Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1883-10-18
SENSATIONAL PREACHING.

SENSATIONAL PREACHING.
The pulpit rarely departs from the
beaten track of Gospel-sermonizing
without committing mistakes. 1t is
almost always best for ministers to
stick closely to the commentaries pre-
pared for their guidance. Then their
office is shield. But some how or
other, many preachers affect sensa-
tional subjects, and usually, not be-
cause the Gospel is inadequate, but
because their knowledge of it is ex-
hausted, and their sermons won't bear
repetition.
Recently several unfortunate SEN
sational sermons have heen read at
the East, each Of which cost the off,
ciating minister his position. One
attempted to demolish Monseigneur
Cabel with. false charges and demol-
ished himself. Another accused
Lewis Of numbering Rose Amber
without particle of evidence TO sus-
tain his denunciation, and was invited
by his congregation to resign. And
still a third hurled sermon at O
prominent member of his charge and
though no name was called, every
body knew who was meant and the
result was suit for damages in addi-
ton to loss of support.
Forgetting that sensational preach
ers are always in hot water of some
sort, several Of, our ministers have
embarked on the uncertain element
of personal abuse and receiving some
laudatien from certain well. known
fanatical cranks are in danger of ma
king still more serious mistakes and
of having their clerical shields de-
stroyed by their returning misdirected
boomerangs.
These preachers are much grieved
because the Fair Association premi-
ums were not offered in the interest
of religion. They offer this, as an
excuse for pulpit attacks upon gen.
tlemen we'll known to be as respecta-
BILE and moral as. themselves. The
Fair Association is a state institution
for promoting Improvement in agri,
cultural machinery and the raising of
stock, and for the distribution of pre-
miums given by the commonwealth,
which is constitutionally restrained
from interference with religion or the
churches. Now what do the preach
ers want2 Are they demanding that
taxes shall be levied to promote eccle-
siasticism? If not, for what purpose
is all this pulpit vaporing, this meas
uring, comparing and weighing
Can't the ministers comprehend they
are blind guides and that the FAN
directors have nothing to do whatever
with religion officially. =.
As intimated the state has assumed
to provide fair premiums. The Leg
islature, composed mainly of agri.
culturalists, has authorized our coun.
ty courts to appropriate $3.50 annual
ly for that purpose. The preacher:
claim to represent the farming inter
est, and assert they have been badly
treated, and this too in face of the
fact that the farmers have not as
much as asked the court for the
money. The Fair Association ex'
pends annually in floral hall twice a:
much as the state provides for the
whole body of exhibitors and the
preachers are not satisfied. They
demand greater recognition OF bread
Gods best gift to man.
But by what autho rity do minister
make such demands of the directory
They assume to. do more than tht
state. The association has invested
large sums in grounds and lmpr owe
ments to be held in trust solely TO
Fair meetings and the accommodation
Of visitors and exhibitors and thei
articles and animals; and instead o.
demanding more from such liberality
the state has authorized the society t
collect certain entrance and gate fees
and small sum for an annual mem
bership. Whatever is set aside 10
| premiums OUT d these is . gratuity
offered id addition to tho proFisioi
made by the st.te. % secure exhibit
ors. IL shese pfeniazns are satisfas
tory to the association and thos
competing for them, who has righ
to complain? OF what concern CO
/ it Be to preacher or his church ho'
much is paid for the exhibition OF
horse, or mare, mule or bull, or COW
| or call, or pig?
! -Uader the trust created by til