The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1881-12-01
APopular Preacher.

The following handsome tribute to
Rev. John Kirby, of the NJ. E. church. is
taken from the Columbus Courier of the
oath:
The Methodist church Sunday was
crowded morning and evening to hear
! ReY. John Kirby preach. Since the
| death of Elder Mitchell there is prob
ably no minister in the Methodist church
in the state that is the equal of Mr.. Kir-
by as a logician, but it is not altogether
| his eloquence that attracts the people of
this community to hear him preach.
When he first came to this city as pastor
of the Methodist church there was not
church building in the city of any kind
except a small building owned by the
Baptists. Christianity was not the rage
by any means, and Methodism was
hardly at par in the community. When
he left at the end of two years. pastorate
there was a good church building own
ed by the Mcthodists. Christianity had
been well established and the Meth
odlst church had come to the front as
the leading denomination in the COM
munity. a great deal Of this was owing
to the sound logic promulgated and the
earnest and sound argument advanced in
his sermon, but to more than anything
else was due the regard of the people,
both saint and sinner had for ham as q
man, pastor and Christian gentleman.
He was the same affable gentleman on
the street that he was in the sanctuary.
He was as ready to stop and talk to q
skinner" as he was to the most
chosen of his flock. Everybody felt
easy and comfortable in his pres
ence, and consequently all men were
drawn towards him and a better and
more generous regard for the christian
ity he professed. Would that we had
more John Kirby pastors and less bun
dies of reserve to administer the Word
to the people. There is a christian dig
nifty that all ministers should possess, Of
an upright walk, jealous in their work
and faith in God, but little more bend
sociability and less assumed dignity
would come nearer reaching the hearts
of the people and winning souls to
Christ. There are too many ministers
that are looking after Methodism,
Presbyterianism, Campbeliteism, instead
of reaching out to make christians. It
has been the case to q great extent in this
town for years. The result is that out
side of members of the churches, there
is very little regard for the christian re-
ligion. Sinners or Don-pTofessors have
come TO look upon the church SIS 80
much narrow contracted self1shness, q
place where they are not wanted, or hard
" tolerated, and instead of flocking to
the churches on Sunday morning they
are wont to get as far away as possible.
How different it was in the days of Mr..
Kirby's passionate. They respected the
man because he respected them, and the
consequence was they wanted to hear
him preach about his christianity, to
listen to his preaching, and they were
always benefited. II the Columbus
ministers want to do any good
in the community they want
to get down off that assumed dig
nifty and reserve and come nearer
the people. Talk with the people and
not at them. Let the community feel
that you are one of the community, a cit
izen in everything that goes to make a
citizenship; take pride in the prosper
| ity of the people as well as sympathy in
their adversely and sorrow; in fact, be q
man in trying to better the condition of
your fellows for the life that Is, and the
| life to come, and our word for II, you
will not preach to empty pews, nor GO
| empty handed for funds to carry on or
spread the gospel. We have said more
than we intended in the start. as we
wanted merely to mention Mr.. Kirby's
preaching in the city again. but the com
| parison is 80 great, with the time that he
was pastor here and now, that we could
not forbear directing attention. as we be
live, to the real cause.