Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-12-02

Liberal Preacher.
A tail, somewhat gaunt. but 1.-THE, fig-
ure: Z face betokening kindly serious
ness. framed with disheveled gray
locks; a careless, easy-fitting suit OF
clothes, more businesslike than clerical
in cut, such are some Of the outward
characteristics of Rev. Hiram w.
Thomas, the famous pastor Of the Peo-
pies Church Of Chicago. Seated in
his study, or workshop. which is on the
upstairs door Of his comfortable home
on West Monroe street, DR.. Thomas Is
perhaps seen at his best for those who
wish to know something Of the person
ality Of the man who has cleaved his
way from orthodoxy to an acknowledge
ed leadership in liberal religion.
The crowds that attend the Peoples
Church, in Mcvicker's Theater. every
Sunday, are literally gathered from the
four corners Of the city, and, to carry
the figure still further without strain
ing it, from the four corners of the
earth. 1t Is not surprising that this
shifting mass Of humanity should be
composed of individuals who know lit
tie Of the personality Of the great
preacher in the rostrum.
Like all successful men, DIR. Thomas
has habits. Few clergymen are so
much sought after as he for the fulfill
ment Of the clergyman's office In bur-
ials, marriages and christenings. Not
alone are these solicitations from the
families of his own congregation, hut
literally from the great mass Of I'M
churched people throughout the city
and suburbs. The enormous demands
on this busy mans time can be imag-
ined. And yet, like all up-to-date cler-
gymen, he must keep pace with the
thought of the world and abreast of all
modern literature.
DR.. Thomas, In describing to a news
paper writer his economy Of time, said
that he aimed to get started on his
weekly sermon not later than Thurs
day morning. He works in his study a.
home, and has a full reference library
to aid him in research. This sermon
building occupies the Peoples Church
pastor from Thursday until Saturday
evening, and II the Interruptions have
been frequent 1t Is not unlikely that
there may be midnight oil consumed on
the evening of Saturday. The sermon
must be finished, no matter how late
| the hour, and when the pastor walks
upon the platform on Sunday morning
there must be no traces of the mid
night vigil, but freshness and vigOr.
The careful preparation Of the must
L d, ooIn tod no
general spirit of devotion pervading
| the whole service Is one of the most
| impressive features to strangers who
| pass the vestibule Of the Peoples
Church on Sunday morning. But the
sermon Is the thing after all, from DR..
Thomas point Of view. He holds that
the close thought Of preacher for an
hour every Sunday should in ten years
be equal to the nearer to four years
university education.
| To be equal to the occasion, how
ever, naturally requires vast reading.
DIR. Thomas has others constantly read
| ing for him. He said that two men
friends and one woman friend are now
reading books for him, the pith of
| which will be given to him to absorb
later on. Speaking of the impossibility
of busy pastor reading for himself all
or even a majority Of new books, DR.
Thomas says he has frequently review.
ed books in public that he never read
for himself. With reliable assistance
however, he has never been deceived
as to the real thought of writer, and
through this method Of reading by
proxy the range Of all literature Is no
impossible Of attainment. Magazine:
and newspapers are Or. Thomas hob