The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-30
Plain Words vs.. Pulpit Oratory OF tn.
Nineteenth Century.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
Permit me to say word in reply to the commu
ncation OF Nv. {. d." when appeared in the
HERALD OF June Is.
W. c. d." admits that the truly eloquent, brill
liant and poetic Pere Hyacinthe," with all his
'vely imagination great requisites OF true oratory,
spontaneous now OF language, all finished or by a
perfect elocution," was, after all, "poor mis-
guided man, He adds-"lf he only had preached
the Gospel OF Jesus Christ, pure and indebted, he
might have saved France the late terrible war,
and given a new spiritual life TO his country.
The world led him away, and he is now
Intellectually dead and forgotten all Of which
endorse
And now comes Henry Ward Beecher, 'both eat
ing and drinking and preaching the Gospel Of
Jesus Christ. "And We say he hath" What does
Nv. c. D." say OF hims Here is portion OF what
he says:-"liis discourses are for the most part
disiointed mechanical and nonsenscal," aud much
more is added OF like disparagement.
| am no champion OF Mr.. Beecher, living nearly
two thousand miles from him, and often differing
from him in religious sentiment, but | would give
more for the practical common sense OF that man,
illustrated in his series OF Lectures Preachng.'
a synopsis OF which appears in the July number OF
Appleton's Science MOnth,p, than for any pulpit
oratory that can he named which lacks the practi-
cal Application, vital force tor by. whatever name
you may call tl, which is the life OF those lectures.
a few days ago, In running over some OF the WORKS
OF the late Or. William +. Claiming (and doubt
not ''W. e. d. has enjoyed the writings OF that
most gifted and amiabe man, the following frank
and evidently heartfelt expressions pleased me
greatly
Times have changed Men have learned that common
press real feeling and strong pon aud that the cir
gaence was but the paradeof weaEncss They have
less coanicrcits Without it. and that s,yie good where
instead OF being anNiously cast into mould IL seems
with power the workings Of the authors mind 10
But enough. surprising Mr. Beechers name is
not handed down with religious orators TO poster
ity, will he not give something better his influence
upon the living OF to-day extending TO their chill.
drenS All have not the education Of Nv. c. d.
and while his love OF pulpit oratory IL undoubtedly
OF high order, he must remember that to others
the Gospel must be preached. IL takes plain words
from just such men Mr. Beecher to finally throw
back the bolts OF public library doors on Sunday
ana TO overcome many other foolish prejudices In
the stagnant pool OF sleepy Christians, when. to
produce like result, some pulpit oratory for hall
century has "voeyed and thunderedo and not
disturbed those waters by SO much a. ripple.
What Is the Human Soul !-By Cato"
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
As there seems to be some misunderstanding as
TO what is and what is not the human SOUL and as
wrong Interpretation has been given to more
than one OF my contributions by my worthy oppo.
nents beg the favor to make an explanation,
which your kindness in this regard heretofore
gives me confidence TO ask.
The human soul, as understand II, is neither the
life nor the life principle in man, but simply that part
OF living being which reasons, feels and knows,
and is Just as subject to accident, decay and death
as the physical body
l have never said or insinuatcd that the spirit
was mortal or subject in any way to accident or de-
cay but that the spirit belongs to man and is really
the person have and do most emphatlcally deny.
1t ia not ours, but Gods, and ia given to us and
taken from us at His pleasure. need scarcely ask
the question, Am sustained by the Bible inlthsy
| Swedenborg but impcrfecty perceived the great
truth he uttered when be said. Man 70 not the lie.