The Tucson citizen., 1902-09-27
DEMOCRATIC TICKET.
ABOUT RELIGIOUS PREACHING.

We are informed in a note from a
very worthy lady, and we exceedingly
regret the information, that the Rev.
Charles Ferguson will not ofticiate at
Grace church, Episcopal, in this
town. hereafter We say we regret
the information, and we have no doubt
that others will regret it. Mr.. Fergu-
son is a most accomplished and de-
Iightful man. He discussed nearly
everything but religion from his pull
pit, and his discussions were always
laden with high thought, if not clear
thinking.
The lady who sends The Citizen the
information of the severance of the
relations between Grace church
and the Rev. Mr. Ferguson takes 6cca-
sion to ask this question: rs it not
the duty of preacher of the Gospel to
discuss any and all moral questions
III his pulpit ministrations?" The
question, we should judge was intend
ed to explain what is becoming de-
mand for Gospel preaching, in contra
distinction from the more or less ele-
giant essays on various sociological
scientific, literary, moral and semi
POLITICAL topics with which too many
so-callad preachers of the Gospel are
accustomed to entertain their congre-
cations.
1t is wholesome sign that a re-
action from this practice is apparent
in various parts of the country. 1t
may have been helpful in an educa-
tional way. but it has not proved a
promoter of vital Christianity. 1t may
have enlarged the area of useful in
formation in many minds, but it has
sadly failed to meet the necessities of
the millions who go to church to get
what they can not obtain elsewhere
The schools and the press and the
platform supply all that such sermon
izing can furnish, but the mission Of
the pulpit is higher. Not for an in
tellectual treat. but for that which ap-
peals to the soul do Christians go to
their places of worship Their intel
let's could be we'll cared for by stay
ing at home and reading the Sunday
papers and magazines, or by poring
over the resources of book shelves.
But that is not satisfying to their
spiritual nature. The billions of dol
and their auxiliaries in the United
States stand for something more,
something higher and purer, than the
billions represented by schools and
the press. The clergymen who make
that distinction clear, never suffering
their hearers to forget it, are coming
more and more in request The calm
judgment of the people has been
passed upon the sensational preacher,
as well as upon the preacher who
aims exclusively at the intellect. and
both stand condemned in many local
tiles where they had great vogue only
short time ago.
Coming directly to our correspond
ents question, we have no hesitancy in
saying that the greatest care should
be exercised in pulpit selection and
treatment of moral questions Almost
If not quite, every question in politics
sociology, science, literature, com
merce or finance has moral aspect or
phase. For example, take the ques-
lion of prOtection-of protective
tarif-and you will find men denounc.
ing the policy as legahzed robbery, a
gross immortality, while other and per.
haps larger number will defend il
on the highest moral grounds. But
who wants the tariff sermons? Take
the question Of imperialism. and YOU
will find the same division of senti-
ment. One side contends that our
government is doing righteous work
in the Philippines, while the other side
holds that we are pursuing criminal
policy. But do people go to church to