The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-06-20
ssToo Much Preaching'-Too Much Praying.

y
of Sunday appeared an extract from an ex-
change, which, with some limitation, believe
will be endorsed by large majority OF church
goers in this country. I allude to the article
entitled "Too Much Preaching" Now, whilst
do not go so far as to raise an objection to two
sermons on the Sabbath day, l most heartily
agree with the writer of the extract referred to
that in very many cases the sermons are too
long. 1t is freely admitted that there are oc-
casionally to be met with men of rare intellec-
tual and oratorical powers, who, in their finest
efforts, will hold congregation enchained by
their eloquence for an hour or more; but even
preachers possessed of such unusual endow.
ments should be very careful not to presume
too often upon their powers OF entertaining and
edifying an audience throughout such lengthy
discourses.
1t is we'll known that all public speakers vary
in the vigor and force with which they present
their subjects, at different times; and it is q
fact quite as well established that congrega-
tion, az a mass, will not uniformly hear with
the same pleasure sermons of equal merit
The philosophy of this it is not my intention
now to inquire into 1t is sufficient for our
present purpose to state the facts and let others
discuss the reasons. In the opinion of the
writer lin which he confidently believes that
nine-tenths of those who are in the habit of
attending our churches will sustain him), no
preacher can safely rely upon the unwearying
attention of the masses of his hearers, from
Sabbath to Sabbath, if he makes practice of
speaking over thirty-fve or forty minutes.
Not only does the reputation of the preacher
suffer by long sermons, but p"any man is de-
tered from attending church altogether by the
fear of being subjected to them: How often
do we hear young men, when asked to 60 to
certain church, reply: 81 can't; Mr..
breaches too long" If the preaching of the
Gospel to all men be of such vital importance
as we believe, should not our ministers be e1-
tremely cautious to avoid driving any from the
House of God, where the sacred word is ex-
pounded? The writer believes that tried and
faithful Christians are frequently surfeited-
not with the Divine word ITSELF but mot to
speak irreverently) with the number and tedi-
business of the courses served. If, then, full
grown men in Christ are some times satiated
with religious pabulum, how can the babes OF
the church be expected to partake so freely of
it without nausea?
But whilst the writer deprecates long sermons
in general, and think they are hurtful to the
very cause they are intended to promote, ne
would not conclude these remarks without de-
voting just q few words to long prayers. What
shall be said upon this subject, of course, does
not apply to those petitions that are offered up
from prayer-books, or other prescribed forms.
With those we have nothing to do now. It is
of the long, extemporaneous prayer we wish to
speak at present.
We frequently hear in our churches petitions
in which are incorporated the idea if not the
words, owe are not heard for our much speak.
ing :" and yet that very prayer, perhaps, will
be drawn out to such length as to weary even
the most devout worshipper in the assembly:
Now would not compare those who are led
into this error with the Pharisee, whose much
speaking was so severely censured by our
Saviour for know that many earnest and
sincere Christians fall into it almost uncon-
sciously; but submit whether such verbose
and wearying prayers are calculated to induce
spirit of devotion or whether they are not,
on the contrary, apt to produce feeling of i'm
patience in the Enthusiastically if he be
worldlinga
Our Divine Master, when upon earth, gave
his followers petition which, if not intended
itself to be used on all occasions, was certainly
recommended as a model to be followed as
closely as possible. And what human being
can hope to frame prayer so all.expressive
and all-embracing as that which fell from the
lips of Christ? And yet the Lords Prayer is
remarkably brief and simple. What a contrast
in these respects to some of the petitions that
90 up to the Throne of Grace from many of the
churches of the present day Yes, even from
the lips of good and holy men