The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-04-16
old and Now Revtvalists.

Old and New Revivalists.
The difference between the modern
revivalist preacher and the regular pas
tor resembles that between the passing
lecturer and the permanent teacher. In
the history Of Christianity the diversity
of gifts has always been recognized by
and in the church. Its bounds have
been large enough to take in talent Of
every phase. in art, science, literature,
commerce, craftsmanship, besides the
ology, il touched by the same Divine
Spirit. Nature permits no loss. no
waste in her administration, and the
church in time learned the lesson.
Sam Jones represents strong type
of preacher and revivalist Such pat.
tern is new to the North. If the slavery
war did not make such preaching
product possible it made its introduo.
ton here natural and easy. In person.
al appearance the Georgia revivalist
does not differ from other men in bust.
ness or the professions of law or Jour-
nalism. His dcmeanor is quiet, In
figure he is willowy; a pleasant, vigor.
Gus, square forehead and mouth. slight
ly dropping moustache; long. arms,
well-shaped hands, which he know,
how to use; habit of smoothing down.
ward his face with the palm of his hand
just after he makes q point, especially
one emphasized by quaint or honlcly
illustration or allusion, and as if he
wanted to wipe the smile off his own
mouth before he started in fresh, nc
defamation, no fear about offending
anybody, striking straight from the
shoulder, let him strike back who
chooses.
He speaks slowly. with a slight
suggestion of drawl that recalls Mark
Twain's manner. Sam Small talks
easily, apd the art of it is that it seems
unartiticial: 10 the average auditor,
who does not stop to analyze it, that is
something off comfort. He evidently
received his lessons in elocution from
Sam Jones; it resembles little that we
are accustomed to hear. Moody is one
Of the most rapid speakers On the
American platform. Whittle talks 80
fast as to be WEAKNESS to the report.
ers, Barrows is like a series of rapids,
cascades, or falls, Swing like a majestic,
river, but Sam Jones is like nothing
but Sam Jones. He talks straight at
his nearer; whatever may pc said Of hi,
ideas, there is no doubt as to what he
means. His style is conversational and
at times confidential; now and then he
swings his line as an expert angle,
throws his hook to some new or untrict
place, or moves us an athlete getting
ready to clear a tivc-bar fence.
The custom Of circuit rider OF
preaching without notes serves Sam
Jones we'll in hand. 1t has carried him
into colloquialism and perfect abandon,
and made him a master of impromptu
hits. This popular side is what catches
the car of the masses. He converses
with the people in their common,
everyday tongue, and has evidently
forgotten, if he ever knew, of the week
day voice and the Sunday tones of q
preachcr like himself. This training
as travelling preacher has impaired te
him a strong sense Of tho humorous, al
well as the pathetic; for does not some
one say that joy and grief, life and
death have sources that are nearly re-
lated? This element is at once source
of strength and Of weakness. 1t may
offend as often as attract; just as his
exaggerated figures and extravaganza
illustrations may cause a tear as Otter
rs smile.
There can be no doubt his preaching
in the larger cities of the Mississippi
Valley has broadencd him, broadcned
his views, which have strongly un.
denominational, liberal tendency. Thi.
public service in these interior center.
of population has even touched hi.
tongue, and his Southern origin is moi
unpleasantly or broadly betrayed. Il
may be limited that he uses the personal
pronoun somewhat frequently, and that
his illusions to his domestic relations
are numerous; and yet that defect-ii
it be o defects not offensive in his
spoken addresses, while it appears, per.
haps. too prominently in his published
discourses.
His preaching Is noteless preaching
Like the "Ancicnt Mariner" he holds
his congregations with his eye. ant
never unchains them until first the col
lection is disposed of and then the ser
mon is out Of tho way. He seems te
have no affinity for manuscript sermons
He enjoys his discourses. and enjoy.
seeing others enjoy them. 1t is NO
doubt us much of a recreation for him
to come North and lay in wcll-assort.
cd stock of incident and expression a,
it will be for him by and by to go bach
to Georgia and tell his congregation
his story trimmed and garnished in
this new Northern way. If his zeal has
sometimes run his judgment off its feet,
he seems quick to acknowledge the
trip. 1t must be confessed that when
he came here he struck some as slight
ly inclined to be brash; when firm,
good-tcmpereQ criticism was expressed
as to some Of his utterances he was
prompt and outspokcn in his apology.
revealing not only his manly style and
cast, but also his true Christian spiri,
and tone.
His nearncss to and sympathy with
human nature have not been negatived
or chilled by certain made-to-ordel
preachers and schoolmen. In this
lesson may be learned. When he closes
his work here, those who have heard OF
read him will return to their regular
ministers with profit. The permanent
work of the church must always and
ever come from the everyday, routine,
stated services and means. No doubt
much good will result, but that good
will depend largely upon the intelligent.