New-York tribune., 1882-03-06
TALKS IN THE PULPIT.
THE DIRECrNEss OF RELIGION.

The Reu Parton In TIE Vest Presbyterian Church
The Rev. John X. Paxton, pastOr-elect of
the West Presbyterian Church IN West Forty ysecondst
near Fifth-ave began his pastOrate there yesterday
Mr. Paxton preached in this church January 90 and
soon received a call from it, His church in Washington
the New FORK Avenue Presbyterian made many objec
Ons TO his coming here but at last yielded to his
OF duty Yesterday morning many Of his old parishlon
ers were present to hear him preach. The church was
crowded and after the sermon nearly all the members Of
the church remained welcome their pastor. The
pulpit and platform decorated with flowers and
ferns end large bank Of red flowers in front Of
| the pulpit upon which the word Welcome"
The text from Ephesians v, lib: "And he gave
some apOstles and some, prophets and some, cvanGc
ss and some pastors aud teachers for the perfecting
Of the saints for the work Of the ministry for the edify
ing OF the body of Christ" The preacher said in
stance:
Some people say they do not understand for all
tits pupittak about conversions the heart and the
new birth Sometimes they frankly tell us that all seems
impracticabe stuff theological cOncet subject for
the sentiments rather than for sense, metaphysical
mystery cOnjuring phrase, acachwOrd Of the churches
that grown-up people accustomed TO the streets, to
per cents sugars and 10 all the prosaic facts OF this
rough world take little interest in they do in spirit
rappng and sunnOwers Very wcl 1t is just possible
that there is basis Of truth in the objection. Possibly
pit has dealt too much In abstract and 6guratve
language for this mate alisc Nineteenth Century IL
controversy certain phases of Bible dochine that
controversy and Christ has been too often the preach
ers theme the abstract instead Of the concrete mystery
and not plain Gospel truth.
But. my brethren, religion is not TO be blamed If its
preachers do not present it in it's reality The birth
only described or which have any account,
and then only TO learned theological Rabbi NicOde
mus by name aud to him Christ said Ye be born
again" Leave NcOdemus OF the question, and let
81 this birth cannot be described in language
with which you are familiar. suppose instead OF The
preacher saying: le must be born again." lie should
say Love God and your brother you do yourself
wouf that be tangible certain enough Or II he says
One thing thou aekest sell that thou hast and give
"% accept pn net sp ts
The Bible bids you euter the Kingdom OF Heaven through
the strait gate and the narrow way Is that hard 10
understand Do you not know that all knowledge is OBJ
tanned In this painstaking mannerf
There IL doctrine easily understood that Of the
Bible Bible presents plain chart for sailing over
the OF life Christianity is nothing II not direct aud
II you must find fault with the pulpit do not
blame the truth for the mistakes which the minister
makes. IL ID hard FOR preacher 10 be varied
TIE trouble with modern preachers is that they are too
pTehensiveness They do not brng forth every fruit OF
the spirit Even the seshete would cali IL Door sum
which grew only suuhowers. They also want an
Tbev Saat original Sins i1ststeJ bv Tatp G h
evils Of intemperance by the sins of Noah In other
words they do not want the application OF sermon 10
pastor to lash with al the fury possible those Ioor
souls who have long since ceased 70 Be the saints.
When man mas done all the good he In church 1t
Is time for h step out and let another take his place.
man witba different manner Of thinking aud different
mode of expression. There very churches where
n preacn forty years with profit the people
Two years are as many az some men should MI papt
person differs You are ali accented ON I,
different syllable. You characterize your friends
Close" Of ancilcr, "ne is e,Daroas" u.s." aad yoS
SON Please remember this, aud do demand prscti
cal man ~ DO "a round whole, eOmplstr number. rs
and p. thorough In his ledge " human nature a.
our Lord himself, With His ia SrDiI VI ylson kenea-