Morning journal and courier., 1889-01-16
REV. DIR. RRoADUs.

An OverhoWIng ChapeI-His Third
 Lecture at the Yale Theological
 SchoOl-SOme Remarks About Sensa-
 EiOnaI Preaching.
 Marquand chapel was filled to overaowing yesterday afternoon, it being the occasion of the third lecture on Preaching" by the Rev. Dr. John A. Broadus. His theme was 'Sen- sation Preaching" The principal harm done by sensational preachers is that they make many other preachers afraid of being called sensation preachers. It keeps some from saying that which would be perfectly legiti- mate. The greatest intellectual vice, how ever, is the lack of discrimination.
 In the first place you cannot draw any fixed line of demarcation. And there are many other quite important things about which you cannot draw a line. For instance, plagiarism; and it is so in trade. On the standard on this subject. You must toler- ate or endure in others what you would not do yourself. It depends largely the audi ence, and it also depends on the times how much of sensation you can introduce into the sermon.
 preaching attract attention and to hold it af ter they get it; but you must draw people by legitimate means. We have the highest au- thority for preaching that which will effect this. Jesus himself said: ''Not that which goeth into the mouth defleth man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, that de- fleth man." And again: ssThe Sabbath for the Sabbath" Thus Jesus held the attention of his hearers by putting these apparent paradoxes. So we see that it is right to strike and startle men. But is there not danger in being misunderstood? Yes. Christ was misunderstood then and since. But this does not prove that such means must not be used. In general, how ever, we ought to avoid extravagant phrases. But observe, Jesus did not go forth from Je- rusalem as boy preacher to astonish the world. He wrought no miracles to attract @ crowd, for many times did he enjoin upon the person healed to tell no man.
 If preacher is inclined to treat his themes from sensational standpoint, he should have, in the first place, an absorbing spirit ual aim and purpose; and in the second place, a profound reverence for sacred things which will exclude all things out of harmony and will assimilate everything to itself. Thirdly, he should have whole souled ear- nestness. Any topic which cannot be taken along together with this spiritual aim should be avoided. Many topics which would afford entertainment but have no spiritual aim are out of place in the pulpit. In the average congregation there are many Christians who would be easily drawn away by any slight allusion to secular things, especially 1T they had been reading Sunday paper before go- ing to meeting. But, you say, anything is better than empty pews- Is it? A crowded church may do much harm or much good. A man may be at least benefited by church, if it is only monument of truth pointing him up not down. Not everything that draws crowd is to be commended; it de- DIc hrDrr dro tlopo md how send them away.
 Is it best to advertise sermons on special vices or popular amuse- ments? Much of this was done in Germany two centuries ago. There were sermons on how not to do up the hair and against chewing tobacco. Now 1t might be well to preach against the use of tobacco, but it is doubtful about the advisability of advertising whole sermon to be devoted to that subject. One great advantage of giving notices of that kind is that the preacher is liable to exaggerate before he gets through; or, on the other hand, if he does not take decided stand, someone is sure to say that he is not much opposed to the vice in ques- tion. If the preacher talks too much and too freely about popular vices, he at once gets the reputation of having come in con- tact with them. Again, there is danger of being unjust to the community; and also the danger of advertising these haunts and stir ring up desire to visit them.
 Secondly-Advertizeds sermons on the latest horror. It is perfectly proper for preacher to make mention in right way of an ything that is stirring the popular mind. It shows that he is alive.
 Thirdly-Advertized sermons on an exhib- tied picture popular novel.
 Fourthly-As to the general question it is we'll to advertise subjects of preaching. Of course it is well sometimes. The principle danger is that when you do not advertise your subject after once having done so the people will not come. The best advertize- ment is to preach so we'll that your parish- toners will tell their neighbors that they ought to hear you, and they will come.
 Fifthly, preaching on politics. This is the most important question. The subject "pol itics' is not too good to preach, nor is it too bad. Ministers have a right to take all sub jects into the pulpit. but it is question of prudence Every congregation contains peo- pie of both political parties. How can you undertake to discuss one side of a political question without perhaps doing more harm than good? There are two evils-frst, those you assail may be driven from your ministry or they may stay in your church when it would be better both for you and for them if they should leave; secondly, those you agree with may be led to turn their thoughts en- tirely to the politics of the sermon and not to the lessons you would draw.
 Sixthly, applause during preaching. This was common at the end of the fourth centu- rY, after Constantine had yoked Christianity to the State. The people would applaud as they would at a horse race. How did ap- plauding ministers arise among us? Probably in this way: Popular lectures are frequently given in churches for benevolent objects. Public meetings use the church auditorium for discussions of social questions, Indian rights, negro questions, temperance. etc. Sunday schools give their concerts there. So when minister does quite similar to that which the people have seen and applauded in other meetings in the same place, they ap- plaud him. But does not applause encourage the preacheri Yes, but it is not essential. He can tell when the congregation is interest ed and is in sympathy with him.
 Seventhly, humor in preaching IL is quite allowable when properly managed. The preacher must be able to bring the audi ence back with him. Humor is not we'll when it is calculated, and must not be so often that the people are watching for it. Beware of producing humor through irrever- ence. Abjure all real irreverence in the pull pit. Let any humor be carefully controlled
 If naturally inclined to what others call preaching, carefully avoid what is objectionable. Cultivate reverence and good taste.
 The next lecture will be Thursday after noon, January 17th, on Freedom in Preach