Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-07-10
OUR CHURCHES.


The First Cumberland Presbyterian
ChUreh-Rev. L. C. Ransom.
In noticing the various churches Of
Memphis, and occasionally reporting the
sermons OF their respective ministers. we
have neglected the Ffut Cumberland
Presbyterian Church, OIL Court street,
But II we have been silent, we have not
been forgefful; for this shureh e one OF
the most popular In the city. It IL located
at a central and convsnttnt point. The
audience Is large, intelligent aad wealthy,
There is nothing narrow or s~ectarian
shout the church or it's members. Some
people belle 70 that their church cannot
succeed unless its cares: IL rugged, sd-
verse, pathetic or heroic. But the First
Cumberland Presbyterian Church seems
anxious to glide through the world like
an smiable man, anxious to perform hia
duty without making enemies or stirring
up profound sensations.
Rev. l.. Z. Ransom has charge Of the
church. and he and the church seem to be
peculiarly suited for each other. Whistler
he has absorbed the popular amiGbiIity Of
the church or injected much Of his own,
We shall leave it to the congregation to
decide. The congregation in attendance
at the First Cumberland Presbyterian
Church yesterday was lsrge, considering
the oppressive warm weather, and the
numerous absentees nom the city. We
shall not, in this hasty notice, give the
texts which Mr.. Ransom selected for h.s
sermons yesterday, or att smpt any report
OF what he said; but confne our COM
ments to his general ann az q speaker
and preacher. In the irt place, MI. Ran /
son never breaches sensational sermous (
never resorts to clap-trap to I'LL his
church; he never sdVsrtises himself: and.
In fine, he Is q man who hB full of charity. |
gentleness and b~enignity. His modesty Is
only equalled by his dislike of nosoriety.
II he breaches q which happens 10 |
attract attention, it Is becIuse his sermon
is one which is simply grand for It's
simplicity, It's absence CT prescription, |
Sectarianism and al Misrepresentation !
and unkindliness. Genial by nature. toll
Grant of all religious fsithI, never bigotsd,
sensational, always strict and con-
scientious In minding his own business.
never meddling with others-L. G. RAN |
som Is q model preacher. Every one of
his congregation loves him, the whole CITY
respects him as q shining example of q
genuine Christian, the world speaks of
him with reverence, and when we get to
Heaven, if we don'B find him there, or II
don't soon report, vs. shall always
think there Is some mistake about the
As a speaker, Mr.. Ransom possesses all
the ~el0quence which ths simplicity Of
truth can inpart. His sermons are replsts
with ripe and varied scholarship, pro-
found philosophy and elegant literary
taste. With the stately dignity which so
well becomes a talented divine, he address,
5s his congregation, and lHys broad, deep
and strong, the foundatio as Of his argu-
which, as he advances, rise like q
pyramid, firm, compact and immOVRble,
His facts are presented In such plain, ex-
Diicit language, and the combinations and
nunNnGHVua - wuuAn nnft Aan-. -
hem in so mastery q manner that con-
fasten upon the mind Of every
nearer. He never says anything calculated
% wound the most sensitive feelings, and
here is 81 much candOr, esrnestness Of ]
Expression, and sincerity Of purpose and
rue piety in all he says thar his words .
all upon his hearers with all the elo-
Of truth Mr.. Ransom's style is
lot st all deelsmstOry; hut pure, chRste
md elegant. His illustrations are simple,
ipTOpOS and fOrcible-WitIlout any of the
lszzling trOpes n metecric metaphors
which sky-scrSping speakers often shower
upon their sudienca. His style is
without Ostentation; his pro-
luneistion precise, without anything ,
Inicsl; and his manne aervid, without !
His subjects are thoroughly !
nslyzed, his logic Is eogsIit and conclu- .
i've, and his fancy Is constantly held in
ubserviency to truth, rslsOn and per-
Mr.. Ransom is Inquestionsbly l
man of deep evangelical piety, whose
cart, and soul, and brain, are earnestly
ngsged In his Masters work. Long may /
9 be spsred--s blessing &c his church, a
.ght ia the ~WOrld-before he exchanges
be pulpit for the thrOnei
"GOoD-BY Y SWEETHEART" q new serial {
by the author of "Red Is q Rose Is
be" will appear in No. III OF A~pplstOn's !
Ournal, issued July II. Price per No, ,