New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-04
ON RELIGIOUS TOPICS.
MEMORIES OF DIR. TAYLOR.
An ANALYSIS OF HIS POWER As A PREACHER

AN ANALYSIS OF HIS POWER AS PREACHER
AND HIS HOLD on his PEOPLE.
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: The abstract OF DR.. Stimsons sermon in
memory OF the late Dr. William NJ. Taylor pub
lshed In The Tribune has been eagerly sought
for and read by many widely scattered hearers OF
DR. Taylors eloquent and helpful sermons that
perhaps some "reminiscences OF the beloved preacher
and his work may be OF interest to your large
circle OF readers
In these days, when read and hear that the
pulpit is losing its power, and pastors discuss the
problem OF how to fill the churches. ii is profitable
TO examine the marked characteristics of preach
ing so successful. Or. Taylors. one source OF
this preachers hold upon the minds and hearts
OF his hearers the positiveness OF MS preach-
ing. What he believed. he believed with all MS
mind and heart and strength. and set 1t forth ac-
cordingly. His mind had evidently no room 'or
doubt. and. apart from the clearness with which
his theme was thought out. his mastery grasp OF
HIS subject. the beauty and pertlnence OF his IL
lustrations and his intimate knowledge OF human
nature 1t was this quality of positiveness that
took hold Of his hearers and drove the truth
home. While ne was never dogmatc' 10 the cahuid
mind he vas convincing. It is claimed that the
teachings OF the Roman Catholic Church owe
much OF their attractvencss TO this quality. Many
minds weary with wandering amid the ntricacies
OF rodorn speculative thought. and the contra
dctons and differences OF the various sects settle
al asst with relief upon the positive asSeT'ioHs Oh
the Romsh teaching Protestant ministers may
wei follow this wise example OF their departed
brother
Few preachers have shown thorough knowl-
edge o, the Bible as pr Taylor. Who among his
hearers has not at time been amazed at the
abundance OF the treasures Of thought which TINS
close student has brought out from the BOOK OF
Books? No has more fully revealed th' m
finite adaptablty 81 the Bible to every need and
aspiration o, mankind The climax OF his most
powerful statements OF truth, wrought out with
irresistible force, comes in his quotations from
the Bible. lie always emphasized the lmpor'ahc
OF Bible study to both minister and .ayman. In
his volume OF lectures to theological students'
Tho Ministry o. the Word" which gives much OF
the preachers Personal experience he urges his
young brothers TO make the Bible their constant
theme. until Tho people call you as they ana
Luther. Dr B.blcus. for that is the mos, worthy
degree minister can earn
Abiding to the limited acquaintance which many
church gocrs have with the Scriptures. he writes;
There are whole books Of tho Bible which 20
many WofShipper- peVs are as much I'M
explored az the interior Of the continent OF Africa
when. some eight nire years ago. John
FRIGHT spoke Of Robert Lowe and his friends.
who rebc.lcd against tne Reform bill OF the
Liberal loader as having gone into cave OF
Adullam Two country members OF the British
House o! Commons overheard conNerslnS
thus they we're leaving th' Chamber OF fatha-
mont. i say where did Bright get that illustra-
ton % his TO night about tho cave on. was the
reply i 500 What you're up TO. do you snppos"
haven road The Arabian Nights Tho emil
ucniIv practical nature ~ his sermons was an
other source 90 influence. The practical bearing
~ o." subject upon modern hfc and character
Wa ttnay- iN.I' u2on ar lcngth. not confined To
OF Jess closing f4IIgraphs. In the most thoughtfuI
a,I Interesting - recon; moves one % the char
.,r- lays lu distance that the din,u lty vita ihc
IT,. te nor
,f.u..,.. I.,. got matter much without IN" DO
calls Sow. D. Wa ia the giving 81 these '"-
,,lr Pho Application % these principles 20 every
20, rora..t. 0h 900 j. SD puzz!ins 70 roor NJ
ITO. bog Taylor wooded Thousands % men and
,..,r.,. ..l ,..il. mat his sermons had always
I.'9sul .sre .'.ons. 10 be- borne ~ minI ana hV'd
A. a pastor ~ raylor was unique among city
ami sorrow go cd COR his minIstrdtIons. but every
80 I'y.l. NJ t,ish Iato districts and announced
f-om me pulpit nat b. would visit a certain dis
VIA. aere received Ho~ gladly thc com.ng Of
cess genial srwta'h"i' VISITOR Ma l''h"'l 10Y
go nhom aN could ak freely In Joy o. Sotr1M
y.,. nho came not as oihcr friends TO hat Of tnlS
- htt nrt 1poa in" Master ngsincs3' ann "HHo o
Auccd religious io,4.s go naturaiF ana ,aS.N ma
DO ono "io,iot INTO silence. AMI "neh oc.a-
sion demanded bore our ne"ds In earnest believing
sIId oa, by whom this pastor had stood in time
~" Offer - pa 'H as H a., r. In
o. him a. ur TAYLOR. - me I;rottw'N Iao'rh''''
Quick as was hl. response ~ sympalhN 'qhaiF
prompt Ras his -gcrcl IN r"nuke +" one Who
came 20 aim for counsel sinRrtins under sens"
o' wronc ard spoke a. an act ~ l"lusu'e WIN
caus'ic CONNER. l'f Taylor sail l""l 'ol'i.
mont H. y.rv ,ley.r b.i, II ~ aso wicked. ana you
Ind nov ma. great and earnest preacher, iath-
gul pastor md tr.c friend. has Eon" 10 ms re-
ward. ana wc who remain can only chcrlHh ms
surfnc. and TN. memory 81 his consistent lit"
!u our hearts striving - walk In the Hght ne mas
given u.s. ana To- ho mot only hearers but docrs
o. tho Word \ >. ~
BROOKLYN Feb .6. l%3.