The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-10-18
Remarks from the Pew.


Remarks from the Pew.
wish to speak for the higher educa-
ton of the ministry and by this mean
a more elaborate study of the Word as
the prime means to that desirable end.
have had the advantage in late years
of hearing, in many successive sermons,
the Scriptures presented simply, clearly.
earnestly, in their own light, and have
been surprised to End how interesting
such pleading is, and how the interest
grows by hearing it. AS compared with
ingenious differences and suggestions from
the Bible, or philosophical speculations
about it, the Word itself becomes, upon
fair trial, more relishable as well as more
nutritious. If this sincere milk were
diligently set before all our churches for
few years to the exclusion, for the time,
of religio- scientific salads, is it not likely
that God would honor the experiment,
and make the result worth the trial?
True expository preaching is not
mere repetition of what every one might
read for himself. There is a lazy way
of handling Old Testament topics that
is like rummaging in the ashes of dead
past, and which, applied to the New
Testament, brings down and weakens the
words of Him who spake as never, man
spake, till they seem commonplace. He
who thus breaches, with the idea that
such is the truth and it is the fault of
the people if they do not receive it, will
Justly fail. If, however, he will search
the Scriptures for the present and future
guidance of himself and his flock with
such anxious care as the sea captain feels
in consulting his chart when he suspects
his vessel to be near the rocks, his
preaching will not be stale. But is not
such the purpose of our ministers gene
rally? Doubtless it is still, let me IL
lustrate the lack A church member
who sat under the good preaching first
mentioned was describing his pastors
discourses to a member of another
church, and praising their utility. The
member of church No. 2 replied to this
effect: "Our pastors sermon are very
able, but [ sometimes feel that I would
like more bread" This instance was al
most duplicated in conversation. between
member of No. l and member of a
third church. Now, the pastors of Nos.
2 and were both admirable men.
strictly orthodox, OF untiring industry,
and their preaching was intellectually
stimu Iating to an unusual degree. They
were honored and beloved by their con-
gregatlons, as they deserved to be, and
their discursive and somewhat metaphys-
zeal style was what many good people
think to be ministerial requisite for our
tunes. But the two members who felt a
lack In their preaching were not old
fogles. They were of the most intellec-
tual and active as well as of the most
devout Of their respective congregations.
and were cordial supporters of their pas
tors. l thought how surprised those
pastors would be to know that such a
criticism was made by members whose
judgment they would have regarded with
much respect.
Many alarms are sounded now DAYS
by tinid Christians calling for more
talent and learning in the pulpit to take
part IN the imaginary conflict between
! science and religion. 1t is not. STRANGE
that ministers are in many cases swerved
from their true course in honestly at
tempting to meet the wants Of the times.
Plain exPository preaching, it is feared,
will not draw, or even be tolerated. Let
me appeal again to observation. In the
case Of church No. l, under the preach
ing already commended, there was at
first a trying and not very brief time of
thin audiences but the members attend
ed, grew interested, and were strength
ened. After a time, they we're greatly
blessed by an ingathering Of the very
class for whom it is often thought neces-
sary to provide brilliant preaching. A
congregation thus built up is not likely
to fall about the pastors ears by every
breeze Of circumstance.
If there are ministers who doubt
whether their talents would have full
scope in expository preaching, 1 would
say, Look over the Epistle to the He
brews; that noble exposition of the Old
Testament, in which we stand as before
a cathedral window pictured with mystic
types and solemn memorials that temper
for us, the binding holiness of God with
bloody stain Of sacrifice, and where we