Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-04-18
EXAMPLES FROM APOSTLES.

penses.
EXAMPLES FROM APOSTLES.
Dr.. Stalker Speaks of st. Paul's
Character-Three More Lectures on
This Subject-Examples for Modern
Preachers-The Children the First
objects of the Minister'S Care.
DR.. Stalker began yesterday the second
subject of his course o lectures to the di-
vinity school on apostolic preaching. His
words were very impressive, as usual.
There will be three more lectures on this
subject, all of which, if at all like the pre-
vious ones, will be worth attending
"a fact which is testified by his audiences,
each time crowded.
Gin passing from the old Testament to
the new, "he said, eve are confronted with
a new dynasty of preachers. I have al
ready explained why will not speak on
our Lords preaching, though it draws me
like magnet. Heter comes first, then St.
Paul and Apollos. It is not without re-
greet pass st. Peter by, especially as he
was the first Christian and his character
affords many instructive points. Yet on the
whole have no objection in making st.
Paul our object of attention because he
was model man. In the four successive
lectures we considered Paul as a man, Paul
as Christian, Paul as an apostle and Paul
as preacher. To-day I speak of Paul as
a man. Peter would have been nothing
but an unknown fisherman if it had not
been for Christ. With Paul it was direct
ly opposite. Even if he had never met
Christ he would have been remarkable
man in the history of the world. His
character is inseparable from the grace
given him. He says he was separated for
Gods service from his mothers womb
Jeremiah says the same thing even more
strikingly; and this touches one of the
deepest secrets of nature. How mysteri-
ously the works in that secret laboratory,
enabling few men to do and be what 9TH
ers would like to do and be, but cannot.
Paul was not creature of circumstances
rather the stamp itself and greater force
which went right through circumstances.
Never could life have been trif1e to him.
Though he readily confessed on occasion
his greatest sins, never had he to confess any
dalliances with the flesh. One of the
things he most urges is tor a man to re-
spect himself, land in this believe he spoke
right out of his heart. "And one word
right here. That man can never be a
preacher who does not know how to smite
conscience and understand the workings of
human nature and speak from his own in
ner experience. It is hardly necessary to
mention that Paul was thinker. He was
not what we call system builder. He
was comprehensive, but flexible and not
stiff and pedantic. We see this in the
way he addresses different people. One
the next to philosophers. He is always
annQ1 fn tho To tho 1aypc ho
speaks of the fathers, to the rustics of
weather and crops, and to the philosophers
he quotes their own poets. He reasons
closely, but bursts out at times into ether
cal flights in which he resembles Shake
speare. His universally is his most out
standing characteristic. I think students
look on him as kind Of dry ecclesiastic,
and I would like to change this opinion.
1t is astonishing how wanton Paul is in
a passionate mood and how often we
hear of him shedding tears. When
weak man sheds tears it is generally
ridiculous, but strong man thus moved
by the depth of his emotion we look upon
with awe. Paul's love for his converts
was striking. Some have thought that in
his past days he had been Joined to a wife
whom he had loved; and had been early
bereaved of her; and having lost her he
did not again enter that state, but spent
his whole love on those whom he brought
to Christ. His fellow-w workers he could
hardly name without bursting out into a
panegyric. It is only loving heart that
is loved, and the greatest discrimination
of this is the young mems attachment to
him. He was surrounded by these, from
whom his parting at Ephesus was most
affecting.
Jeremiah wanted his gifts to use for
hia Iod orl h;o
there is no profession that can make such
can be used, and used to the best effect.
Too much stress, however, is laid on in
tellectual gifts. No protest is made now
more strongly than that that min
lister should be man. Respect is
not given him as man, and not
for his clerical garments. In the training
of ministers in seminaries we are apt to
come out all alike, and our sermons alike,
like so many yards of cloth all cut off the
same strip. There must be something dis
tlnctive. Make the most of your strong
perience, and then the force of truth will
be doubled and trebled. Permit me to
warn you against what call an unearthly
kind Of preaching. Laughter. People
come from business, from their homes and
children, and from various occupations
and places, tired often and needing rest.
Then, as the preacher proceeds in his dis
cussion, he tells them some of you will
say and brings out some objection which
no rational human being would ever think
of making, and the nearer, seeing that
that is not his objection and having no in
terest in it, retires once more into his own
interior: [Great laughter
Gentlemen, will close to-day by this
The hoaf ind @f
he who pays most attention to the Young.
One can get no better results from his
position. And if you are going to be the
children's minister you must enter into
their sports and delights. This is easy
if you are only sincere. In our country
children were kept at great distance, and
when naughty were threatened with visit
from the minister. Now we are getting
back to more proper stand. The next
thing is, we must respect the children and
talk on subjects interesting to them We
should give them not few stories and re-
marks, but our very best, as they can really
understand what is good. When I go up
the pulpit steps with poor sermon, there
are none I dread more than the clever
boys. Another thing. We forget our
own childhood, and that drama that is
going on in their hearts. The man who
remembers it will find most sheayes in
this part. It is also an encouragement to
grown people to take an interest in them,
and there is no better way to gain favor
with the flock"
The next lectures will be on Wednesday
and Thursday of next week, instead of
Thursday and Friday as heretofore.
The premier Of New South Wales, Sir Henry
Parkes, announced yesterday that the govern
ment would introduce bill providing for the en-
of women.
. A gold watch can ha honcht at siluo,