The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-11-15

s{eour pSstorateS than IN deSritute nelus w "nio
evangelists are sent. Under such circun
stances, our average ministers feel that the.
would labor under many disadvantages il
these fields; and, pressed by this thought
they decide in favor Of the pastorate I" as tn
larger field of usefulness" Older ministers
already settled down in pastorates themselves
find it hard to break the shell and thrust th'
young men out into fields which they have
declined. So the disease is propagated.-
We see no remedy but for the Presbyteries
and teachers to rise to higher appreciation
of the evangelistic work, and to invest the
office of evangelist with more dignity.
4. The last cause we will mention is one
of much practical power. It is the mode Of
presenting the truth IN our sermons. For
cultivated audiences we think that our minis-
try is unsurpassed. But we have long
thought that we shoot above the heads Of
the common people. This thought has been
impressed very deeply upon the writer's mind
by hearing some of the most learned and
gifted of the Methodist ministers, who, with
out any want of learning or chastity of style,
or of intellectual pabulum, SO presented the
grand truths of the gospel as to reach the
hearts of their uncultivated audiences. 1t
does not follow that because an intellectual
audience enjoys particular mode, or par
ticular structure of sermon, that common
uneducated people will enjoy the same mode
and structure. We must make allowance for
education, both as to the mode and topics of
discussion. True, we must reach the heart
and stir the feelings through the head; but
if ideas are too big to get into the head, they
are effectually estopped from influencing the
emotional nature. Hence, "milk for babes,
strong meat for them that are of full age,
and those who, by reason of use, have their
senses exercised, etc." "I have fed you
with milk and not with meat for hitherto ye
were not able to bear it, neither yet now are
ye able." We have no admiration for inco
herent reasoning; we despise vulgarity and
clap-trap; but we plead for simplicity that
will bring our priceless truths into the hearts
of the masses of our fellowmen, and for a
tenderness that will win their hearts, apd
beget an attachment in their minds to both
the gospel which we preach and the Church
in which We delight to serve the Master
The habit of preaching to cultivated pastoral
charges has tendency to raise us to plane
above the less favored; and the writer feels |
no doubt that our mode and style of preach
ing thus fOstered 60 long way in explain.
ing the painful fact that Presbyterianism has
not taken hold of the masses of souls. We
know that the agreement between Calvinism |
and the Scriptures bHDgs them into com
mon antagonism to the natural heart. Men |
are born Pelagians. AS they break away
from Pelagianism, they find refuge in Armin-
anism. lit requires special efforts to lead
hem into Calvinism; but it may be done to
} much greater extent than it is if our min.
sters would begin at the beginning, and lead
hem on by plain paths and easy stages, as
Paul did the Corinthians. We think that
We may learn lessons of wisdom bearing on
his point, from the popular favor with which
Mr.. Moody's talks are received in our great
titles; but We do not mean hereby to signify
our endorsement of all his methods. Our
node of preaching does much to keep us from
getting a hold upon the common people; and
hen this failure deters us from further effort,
Ind limits our operations too closely to ap-
oreciative audiences.