The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-09-06

pit who have suffered themselves to fall
into mental torpor, through Incidence,
dissatisfaction or indifference to incen-
tives, solemn and urgent, which should
stimulate them to the intensest activity.
They run in ruts. They do not advance
a new idea once year. If they venture
upon illustrations they never seek fresh
ones but use the old, stock illustrations
which have done duty since the days Of
Chrysostom. So familiar have their
hearers become with their method Of
handling their favorite themes that what
they are going to say can be anticipated
all through the sermon, and the big gate
can be seen, half mile off, at the end'of
the long dusty lane.
Now we say that those who are COM
PEELED to listen to such sermons have a
right to complain. They are not cap
tious or unreasonable when they express
their dissatisfaction. The wonder is that
they can bear SO long and patiently with
such dull, perfunctory performances. The
preacher who is guilty of them need not
go to panorama to see dissolving
views" He has only to stand in his own
pulpit, and by and by he will have the
view of dissolving congregation.
Every man cannot preach learned or
eloquent sermons, but there is no excuse
for preaching dull sermons If the min
lister in the selection of his text will now
and then avoid the class topics upon which
custom has made it easy for him to preach;
if he will go to some long neglected part
of the great field of revelation, and choose
some subject demanding close investiga-
ton and calculated to stir up thoughts
which have long been slumbering in his
own mind and to exercise faculties which
have become benumbed by disuse, he
will find it wonderfully refreshing to his
people and no bad discipline for himself.
And then having taken topic out of his
ordinary routine, if, instead of asking him
self, how has this subject been treated
ever since the beginning of the Christian
era, and then treating it n, precisely the
same aOay, he will stir up his invention
and have the courage to attempt some
thing original, he will enjoy the unusual
spectacle of wide awake congregation.
The preacher should be like the old
editor who said that wherever he went,
whatever he saw, or read, or experienced,
he was always searching for something to
put in his paper, and that his paper was
never out of his mind. He should be
with regard to his sermons what the artist
was with his pictures, when he said, 81
am always painting within myself" He
should seek for illustrations of divine truth
in nature, in literature, in history, in
science, in all the busy world about him,
and thus he will learn to present even
familiar truths in lights so fresh and
striking that his hearers instead of try
ing to pay attention from sense of duty,
cannot help listening and remembering
what they hear Above all, he should
seek that deep realization of the truth
which is experimental, and which is
wrought in the soul by the Spirit of God.
When DIR. Graham, of London, was in
this country, he told us of missionary
who had to preach through native in
terpreter. After awhile the interpreter
became true convert, and Immediately
the natives began to show new sensi-
bility. The very tones Of the interpreter,
now that he himself felt the truth, af-
fected the feelings of his countrymen.
His own sympathy and deep realization
of the sweetness and power of the gospel
touched their hearts. So will it be with
the diligent, earnest minister, who, taught
by the Spirit, out of the abundance of
full heart pleads with his fellow-men.
Heavenly JUNCTION will give him power.
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