The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-09-18
grae da1est.
IOWA LETTER.

that place

Prof. Erwin Baker, genial and schol-
arly Universallst layman Of Oskaloosa,
on the evening of Aug. 18th, delivered an
able and most interesting and instructive
lecture before the Mahaska County His.
torical and Scientific Society-subject,
Iowa Coal" Mr.. Baker is fully &C.
quainted with the facts pertaining to his
subject; he has made a special study of
the process of coal formation, and has
had some experience as mine operator.
He dissents emphat.ca from the view
commonly held IT, It coal is altogether the
product of what known in geology as the
carboniferous age millions of years ago.
This popular error is due, according to
Prof. Baker, to making the deposits in En-
gland and Pennsylvania the types, as to
formative period, of all deposits. On the
contrary,th coal beds of Iowa are of com
paratively recent formation; In fact, coal
deposits are now forming in Iowa. This
process of formation Prof. Baker sketches
in most interesting detail. The doctrine
of his lecture is novel, having never 1
believe been advocated in print.
Preachers and Pastors.
Preaching a sermon twice on Sunday,
only that and nothing more, in ones ca
pacity as Christian minister, comes fatal
ly short of doing ones whole duty. Too
many preachers are injuring the cause
of religion by studiously avoiding their
duties as pastors" This is not meant
against the minister who works hard in
all ways at his command to make his
work prosper, but who fails because he
altogether lacks the pastoral faculty.
Such one has perhaps 'missed his call
ing" But trust 1 may not now fail to
say the emphatic word which ought to
have been spoken authoritatively long ago
and maintained by ecclesiastical disci-
pline, perhaps: this is meant against those
men who over-run whole State, preach
ing their little bundle of old sermons,
with no other apparent end in view than
the getting Of SO much money for preach
ing so many sermons. 1t is hardly cred
ible, but true nevertheless, that there are
those among us who make preaching
their business, instead of making the
Christian ministry their vocation. They
bear church fellowship, but they are anti
UNCONVENTIONAL. They discourage parish
organization, and make light of "belong-
ing to church" Such men are essentially
traitors, for the primary idea of the church
is to spread and extend itself. To pro-
mote this end preaching is only one of
the means in the hands of the minister.
He should be much more pastor than a
preacher. Efficient performance of the
pastoral duties, and poor preaching, is
better for the prosperity OF the parish
than good-which many times means
eloquent or "taking preaching, and
neglect of the pastoral Office. 1t might
prove to be profitable reading for us
ministers il some of our intelligent Uni
versalist laymen would furnish THE UNI
vERsALIsT with brief communications on
the relative importance of pastor and
preacher.
Bloomfield.
A few months ago Rev. B. f. Shook
closed his work at Bloomfield, since which
time the church has been closed. We
have here comparatively strong parish,
especially favorable is the opportunity to
do constructive UNCONVENTIONAL work.
Universalist sentiment is widespread,
Universalism as faith is in more than
ordinary good repute throughout the
community. Our people there are among
the wealthiest and the most prominent
socially. They want minister to locate
with them, be their preacher and espec.
tally their pastor, come to stay and build
up the church. They will give him good
support, and large congregation of peo-
pie who believe in their church and their
faith. The writer of this letter spent a
Sunday there recently, and can testify
that here is a fine opportunity for the
fright man." Besides, the point is very
| important one and in few weeks should
be supplied with pastor.
j. +. SCHNEIDER
! AiteheltUiHe. Aug. %.