The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-10-12
ESPON NCE.
Letter from England.
LONDON, August 18th, 8.

MeSsrs. Editors,-There are two good
things in this world-a good speech and
good painting 1t is difficult to say
which is the better of the two. In many
respects they are similar. Both repre-
sent ideas. A true painting embodies
the lofty conception of the artist. The
artistical blending of the colors must be
accomplished according to an ideal image
The true painter is no servile copyist of
external nature, but the sketcher of his
own vivid ideas So is it with true
speech. The orator, just as the painter,
must accomplish the presentment of orig
inal conceptions. He must bring out the
inner thoughts in bold relief and beauti-
full harmony To do this he uses words
as the painter uses oils. In fine, he must
be an adept in word-painting. We have
dwelt upon this analogy thus far only to
emphasize what we mean when we say
that the strongest impression made upon
our mind in listening to the celebrated
Noncomformist preacher,
Rev. Joseph Parker. a.aIff
was his remarkable power of word-paint-
ing. And yet the City Temple church,
with many adverse surroundings-located
as it is in the business portion of London,
would not be filled at every service for
consecutive years, by the attractions of
mere word-painter. Men do not go into
the wilderness to see reed shaken by
the wind, however unique it may be.
They follow the teachers of Christianity
now as they did the first great Teacher
for the miracle of bread And yet the
manner in which minister of the gospel
uses his great instrument for the impress
sion of men, is matter of just and great
moment. This element of power we deem
the Temple preacher to possess in
marked degree. His artistical skill is
very great-the skill of combining Sc
lected words into sentences 30 as to pro-
duce precisely the effect desired. He has
thoroughly trained himself in the use of
words. He knows his own language
Antithesis also-the use of light and
shade is very perceptible in this preach
er's oratory.
Contrasts abound in the discourse, and
one idea is SO set over against another,
that both shall stand forth in vivid, al
most painful, distinctness. One part lies
in deep, dark uncertain gloom-the other
CLEANS and glistens in the gay, glad light
Thus can he contrast one truth with an
other and arrange the alternate light and
shade, till the picture of completed
thought stands before you with a dis
tinctness that admits of no mistake, and
with vividness that consents to no for
getfulness.
But Mr.. Parkers highest excellence
consists not in artistical skill, in the mere
handling of his tools, in an accomplished
way Of doing his work 1t consists in the
use of skill to some purpose-and that
purpose the most important in this world
the impression of truth And it is the
a0hole truth for which he is working-the
truth In it's entirety-not garbled parts
OF 1T, not one-sided views of it, but the
truth SO far as possible in comprehensive
and harmonious whole. He is apparently
engrossed in the grand work of not only
making men truer, but making them
broader and more wholesome thinkers.
Sectional issues and petty organizations
receive little attention and defence at his
hands. Life is too short, the issues too
grand, to admit Of spending it in unpro-
ductive efforts Sin and error are too
firmly entrenched, too strongly armed,
too determined in battle, to allow of any
petty skirmishing at the outposts. There
is no chance for dallying with side issues.
Sin is ready for the pitched battle and
the decisive contest 1t is victory or
death, and no other battle cry. Such
conception gives earnestness, without
which no man can powerfully impress his
fellows. oU ~ e
Besides the large hearted earnestness,
there is a point to his pulpit exercises
which declares him not only to be fight
mo hnf 6o,b+;oo oonoa4b,n, H. 81