The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-06-08
TALKING WITH GOD.
a Prexsacnt Minister'S Idea of True and
Dcvout SupplicatiOn.

a PrenSacnt Minister'S Idea of True and
Dcvour sapplication.
In his biography of the late Charles
HaddoB Spurgeon Rev. Geo. C. Lorimer,
DID,, minister at the Temple, Boston,
speaking of that great preachers pc
ruliar eharuss, says, in regard to prayer:
Most prominent among these was his
manner ea prayer. When first heard
him, and il has been SO ever since, his
pctitiegss impressed me more than his
sermons. There were about them a
simplicity, direstness, dignity, sub
dued ieryor and chiltllilIe condolences;
stereoiyped phrase that was irresisti-
bly, drawn, as the people mani
festly were, TO a throne of grace.
lie. seemed TO be talking with
God, reverently and humbly as
became a creature, and yet boldly
and trustfully rs became saint. No
complimentary rhetoric was employed
as though to assure the Infinite of his
continued good opinion; no theologiz-
ing, like the recital of a creed, to sat
isfy Heaven and especially earth
with his doctrinal soundness; no
stamping, no gesture, as though the
Divine attention could be taught by the
tricks OF the Forum; but instead an
earnestness too real for s.:lted speech, &c
solcu,iiy too deep for presumption, and
an appreciation of the privilege of the
souls commerce with the Unseen, too
high for it TO be used in any other way
than in tenderly voicing common hui
man needs in the ear of the listening
Father. 1t appeared to me that he
preached well, because he had prayed
well: aud that he compelled the people
to listen to his sermons because they
had, of necessity, joined in his suppl
cations.
] remem her hearing once-I never
wanted 10 hear him again-a very
pompous clergyman who seemed to take
great pleasure in introducing into his
applications a large number of I'M
familiar words, who also sought by
means Of antithcses, alterations,
grandilOquent phrases, and other tricks
and artifcialities of the rhodomontade
rheturiciaR to win 1.-THE ears of the
gruundfugs." As listened for awhile
felt that these verbal pyrotechnics
we're not designed for Heaven, but for
earth. NOT for the Creator, but for the
creature. This impre ssion was deep
cned when I afterward read SOME
specimens of this gentleman's declama
tory piety in print. 1t seemed evident
that ii had met its proper destiny, re
and praised by those who regard devo
lion only as literary effort. We have
all heard Of That famous Boston prayer
which was said TO be the finest ever adj
dressed to u Boston audience. But ever
that memorable performance ''paled it
Intellectual fires" in the presence of tn,
verbal coruscations and bombasti,
iermiuology which was deemed suita
bic for the ear OF Him who is the Autho
ri speech. grew sick at heart when
xs | listened to the close, and feat tina
sacred silence" would have been NOR,
helpful 60 all serious souls than thi
giittering chatter. and this many ant
mighty-syIlabled twaddle, which dis
played more affectation than independ
race. and more vanity than hcartiness
Ii secHls 10 me that ministers can no
Ia too careful as to their manner j:
gablie PRAYER. In that solemn servic,
they are seeking to voice the cares, tn
Woes. the trials and the sins of the PEG
re. and at thu same time they ar
seeking an audience of the compassion
ale Father. who neither desires
euhgy fros0 their lips nor a parade o
snowy words.
ASurely their language, under sucl
soiemn circumstances, ought to be sim
PIE and easily understood on the par
at tkcse who arr supposed to adop
* rs II flows from the lip
sS tt,e supplisnt; and certain
iy Il should CLEAN throughou
WITH hCvsesty and sincerity. pre-
scu,ea as Il is 90 a Being who see
tAn,ugh Shams and abominates them
INNg and complicated sentences are on
81 place. tUrgii and swelling express
ss,as are equally intrusive. and scrap
ri Poeixy arr as homogeneous rs the,
would be in the mouth of a drownin,
nsn when calling on his friends t
sxre him foxn watery grave. som
ministers : NJ discurSive in their PRAYERS
others arr mforning; some exhort
others Sre 6ictatorial, and others mod
s>,ly saggest what is becoming in tn
Almighty. while others manifest fire
aud casy familiarity. which is absolute
" incompatible with reverence. Thes
things ought not 50 10 be.
The pastor should always try t
rcslinc that praying is not preaching
The style. the action and the voice ar
proprsate tn spoken discourse, are no
m keeping with the more solemn
piriese Of suppiication. 1t may b
legitimate IN the former to startle tn
hesTgr iyy wellexecuted climaxes. b
bold sigUpsS by guEgeousness of word
printing, and i may be pardonablc
whrn trying to move kim, to employ al