The New York herald., 1873-12-16
PLAGIARISM IN THE PULPIT.

Peter, Luther and Shakespeare Fla-
giarists.
The Methodist Preachers Meeting was yesterday
pretty well crowded with cergymen and visitors
TO listen to an essay as announced to be read by
Rev. J. NJ Buckley, of SuInmerfeld church. Brook
lyn, on the subject OF plagiarism in the Pupit.n
He put his propositions in the form OF questions
and asked, "What rs plagiarism Ia 1t positively
wrong3 What are its effects upon the piagarist
and what leads men to commit the act and can
anything more be said on the subject 2" Mr. Buck
ley gave definition OF plagiarism rom Johnson
and cited examples Of this kind Of literary theft
from other authorities His own definition OF 1t
was conscious taking OF other mems literary
letters without giving them due credit therefor.
But then 1t becomes necessary to know first what
is another mans literary property. Mr.. Buckley
showed how there must be similarity OF de-
scripton by several authors, and quoted from some
authors in proof Of this statement, and also in
proof that such similarity does not constitute
plagiarism. Originality, he remarked, is not the
production OF new thought, but rather the think
ing OF our own thoughts and their utterance in ap-
propriate words. Plagiarism Is therefore the con-
scious use OF another mans order Of thought and
utterance Mr.. Buckley related instances OF men
using other mems sentences, supposing them to
be their own production. He asked therefore,
whether this
STEALING OF ANOTHER MANS THOCGHT
was an indifference or q criminal act minister
dared not tell his congregation from whom he
takes his extracts. He works for the applause OF
men and for his salary, which depends in great
measure upon this. He therefore receives both
money and applause from his congregation while
he knowingly deceives his hearers. Mr.. Buckley
gave an instance OF minister in New England, who
had been accustomed all his life to this kind
OF literary theft, but who on his deathbed
repented and made it condition that his presid-
ing elder should state in his funeral discourse that
the ministerial life OF the deceased had been lie.
When two men preach the same sermon the
original author, he said, is sometimes accused OF
plagiarism, and he gave several humorous exam
pies OF such mistakes, and added that such literary
impostures real injury to the cause that it is
designed to aid by them. They are unjust and
fraudulent toward honest men.
The effect of this kind OF theft is that it leads the
poor wretch guilty OF 1t either to copy or to
memorize. Such man may have the reputation
OF great talent in the pulpit while he may be fool
elsewhere. But the only difference there Is in him
is that in the street he is fool, and in the pulpit
he is o fool with good mem0ry-a mental condf-
tion often seen Copying Mr, Buckley I placed Ss
lection VIII follow the plagiarlst and he will at
some time or other find himself in place
himself by telling the truth. Instances OF this kind
are numerous, In the one case the mans reputa.
ton is ruined and in the other his character shares
that fate. In his ordinary relations with men he
will not do this. and Mr. Buckley saw no justice In
doing Y IN tne sar pulpit Hs next showed the re
OTHER METHODS OF MORAL OBLIQUTTY,
and gave illustrations humorous and interesting.
preached trial sermon before Presbytery. An
old brother minister opposed the admission Of the
young man because his sermon had been stolen
from Barrow, Robertson or some one else The
old gentleman gave the name OF the author, and
to the and page On which It c9oa
the PresbyteryIand questioned on the matter. He
simperngly replied that he had never read the au-
thor named, but he had once heard DIR. Jones (the
aged brother who made the objection to himl
preach this sermon and he had made up from
memory what he had delivered before them, be-
Heving that he could not do 1t 80 well OF himself
The PresDytery thought well OF the sermon but not
the sopnstry by which this this KIND % Of literary
theft is commented was next examined. We
said J ne might WORK on the hearts Of his congre
CATION by telling them story OF his own conver.
sion. almost as miraculous as that OF st. Paul. but
better TO preach another mans wisdom than our
own foolishness 1t is said that young men can't
prepare and preach two original sermons in
week. Then Mr.. Buckley would advise such to
preach only one sermon and give the people one
think more highly Of the latter than OF the former
Let such young man exchange often and not
stay longer tnan year in his first appointment
The speaker remarked very humorously that he
was very thankful that he could not stay more
Sna h m 81 @ oI 1ae
he believed, owing partly to MS efforts to convert
it into Methodist church, which it was not He
nized and OF giving to 1t more money than he
ever got from it. But man should
DO ANYTHING RATHER THAN STEAL
1t is better. he said, to wear plain. home made
suit than to steal broadcloth to make a show WITH
especially In England, ana read extracts from
"Curiosties OF Literature" TO show how the pla-
giarist could cover up his thefts One-haf the SER
dalt arod IN hn Est (bnrph nf EDry
land ne believed were of this kind and character.
Conscious manhood he deemed worth more than
he said is as old as the Bible itself, and is de.
nOunced by Jeremiah, who says :-''They steal my
rom his stss uTcher He that nasn nv word let nm
speak my word. What Is the chafr to the wheat
with the Lord Of Hostsf" He did not believe, he
general standard OF education is high enough to
forbid it. and there should be no need to steal.
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE QUESTION
to this question, and he feared that some young
ministers might be injured % or terrified BY TINS bug
the getting Of goods by false pretences but il may
injure man TO think too much about plagiarism.
ceived and the best things said, and we cannot
present those subjects without using those
ment % without taxing up v what has has been said al
readyf We must not allow our lear OF plagiarism
TO cripple our usefulness There is great general
stock from which we may all draw, and the Doctor
gave illustrations to show that such taking cannot
be considered plagiarism or literary theft. The
element OF motive should be considered In this.
II he delivers an grafton for prize at college
commencement which Is taken from others, and
herewith obtains the prize, he might justly be
charged with plagiarism; but II he breaches
sermon, not for salary or reputation, but
sder himself guilty of plagiarism though he
should use the best thoughts and words OF
Others without at the time giving credit to
the original author. He believed there was strong
circumstantia evidence that Homer Shakespeare,
Luther and many other ancient and modern
authors pagiarized, Homer was a mere restorer
OF songs. Luther was not the inventor OF 'Old
Hundred" and there Is not one OF Shakespeare's
did not put his name to them and made no money
out OF them. There is plagiarism In the Bible, and
any one who Will carefully read the EpIstle OF Jude
and the FIRST episte OF Peter Will see that the
latter copied from the former and yet he does not
rye due credit to the original author