The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-04-13
THE OPEN DOOR"


Soon after the death of Oscar c. McCul.
loch there was urgent and general re-
quest by those who had so long sat under
his preaching for the publication of his ser
mons that those nearest him were per-
suaded to yield. Accordingly Mrs. Nc
Culloch and a few friends have selected
from the sermons which had been steno-
graphically reported twenty-five or more
which seemed most fairly representative of
the gospel he preached. and. with the
prayers, which were 30 marked a
feature of the services at Plymouth
Church. put them into book of
about five hundred pages. having the ap-
propriate title of The Open Door," From
the advance sheets of the volume. which Is
printed and bound in excellent style by
William B. Burford. it is not too much to
say that the selections have been most
judiciously made, and that the hun
dreds who, In the years that Mr..
McCulloch was minister at Ply
mouth Church, and who hold him
in precious remembrance. will prize the
printed words as they did those which fell
from his lips. Mr.. McCulloch did not write
out his sermons. His mind was saturated
with the subject. and only the briefest
heads were used in preaching. Those who
listened to him knew that be was absorbed
in his subject. A man of broad culture
with rare command OF the most express
siye vocabulary. with a poetic tenpera-
ment and a rare intellect. he was so single
IN his purpose 10 preach the truth as re-
vealed to him, 40 in earnest to lead his
hearers to higher life and to inspire noble
aims and purposes, that he seemed studi-
ously to avoid literary finish or oratOrloal
display. Yet those who read these sermons
will he charmed with the clearness and
directness of expression. and the evidence
of mind of the highest practical culture.
Mr.. McCulioch was an original preacher
and an rginal thinker. He never preach ned
without presenting fresh thou ght and an
original idea. He was most reverent
man. He never descended to levity or to
sensationalism. The truth. as he found 1t,
had all the attractions necessary to secure
attention.
Plymouth Church is one of the more re-
of religious organiza ton. but 1t was the re-
suit of the teaching and the inspiration OF
leadership peculiar to Its late minister.
Without clashing with other workers in the
field and churches already established Mr..
McCulloch made Plymouth great moral
and religious power. In his sermon on
opening the present edifice of the society
he said: I'VE do not know each others
agree to live the life of Christ and let God
settle the differences" That Is the KEY
note to his preaching. He made no dis
pute with any man; he criticised none; he
did not repel attacks: he simply preached O
reli gion WI ich he knew would make men
and women better and happier in this
world, leaving the next to care for ITSELF.
He never wasted time in metaphy steal OF
abstract discussion; but he never forgot to
tell the story OF Christs compassion and the
great truths of human equality, and to en-
force the duties of man to man. He studied
the needs of humanity and preached the
gospel of deliverance. Every person who
once sat under his voice In Plymouth knew
that he WAS welcome there. and the more
welcome if he was a stranger and homeless.
He made Plymouth power while he was
sons but was most the special friend and
helper of him or her who was most
in need. In the pulpit and in the
street Mr.. McCulloch's idea of Christian
ministry was to elevate and inspire. 10 re-
methods. His parish was the world, and
needed his assistance.
This volume of sermons contains an eX-
position of the gospel as he felt it and
knew it. 1t is not necessary to commend 1t
to those who were his regular listeners. and
those who were not will read the volume
through If they once begin Ii. 1t contains
the earnest words of man who followed
in the footsteps of his Master as he saw
them. The volume Is put at the low price
of &c. and subscriptions can be made at
BurfOrd's, 81 West Washington street Ii
Will be ready for delivery in a few days.