Morning journal and courier., 1891-04-04
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MORE ABOUT PREACHI end- Prophets Eloquent Words From the scotch Preacher-The Hall Crowded as Usual-Isaian's Call and vision-Moral for Minis- ters.
 Again the Marquand chapel was crowd d yesterday afternoon to hear Dr. Stalk ,r,s second lecture on the prophetic and apostolic preaching. His language was ,ub1ime and vivid and we cannot initiate it in brief extract. Perhaps, however, his subject will be of interest. "Al the he said, "begin with religious | experience called the prophets call. Moses was called in middle life, Samuel in child hood, Jeremiah and Ezekiel are good sub- iects for a course of lectures. There is a great variety of calls, as the Holy Spirit acts on men in 6 great variety of ways for the same end. Moses scene at the burn ing bush is pregnant with lessons, but we must pass it, and take up Isaiah's call. His utterances are like those or lyric poet not continuous or on one subject. It is not known on what principle Isaiah's prophecies are ar ranged. His call is in his sixth chapter and dated the year of King Uzziah' s death. He reckoned from his call as @ religious experience. Probably his first striking experience was when young man ln the temple at Jerusalem on familiar ground. The common formalities of the place were obliterated and the hidden truth came to light as they do now at such times. So now place of formal ceremony becomes the very gate of heaven. The call of Isaiah unfo1ded itself in three visions. The first was vision of God. You remember how it begins: T saw the Lord sitting upon a throne.' In the center of the temple was revealed the throne of God. Round the throne, in the place occupied by the cour- tiers among Oriental monarchs, stand the seraphim-eaeh with six wings, four to conceal his person from the brightness of the glory, and two to speed on the mes sages of his king. Two unseen choirs chant in responsive voices Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts'-these words comprising the two attributes in the mind of the Jews most filled to God purity in person and omnipotence in the things of creation. The building is filled with smoke which as a mist comes over the beholding prophet, and amidst the two chanting voices this vision melts into a vision of sin.
 "How difficult it often is to know where to strike the human mind! To accuse a man only arouses angry resentment-b only light touch often sends thrill which wakes the whole nature! An ig- norant man will talk glibly among his equals, but in company of the refined will be dumb and tongue-tied. Peter had no doubt often heard the crack of the rabbis whip without care, but that miracle of Christ alone appealed to his %Lok ho fa11 n foQr saying, depart from me, for am sinful man. So Isaiah, at the sight of that heavenly vision, was struck with terror to confession of his sin."
 The third vision was one of forgiveness. Profanity of speech might have been lsal- ah's main fault till now-it was common among the Jews But God makes. great saints out of great sinners. One of the seraphim lifts 8 live coal Cor, as it really means, hot stone such as are still used 1n the east for many domestic purposeS from the altar. Three purifiers in the Bible water, fire and blood-mentiened in the order of their efficacy. Fire is here used. This servant put the hot coal on 1saiah' s hip and it burned his sin away. He sprang up made clean for what he was prepared to do. From the throne came the voice, "Who will carry my messagea" He did not press it on Isaiah, but Isaiah was thrill ing with forgiveness and exclaimed: "Here am l; send me-"
 "Now what should prevent man from the ministry7 Does it need a special call beyond that of salvation? No; the inner life must precede the outer. 1t is diff cult thing to say to you, but allow me to say it, that the prime qualification is to be a religious man. Before attempting to make God known to others we should know him ourselves. Suddenly then comes the revelation of God that changes us, and we feel ourselves unclean. It is quite natural that the first impulse of this life is to devote itself to divine teaching. Gentlemen, do not think that religion is an unmarked growth. It has it's crises. There are moments that are worth more than days, and days worth more than years.
 Many humble minister has had expert ences which he has never disclosed to any one, but which impels him to do Gods ser vice until his dying day. When I left col lege went immediately to be settled in a large town, where there was minister next to me; keen man, but it was not through his gifts he won his power. He was kind of moving benediction. Every body loved him. Yet he was very mod est man,-he had been prominent in no great enterprises. The secret of this was, he had lived for forty years blameless life, and all knew him to be Godly man. The lessons he gave to me will pass on to you: First-1t may often be of inestimable value to spend whole lifetime in one place, or tower of strength for religion. Second-The greatest qualification for a minister is goodness"