The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-01-19

pOnp Vi pTeIeHIlOuS IuetOIlC, anu
still more, noise and cant, and theim
moderate fear of appearing to be
guilty of them himself, placed his
abilities under an unreasonable re-
straint. His extreme deliberation
absorbed his fervor. l do not mean to
say, of course, that his sermons on the
instances mentioned were failures,
but only that they did not generally
rise to the height of his towering ca
pacity.
1t was, however, delight always
to listen to DR.. Sawyer's preaching,
to hear his clear ringing voice, to
catch the glance of his large brilliant
eye-I was about to write blue eyes,
but really cannot remember the
exact color of them-are they brown
or blue7-to watch his modest ges-
lures, to follow his simple logical
reasoning. l wondered if Chrysos-
tom were more golden -mouthed"
than he. If Chaucer were
- a we'll of English undefiled"
DIR. Sawyer draws from that swell"
:. His diction is perfect. What
clergyman have we who can read the
Scripture lesson better than he? 1t
surprised me frequently to notice a
glistening tear on his strong, manly
face while he was preaching. His
criticisms have been deemed by some,
hard and pitiless, but wax is not
easier melted by fire than he by any
touching sight or scene. His picture,
as I have seen him in the act of catch
ing up pretty child and kissing it,
his eyes moistening, his form and
manner expressing the utmost ten
derness, might have suggested COM
parison with Murillo's great painting
of st. Anthony in a similar position.
The comparisons used in his SER
mons-which stuck in ones memory
always-lighted up his reasoning
wonderfully. l will mention one
specimen only of the way he focused
a truth by very simple illustration.
He was arguing against the old ex-
treme theory of total depravity and
brought to his aid the New Tesla
ment passage the washing of regen-
Grafton" "Now," he said, eff an i'm
age made entirely Of dust, is washed
until the dust all disappears, what is
lefta Nothing. So if the heart have
no good in it, if it be all evil, and if
the waters of regeneration be applied
until the evil is washed away, what is
left7 Nothing. To wash the heart
in that case is to extinguish it. l do
not remember his exact words.
1t must not be supposed that DR..
Sawyers preaching, though charac-
teristically doctrinal, was wholly so.
He was not wanting in emotion, the
best quality in sermon. The gran
tie surfaces which cropped out here
and there were set off with living
verdure and fresh flowers. If he
taxed most the intellect of his hearers
he appealed to their hearts also. HUI
NOR occasionally twinkled in his eye
and shone on his face. He excites the
interest and the love of his listeners
equally. His prayers had the two-fold
helpfulness of thought and feeling.
Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway
And fools, who came to scoff remained to pray"
The Universalists who were made so
through the help of the divine spirit,
under DR.. Sawyer's training, were
thoroughly made and seldom re-
nounced their faith, it is safe to as
sumo.
The Theological School, at Gin
ton, of which DIR. Sawyer had charge,
nearly half d century ago, was his
creation, and the first, | believe, ever
established in our denomination.
Previous to this our young ministers
were usually prepared for their life
work in older ministers studys, re-
ceiving whatever instruction the older
ministers and their scanty libraries
could give.
This most important department
of our UNCONVENTIONAL interests, of
which DIR. Sawyer earnestly assumed
the care, ab OUa, he has never for any
considerable length of time relin-
quished, for he is now, and has been
for years, the venerable Dean of the
Divinity School connected with Tufts
College. Educating young men for
the Universalist pulpit has then been
his largest, longest, and | dare say,
most natural, work. His preaching
has providentially been made Sec
ondary.
He went direct from College and
took the pastorship of Universalist
church in New York city. 1t must
howe haen the citv and the LARGE field