The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-01-16
effective work was done in this way.

might be done by the pastors of our
churches in the same way; regions
now seldom or never visited might
have the gospel preached to them, and
the scattered members of our churches
might be gathered into some kind of
informal organization that would, as
population becomes more dense, form
the nuclei of permanent churches
where now, especially in the new and
more sparsely populated regions, mul-
titudes are left to drift away to other
organizations, or to become Indifferent
to all means of grace. 1t might be
questioned whether any preacher has
a right to confne his labors to one con
gregation or small locality, while there
is so much land to be possessed; wheth-
er he does not curtail his own power,
and iniure the efficiency of his own
ministry, by preaching two or three
times a week, for years together, to
the same people. 1t is at least posi-
bic that the great majority of ministers
lose power over their congregations by
their very familiarity with this one style
of thought and method of presenting
truth. 1t is not possible to originate
new trains of thought for all these SER
vices, or to present the truth with fresh
ness, unless in very extraordinary cases.
The very want of freshness destroys
the impressiveness of the truth, and it
is therefore true in the experience of
the Church, that awakenings occur
more frequently under the preaching
of some strange preacher than the pas
tor. Witness the work of our evange-
lists. They may not be better, or as
methods of presenting the gospel are
different from his, and break in upon
the familiar current of instruction with
new power, and give force to the truth
already familiar to their minds. But
besides this, the constant presence Of
pastor to conduct all the religious SER
vices Of congregation, prevents the
development of the talent of the mem
bership. Very few are willing to con
duct a religious service Of any kind in
his presence. Many feel embarrassed
even in leading in prayer when he is
present Almost all the worship Of the
congregation comes to be conducted by
one man, and there is not only lack of
that variety that would give interest to
these services, but much talent that
might be usefully employed is left un-
cultivated, and often, very often, the
services become a mere formality, with
out life or impressiveness.
9th. Another lesson is taught us by
Methodism in its methods Of develop
ing religious interest. 1t is well known
that on no subject are men more re-
ticent than their own religious feelings
and experiences. 1t is not difficult to
get q discussion of doctrines or Church
policy, but few are disposed to talk
about their own individual trials and
and still more of the unconverted.
Often impressions are made that are
hid away in the heart, or perhaps suf-
fered to die for want of some means of
strengthening them. five could know
such persons, and their state of mind,
the impressions might be deepened by
conversation and eXhortation; but un-
fortunately we preach the gospel with
out any expectation of immediate re-
suits, and go on our way as if it were
not the power of God and the wisdom
of God for salvation.
The measures adopted by the Meth
odist Church and others are often, no
doubt, Objectionable, and sometimes of
dangerous tendency; and because they
have been often used imprudently, we
not only reject them, but repell all out
ward demonstrations of interest and all
public professions, except the actual
profession of religion. Neither Wesley
or Whitefeld encouraged noisy demon
strations. Wesley distinctly forbids
any encouragement to them, but advises
prudence in suppressing them. 1t was
only when the spiritual power of this
great awakening began to decline that
means Of producing excitement were
resorted to. But such excitements are
in no sense necessary to the develop
ment of religious interest but some
means suited to fix present impressions
and, if possible, commit the subject of
these Impressions to religious life,
may be used without detriment to re
ligion, nay, with undoubted profit.
Here, however, we fail. The whole
training of our ministry, and the whole
system of worship and service under
which our people are trained, excludes
the means that are almost necessary to
those who have had no religious train
ing, and who, under the impressions OF
truth are more demonstrative and i'm
puisive than the mass of our people.
The Church Of England could not en-
dure what they regarded as the irregu-
L. Il q