The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-15
An Interesting Experiment.

The Rev. Mr.. LYMAN OF Brooklyn an
nounccs from his pulpit that he cannot
preach two new sermons n week and pay the
proper pastoral visits to the members Of his
flock. Accordingly he has decided to preach
old sermons on Sunday evenings, and to de-
vote the time thus saved 10 systematic pas
toral visiting.
The amount OF good that the Rev Mr.. I.Y-
MAN will accomplish in his parishoners'
parlors depends upon the nature Of his vis-
its. II he talks Of stocks and bonds and the
condition Of trade TO the father, Of fashion
able gossip, the art receptions, and the
Philharmonic concerts TO the mother and Of
schools, parties. and private theatricals TO
the young folks, he may not make himself
wearsome TO them, but it is nowise certain
that he will go away with consciousness
Of having aided them along In their spiritual
journey. On the other hand, II his CONVEX
sation is confined to religious matters, he
will find 1t necessary to use great discretion
lest he offend or bore his hearers. ut is
delicate question" says a modern clergy
man Of reputation ." how to give religious
instruction in parish households"
The old-fashioned minister's visit Is
thing Of the past in cities, although In the
hamlets OF New England 1t still exists. II
used TO be considered as much part Of the
pastors duty to exhort and pray In the
household as in the meeting house, and the
duty was no less regiously observed The
minister was usually accompanied by his
wife, and the visit was protractcd far be-
yond the limits OF the modern call. In ru-
raj districts it was an all-day affair. II the
farmer was in the field when the minister ar
rived, he dropped the plough handle, turned
out his horses, and hurried In TO put on his
Sunday garments. His wife turned her at
tention TO the dressing Of the choicest fowls
In the yard, for the minister always had the
best the farm afforded. The children were
struck dumb with terror In the solemn pres
ence and their young lives were burden
to them until that presence was withdrawn
With devotions, Bible expoundings and cate
chizing the day wore YEARLY on. and at sun
set the shepherd took his homeward way, his
chaise beautifully filled with poultry, vege-
tables, butter and eggs, and other agricul-
tural and domestic products. We're his par
ishioners glad he had visited them ? That
depends very much upon whether the farmer
was glad 10 leave the cultivation Of his field
for prayers in his parlor whether his wife
was glad to be put one day behind in the
household work. whether the youngsters
had any squirrel hunting expeditions on
hand when his chaise hove In view.
The modern city pastor does little work
in his Pensioners houses II he is settled
over a large and prosperous congregation,
he has no time TO devote to calls. Mar
riages, funerals festivals, church fairs and
sociables, the weekly lecture the young
mems meeting. the sick, the bercaved, above
all the preparation Of his sermons, occupy
him from morn until midnight. Talk
about the privations Of missionaries in Cey-
lon or SIAM" recently exclaimed distin-
guished pastor, "they are as nothing
compared 10 those Of the city preacher.
have in my congregation men Of
wealth and intelligence who have
beautiful homes filled with books and
pictures. would be delighted TO devote
part Of my time to visiting them and enjoy
ing the beautiful things in their dwellings,
but don't get minutes time, year in, year
out. am denied even proper time for study
The recreation other people enjoy is simply
beyond my reach"
The city pastors religious instruction is
given from the pulpit and from the lecture
desk He Is a stranger, except by sight, To
nine-tenths Of those who hear him Sunday
after Sunday. The sermons are more elo-
quent, but there is little Of that personal
pleading with individual sinners which was
universal among the pastors Of twenty-five
or fifty years ago.
Where is the happy mean? Tho Rev. Mr.
LYMAN is going in search Of it. Success to
! him.