Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-09-30
SERMONS ON EVERYDAY AFFAIRS
Views of Rev. Drs Hawthorne and MELON
aid on Sensational Preaching.

The Atlanta Constitution Of Sunday
last printed letters from five OF the lead.
ing ministers of that city on sensational
preaching, or in other words. how far
the clergy should go in discussing from
the pulpit everyday topics and happen
ings that the people and the newspapers
are talking about. Among the divines
quoted are two former Richmond pas
tors-Rev DR.. J. b. Hawthorne, VINO
served the First Church for several years,
and Rev. DR.. Henry Mcdonald, who was
one Of the most popular pastors that the
Second Baptist church ever had, and is
still well remembered here.
DIR. HAWTHORNE'S FRANK VIEW.
DR.. Hawthorne in his expression is very
candid and TO the point. He says:
1T is the duty of the Christian minis
ter to expound and emphasize every fea-
ture and element of Christianity. The re-
ligion which he is divinely commissioned
10 teach Is more than a system of doc
trine and worship. Ii Is life. 1t Is a
doctrine and worship that may be trans
muted into practical living and applied
to every human interest, condition. and
relationship.
christianity is not perfected science
of human conduct. 1t enjoins the compre-
hensive duty of love to all mankind. 1t
forbids us TO render EVIL unto any man,
and requires us TO do good as we have
opportunity unto all men. 1t makes all
men our neighbors, and commands us
TO love each Of them as we love our
selves. Any thoughtful man can readily
see that the faithful teaching of such
religion requires a minister not only TO
proclaim the doctrines which relate TO
CAI anH Christ and rfdemntlOQ. ana
resurrection. and judgment, and eternity,
hut to show men how they may fulfill
Christ's great law OF love In every relation
which they sustain to each other. 1t Is
the sacred duty OF the preacher OF the
Gospel to study the social conditions
OF his community, country, ana age, anu
10 show TO his congregation wherein the
great law Of love is honored and obeyed,
and wherein II is despised and violated.
I would not make the Sugar Trust or
the tariff bin the subject OF a sermon
but n were preaching sermon on the
Golden Rule OF the Gospel ! would not
hesitate to make an object-lesson OF the
iniquitous Sugar Trust or OF any tariH
bin which is intended to enrich one class
OF men by impoverlshing another. The
minister who lacks either the capacity
or the courage to deal with living issues.
and TO distinguish between the right ana
the wrong in the business and politics
and literature of his community ana
country, Is simply pious nonenuty-
the mere negation Of manly man.
DESIGN OF THE MINISTRY.
DIR. Mcdonald takes u somewhat diner
ent view OF the question from Dr. haw-
thorne He says: j.
what subjects should be the themes OF
D,,lnit address can best be answered In
considering the design Of the Gospel MIN
istry. II IL be q divinely constituted pro-
vision, then we must ascertain It's aim
and design from Him who appointed II.
".Preach the Gospei.' Preach the Word.
the ministry OF reconciliation! Preach
the Gospel. teaching them to observe
whatsoever ! have commanded you.
These are sufficient 10 show that the
prime design Is the salvation OF men
and their edification through the Gospel.
Therefore It 10 evident that the Gospel
IL TO be the one great theme, hrst, last.
and all the time. Every soul In every
leisce. and at Ill times needs II. 30 the nrst