The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-02-15
For the Central Presbyterian.
Shall We Have a Liturgy :?

$500 - NV WV
mons" 1t urges, as reason for an af-
frmative answer, that congregations
seem to have become daintily hypercriti-
cal in this matter of the sermon" Has
not Christian" been too busy at his
work" to have time for reflection, or
would not this objection have seemed to
him Gas it does to one of his readers) to
apply rather to the hearers than to the
minister or his sermons
1t is sad truth, and no one can con-
trovert it, that congregations have become
too critical; that many go as critics rather
than learners; but to make the preacher
or the preaching responsible for this,
would be fragrant injustice. Neither
is this new thing under the sun. 1.-The
word of the Lord came unto" Ezekiel,
saying, "Son of Man, * thou art
unto them (the people) as very lovely
song of one that hath pleasant voice,
and can play well on an instrument; for
they hear thy words, but they do them
not. When our Saviour was on earth,
teaching and preaching in the synagogues
and elsewhere, the Pharisees went to hear
him that they might entangle Him in
His talk" The chief priests and scribes
sent forth spies, which should feign
themselves ust men, that they might
take hold of His words" But did Christ
hold His peace, because such men were
found among his hearers? Bid he not
say l must preach the kingdom of God,
X for therefore am I sent J.? (Revision,
"aOaS l sent'). Christ's ambassadors find
human nature the same now, that it was
in the days of His ministry; but, 1t is
enough for the disciple that he be as his
master"
AS the propounding of questions i'm
plies a desire on the part of the interro-
gator that they should be answered, we
propose replying to those asked by the
Christian at Work, taking them in their
order.
l. Whether non Episcopal Protestant
ism is not making too much of the SER
mon" We rejoin, Is 1t possible to make
3" too much of the sermcn?" Since ait
pleased God by the foolishness of preach
ing to save them that believe" can any
mortal estimate of it exceed that honor
conferred upon it in Gods own Word?
We are not to limit the holy one of Israel.
He could save men by any method, for
He is omnipotent, but this is the one
Which II, has chosen, because ''it pleased"
Him. There are other means which are
individual and exceptional: book, a
ettfaHt yay Y reading Of tie cfP8ksn .. in
the act of devotion
Sometimes light surprises
The Christian while he sings"
All these methods have been used and
blessed, and God has revealed Himself
IN them to the soul; but the preaching OF
the Word is the chosen channel for con
veying the blessings of His grace. The
conversion of three thousand souls fol
lowed one sermon, albeit it was delivered
by the lips of one who had denied his
Lord.
The case Of Cornelius, the centurion, is
a striking illustration of the power of the
sermon. Let any Christian survey the
portrait of this pagan convert, painted in
enduring colors by an inspired artist, and
he will feel himself rebuked by it. Hay
ing forsaken his idols, and turned to the
living and true God, he stands before us
" a devout man, and one that feared God
with all his house, which gave much aims
to the people, and prayed to God Away"
Who can read the description of this
character, so exemplary, so consistent, so
harmonious, and say that he has attained
to this lofty standard? Yet, something
was lacking; for, though his angelic Wis
liant assured him that his prayers and
his aims were come up for a memorial
before God still, he was instructed to
" Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon,
whose surname is Peter, "aOho shall tell
thee Vord8 a0here6y thou and all thy house
shall be SaUed, Acts XII: IA. Was his sal
walton to tarry until an inspired apostle
could pray with and for him, or through
baptism or the laying on OF hands" con
vey the blessing to his expectant soul ?
Nay none o. these so-called "ordi- !
nances' were declared to be Peters mis-
sion, by the man in bright clothing;
q who, when he cometh, shall speak unto !
thee, - Acts x: 80. Peters sermon is
given us, Acts 81 to A verses; and !
while he yet spake these words, the
Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard |
the word" as on us at the beginning,
he tells us in chapter XII, verse Is, that is, |
a second Pentecostal visitation and bless |
ing. In this short sermon Peter declared |
the great commission he had received |
from his departing Lord He command
ed us to pyeach, verse ~. The CONVEX
SION Of these Gentiles was followed by |
their open profession d" And he com |