Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-05
HELP THE MINISTERS.
Freshness, Vigor, Readiness and At
tractiVeness Demanded.
PREACHING NOT ALWAYS EASY.
Laymen Often Take Their Ease, Looking on
and Finding Fault
COLLECTION OF RELIGIOUS NOTES

A wide discussion Is taking place in the
religious world with reference to the work
of the laity, about which the Philadelphia
Telegraph wisely says: ''There never was
a time in the history of the Christian
church, certainly not, at least in this Iand,
when there was larger field or a more ur
gent call to duty earnestly addressed to
every intelligent layman of every branch Of
the Christian faith, than there is to-day. In
most denominations--in all, indeed, to a
very great extent-the clergy are overbur-
dened. Especially is this true in all popu-
lous sections; and this country is becoming
a land of cities, towns and villages. Every
year adds to the demands upon the clergy
mans time, outside of his preaching duties.
He is called in score of direc-
tions at once-to direct various
branches Of needful work OF religious
those who need; to visit the poor and the SICK,
and to carry relief to the distressed It is simply
a suggestive and depressing fact that on every
hand conscientious ministers are breaking down
in what should be their prime, solely on account
of the tremendous and unbearable pressure
upon their mental and physical powers. The
cause of all this is plainly apparent The task
of preaching acceptably in these fippant and
critical times grows harder every day. Tee
public cry constantly is for freshness, vigor,
readiness and attractiveness in the pulpit; yet
the public thought is fearfully careless as to the
amount of careful preparation which COM
pliance with this inexorable demand requires.
The minister, too. is expected to be
in many places at once, to be all
things to all men and at all times And where
are the laity all this timer Especially where
are these vlgorous-minded men who are SO
fiercely demanding to be placed upon what
they mysteriously call equality with the
clergy" In the matter of church government?
There are, of course, noIable exceptions, noble
lives devoted to good works: but how often the
laymen are taking their ease, looking on and
finding fault, many giving grudglngly even OF
their financial substance, equally grudgingly
of hearty. loyal and useful cooperation in
practical work-just nothing at all. There is
scarcely an evangelical church of any denomi-
nation IN this or any other community in this
land to-day in which this unpleasant indict-
ment OF blindness, indifference, selfshness and
Incidence can not be READ and found sadly
true.
Black the night, while Jesus lay
Buried from the light OF day;
Buried where the awful gloom
Cast its shadow round His tomb;
0'er the world a darkness hung;
Every song remained unsung.
Christ was dead! The fearful thought,
From their graves the sleeping brought;
Earth her granite heart rent wide;
Thunder loud to thunder cried:
Lightnings flashed from sky to sky,
Knowing not the reason why.
Harkl the voice OF mercy calls.
Down the King OF Terror falls;
outward rolls the sealed rock,
Earth and hell have felt the shock;
Death Is conquered! Man Is freel
Christ hath won eternity. Il. n.