Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-12-22

adequate which does NOT take into consider
alton the supernatural element Of the gospel
ITSELF as well as the Christian experience Of
the preacher, which experience has been, in
Miss Smiloy's case, 50 rich and varied and |
profound. Al
But Miss Smiloy's preaching, as a phen-
omcnon in the religious history Of our times,
is more than the words Of an earnest, elo-
qucnt or gifted Christian speaker; she is a
representative Of great upheaval in rolig.
iOus things her appearance marks the be-
ginning Of . new epoch 10 is both the
prophecy aud the pledge Of q new era in
Christian work. Miss Smiley, with Moody
and the English Marley and hosts Of earnest
Christian workers less known, mean some.
thing IN the present history Of Christianity.
While we do not decry theological training,
for We insist upon It as part Of a minister's
proper training, wo are not unaware Of the
dangers attending Il; Of it's tendencies to
exalt logic and exegetical skill above a
warm, simple faith, aud that type of Chris
tan character which not only permits but
secures the revelation or unfolding Of the
things Of God TO the human, by the divine
Spirit; the taking Of the things of holy
scripture by the Spirit who inspired those
scriptures and making them known to the
hearts of men; that kind Of experience
which Paul had in mind when he wrote,
"God hath revealed them unto us by his
| Spirit" We do not forget that the human
mind is constructed on logical principles, and
be whose speech is most logical is most ef-
fective even though his auditors may be ut
terly ignorant of all logic just as he most
successfully splits the log whose line of
cleavage follows the grain. But the gospel
Of Christ is not like tho lectures Of Sir Will
liam Hamilton, logical treatise II is in
6nitely above that, it is life as the Saviour
said, Tho words that | speak unto you, they
are spirit, they are life." Consequently
we end the Bible, constructed as il is by
God himself, always dealing with mankind
and with the truth just as life comes; lit.
little illustration by some familiar, homo.like
Incidents all warmed through by some ten.
der touches of real life and the glow of Q
living heart There are in the epistles o.
Paul the backbone of an iuHexible logic
0 as there is in our rock-ribbej hills, but the
logical skeleton is concealed under tho living
= quivering forms Of life. E
: The charm Of Miss Smiley's preaching is
that she presents the gospel just as it lies it
: Gods word, logic, illustration, incident, pa
thetic touches, earnest pleadings-all as she
u iuds them in the holy scriptures. Ant
: it is reasonable to suppose that in construct
u ing the Bible, God had respect to the mos
5 easy, natural aud effective methods Of reach.
u ing and winning men to himself, SO that the
style of preaching which most closely follow
the divine model is the most effective anC
3 hence successful. Therefore we regard tn
advent of Miss Smiley with Moody and thei
: fellow aborers, as we'll rs the counties
" Gospel workers." as they are termed, tn
- revelation Of Gods purpose to bring hi:
y ministers, pulpits and churches back to tn
/ simple aud more effective modes of Chris
J tiau preaching aud work. Not that Cos
> will ignore or thrust aside the ministry. bu
II be will have no sacerdotalism, no priestl
;. class his gifts Of salvation and spiritual co
IL lightenment are for all who will have it. b
9 the choice of 80 many laymen of limite
y culture God would seem to emphasize tn
a' spiritual side, 10 distinction from the intel
y lectal side Of Christian life aud service. An
IL more,we rejoice 10 the ministry Of these per
sous because We see in it the revelation O
i Gods purpose that the gospel shall triumph
D and il the regular ministry or our churche
- fail in any respects, God has other mean
u and resources which he can and will use
&c Rejoicing as we do in all the sweetness auC
Is gospel simplicity aud power Of Miss Smiley
IL preaching, we rejoice more in it as the rev
10 citation Of divine plan and purpose respect
Ne ing the kingdom of Christ among men.
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