The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-03
NOW SOME MINISTER'S srUDH
Cierwynen Cenfsssins thst they de Aet Kasw
as Mech 81 the Bible - they sheuid.


Pastors Habits OF Study" was the topic
to have been discussed yesterday morning By
the Baptists ministers. but there were 80 few
present IN consequence OF the storm raging
and the subject came 80 near to disclosing the
manner OF each Baptist minister's disposition
OF his time. that tho subject was taken up at
frat as a handle for fun. Secretary Potter
called nearly the entire list OF names OF men,
bers before one would trust himself to speak.
Every minister shook his head as his name was
called for. Brother Adams broke the Ice by say
ing that no hadn't any habits OF study. He used
to study. and his method then was TO read
Henry's Commentaries" Just before going
into the pulpit.
do you study that way nowi" DR.. Hoyt
asked. rogulshlY.
That was years ago." the speaker answered
Then" DIR. Hoyt rcjolned. arc you not out
OF order3 Does not the question mean that
only present habits Of study are 10 be talked
about2'
NO. sir; no. sIrl" Prof. Fox interrupted
Any habits Of study are meant; We are acting
boyishly about this"
A chorus OF approval from the brethren cor
roborated Brother Fox. Meanwhile Brother
Adams had seated himself and now he refused
to go on with his speech. Then Brother Folwell.
he had boen business man lately, He had
built church and II was dedicated last week.
Hold on: ia this habits Of siudyS" Brother
Fox interrupted again. Then Brother Folwoll
said that what little no read was on the street
cars. when travelling around. His sermons
were extemporaneous. and he found them
Then. brother Fox, in voice pitched in a
sarcastic key said that he had especially on
joycd the humorous side Of the question under
discussion 40 far. Thcre is no such humor. he
n4n AA n "a A
studics Of tho ambassadors Of God. how they
may best spread the kingdom OF Christ. Then,
more seriously, Prof.. Fox said that he believed
not so much in rousinR as in instructive ser
mons. The Bible Ia the one book necessary for
ministers 70 know. and yet how few; after
such an examination upon their knowledge OF
lis contents a. law student Is compelled to
pass upon Blackstone. He would venture to
say that not one OF tho ministers present could
give clear and succnct account OF the Mosaic
law on tho treatment Of strangers or animals.
AS for himself. tho speaker confessed with
shame that he could not pass an examination
on the Bible, In reading carefully portion Of
the book OF Hosea lately he was struck with the
many important things that he had never be-
Brother HcdLen Of Newark said that he did
not foel like talk Ing TO the crowd that didn't APP
preciato the subject We need. he said. preach
| ers who know something. He had seen a min.
! lister who complained that his bcst sermons had
| all been preached. and what to do he didn't
| know. Brother Hedden had suggested that tho
minister's habits Of study had been lost; Brother
| Heddcn's notion OF sermon was 10 have In II
long doep tap roots. that Il should be broad. d.
| rect, and have q climax. His own plan was 10
| work only on forcnoons. On Tuesday morn nge
! he mapped out the sermon for Sunday and he
| wrote on II every forenoon afterward
| Brother WHyland Hoyt said that wise
| preacher studies his temperance aud studies
| rs best he can. He found fault with the thco.
! logical training that iEstructs divinity stu.
| dents in mn organized system Of theology and
sights the proof texts. He had kept his protes-
| sor's lectures written down in class room. but
thoy wore covered with dust at homo. In a ser.
| mon touching on science or art. he said. rcad
| the works Of specialists. Road commentaries
| thoroughly. and for a rest buy microscope
| He read the Forest aud Stream every Saturday
night. II refreshed him for Sunday.