New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-10
WHATA PASTOR SEES AND HEARS
ITEMS OF INTEREST TO CHURCH PEOPLE

ITEMS OF INTEREST TO CHURCH PEOPLE
seldom have the Students Of Union Theological
Sanitary heard such an interesting address from an
outsider as was given TO them on thursday ny Ue
Rev John McNeil Of London. Avoiding all reiereh'eS
10 the questions under debate In the Presoyiery' our
Mcneil drew from his rich experience many pihc"'a'
lessons which were not only enjoyed by the suuehls
but nv the professors as WELL although In his reckless
manner he said many things contrary to the 'eacinE
I'm every seminary in regard TO style OF preaching.
Two of his incidents may be repeated without rear o
diving annoyance. When he was changing MS sSio
from the manuscript TO the extempore address, "o
tried 10 compromise by writing part Oh MS ser"ioi
jotting the Illustrations and incidents In inc margin
but tn first time he preached one Of these nan anu
hor sermons he was somewhat excited, and forgot
Tho MARGINAL notes. As no turned the last page OF
Tho manuscript he looked at the clock and FOUND ne
had ocoupied lust seventeen minutes. What to 90, nc
did not know for moment, but finally looNng "Ise
and feeling foolish, he said: "Now, having stated my
points let us review them, giving an ILLUSTRATOR VI
two. Then he opened the paper at the hrst page
and practically preached the sermon again, not leaV
inc ont the Illustrations this time on the way home
nm older said TO him 81 liked your sermon, MIR. NC
NeilI hut isn't your method Of preparing 1t trne
peculiari'
At another time Mr. Mcneil had to preach without
any preparation, and the audience WAS gstherinH
he was he says not in state OF Inspiration out III
a condition Of desperation and persprauon. lie mao
absolutely nothing for the large crowd that was sure
IN come but finally, gathering himself together he
said 20 himself: John Mcneil, have you had eight
years OF training for the ministry, with year or
two I'm the pastorate and are not able 10 preach j
sermon without sitting down for hours or Gays anu
| preparing it7 If 50, you have MADE mistaAe III
your calling, and you would better pack up your
belongings and move ont Then he stopped u tlhh
what preaching was at the first, and he imagined PauI
entering a city with no set sermon, no formal dlS-
| course What did he do? lie simply gathered those
who would listen to him and preached unto tifeip
| Christ and Him cucfed. With this Thought Ill MIMI
he opened the Bible at the story of Gideon ana rs he
read verse after 1t said to MN: "I1each me-
| preach me- Let me get into you, and If you have q
| mouth l will force myself out of you" Inc uOuDle
then was in deciding which of the many verses 10
should preach.
The meeting Of the New-York Presbytery this Week
was one OF the most remarkable in its history ahp
while general satisfaction was expressed at inc result
and al the harmonious spirit which characterized uo
second days needing there were not few regrets al
| the TASTY words that were heard Oh MONDAY lho
Pastor has heard not few complaints oil the crucisS
passed upon the first days meeting, but the cHuclsmS
In file press secular and religious do not at all com
pare with those heard at the meeting The arust
| whose portrait bears mole may be censured lOr eA
hbltpe an imperfectlOn but he would be false artist
or rather he would give false impression oil the lace
which he portray ng lie hc5coeI u copy even ''o
defect IL would seem If ii were TIE part OF wisdom
either 10 conceal the mole, better have II removed
without answering the criticisms Of tile past upon the
exciting day. a DR.. Field calls it, the suggestion Is
respectfully submitted tat in this case, as in others
of which complaint is made, smoke shows the presence
of GIe.'
| Dr. Daniel II. Martin, Of the Clinton Avenue lie
| formed Church OF Newark ~ j., it Is sdd has de-
| clined q unanimous invitation to become the sue
cessor of tie Rev. Dr. Joseph Il. Duryed pastor Of
| the Central Congregational Church Of Boston d.
Martin is graduate of Union Seminary and was Tor
several years pastor of the Reformed Church at High
! Bridge lie Is "A young man 10 have such "a prUInl
nent church offered to him. but his success az Newark
| and In New-l ORR would seem to JUSTIFY the Bostoh
| people I'm their effort ~ secure him.
| Methodist mass meeting in the Interest OF city
evancelizatiOn the auspices OF the New Ork
Church Extension ana Missionary Society, VIII be held
i'm Music Hall october 10. Addresses are expected
from DR. ana Mrs Hugh Price Hughes and other dele
| gates to tile Ecdmenlcal Conference.