The Press., 1888-10-18
''THE RIGHT MN FOR OUR CHURCH."

Although some of the clerical abilitie.
 aud accomplishments expected to be con
 stantly in readiness at Q moments notict
 for the use of Christian congregations ana
 the general public are to be found chiefIy ] in the imaginations of inconsiderate anc not over-intelligent laymen, the demand | for them is none the less difficult to meet
 As proved in the letters written by expect ant committees, they sometimes mount UT in number and variety till they reach tho summit of absurdity. The professor of {
 theological seminary receiving one of thess epistles which enumerated the long and discouraging list of talents and requisites necessary in the character and attainments of one who should be fit for the passionate of tour church, l" replied to the committed to the effect that "we have no man now in this seminary such as you describe, and doubt if we ever had one" Manners, dress, voice, elocution, public spirit, mag. netic attraction for young people, wife, number of children, extravaganza or parsimony in living, executive talent, in terest in education and temperance, grace. fitness at weddings. appropriateness of manner and speech at funerals-all these, beside those many qualifications which are really needed to make good preacher, come in for share of criticism, and form important factors in the laymen's ideal of the clergyman he would like, or thinks he would like, as the pastor of his church.
 It is here submitted, therefore, that in no other occupation is SO much expected in things which are really non-essential to it. That minister should be good man, sound in the Christian faith, and an inter esting and sensible preacher goes without saying. Every congregation should look for these things, and be thankful for all else that may chance to go with them but is it not true that SO much more than these is often demanded that it can truth. fully be said that the follower of no other occupation is subjected to so many and so severe tests concerning matters which lie outside professional requirements The carpenter, or plumber, or mason is simply required to do his work we'll his opinions, and dress, and social powers, together with the qualities of his wife and the number of his family, are not subjects of public in- quiry. We do not ask whether tho law yer has pleasing voice, or the physician a becoming and stylish dress, or the archi- tect taking manner, or the army officer 8 charming wife, or the school-teacher a magnetic manner in the drawing room, although these may be desirable posses
 
 his business in its essentials, is learned in it's details, and skilled in the practice of it.
 These demands made npon the minis terial profession are often more exacting among the less intelligent. than among the educated, so that it is sometimes said in clerical circles that those who know the least concerning the long and laborious preparation required to fit men for the mod ern pulpit, and concerning the proper characteristics of good preacher, are the most emphatic in their insistenoe on & great number and variety of qualifications in their minister. A small country church in Massachusetts. many years ago, criti- cised quite sharply the services of & man whom they supposed to be preaching for them as a candidate, and were much sur prised afterwards to learn. that he already occupied position as pastor much more prominent and influential than they would have believed possible. I remember also case where small city congregation that had among its members scarcely man that was even fairly we'll educated heard a man preach several Sabbaths. He was graduate of New England college and of. one of the best of our theological semi naries, man of good address, scholarly and gentlemanly in his pulpit manners, a careful, thoughtful sermonizer, and a flu ent speaker. He was disliked and when some of the chief men were questioned as to the cause of dissatisfaction, they replied, ''He does n't have @ commanding pres. ence." The readers of this letter will re- Call one of old of whom it was said that his bodily presence was weak and his speech contemptible but they will be forced to admit that Paul was, after all, something of preacher. This congrega- tion in search of & commanding presence" were feeble folk, numerically and finan- cially; and though the Lords people, however poor and weak, ought, theoretic- ally, to have the very best in the way of spiritual food, yet as things are in the church, as we'll as in the world, it is a question whether they were wholly wise in looking for perfection in the Lords vessel, and whether they were not too slow in ap- the Lords grace contained in It and although ministers ought not to be rated by the amount of salary that they receive, still this incident will remind many of the man who said, concerning an under paid servant girl, "You can't expect all the Christian virtues for two dollars a week. :"
 In proof of the singular demands some times made upon the minister, not only for needful qualifications not looked for in other professions, but also for those which do not really form part of the clergy mans necessary outfit for his work, I offer for perusal a letter written less than five years ago by member of churchTin one of the largest and oldest and-will it be believed ?-most cultured of our Ameri- can cities. It was written by one layman to another. The writer was member of the supply committee" appointed to "look for the right man. as pastor, and the epis- tie is one of inquiry into the fitness of a certain minister who had been recommend ed to him for the position. Leaving out dates and proper names and single sen tence, which might furnish clue to iden- ti6cation, give the letter Ver6Gti0l, with out correction of rhetoric, grammar, italics, or punctuation:
 Mx DEAR SIR: have this day read your letter directed to my friend Mr............ rela- live to Rev. My church relation is with ......... church, chairman of the cOTsnsittss &c-delegated to find just the man for ............ church. We have enjoyed the opportunity of listening to several fine speakers-but very few of them are consid- cred what Is needed-or fitted for this pulpit and people,-a defect in veics, physique or It requires strong full rounded be heard in the auditorium of the sanctuary-we can seat 1900 & everybody must l hear iu 0nF chYYr,Ch fNuw eaneraexaks,sy, K,aa