The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-11-25
Ready.made Sermons.

We have read with interest an adverts-
ing circular issued by the businesslike
preacher who runs q ready-made sermon
store in Philadelphia. This circular is in.
tended for the information Of the clergy
only, as we are assured by Its author.
whose name. preceded by his title OF
Rev." is attached to it. We learn from it
that tho keeper OF the ready-made sermon
as a sermon factory, has now on hand and
for sale stock OF 5000 desirable sermons:
no is prepared to supply customers with
suitable sermons in many styles and upon
a large variety OF themes drawn from up
propriate texts: he gives notice that no lay
man need apply. as all purchasers must be
preachers: and he offers encouragement to
timid-minded applicants by informing
them that the names OF thousands Of
preachers are already enrolled upon his
books as regular customers. He has
printed about q score Of these names: and
we notice among them the respected names
OF several preachers who possess a good
reputation for learning and eloquence.
Tho revelations made through this cir
cular are not intended for tho laity: but we
cannot believe that the knowledge Of them
will work any serious injury to tho lay
mind. We have heard for years Of the
English sermon factories and ready-made
sermon shops which. it is alleged. carry on
a large and profitable business in quiet
way; and we must confess that. while we
studied the Philadelphia circular. examined
the titles OF tho sermons offered for sale.
and observed the very low prices affixed to
them. We were moved to suspicion which
We can hardly bear to mention in public.
Let US say at once that we suspect that the
Philadelphia factory imports its stock from
England! Who will venture to say that it
may not be true? There IL In England
prodigious stock OF old sermons.
which can be bought almost at the
price Of waste paper by the whole.
sale. There is no tariff upon foreign
made sermons: there is. SO far as they are
concerned. absolute free trade between
England and the United States. Then.
again. II sermons OF q newer pattern. OF the
eeitDeist or fin de steele kind. are needed for
this market. there Is vast number OF men
In England ready to furnish whole stacks
Of them at any time. Labor is cheaper In
England than in this country. Sermons
like those advertised In the circular OF the
Philadelphia concern. under such titles as
The Gospel in tho Pentateuch." "The
Parallels OF the Bible."" Scenes In the Lives
| Of the Apostles" Temperance and Gospel
Anatomy" and Hymns and their Authors. /"
could be written very quickly by an ener-
getic Englishman. who would be glad to
get a couple OF dollars for any one OF them,
and prepay lts postage to this country.
As New Workers.. we feel sense of satis-
faction while scanning the names OF the
customers OF the Philadelphia firm as given
| in the circular. There Is not the name OF a
single New York preacher In the whole list
| OF names. The firm has customers In Paw
| tucket. Newark. Big Rock. Cedar Rapids.
Philadelphia. llliopolis, and other places
but. we proudly repeat. it has not single
customer in tho city Of New York. so far as
appears from the circular. Our metropoli-
tan preachers are able to get up their own
| sermons: and there are no better sermons
| than some OF them preach