The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-07-07

of the people to touch and warm their
hearts. There is not that distance
between the prophet and the people
there was formerly. The preacher
to-day speaks to live men. The clergy
man who simply pipes his tune on the
keys of pious phrases is far below the
average messenger Of righteousness.
His pulpit as a center of influence must
deal with all the hand-maids of the
spiritual forces. The recluse and exc
getist has his place, but the man who
wins souls and quickens life must be an
expert in scholarly methods and prac-
| tical labors. Jesus came into the
world to save men ''from their sins"
His ministers must follow in the same
pursuit. lie must be with the sinner
to help him live above his sins. He
must be busy in overcoming the evil of
the world by speaking and doing good.
His pulpit, then, should be contagious.
The sinner may resent the bringing of
light upon his wrong ways, but the
work of the pulpit is plain and unmis-
taxable.
The practical pulpit understands the
crooks and turns of business; knows
well Of those elements which upbuild
the social life and enhances the pros
perity of the community; is an advocate
Of lights and libraries, efficient police
and fearless officials. The pulpit, as
defender Of right thinking, must like
wise urge right living. The man who
tries to cover his sinful tracks, often
thinks the minister is doing that
which is none of his business. "The
guilty conscience needs no accuser."
The pulpit, just trihe above the
pen, is what the people want. The
pulpit which deals without gloves is
the prosperous pulpit. The preacher
may have his salary cut, but his faith
fulness draws blessings from heaven.
From the long and too even tenored
pastorate, good Lord deliver US. To
hold the decent respect of sinners, the
pulpit must deal faithfully with and
have tightening grip upon the sins Of
the world. Edward Everett Hale, in a
wide-read article says, there is too much
insincerity in the pulpit. OF course
there were moss-backs who objected to
his words, but the people with hearts
knew he hit near the truth. The seal
pei Of the surgeon is blessed. The COM
mission to bear the Gospel to all the
world could easily be fulfilled within a
score of years, if every lover of his
LORD would render their obligated duty.
Fnere are too many hangers ON the
camp, while the bearers of heavens
truth should be or the skirmish line.
The day is brighter. The seventh day
the hosts of Israel cOmpassed Jericho
seven times. Our years are auspicious.
There is going to be less insincerity,
less disloyalty in the face of sin, selfish
ness and sensuality. The commission
to eXhort and rebuke is going to be
needed. Already defaulters, political
schemers, licentious home-breakers
and dealers in alcohol's ruinous traffic,
are sensible of the rising power and
influence of an applied Christianity.
Hail the day And let many join the
many who are seeking to serve the
King.
But will the pulpit be sustained by
the public in this onslaught against
, the wicked in places high ana low?
That is no concern of the pulpit. The
pulpit should be, in a large sense, indif-
ferent to prevailing sentiment. The
pulpit not sustained? David said long
years ago: u have been young, and
now am old, yet have l not seen the
righteous forsaken, nor his seed beg
ging their bread" The pulpit always
has been and always will be sustained.
Not perchance in the way selfish and
greedy men would choose, but in a way
that he whom all men should serve
will direct. There are too many weak
kneed and timid Christians inside and
outside of the pulpit. They do not
half believe what they profess. The
loaves and fishes is as far as they have
learned of the wonderful works of
Jesus. They know not of his spirit with
the church to-day to bless and uphold.
The theological overturn through
which the world is passing is obliging
the world TO see and recognize the
superiority of mind and spirit over all
things material. This is as Jesus
taught, The more sinful world learns
of the real and genuine message to it,
the more will the time be hastened,
where every knee and tongue will bow
and confess before the Father in
heaven. The pulpit and the church sre
going to be looked to and sustained as
they have not been. The work of the
church in the world is going to, as it
did, call the choicest of its sons and
daughters for its service of ministra-
tion; and once called they are not going
to be left 10 suffer from the hands of
evil-minded and wicked men. God has
way of protecting and supporting his
faithful followers. The answers to