Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-07-22
Rev. J. w. MALCOLM, Editor.
PULPIT M ANNERS.

his suDJecC recurrcu W US Wy lisuOh-
ing to distinguished clergymen of differ
ent denominations who attract the null
titude. 1t may be said of them that
they are men of power. and succeed IN
doing about what they undertake, not
withstanding any imperfection in their
manners. One loves to see them and
hear them. They present live subjects,
and treat them Familiarity and practical
ly, yetjvith IAN Originality ofythought
and EXPRESSION that carries conviction
to the Heart. Ministers. without their
attractions would be discarded for their
defects. Success, like conversion, hides
a multitude of sins, in way of its own.
Mr.. A. is preacher in middle life,
and of considerable distinction. Z From
the general appearance of the man, and
once hearing HIM, we judge that he is
not disposed to be severe on worldly
amusements, and would be more DIS
turbed by earnest and devout piety
among his people than by free and easy
sociability. His movements in the pull
Dit seemed to indicate that he intended
to do a pleasant thing and please the
people, and SO he did. Though he used
brief notes. they did not embarrass- him.
He took wide range, and developed
many appropriate thoughts and express
sions. But his attitudes were remarka-
BILE not awkward, indeed, but unmean-
ing and unimpressive. His clean,
white. handkerchief played q prominent
part. Being drawn from his pocket and
unfolded before the audience at an early
period in, the discourse, itrwas first plac
ed under the Bible, but was soor
withdrawn, and passed over the speak
ers mouth and nose, which were in per
feet order without it, and then deposit
ct elsewhere. Nearly every new propo
sition was heralded by some similar dis
play of this useful article of outfit.
The intervals We're filed up with va
rious manipulations of the fingers, indi
eating nothing connected with the sub
ject, such as adjusting the speaker
hair, feeling of his forehead or cheek
or, what seemed particularly ridiculous
pressing his nasal organ on one side o
the other with the fore finger in imita
ton of naughty boys on the street whel
they wish to express triumph or con
tempt. While we enjoyed the sermon
we could but wonder that some of tn
preachers admirers had not corrected
these little damaging habits by thei
kind suggestions. We next listened to
gentleman. of another persuasion, who's
thoughts were thoroughly evangelical
and whose language was superlatlvel.
beautiful. His gestures, too, were ad
mirable. not only tallying with hi
thoughts, but oftenexpressing them NOR
forcibly than did his well-chosen words
which were sometimes so uttered as nc
to be distinctly heard. Yet that gran
discourse was wonderfully damaged b
frequent nasal explosions which rang
through the house like trumpet, show
ing by its clearness that that effort wa
a mere rhabit--and very indelicate on
the condition of things in the speak
er's breathing arrangements requirin
nothing of the sort How a gentlemal
of such high culture could fall into S
disagreeable practice is unaecountablt
Could he see it as others do, he certain
" would abandon it at once and foreN
er. Let his friends advise him.,
The use of handkerchief as a spi
toon on sick-bed is sometimes yer
convenient, and even necessary bl
such use of it in the pulpit is in ba
taste, to say the least. But wher
owing to the fastidiousness or neglect {
trustees, a. minister is forced to this
to soil carpet, it may be a questit
which is the least Objectionable ? "
are satifed, however, that if the ham
kerchief cannot be brought into subje
ton to good taste in the pulpit it h;
better be left at home The name
of the pulpit should be in harmony wi
the purity of its subject.-M z. Chr
ttdn AdUocdte.