Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-03-08
VOLUME IS.
Enthusiasm in the Pulpit.

II is something when man carries set
tied convection of duty to the pulpit. 1t
makes his speech resolute even WHEN il is
modest. 1t disposes of that spe les of hes
itation that cheats the preacher of power,
leaves his hearers to sleep, and turns the
sanctuary service into mere piece OF Sun
day decorum. Without settled faith in
his function, a man is likely TO stammer
with his message. The preacher can never
win truesuccess in the absence of strong
conviction. Not fine words, but vital
faith makes the pulpit effective. The
preacher must feel that he is really sent to
bear a divine message to men, or else his
tone will be half an apology and his words
will lack the true JUNCTION. With this high
and ever present sense of duty, there will
be, more or less, the emphasis of conviction
and the power that wins its way.
But there is something even better than
this. 1t is enthusiasm. 1t is that down
right earnestness which purpose solidifies,
and hope animatss, and faith makes joyful,
and love lights up with splendor. Paul felt
il. II came out in his words now and then.
II no doubt beamed in his face, flashed in
his eye, trembed in his voice, and went
with him everywhere like an atmosphere.
Here is the key to it, and the natural ex-
preston Of it: 81 thank Christ Jesus our
Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he
counted me faithful, putting me into the
ministry" That is it. 1t was an honor
to preach. He accepted the service, not a.
hardship, a burden, sacrifice Of good
things possessed by other men, a going in
to exile, cross that must somehow be
borne, seeing that it could not be safely
laid Off He welcomed the work, glorifed
in it, drew out of it his highest joys, gath
cred up in it his chief distinctions. He WAS
not reluctant He never whined He new
err paraded his hard service. He never de-
manded that the outward emoluments of
his Office should be of the amplest sort. He
found the glory in the work itself, and in
what came of it. He thought of the Mas
lCl NuOSt NGi Nihb dhh ibOuth HiSSS NV was
gratefully, and wondering that he should
be chosen. He thought of the truth he had
to tell, and found himself kindled by its
influence. He remembered how he had
been made a new man by that same truth,
and so spoke it with new confidence, IS
he met others who were still wearing the
chains OF his old bondage He saw men
and women springing into fresh expert
ence as he preached, and so he found new
motives to go in the saving work. He re-
called the prophetic words in which its vic
tories throughout the world had been fore
told, and rejoiced that he was bearing alb
road the forces that were to be hailed a:
supreme. He thought of the end Of hi
earthly work, of the waiting "well done
of his Lord, and of the satisfaction tina
such an end AMI approval would yield him
And so, thanking God that he had par
in this ministry, he turned again to hi
work with an enthusiasm that is contagiou
even yet, as one who reads the words i
which he speaks of his labors and his ex
periences.
The reason for that enthusiasm still eX
lists, and the need of it has not been out
grown. 1t has the same relation to tn
preachers success that it had when PAT
was stirring Jerusalem, and surprisin
Athens, and setting Ephesus by the ear
and filling the Cesarean palace with alarm
That enthusiasm need not always be boi
ferrous, spasmodic or lawless. 1t may Of
serve all real proprieties. 1t may be ;
one with gentleuess and courtesy. 1t MI
indulge no extravagant speech. 1t may
calm, considerable, charitable, patient. An
yet, fit be genuine, it will make itself f
as something peculiar and powerful.
The men who possess it will not demal
the easiest places. They will be in earn'
to do something, instead of asking that e
erything be done for them. Needy feel
will attract them through their need. Til
will care far more for usefulness than
reputation. They will forego complimer
if they can be sure of doing good. TIL
will caeerfully wait for honorS till tn
have earned them, and the species of hon
that is priced more than any other is, tt
which comes from the smile of God q
the gratitude of saved men and women.
We do not forget that the ministry
both toll and trial; nor that those W
preach are only men; nor that faith
service in the pulpit may lead throu
paths that are difficult to travel; nor IL
the preacher is often peculiarly sensiti
both from organization and experience,
the privations and frictions that attach
the pastorate. But surely-unless Chri
words are misleading, and the records
the Acts is the story of fanatics, and
letters of Paul are the outcome Of excess
and dangerous impulse, and our whole t
DRY of the ministry is without ratio
foundation, there is no such thing as
thusiasm in the pulpit, that ought to be
rule rather than the exception. And
Joy that Paul felt over the fact that he
preacher of the gospel. ought to amin
our pastors that are in the field, and br
large accessions to the ranks of the mil
try from the young men whose hearts
grace Of God has entered. When the
pei is properly priced, it will be faithfi
preached. When well trained men he
lily thank God for place in the pull
they will speak in tone that is effect
Morning Star.
vitalizing the Prayer Meeting.
A writer in the Christian IInion I