in theology. and ethics. and inter
probation, the particular field OF the
cIergy.-hut in philosophy. in history,
IN criticism and general literature. is
ifom cicri al pens. sermons exhibit a
bpitness and freedom OF thought. a
breadth and caudur Of diScussi on,
which arc rare ia any field. and winch
marx waxing, rather than waning
power. Inc best refutation of the
view that the pulpit is becoming OBJ
splctc is the publication of sermons.
which seems to be- rapidly increasing
We Ito not mean Beechcr's sermons
only, but such as those of Robertson.
The famous curItc OF Brighton in Eng
land, those Of Brooke, his biographcr.
OF Newman Hall. OF Murray OF Boston.
and Hedge OF Cambridge. and Il host
Of others. The mere fact that there is
Il demand for such books shows DOW
er still remaining with the pulpit, and
acknowledged by the people. And
when we look into these volumes We
easily discover the secret OF tnel. popu-
laritv. RobertSon's sermons are as
fresh, and clear, and racy, rs the best
magazine articles and rs warm with
feeling and vigorous with original,
masculine thought, rs the pulpit OF the
last century can equal. Ine icrvent
piety, and simple eloquence whicn
glow on the pages of Halls di,courses,
are A. refreshing as spring III the
desert, and seize upon the popular
heart with unnistakabic power. Hedge,
4 one can pas. by his Invcterate nco
!oslsm, j. a delightful and picturesque
a. poem, ana shows how broad still
!, th" field the sermon may traverse
With emlaeat propricty.
And where in the land, Or in the
world At large, is throne Of greater
intellectual and moral power than the
pulpit which : tIlet by a Beechcr.
Thompson, Storrs, Han, a >iinp-
son, a >purgeon, Or 4 llyacinthe: And
IN every community, though With vary
Ing brllIiancy, the Christian pulpit WI
be found stlli sending forth pure anu
steady light, the beacon Of our adv anc-
ins civilization, the glory ofa rcsen-
Grated manhood.