The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1880-05-27

The Sacredness of the Pulpit.
If there any place earth, more sacred than
another is the pulpit. If there is any place
earth where should be more chaste, solemn,
grave, sincere and devotional than another, it is
when they occupying the sacged desk for there
they act for God. There is where the
greatest of all themes are explored.
What are the themes? They such these: The
great fall of man. the great scheme of human redemp
the great day of judgment, the great reward of
the righteous and the great punishment of the wick
ed In short, God in Christ, reconciling the human
world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses.
The highest archangel in heaven cannot grasp these
momentous subjects. God alone can.
Every minister, therefore, ascending the sacred
stairs to speak any of these themes should did
Noses take their shoes from off their feet realizing
the awful fact, THAT the ground whereon they stand
is holy ground.' The pulpits ought not to be occu
pied only by such men as are dlVlnely called to till
Many there are who have entered upon the duties
the duties of the sacred office for base purposes
have regarded the pulpit merely as a place TO make
living in, and not place to preach the gospel to
True in common with all men, the ministers have
their varied wants; and, according to the arrange
ments Of society these are to be supplied by money
There is no work SO hard and ardnous as the work
Of the true ministers it demands the constant opera
Work so beneficial to the world. In the reason Of
gsoce1 @ RG than ne mn
isteE But no true minister viii labor with an eye
the pulpit, than to regard it as merely place to
make living in: il he is not constrained by the
love of Christi, to preach the gospel to his fellow
men, he had better turn his attention to other
/ Occupation. The awful consequences Of having en-
gagged in the sacred work of breaking the bread OF
life to perishing souls, under the false pretense
love to Christ, with eye to secular ends, is too
| momentous to contemplate
There are others, who have aspired to the pulpit.
swayed by dominant thirst for such distinction as
would distinguish them from their fellows There is
in ali men instructive desire for greatness
Each therefore, in his way, aspres to eIe-
yated position, whence he may look down upon b is
admirers. But strange to think that any one would
be so arrogant as ascend the sacred desk with
eve to such distinction, and personal qualification
! Doubtless many sermons have been composed, and
great efforts have been made in their delivery while
| the minister had nothing higher in view than to
show himself. This is illustrated in the portrait OF
Mr.. Moffat, taken by the distinguished Baxter. In
that portrait in the far distance can be seen the hills
sky cottages fire, and dagger, the black Afri
cans the senators of Bechuana; but the mission
ary is in 'front.' To show the missionary to a better
| advantage the design of the artist iu drawing
the distant The Lord Jesus Christ, the sub
ect of missionary's ministry, and the life the
| Africans, left entirely out of sight.
! Somewhat thus it is with some ministers now-a-
DAYS. To make display of their genius argumenta-
tive powers, and commanding gifts OF oratory, il
they have any-n short TO make their hearers feel
the contrast there IS between themselves and their
auditors and how very condescendipg 1t IS of them
TO preach at all whilst Christ, His love- His cross
G9 Calvary, aud oil the eeEua! realities Of UeYer-