Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-07-02
The Preaching of the Day.


In reading an article taken from the n.
Y. Chhrch JoHrHai, | notice that it says Of
the pulpit Of our day
" The pulpit. take it for all 10 ell, is imhe
clio before the sins Of the day. II no longer
proclaims an unlatering law, disobedience to
which is death. II has become in its weak
scntimcnialism, the apologist Of sin. IL has
madc moral evil n subject Of its vague specu-
lati0n, and dafes not proclaim its revealed is
sue. Its imhecility is not in its rhetoric, or
IL general smartness, or its yolubility. 1t lies
/ in this, that 1t has ceased to preach the law Of
God, ceased 10 speak with authority, ceased to
teach the awful, eternal sanctions against sin
I II has become vague, watery, declamat0ry, sen
sational. II has soitened down the denunca-
ton against sin. IL has refined away crime
u has allowed men and women TO imagine the
old moTalitics as well as the old faith are de-
hatablc, and that what their fathers and moth
ers called crimes and sius are no longer crimes
and sins to their more enlightened children.
We need in time sick with sins and foul with
crimes some certain preaching and teaching
with authority on rights and wrongs saliva
tton and damnaton, death md judgment,
heaven and he'll
think for one that this is the great want
Of cur times men that will speak out plain
Bible language on this subject The quos-
ton has been often asked why reyiyals Of
religion are not more frequent think
this is answered 10 the main by the article
alluded to. have thought for a long time,
that there has been a great departure from
the old primitive faith held by our fathers
yes, and | will say by our Lord Jesus
Christ, and His Apostles | would ask
why it is that we have adopted language so
different from that our great Teacher has
given US. Have we discovered better way
Of reaching the hearts Of men in this en-.
liehtened age Have we come to the con.
clusion that, as q matter Of course, because
men have become wiser in many things Of
a worldly nature, that it follows that they
may be on this subiectl Now it seems to
me our wisdom will prove 10 be folly if it
has not already If we had not a perfect
Teacher, it would be otherwise, but as it
is, let Us adhere to the good old way. |
know the language Of the natural heart is,
give as smooth things and fear that
many who profess to be followers Of our
Lord Jesus, are saying, Oh don't appeal
10 the fears Of men to induce them to stop
In their course Of wickodness, and think on
their ways aud turn to God l" "Oh no /;
give US the love of Cod" This We will
do, but while we preach the acceptable day
Of the Lord, shall we not also preach the
day Of vengance Of our God2 think the
devil has transformed himself into an angel
Of light and thereby has taken US captive
and become our leader. II so, it is time
We had found it out, and let us desert his
ranks at once and come back to our Glorious
Leader. Has it come to this that we have
been driven from this line of battle field
and given it up to the enemy2 God forbid.
Let US rally round the old standard again,
and not throw away our old and mighty
weapons Of warfare with which we have
been SO successful in times past for others
Of more doubtful character ! for one
q" intend to fight it ou, on this line" as the
leader Of our army said, q" if it takes all
summer or rather, till die. Have we
not separated that which God has joined
together and sought to compromise with
the world, to secure their support |
fear this is too often true Then again, have
we not neglected to take the sword Of the
spirit, which is the unadulteraied word Of
God2 In reading Bunyan's Pilgrims
Progress, a short time since, ! was much
impressed with the following "Mr. Great
Heart while leading on the weak pilgrims,
met Mr. Valiant for Truth. whom be was
very glad to sec and after talking over the
wonderful battles they had fought, and the
victories they bad won, says, Mr.. Great
Heart let me see your sword and after
looking at it few moments, he says, |
perceive you have got real Jerusalem
blade Yes says Mr.. Valiant for Truth,
1t has two edges it will cut both ways,
it will 60 through flesh and bones, aud the
edge will not turn one whit, if a man knows
how to use it and lay on" IL must be-
come part Of the man himself, Is not
this the great secret why we have become
so powerless in preaching the gospel Of the
Son of God?
Then again, have We not had too little Of
4" Thus saith the Lord, in our sermons,
and thereby have not spoken as one having
authority from God, so that men may feel
that we believe what we preach is true ?
Now in order to be successful with this
sword, we should heed the injunction of
the Apostle to take that part Of the arm
or, which is prayer and supplication in the
spirit.
Now is not this our great want ? be-
lieve il is. Then let US see to it that we
obtain it, for if do not, we shall continue
to be powerless. Oh may the Lord give
us this power.
A WITNESS FOR THE Truth