Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-02-11
PEW AND PULPIT.

In an able and elaDorate paper, entitled 'Ihe
Pew and Pulpit" from the brilliant and ac-
complished essayest and poet, Oliver Wen
dell Holmes. Though well advanced in
years, a period in which most men love ease,
DR.. Holmes is still scattering literary jewels
from his graceful and vigorous pen, and each
succeeding contribution affords ample evil
dence that his intellectual powers have suf-
fered no diminution, whilst his charity is
broader and more majestic, and his hui
NOR more sparkling and playful. Dick
ems, who stands next TO Shakespeare as
photographer of human nature, is decid-
eddy harsh in his criticism of the youth of
old age, as shown by Little Nell's grand
father, and his attempt to show that there
is no similarity between it and the youth of
boyhood, finds rather striking and pleas
ing contradiction in the case of Dr. Holmes,
who, under the burden of years, is as genial,
buoyant and elastic in his writings, as when
hope and promise first put forth their ten
der leaves.
In all the writings of this distinguished
writer, of which we have read, there have
been none that have struck us with more
force, or that are more pleasant or more fin
ished and liberal in language and thought
than this recent contribution to the archives
of literature.
1t is fact that cannot be denied, that in
these modern days the literary world never
attempts to write about ministers without
exhibiting a great deal Of prejudice or dis
respect, without undertaking to say some
thing malicious of the profession, because
Of their zeal and piety or seclusion from the
frivolities of the world, but throughout this
entire paper DR.. Holmes rises to dignified
appreciation of the sacred calling and has
not penned single word that does not hold
him up to the world as an able and jealous
defender of this high and honorable office,
whilst at the same time the attentive reader
impressed with the belief that in many in
stances the pew is ahead of the pulpit
His opening assertion, "from the settle
ment Of the country to the present time, the
of character to the people among whom
they have lived. They have lost to con-
siderable extent the position of leaders, but
if they are in our times rather to be looked
upon as representatives of their congrega-
tons, they represent what is best among
those of whom they are the speaking organ"
coming from recognized leader of scientific
thought, it is more than a compliment, and
qualified. He does not stop to speculate in
| regard to the black sheep which are to be
| found in every fold, nor does he intimate that
there exists any pretension and hyprocrasy
in the pulpit; just as in his own profession
he would not lower its dignity by even ad-
hitting that there are impostors in it. He
assumes high and noble ideal, and he shows
what it has done for the world by copious
illustrations of the many functions that min
listers have exercised outside their pulpits in
the world of art, science, literature and poll
| tics, and even in the homely duties of in
dustrial life. In this direction his ripe
| oOhOAuAohlP ohU CiSSohhp 5lutCiul hidI-
ner of expression have given an indescribable
charm to his views.
In.further commenting upon the pulpit
in its relations to the pew is contained the
helped the world, and is still one of the chief
defenses against the dangers that threaten
society, and II is worthy now as it always
has been in its best representation of all love
and honor. But many of its professed creeds
imperatively demand revision, and the pews
which call for it must be listened to, or the
preacher will, by-and-by, find himself speak
ing to congregation of bodiless echoes"
This is a remarkable expression, and from
the fact, that whilst it gives the highest praise
that can be bestowed upon or given to any
profession, in the same breath utters ring
ing declaration full of solemn warning and
emanating from Christian gentleman, a
writer of recognized ability, man of extreme
charity and freedom from prejudice, it would
strike us that it will not fall upon the pro-
gressive intelligence of Christianity without
some effect.
We know very well that il is often said,
indeed it has almost grown to be an axiom,
that the pulpit is unanswerable in its place,
it may utter what no one believes and pass
unchallenged in the fold, but the minister
should bear in mind that the pew is think
ing for itself and many times it progresses
faster than the pulpit. Congregations are
quietly but rapidly changing. There are
secessiens and breakages in almost every
fold. Sometimes the pew drifts into skep-
ticism, but more often it wanders into more
pleasant pastures, All other professions
keep even pace with tho march of the world,
and the pulpit if 1t wants to continue its in
fluence must fall into line. Churches are not
what they used to be, and we mean by this
expression, gathered of course from close
observation, that they do not appear to ex-
ert that tremendous influence for good that
they once did, they are not the leaders as
they once were and what they should be, In
stead of being leaders they scatter dissen-
sion; instead of teaching humility, forget
ting that Christ whilst upon earth was n
fisherman and tent-maker, they pander to
pride, and the fault is not with the pew,
but it is with the pulpit, let us have less of
church pagodas, less of pride and fashion in
edifices erected for the worship Of God,
and the pulpit will soon assume its position
as a leader.
- . -
The public schools of this county will be
closed on the 10th of March next, unless the
teachers can arrange with their patrons TO
teach the remaining half Of the Spring term
of twenty-six days, the Board supplement
ing the salary for that time with $50 to each
school kept open to the 18th of April, or we
suggest, teach $50 worth.
II is estimated that cadet Whittaker's ears
will cost the Government upward of 80 900.