The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-03-31

pest coat, but II you are asked to go to
the country take your best sermon" The
old Doctor had very level head, but he
put this matter little too strong. The
tendency of cultivation is toward the
cities, but the country churches have left
enough of educated people to tax any
mans powers. Some OF the very best
Judges of good preaching are to be found
In our village and country charges. For
knowledge of the Bible and clear cut
Calvinistic creed, some of the elders in
these obscure fields will compare favor
ably with the laymen in any of our city
churches.
3. If you are very dependent in speak
ing upon the sympathy of your audience,
stay in Tuckahoe. There is as much diff
ference in demonstrativeness between the
Eastern Virginians, as class, and the
Scotch Irish q am ore half of this stock
as there Is between Frenchman and an
Englishman. If you touch the former
in soft place he will respond visibly.
while the latter will sit under the most
impassioned appeals apparently as un-
moved as the Blue Ridge when storm
ls beating upon its sides. These Scotch
Irish make melody in their hearts unto
the Lord but they are not likely to let
you know it. But if 1 was looking for
man of good bottom, and persistent, un.
demonstrative action in the line of duty,
commend me every time to one of these
old Scotch-Irish true blues, whose first
breath, almost, was expended in reciting
the Shorter Catechism. By the way, l
incline to think that the old Methodist
custom of calculating Amen was both
good and scriptural See Cor. xiv: l6.
4. If you are invited to visit church
upon trial, don't be squeamish and refuse
until you are called. 1t is very hard
upon flesh and blood to be trotted around
on exhibition, as "a spectacle to the
world and to angels and to men," but it
is the only common sense way of making
comfortable and judicious settlement.
Sight unseen may do in swapping
knives, but neither the preacher nor the
church ought ordinarily to think of
union, so solemn and responsible as that
of pastor and people, without personal
acquaintance. A pen-picture can never
transfer to the canvass many of the sub
tier features, of either side, which consti-
tute the personality of the minister and
church, and more or less consciously af-
feet the conclusion. But when you do
visit a church, be sure not to sacrifice
your future usefulness and comfort to
present impression. If you would do
justice to yourself, and lay the founda-
ton for growth, be natural, and preach
an average sermon. AS DR.. William
White used to say, Don't strike twelve
the first time | hope when you visit a
church you will have better luck than I
had. As was expected to see at least
all the prominent families, L was taken
TO the house of an excellent, but very &C.
centric member, who was the chorister
was questioned upon my capacity to
sing. Not knowing his intense love of
music, very innocently remarked that
l could not turn single tune. "WeU,
sir, said the old man, Z" I have about
made up my mind not to vote for any
one for pastor who can't sing" laugh
ed as heartily as could under the cir
catn1StGnceS. Some one, to relieve the
strain, changed the subiec and asked
me If the field l was then in was not a
very large one. | said, Yes" and this
old gentleman added and like all big
fields, badly worked, 1 suppose" I had
a first rate case of the grimS. But re
solved to bide my time, and aiterward
got even with him. He is in heaven
now, and singing, have no doubt, and
if l ever get there, which God grant,
can turn tune then, and will sing with
him, Hosannah.
Most truly, your friend,