The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-11-09
The PuIpitan the stage.

AbNl hN NNN AN'N
A discussion has arisen in regard to
the comparative power OF actors and
preachers over an audience, which may
result in a just discrimination between
the influence whiUh'eaCh wields and the
sources OF ii. The preacher is didactic,
the actor dramatic; the preacher inCul.
Gates lessons, the actor represents pms.
siOns. The preacher dare not depend
over.much upon the ornaments Of
rhetoric or the resources Of oratOry,
and he cannot in most churches
call to his aid any art save music,
The actor appeals to an audience
through every sense, and may use
every adjunct that elOCutiOn, scenery or
dress can offer. The main object Of the
preacher Is to convince the judgment,
and the main object Of tho actor Is to
touch the heart. 1t is only that insin.
ccre, ornate, emotional kind Of preach.
ing which might bo Classed under the
head Of what Aristotle calls "orating for
display" that can be properly compared
with acting. That style Of preaching Is
essentially theNtriGpl in It's character, and
Is popular for that very reason; for many
people who would shudder at the
thought Of going to theatre, at.
tend church simply TO have their
sympathies excited by polished dec.
lamation, or their admiration reused
by listening to fine thoughts POLITICALLY
expressed. 1t must be acknowledged that
the theatrical preacher is6uL poor crea.
ture compared to the actor, for he works
at n great disadvantage, and is therefore
comparatively pOwerless. To illustrate
the truth Of this statement, the reader
need only recall the number Of times that
he has seen crowded theatre ripping
with laughter, thrilled TO tears, OF hush.
ed in breathlcss awe before well acted
comedy, melOdrama or tragedy. Smiles
and tears are not rare in any theatre in
the city. In how many Of our churches
is the grandest tragedy Of religion so pic.
tured a. to move the congregation TO weep.
ing? What the trained eloquence Of
some Of the ablcst orators in the world
cannot do, the rude representation Of the
peasants Of n German village Is power.
lul to clIeCt and travellers who have lis
tened unmOved to the best preachers Of
the agc confess that they could not look
upon tile great theme Of all preaching as
represented in the passion play acted
every ten years ut Ober.Ammergan with
out the deepest emotion. In word,
moving the passions through the senses
and the Imagination is the end OF acting.
Preaching should appeal to the emotions
only with the design Of influencing the
conduct.
II we wish to seek in modern Civili2a-
ton the rival Of the preacher, or desire
to test the work Of the pulpit by the true
tOuchstOne, we must compare the minis
ter with the editor rather than with the
actor. The purpose Of the press Is like
that Of the pulpit-to teach men, to
mould their opinions and sway their
actions, although for the most part II
leaves untouched the themes which are
considered peculiar to the preacher.
The editor has even less Of the as
sistance Of Oratory, rhetoric, or per.
sonal magnetism In dealing with his
nuulenCet tluH luc VTCuCubE. liz
appeals strongly, but impcrsonally, to
his reader on the merits Of the case
which lie presents, and his ideas are con:
sidcred amid tho hustle and confusion Of
daily life. They must be liberal, clear
and strongly put, or they are flung aside
without notice. They must go about like
handsome strangers, bearing their recon-.
mendations in their faces The Journal:
ist addresses no congregation Of people OF
similar tastes and convictions gathered
for the express purpose Of listening to
him. lie CANNOT spend n week in his
study in the elaboration OF theme,
but must from day TO day take topics
rs they rise. 1t twould be interesting, in
view Of the many points oil rivalry be.
tween the press and the pulpit, to con.
slider the comparative influence which
each Yields and to make n fair criticism
Of the ability which editors and preach.
ers respectively display in their work.
II the pulpit has failed In any degree to
maintain fts proper influence, we are con-
yinced that II should look for suggestlOn8
Of possible improvement in its methods
not 10 the stage but IL the press.