The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-20
MR.. GLADSTONE ON PREACHING.

We prefer to make quotations OF the very
words of Mr.. Gladstone, as reported for the
London Times The opinions of such man
deserve the serious consideration of every
minister of the gospel. He said:
"One word upon question which must
be familiar. to all who are conversant with
this great function-the question Of prepa-
ration; and here we come upon ground that
is common to secular and divine oratory.-
We are all agreed that there cannot be too
much preparation if it be of the right kind.
No doubt it is the preparation Of matter; it
is the accumulation and thorough digestion
Of knowledge; it is the forgetfulne8s of per-
sonal and selfish motives it is the careful
consideration of methods; it is that man
shall make himself as a man suited to speak
to men, rather than that he should make
himself as machine ready to deliver to man
certain preconceiyed words. A continuously
increasing attention is devoted to this sub
ieet. 1t is felt that he who takes upon him
self this great and elevated function ought to
be as a scribe, well instructed in the knowl-
edge of God, and bringing forth out of his
treasures things new and things DID,. With
regard to this use of tie preparation as dis
tinct from the methodical collection and de-
livery of words, there is plenty of authority
all the world over. 1t is now nearly forty
years-at any rate, it is more than thirty
years-since it fell to my lot to make the &C
uuaintance of man who has been often and
favorably heard here for his uprightne8S and
learning. l mean the celebrated Professor
of Munich, DR.. Dollinger, and he said to me
at the time, Depend upon it, if the Church
of England is to make way and be thor
Oughly national Church, they must give up
the practice of preaching from written ser
mons. But do not let US suppose that
because the principle is to be adopted, there
will be smaller necessity for knowledge and
cultivation on the part Of those who are to
preach On the contrary, if they are to
preach extempore without knowledge, study,
thought and cultivation, as we'll as those high
and more sanctifying means which every
right-minded preacher will adopt, they will
be as sounding brass and tinkling cymbals,
and no better. 1t is only out of the full
heart and likewise out of the well,furnished
mind that good extepporaneous preaching
can proceed.
"Personal peculiarities no doubt ought to
be kept within bounds, but depend upon it,
they ought not to be altogether renOunced.
When you come to really considerable
preacher you will not fud one Of them who
has not distinctive marks, just as you will
never find one human face that is worth the
wearing that has not got, in some shape or
other, some distinctive marks" In illustra-
ton Mr.. Gladstone gave these instances:
CDR. Newman without ostentation or effort,
but by simple excellence, was constantly
drawing undergraduates more and more
around him. Now DR.. Newmau's manner
in the pulpit was one about which, if you
considered it in its separate parts, you would
arrive at very unsatisfactory conclusions
There was not very much change in the in
Election of the voice; action there was none.
His sermons were read and his eyes were
always on his book, and all that you will say
was against efficiency in preaching. Yes,
but you take the man as a whole and there
vas a stamp and seal upon him; there was
solemn music and sweetness in the tone;
there was completeness in the figure, taken
together with the tone and with the manner,
which made even his delivery such as I have
described it, and, though exclusively with
written sermons, singularly attractive.
Well, now 1 will make a great jump aud
20 to another very notable and admirable
man. l mean Dr.. Chalmers. have heard
Dr.. Chalmers preach and lecture, and l
think have heard him speak. Well now,
being a man Of entirely Scotch blood, 1 am
very much attached to Scotland, and like
even the Scotch accent, but not the Scotch
accent of DR.. Chalmers. Undoubtedly, the
accent of Dr. Chalmers in preaching and de
livery was a great impeachment. Notwith-
standing that, it was all OverbOrne by the
power of the man in neutrality-suspicious.