The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-02-01

COHtuIy y-duu grow more ana more
hollow, and don't know what ails
them. They think sometimes it's the
weather, or because they're growing
old, when it's really and only because
they're been fed on spiritual husks
and chaff-words, not deeds; or what
is but little better, so far as the recip-
lent is concerned, deeds prompted by
stern sense of duty and not COM
PEELED by an overwhelming passion
OF love for those served.
used to think it would be almost
sacrilegious for me to broach this
subject of the gospel of love to one
who has devoted his life to the preach
ing of it, but l know a minister, may
be you know such one-who does
not love all the members of his flock;
SO as long as there is one such who
leaves some of his charge outside the
pale of his affection | shall not be
afraid to speak on this subject.
Sometimes it is that pompous rich
man-"The Philistine," as Matthew
Arnold has called him-who thinks
he owns the church and the preacher
and who, with inflated chest, every
muscle speaking vanity, and with
most exasperating amiability walks
up and down the house of God like
a veritable tyrant. This is the man
who snaps his magnificent gold
watch-case when he smells in imagin-
alton the good dinner awaiting him
in his elegant home. Money is his
sceptre and he is an unlimited mon
arch. No, not quite that. His power
may be limited by the measure of
your love for him; if you are his pas
tor, love, your love, will change him.
Perhaps the person whom you do
not love is the intellectual literary
critic, for Elspeth MacFayden the
sermon faster" is not confined to the
parish Of Drumtochtsy. Her name is
legion. Do you remember how those
two bright little ferret like eyes
search you out from the beginning to
the end of the sermon? Love can
"turn their fiery darts aside"
Perhaps you have not thought to
love the gossiping element in your
flock. Perhaps you have not thought
it possible. Think what riches would
be turned to good account if those
expert runners, those glib-tongued
speakers, those industrious messen-
gers could be made the bearers of
good tidings. Their varied talents
will probably never be put to this
use until you love them.
After all, the world doesn't care so
much for what the preachers say, as
for what they do, and less for what
they do than for what they are. I
know a minister's household the
members of which habitually indulge
in censorious remarks upon various
members of their church. Is this an
exception, or are there other homes
where the love spirit of the man of
God who is at the head of the house
is not strong enough to drive out
this baseness?
Spiritual attraction, which is but
another name for the love power, is
the strongest force in the universe,
and is the great wonder-w worker in
all times. Now l know many minis
ters who would gladly increase their
powers ofexpression. Some of them
will read these articles. They will
be discouraged because they have no
way of learning certain physical cul-
ture drills, and they will wish for the
help of some teacher. That there is
great value in such helps is not to
be denied, but if one would do the
best he can alone, let hin try each
week to increase his ability for loving
by taking into his heart of hearts
some gnarly, disagreeable old crab,
entertaining him Hospitality there;
learn to love him.
This will shine out in his sermon
like golden glory. 1t will modu-
late the tones of his voice to musical
rythmic beauty. 1t will go about
among his people like a ministering
angel. 1t will return to him like a
benediction, and make his rest sweet.
This same lesson may be learned
and practiced week after week and
year after year and the man who
does this will have learned the great
essential principle of true oratory.
Love, and it can express itself in no
other way, is the most perfect orator
ical gift. 1t is this that makes the
character of Christ so lovely, and the
beauty of Christ rules the world, so
far as it has been brought into sub
lection to any one power. It will
continue its regnant sway until the
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