The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1888-11-29
A Compliment to Rev. G.. W. Field.

We recently heard an observer of the intel
lectual signs Of the times remark that in many
of the country pulpit> of Our land are clergy
men ADLER than in the metropolitan pupits.
working in the less conspicuous places by viz
tue, it may be, of chance or of choice or OF
modesty of character. Our readers will rempm-
Der that, years ago at Pennington. in Maine,
the present pastor of Plymouth Church. Brook
Ign, habltually preached perhaps as able ser
mons as he Is preaching to-day-and we regard
Lyman Abbott one of the best RELIGIOUS
teachers of our time.
We recently heard two sermons from a
Maine clergyman residing in Bangor. who had
he chosen metropolitan field, in our Judgment.
to-day might have been nationally conspicuous
and useful among the religious leaders of the
land. Not that this preacher is to-day I'M
known and unappreciated: but his reputation
Is comparatively provincial where it ought to
be national. We are not here to suggest much
less to dictate the path of duty in such eases ::
but we are certain that the religious literature
of to-day would be greatly improved if for
many of the sermons which are published in
the metropolitan newspapers and religious
weekles, there could be substituted such SER
mons as are often produced in provincial or
semi-provincial pastoratcs by genius now emil
nent for skilfully hiding its intellectual light
under very generous bushel of innate humi-
We are again reminded of the facts, for in
stance. whenever we listen to certain clergy
man whose name is not often printed outside
his native State, whose active modesty seem.
to forbid publicity but whose speech is a never
failing inspiration to brain and heart. A very
| remarkable sermon was preached in one of our
city churches on Sunday by Rev. DIR. George
W. Field, of Bangor,-a discourse which set
out with a somewhat forbdding exegetical
title but which displayed breadth of culture,
Il skill in criticism, depth of religious insight
and IA mastery of religious problems which are
theme was the thread-bare theme. 1.-The Book
of JOb''-enough to make one yawn, it NAV be.
at the vestibule; but the preacher threw into
its development such genius or ANALYSIS and
synthesis, such enthusiasm and intelligence
and characterization, such vivacty of phrase
and pOrtrature, such discrimination of moral
as well as of literary judgment. that one could
but regret that such helpful words were not
broadcast sown.
There was once man who PRAYED: SO that
mine adversary had written book" lie knew
that it would be a poor book. and perhaps he
wanted to pitch into it. The book which we
invoke, however, we are sure, would be a good
one, and we do it honor beforehand.
| In time when of making books there is no
end, we grant one ought to think twice or
thrice before demanding a new book: but we
are sure that a volume such as we think we
can see potential in DIR. Fields pulpit work,
would reveal the fact that there is vet good
deal of chance for freer play for the law of
natural selection and the fttest survival.
| There are good many great men who are
not famous. and perhaps there are some fam
Gus men who are not great, but we do not at
this moment remember any man in Maine
whose words weigh more than do those which
are delivered from the Centennial Church at
Bangor. Lewiston Journal.