New-York tribune., 1886-07-11
PRE1CUyNG FOR TIE GAZE MONEY.

The accounts which arc being sent across the
ocean of Mr.. Henry Ward Becchers work IN
England contain statements which II true PIX
plan the perplcxity with which the reverend
gentleman seems to be regarded by gooh
many more or less unsOphstcated BrltOns.
The report of u sermon preached by him in
London church states that advertisements OF his
next performance were freely scattered among
the congregation, together with careful in
formation as to the price of tickets. Also, it is
stated, Mr.. Bccrher impressed his audience by
his profuse gesticulaton, not less than by the
funny stories with which he enliycncd his
address. As it is understood that the Brooklyn
divine is in the hands of an agent, 1t Will
not be supposed that he is responsible for the
advertising methods employed to fill the pews
when he breaches but is there not danger
that these methods may be regarded as indicat-
ing that in reality lie is preaching tor the gate
money, so to speak Such view could only
react against the subject of his sermons, that is
TO say, against religion; while 1t would tend to
strengthen European prejudice and give fresh
color to European Misrepresentation or thlngs
American.
Whether n popular preacher is justified ID
emnlovinp his talents to make money for HIM
self in much the same way that popular prHe-
fighter does is question which no doubt
ought TO have been determined long ago
Perhaps the reason it has never been passed
upon, is that nobody dreamed OF the
possibility of its being propouhded. Charles
Lamb has story of an eccentric school-nate
who, having done an outrageous thlng,
defended himself by saying that he did not
know that it had been forbidden" There are
MANY things which ae not forbidden for
precisely the same reason it does not enter
into the conception of lawmakers (lay or
eccesiastcaD that any one will attempt them
That a preacher of the Gospel should 90 about
delivering sermons just as he would rea"
lectures may be u warrantable rroccedng put
| the circumstance that custom has hitherto been
against such practice possibly furnishes a
trustworthy cew to the bent of authoritative
! opinion i'll the premises.
Tie attitude Of the English audiences, more
over. is suspicious. There are many indica-
tons that they go to hear Mr.. Bcecher chiefly
because they have heard he is eccentric,
and prone to gesture and to the display of
humor in the pulpit. And it is TO be regretted
| that in all the accounts of his reception ana OF
| his public performances there Is no hint OF any
spiritual basis to his tour. lie speaks OF HIM
self as being altogether in the hands OF his
agent, and his agent is, naturally, business
man who only seeks to make the journey rs
profitable rs possible. 1t may be that Mr.
Bcccher perceiyes no difference between read
! ing lectures and preaching sermons Perhaps
there really is not a great deal OF difference
between Ills lectures and his sermons. But
still it seems to many old d-tashioned people that
the breaking down of all distinctions between
the lecture platform and the pulpit is more Ill
accord with the matcrialistic tendencies OF the
times than with the beliefs and doctrines when
all churches are supposed to seek the conserva-
ton of. Preaching for the gate money may De
permissible We do not venture to pronounce
au opinion upon so open question. But IL can
hardly be calculated to appeal to any other
hnman faculties than those which have peer
educated to appreciate what is called " smart
ness"