, 1875-09-12

in court The latest accession to the ranks o1
amateur preachers is a gentleman who has
hitherto been prominent for his connection
| with politics aud baseball.
There are advantages and disadvantages in
the growth of Lay-Preaching. The disad-
vantages are mainly on the side of the
profess;&zd preachers. The continuance
and popularity Of Lay-Preaching can hardly
fail to make IN inroad upon the gorgeous
edifces, church forma1ities, theological hair
| splitting. and enormous salaries. I4aJ-Preach-
ing SO far furnishes q practical demonstration
that long preparation, dogmatic schooling,
controversial discussions, and exclusive devo-
ton to the ministry Us profession are no. es-
sentia1 to success in the pulpit. If this notion
gains ground it will do much toward thinning
out the ranks Of large class Of professional
preachers who have not the talent or brillian-
CT to command good positions, and who are
fastened upon poor communities with scarce
ly enough pay to eke out an existence. It
would be blessing to these people and to
the communities in which they live if their
thoughts we've turned towards making a iv-
ing in some other field; and, if it comes to
be felt that strong, earnest, and energetic
men can make living during the week and
hold the attention of their neighbors to re-
igion Of Sunday, the ranks of the profess
sional clergy will be considerably weeded
ont. So soon IS the idea prevails that q
straight-cut coat and white band about the
neck are not necessary to pulpit success and
religious fervor, there will be fewer hangers
on in the clerical profession, with advantages
to the pulpits and the congregations.
The success of the Lay Preachers is not SO
surprising as it would appear at the first
blush. The only reason why it is regarded
as remarkable is because Of the lack of pre-
1iminary training and great learning. But
experience proves that these are more than
counterbalanced by the acute personal inter-
est, the great religious fervor, and the prac-
teal knowledge of the world which they bring
to their new work. The ambition of the reg
u1ar preacher is professional; he desires to
excel in the defense of the particular dogma
he has espoused, in the advancement of his
denomination, in the popularity Of his own
Church, in the literary merit Of his sermons,
and in all directions which lawyer, physi-
clan, or journalist takes in his profession.
The Lay Preacher, on the other hand. usually
goes at his work as O labor Of love, with the
single purpose of touching the hearts Of the
people and infusing into others the same re-
igious zeal he has himself experienced. He
is restrained by no formalities, and does not
stumble over dosgrsGs and technica1ities. If |
embarrassed, it is an embarrassment that wins ]
the sympathies Of his hearers. He is a |
practical man who is in actual daily contact |
with the temptations and sel6shness of the |
world not recluse wrapt up in books,
buried in his study, and engrossed in the
burning Of midnight oil. He is divested Of
professional formalities and pecuia1ities, and
appears on plane with his audience.
The Lay Preacher, however, is nothing If
1ot natural. The error made by the latest
Chicago accession to the ranks is that he fell
nto one of the common professional errors,-
hat Of attributing to the influences of re-
igion the advancement OF science and civili-
:ation- He could not enter upon this ques-
ion (Which is not at al essential to the
maintenance of moral induence) without |
oaking 1abored effort. History does not
nstaln the position he took, and able and
1ore experienced men hare attempted
biological demonstrations Of it. It is
ot the field for Lay Preacher. It is t
10 subject for a thesis, a PROPOSE !
on for formal discussion, in which the {
ergy would take one side and the historical /
iudent the other. Mr.. GAssErrE should not
ave attempted in his very first effort to con-
overt BUCKLE and LEcKE, TYxDA11 and ,
EApEE. He should have left that to the ,
Professional preachers, whose business it is I
: soc2e sense to stand by the mystic power I
the Church. The province of the Lay d
reacher is much better conceived by such I
en as MOODY, Cole, FARwE11, Maj. WHIP a
Z, and JACOBS, who appeal to the religious
ement in the human character without con-
lsing it with the problems Of civilization or I.
10 doubts Of science. It requires special y
:eparation to handle these questions On the s.
srt of the Church The success OF the Lay a
reacher must depend upon his natural g
rvor, his personal magnetism, and an ab- q
rbing desire to impress his own faith and
'votion upon all who hear him, and i1nbue
EN- with the same sentiments. Such were Il
e style and devotion Of JOHN BuSxAs, the y
thor Of the immortal '' Pilgrims Progress" b
ID the best Of all models perhaps, for the a
Iay Preacher" =
]
OLD PROBABILITIES .