The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1880-02-05
[Cincinnati Commcrcial.l
What Shall q Minister Prcacl

Mr.. Henry Lippitt, of that city, is a
rich man, gifted with shining social
qualities. He satisfies the claims of
his social nature by being a member
of the First Congregational Unitarian
Church, and contributing literally to
its support.
That done, Ex-Governor Lippitt, and
his friend, Mayor Doyle, who is a bro
ther in the church, and an amiable
Christian of the same stripe, fancy
their whole religious duty is done.
They are impressed, further, that their
large contributions and general high
tonedness give them the right not on
ly to hire whatever minister they
please, butEalso to prescribe what be
shall preach.
The elegant Ex-Governor is at pres
ent in a state of wrath at his minister,
Rev. Carlton A. Staples. He declares
the preacher has driven young people
away from church by being so hard
on their gentle failings and weakness
es Mr.. Lippitt was so displeased
with the pastor that he wouldn't at
tend divine services himself. His chill
dren also refused to go; but still, from
a sense of Christian duty, he sent his
horses and carriage regularly to church
every Sundssy The coachman and
horses thus vicariously did up the re-
ligion for the whole family.
What we want" said the elegant
Ex-Governor, lis man who will teach
Christianity, and profane his sacred
calling by prying into the private
lives of his parishioners. We want a
minister who will be popular and fill
up the vacant SEATS Mayor Doyle
agreed with him. The object of
preaching was to fill empty seats.
The congregation was a large and
wealthy one. They believed thorough
ly in a certain doctrine which has be9n
which has been introduced among the
illogical dogmas since the time of the
founder of Christianity social dis
tinction. But Of course they believed
a minister ought to abuse sin. Oh,
yes. A minister's first duty was to
have regular set-to with sin, and
never leave off until he had at least
given it black eye.
Rev. Carlton A. Staples took them
at their word. No sooner was he es-
tablished in the pulpit than he began
to thunder against wickedness might
lily. He delivered such diatribes
against drunkenness, gambling and
political dishonesty as presently be-
gan to make his hearers hair stand or
end. Several of his saltiest sermons
were directed especially against politi-
cal trickery, and the disreputable ma
ture thereof. He used plain English
in speaking of it, as swell as of drunk
enness.
There is an idea perhaps mistaken
one, popularly current, that preach
ing of this sort is exactly what min
lister is ordained for, but it raised {
storm in Rev. Mr. Staples congrega-
ton. The seed thus sown sank deer
in the breasts of the congregation. II
soured, and sprouted, and sprangled
upwards, and sent tap-roots down
wards, till Colonels, Judges, Honora-
bles, Mayors, ex-Governors and mem
bers Of City Boards began to leave the
house of worship in patches of half 6
dozen at time. Rev. Mr.. Staples
was i'll fair way to illuminate his
thunders to vacant benches Mem
bers begged him for the Lords sake
to stop. Did he want to empty the
house outright, and break up the rich
and fashionable First Congregations
Unitarian Society of Providence?
The preacher had the queerest no.
tions of being true to what he termed
his sacred VOWS, however, and refused
to hush. He could neither be chokec
nor gagged. He set himself like iro1
against even petty swindling in busi.
ness, white lies and those mild forms
of tipsiness usually blinked at IL
: Christians who pay largely to support
the minister. Was the man crazy
thus to cut his own throat? Ex-Gov
ernor Lippitt and Mayor Doyle evi
IDENTIFY thought he was. They bea
: the tomtom, and sounded the hewgag
and called an indignation meeting
What fellow was this who should Sc
; himself up to correct the morals O
the first society?
; The congregation was quite in
way to be split to pieces. 1t seem
the preacher had utterly mistaken tht
nature of the sins he had to preacl
against, and consequently mistake1
S his calling. But he would not Civ,
an inch. Drunkenness, gambling ant
!. dishonesty were real sins to his mind
!, He would gloss them over to suit NJ
} mans wishes. There was a fatal diff
5 ference of opinion At this point tn
stiff-necked Staples handed in his res
ignation. The Ex-Governor, the May
or, the Judges and honorables wer
t on the point of triumphing and get
t ting a man who knew how to preacl
the true gospel, when accidentally th'
: heathen world outside got to hear O
/. it.
I A strange thing happened then. NJ
sooner was the matter spread abroa(
: than the community of outside sin
That was the funny part of it. Then
were the Mayor and Ex-Governor OF
one side and the ungodly world on tn,
other, along with the cantankerous
preacher, who would call a thief
3, thief.
The attention Of the whole commu
nifty began then to be rather uncom
= fortably directed toward the privat,
!, moral character of the leading mem
5 bers of Rev Mr.. Staples church. O.
= course, such a thing could only hap
pen III that particular congregation
The wealthy and prominent members
!. of I'll congregations elsewhere coulC
undoubtedly stand the tiercest scruti
r ny into their private morals without
} lodging into closets or behind pillars
= to hide. Of course.
! The wicked nnMsnannrs rather en-.