The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-10-02
A POWERFUL SERMON
Fit for Men of All Denominations
and Pursuits to Study-Relig.
ions Relationships to
Reform.
A CHARGE TO THE MINISTRY
By Rev. G.. f. Walker.
Continued from last aCeek,

A ministerial friend was writing a
good deal about "strikes,' social
ism," Communism" and the like
rather recklessly, whereupon we asked
INN a few questions; he replied by
telling how much more he knew about
Calvinism and the logic involved in
election, than he did about these
FACILITATING matters Of the world"
The clergyman referred to is a scholar
a gentleman,a and type OF alarge class
in the sacred calling. Now what in
all Calvinism is going to reach the
suffering humanity and inspire it
with thought Of Gods love and a more
hopeful day on earth? What in the
logic Of election is going down into
human consciousness to resurrect the
submerged man, and what in this
stern logic will raise the Oppressor tC
the dignity of making restitution, re-
paying the poor widow whom he has
evicted, after devouring her little
heme in usury?
The writer is counted orthodox, "a
matter he is not so particular about,
and holds the Bible in great reverence
as Gods word but in all the emphasis
Of soul deep-stirred he appeals TIC
the ministry to know less of the
speculative Theology and more Of
God as seen in Jesus Christ: and in
stead Of so much man-made creed
preach adjustments among men in
the hope of better day.
1t is time to cease teaching the
masses to sing.
ooh, to be nothing, nothing
Or
"I'm poor worm Of the dust"
Instead, let us have appeals to the
manly dignity that remains-that
is our ground Of hope, for to that we
must appeal-and entreat allegiance
to the Lord Jesus Christ, and pur-
pose to build up character like His
A godly character will gravitate to
Heaven wherever Heaven may be:
and a Christ-like heart will love in
this world and the next. Recognition
here will more likely verify rccogni-
tion lover there" and the PROFESSIONAL
faith in shell that passes Tor land
lord here will be empty Of even the
worded creed in the awful future.
Ministers, time-servng, place-seek-
Ing preachers usually eXhort the
masses ito not lay up treasures upon
earth" (Omitting the meaning thdt
Jesus put into his sermon), knowing
that the shrewd villains who wear
frOnt-pew, sanctimonious faces will
ureS anyway, and so to make sure OF
what they shall get they are taught
to invest in Heaven, where these
wealthy supporters who demand the
trimmings are sure to 60. The in
vestment Of the godlike poor will be
safer than in stocks Of the Sugar
Trust. Union Pacific r. r., and small
oil-wells. 1t is severe charge that
one minister recently made against
himself in an essay read before min
isteria, association: 1t was that he
belonged ''to no political party what
ever Now two questions arose in
some minds, lis he too good, and
holy. to belong to political party" or
us he ignorant Of the needs of the
social and political state, and there
fore feels no concern for society as
existing under or over governments
1t is thought that the gentle man
meant to say that he was wholly &C.
cupied in Theology and did not even
investigate the claims of the political
parties. In this interpre tation of the
minister's position is easily seen room
for severe Indictment against the
citizen phase Of his character. A
man may be an independent voter,
sometimes a good thing, but a sane
man who has patriotism cannot relig-
iOuSly ignore the questions that con-
Germ human welfare. But the clergy
man above referred to breaches fine
sermons of the typical systematic the
OloRy kind on Sunday and visits after
ho L., III,
parishioners good people" and other
pet names, and takes his vacation.
He sees nothing interesting in rail
mails delayed. and he hears not the
cry Of the hungry and asks not where
is bread to appease this gnawing hun
ger?"
In the days when the accursed insti-
tuition Of Afro-American slavery
caused over three millions to cry daily
for mercy only small number OF
preachers dared to speak out for op-
pressed humanity. To the sleek
slave-owners with pc w-holdings many
a preacher explained slavery as Gods
plan! John G.. Fee, Henry Ward
Beecher. Levi L. Fay and few 9th
erS faced the situation and with other
heroes mot Of the sacred calling) de-
manded that the slave go free. And
this demand was not Of the political
power kind that sought voters for our
party-this class Of ''Negro-frends'
came along later, when it was certain
that freedom would win-but this
stern arraignmcnt Of ''sum of all vii
lainies'' was the daring leadership
that common humanity is always
seeking out, and which is so much
needed today.
Not as preaching that tells men to
be contented in poverty if the store
house of Gods earth can rightly at
ford them more. If men are idle, in
prophet-tones say. go, work" II
men are drunkard, offer to lift them
up but sternly call to the conscious
manhood yet left, "Stapd up, be
men," If laborers are Enthusiastically
thunder at thcm.-"God sees your
Sinking" If usurers WAX fat on
Gods poor, quote the words of God-in-
spired prophets on usury. II men