The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-12-12
mn isCellaneOus.
Installation Services
IN THE
PRESBYTERIAN Church, Bel Air, Md
NOVEMBER Both, 1873.

furnished for publication in the Bel Ali
papers, with the hope that by their circu-
lation they may stir up and benefit other
pastors and other churches as well as theil
own:
BY REV. s. d. MOVES, Pastor of Aisquith
Street Presbyterian Church, Baltimore.
My Brother--It now becomes my duty,
in the absence of the brother to whom this
part was assigned, to address you, as is our
custom on occasions like this, concerning
the nature and responsibilities of the office
into which you have been indicted this
day. The duties of the Christian minister
are as well known to you as to me. The
obligations of the Passionate You feel as
deeply as do, and it is only in compli-
ance with the form--not to reveal to you any
new duty, or present to you any stronger
motives to a performance of duty, that l
address you. I propose but single
thought, that I desire to emphasize.
You have been called by this people to
preach. This is your vocation. For this
we to-day consummate the union between
you and this church. 1t can not be i'm
pressed too strongly on the minds of the
churches, or be repeated too frequently in
their hearing that the one commission OF
their ministers is to preach. Christ sent forth
His disciples during His earthly ministry to
preach. Before His ascension He laid on the
apostles one great command-to preach
The apostle, who stands at the head of the
long line of preachers that sweep across
the ages, asserted and re-asserted that his
only business was to preach. No minor
| constellation onulI dwarf him, from, bo
sublime purpose on which he was bent
The thought, the inquiries, the intelligence,
the culture, the tendencies, the activities
of the present age, more than any one that
has preceded it, justify and enforce the di-
vine arrangement. 1t is often asserted that
the duty of pastoral visitation is equally
binding, quite as sacred, and should be as
conscientiously regarded as that of preach
ing. Of real pastoral labor have only
good to say. 1t is intimately connected
with the pulpit. So far let it be recog-
nized. But when it is demanded, as is
actually the case, that hours which ought
to be used in preparation for the pulpit,
should be FILTERED away in mere social visi-
tation, refuse to accede to the demand
Mingle with the people as you have oppor-
tunity. Show yourself their friend at those
seasons when friendship is precious and
grateful. But remember that the pulpit is
your throne. To it bring the best culture
of your mind, the purest affections of your
heart and the noblest energies of your life
Preach the word. This was Paul's ad-
vice to Timothy. There are three promi-
nent forms of preaching in the church of
the present. There is the scientific preach
ing, which prides itself ON its depths and
| 70 m M oil fo la
for cultured minds only. 1t prepares to
ponents may have clear path to the cross.
Then there is the sensational preaching
which aims to tickle the fancy, gratifying
the taste and amuse for an hour. The
great danger that threatens the modern
pulpit, and unchecked would bring it
down to the level of the lecture platform,
is this style of preaching. No minister
should be ignorant of the scientific, philoso-
phcal or historical objections to Christiani-
ty, and there are times when he should
bring out of his well-turnished armory the
keen sabre to thrust them through. He
should attentively consider the questions
which honest souls ask from the black
clouds of terrible doubts. Neither should
the preacher reject attractive forms of pre-
senting truth One great secret of sue
ccssful preaching is how to present old
truths that they shall have the novelty of
fresh discovery. But it is the preaching of
the Word that should be the ideal of his
pulpit, as it is that which has the promise
of Gods blessing. You are to declare the
will of God Present the motive the Cos
pei furnishes to secure obedience, you are
an ambassador in Christ's place. You are
not to defend the gospel so much as to pro-
claim it. A plain practical preaching OF
the gospel is the grandcst defence. Better
than marshalled hosts, or arguments in
which there is no plan. Preach the word;
it endures when the last sensation has been
forgotten. Preach Christ, your own heart
glad in His love, and your zeal fired with
the stimulus of prayer and you shall full
fill the divine purpose.
Preach with boldness. Christ is your ex-
ample. Never did another speak with such
terrible directness. Paul congratulated
himself ut his parting with the elders of
Ephesus, that he had not failed to declare
the whole counsel of God in their midst
There are sins in all churches. Rebuke
them as you behold them here, whether
they stand out in their native ugliness, or
are clad in the garments of refinement
Spare them not. Point out their conse-
quences Say not peace till there is peace
DO not let your pulpit be one in bondage
You taithtulness may cost you friend ;
better lose friend than cast your crown
away.
Preach with tenderness. AS nurse
cherisheth her children so breathe the spirit
of kindness toward those under your care
To preach tenderly is consistent with
preaching boldly. Real boldness is free
from even the touch of harshness. The
bold preaching that is effective thrills
with divine tenderness Neglect not to
unveil the pillars of faith. But there is
something still better. Our congregations
are composed of worn and wearied and lis
couraged men, on whose brow care has
written many premature wrinkle, and
whose heart strings anxiety has weakened;
who long for comfort, who seek staff on
which to lean, and look about for a shelter
from the storms. The gospel should be
presented to him in its richness, sweetness
and mercy. Before them should be set its
holy invitations and refreshing promptness.
Men care not so much about the peculiar
structure CT Christianity as they do about
its ability in helping them bear daily bur
dens, in rcsigning them to sorrow, in lifting
them above regret for the disasters OF
the past, and in imparting to them courage
to advance into the unrevealed future
Christianity gives man in his sorrows and
weakness companion who never falls