The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-14
Justice for the Rev. Mr.. TaImage.


Every Christian who reads the HERALD-we were
going TO say every one who reads It, for we think all
Its readers must have been converted Dy this time
under its Outstanding influence-cannot but feel
grateful to you for the honest CRITICISMS on the
leading pulpit orators OF the day. which have ap-
peared in your columns from week to week during
the past few months. We think, however, that you
did some Injustice a few weeks since, to the Rev. T.
Dewitt Talmage. Although you admitted him to be
a man OF power, and even maintained In opposition
to the general IMPRESSION we think, that his voice.
though savorng OF the 'Jersey 1atness" was, never
theless. pleasant and agreeable still seemed to
think that MIR. Talmage was seeking popularity or
In other words his own gor1cation rather than the
salvation of lost souls. You are not alone In this
belief; IN fact we have found that most persons who
either not heard min AT all or least not often
enough to form an unpreJ udiced opinion. be-
leye HIM 10 be mere sensatlonast, seek
ing to amnse rather than instruct his
audiences. Whom the name or Taniage was
first sounded In our ears anu long stories OF his
satlonailsm ana self conce began spread through
the press, we, too. were inclined 10 he prcjudiced
against aim. But We had, for SO many Yeas. been
admirers Of Beccher, ana had so often battled
against the prejudiced minds of our friends VINO
thought OF Beecher then as many think OF Talmage
now aud Deng desirOus to show these friends That
we tried To practice what we had so often preached
to them-unpreJudlced judynent-we determined TO
throw away our prejudice and with minds un biased,
to so and hear the ceebra led pastor Of the Brooklyn
dice might have been left In minds withered be-
fore the preachers e0quence like leaf beneath the
scorchlng rays OF the summers sun, and we hes
tated not TO proclaim Dewitt TalmaRe one OF the
leading pulpit orators OF the day. Thus far we are
all agreed but what about his self-cOnceit and love
OF popularity One might naturally suppose, from
the sensational subjects which he chooses for his
dlscourscs. that he desired only to draw
great crowds and 10 Withhold from them the
: strong meat" the substantial doctrine, and TO
feed them on milk and honey to give them an
hours amusement We admit that when Mr.. Tai
mage is speaking he is fully aware Of his own pres
enCe: but we do not believe his seil-eSteem carries
him away-in fact, we think 1t adds force to bis
eloquence. We admit that the main object Of his
preaching seems to be effect; not that effect how
ever, as II has been ntmated, which would result
only in tie glorifcatton OF The speaker and In the
amusement OF his hearers; but an effect such
their sintuness and rouse up the processing Chris
tan to life OF greater activity and usefulness Mr.
Talmages discOurses demand no great strain OF the
tntellect they are, almost strictly appeals to the
ance, he enters into no lengthy explanation OF the
effects OF alcohol on the physical system; he uses
no logci but with his two-edged sword he cuts
right and left at the accused rum as II
trying to devour hun. And thus ne
treats all subjects. With language forclble and
cutting he depicts the most fearful horrors, and
tramples under foot the most stupendOus evils. Such
haps, 1t would not suit US always. But We believe
II Is much better adapted to many people than that
preaching which IS perhaps more Instructive and
docrinal And we earnestly hope that those people
preaching, Will 20 and hear him often enough to
judge him fairly and without prejudice; and We can
not but believe, whatever may be the opinion OF
others that the multitudes who fill the Brooklyn
TABERNACLE Sabbath after Sabbath, Will continue to
be greatly blessed, as they have been in times past
NEW YORK, May Q, 1871. JUSTITIA.