Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-09-30

preachers interpreted their mission and
went everywhere preaching the Word Of
Life They confined themselves to this
theme, and God caused them to triumph
in every place. Surely there were as
many wrongs In law and society In that
first century as In this. yet these nrst
preachers sought to remedy those long
standing corroding Ills by the divine
remedy committed to them. The lesson
Of their example has been lost to many
who insist that every question OF life
government, law. economics. etc.-should
be discussed primarily by the preacher
from the pulpit We have only to no.
tice the announced themes for the pulpit
In the larger cities to see that the ex-
citing themes Of popular thought are the
subjects handled In the pulpit. Tariff
laws are reviewed, capitalists. sometimes
by name, are criticised. problems OF labor
are solved. and the other thousand and
one subjects Of everyday life, even to a
lady's bonnet, arc served up In the
piquant smart style. which is intended
to show that such preachers are not
billiards after all. but are fresh and up
to the times.
GOSPEL THE NEWEST THING.
"rhese omniverous expounders claim all
subjects for their own. OF course. oh.
OF course, the Gospel Is the Gospel. but
that Is antiquated and the people must
have something new and such preacher
forgets that the very newest thing In
his pulpit would be the Gospel These
men claim that law must be preached
in order to the reception OF the Gospel.
Yes. but what IL needed Ii that the law
of God. searching and revealing sin In the
heart should be declared. Instead OF this
It is frequently the case that only bare
nd rpNanfctlnnq criminals
are denounced with fiery words that at
tract more attention to the speakers
style than anything else. There are those
who have 'preludes' before preaching-a
rehash Of all the conspicuous wickedness
of the past week. Governors. mayors.
city councils, policemen. ward politicians,
etc, are served up as an appetzing dish
for Sunday mornings worshipers VI
course these preachers receive their re-
ward in the applause which would hurrah
for any other ward politician
These claim for themselves large cour-
age. They are continually reminding
their people what an immense amount
Of heroic courage they have to undertake
such a work of denunciation. The tame
ness Of the age Is relieved by theso
heroes OF the modern pulpit. The truth Is
that the Jacobin leader who uttered MS
widest theories In order to receive the
heartiest applause Of his attending crowd
of San Culotts. was a poltroon ana
coward, and yet he was brave In COM
parison with the preacher who launches
his thunderbolts at those that never hear
him, to the boundless delight OF those
that listen at the denunciation OF other
peoples sins. Nathan said. looking IN
the eye of the guilty King: Thou art the
man. These modern Nathans hurl de-
fiance when the culprit is absent. or In
the presence Of hundreds OF auditors
Humanity is best helped when the Gospel
is preached and applied by the Holy
Spirit to the hearts and lives OF men.
Men. however jealous. are mistaken
when like John and James. they ASK
for fire from Heaven to destroy. as did
Elias. The Master said: 'fe Know not
what manner of spirit We are Of
Let us copy the example OF Him VINO
came not TO destroy mems lives. but TO
seek and save the lost. This Is the ever
new Gospel for the salvation or men.
May His grace give us the courage ana
faith Of that best OF servants. i deter
mined to know nothing among you save
Jesus Christ, and Him crucified."