The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-03-26

superiority which belongs to the sex II
fact this reverence raises her to a highe
plane of thought and action. She has, too
a special talent for convincing the objects Q
her admiration Of their own superlative ex
ceilence, which greatly relieves her own feel
lngs, but casts stumbling block in the patl
of the one she delights to honor
We're these great preachers saints, this
homage would not affect them. But as popu.
lar preachers have an element of 8. feminini
| ty IN their composition, it is a dangerous
ordeal. 1t is a very beautiful element Thu
same temininity. It lends pathos and
persuasion to their words. It kindles a
warm, electric sympathy which reaches all
| hearts. 1t gives kind Of prophetic insight
into the secret needs of humanity, and an
| adaptability to those needs which is like in
spratlon. By a species of personal mag
netisn the hearers are borne on the current
Of the speakers thoughts. In fact, to be a
great and popular preacher this clement can
not be lacking.
But then, e~ rer0eche, it is no strengthened,
no stern monitor Of duty. It makes a man
more keenly sensitive to praise or eensure.
1t lowers his standard of thought from the
immutaGle principles Of Christianity self
forgetting, selt-abnegating to the tluctuating
one OF public opinion. Even if it does not 90
that length, it insensibly colo.s with spirit
Of man-pleasing the aspirations which bear
the soul heavenward.
lake a man thus constituted ana feed him
on the highly spiced diet of subtle hattery.
Let him mark how his words eXalt. depress,
bring tears or JOY to the hearts of the fairest
and puress portion Of his congregation. Let
their words OF praise be always in his ears.
and IN toe many cases his highest spiritual
nature is dwarted.
Let him be mar without che moral re.
straints which should attach to his sacred
Office, and we do not care to measure the |
extent Of his downfall Even granting that
his life is pure and good. that he shrinks !
with horror from any word or act that might I
impair the dignity and usefulness of his |
Office, even them We repeat the popular
preacher is in danger from the complacent |
born of a sense of unlil.
tied power.
For one sanity fife, crushing underfoot the
pomps and vanities of the world, We can num-
Der ten that nourish the pomps and vanties
d the spirit by mamma of praise and adj
niration.
II may be said that our remarks would ap
oly 10 any individual specially gifted with
genius and talent, as well as great preacher.
We do not think SO. He is the bearer of
he great Evangel of Hope and and Promise
0 mankind, and, somewhat unreasonable, we
re apt to confound the Office with the man,
nd expect him to be the exemplar of the
irtues he teaches from the pulpit. What
7ould be mere blot on another mans life.
'ould be an eating leprosy on his. His power
greater over men, because he moves them |
OF only by considerations OK Time, but of 9
'ernity. He is on a pinnacle, and from time {
pinnacses have been the chosen
les Of Satan longest and strongest tempta-
ons.
His sores: temptation as we said before O
'AilCs IicilA VIC trtnCaC3On winch .
is female disciple, persist in forcing upon
in. They are ignorant of the injury th.y
, him. They can not believe that this man.
) great and good. is subject to the temrta-
ons Of human kind, and tie weakness OF
metimes succumbing to them. The natural
preston Of their piety attaches almost -
wine attributes to the minister of the Divine :,
aster. Men on the contrary generally quail. p,
7 their admiration and reverence for one of re
cir own SEX AS a rule they are not given
exalting their brothers into region of i'm :
ssible perfection, no matter how eloquent W
how good they may be. 81
Well is it with the popular preacher if the
ee. draught presented to his lips does not OF
toxicate him. Even if his life is not ruined
it, it is too often dwarfed. Side issues OF
) are allowed to trouble the profound peace or
the Christian soul. The high, pure atmos-
ere in which alone tie spiritual nature can an
i've and bear fruit is defled by the incense =,
discriminating tattery. More than -,
Ter men the preacher needs to guard the pl,
snues by which the tempting and subtle hi'
can reach him.