The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-04-13
PROVINCE OF PULPIT
CHRIST A SENSATIONAL PREACH
Err, SAYS REV. A. NJ. WILLIAMS.
SCORED OLD FASHIONED KIND
THEY ARE crosse WATER
JESUSES," HE SAID.


Is from Being Called Before the
Grand Jury to Testify in u Gam
bling Case.
DO YOU think one of the rose water
Jesuses of our nice conservatives would
ever have been crucified? He would
the average preacher is from being
summoned before the grand jury for
denouncing gambling" These were the
words of Rev. A. M. Williams at Trim
ity Church last night, in his discourse
on the Human Causes of the Death
of Jesus
"Now let us ask for the immediate
melting cause of the persecution of
Jesus which led to his death. 1 think
you will find him nearer the sensa-
tionalist and the political preacher than
| the nice minister and the popular
clergyman that never ruff1e any feath-
ers," said the speaker in defense of
so-called sensational preaching.
Rev. Mr.. Williams stated that his
object in preaching on the subject
which he had announced was in order
to counteract certain false conceptions,
and, in behalf of a great truth that
affected the welfare of society, to prop
erly consider the cause that led to the
crucifiXion of Jesus, from a human
standpoint. He first discussed His
death theOlogically, saying that while
that view was taken by many of the
wisest and holiest that the circum-
stances attending the actual death of
Jesus were connected in only the most
superficial way with the theological
view. In discussing the causes which
led to His death, the speaker said
Compared to Jesus.
This question is pertinent to some
things written and said these days.
Some preachers are said to be sensa-
tional because they deal with living is
sues in a direct and emphatic manner.
They are charged with political preach
ing because certain persons holding
public offices, having failed to perform
these duties, have fallen logically I'M
der the condemnation of the pulpit. 1t
is a favorite method to compare these
men to Jesus to their disparag cement"
Mr.. Williams then said that he
thought that in considering the imme-
date melting causes resulting in the
death of Jesus, one would find Him
nearer the sensationalist and the po-
litical preacher than those preachers
who never ruffled any feathers.
What is sensationalism? he asked.
The speaker in clear and unmistaka-
BILE terms against existing and prevail
ing evil, in social, industrial, CONNER
cial or political circles-preaching in
such manner as to arouse attention
to the evil and stir the animosity of
the interested parties.
Jesus Sensational.
"If you mean this" said he with
emphasis, then Jesus was the most
sensational preacher the world has
ever known. He used personal pro-
nouns; He used strong epithets; He
spoke so that everybody knew just
who and what he meant. His preach
ing took effect" The speaker then
discussed the manner in which
Christ's enemies united into what he
termed a systematic conspiracy to en-
trap Him, saying that Jesus was the
victim of antipathy aroused by his
preaching.
Jesus dealt with political condi-
lions, and one cause of His death was
his political preaching Look the facts
in the face and we cannot escape this
conclusion. What was written on the
cross: The King of the Jews, was
not the argument used most conclu-
siVely with Plate to secure the right
to take his life a political one?"
The speaker then. discussed Jesus
triumphal entry into Jerusalem, say
ing that the attendant demonstration
stimulated the hatred of his enemies
and increased their activity against
Him. His attacks, he said, were
against present prevailing failures of
the Pharisees, the party in power.
His preaching affords the model
for the true Christian preacher. rather
than a castigation of up-to-date meth
DDS. His example teaches the pulpit
to declare the everlasting permanent
principles of righteousness as applied
to the issues pending.
Needs of Savannah.
81 am profoundly impressed that the
supreme need of Savannah, as of our
modern life, is the faithful applica-
ton to corrupt and corrupting condi-
tons of the principles for which
Jesus stood Bring home to every
class the vitalized conception that God
must be obeyed-that truth must
characterize the offices of the law;
that merely holding a commission does
not meet the requirements of a Judge,
but that faithful, honest, constant eff
ficient administration of all the law
as the representation of God among
men is the real meaning of Office The
preaching that would burn these pr1n-
ciples into our life would be called
sensational, and every kind of stigma
would be placed on it's successful proc
lamation."
Several years ago we held a prohibit
ton election in Macon" said Mr.
Williams later in his discourse. 81 sat
up all night and for one time beat
the heelers and the boodlers to the
polls. My appointed task was to look
after the repeaters, and I found a
large number of them. After I voted
1 stood outside the line watching my
men. By my side was a saloon man
taking charge of his side. All at
once a sweet hymn from the w. c. T
U. floated over the excited scene. 1t
was Rescue to the Perishing," and
Throw out the Life Line" Never
have 1 heard them sung in a more APP
propriate place or with more meaning.
My saloon friend said with great i'm
patience, THAT sounds very sweet, but
it would suit a church better. I said
to him; My friend, we need just as
much religion along here as we do in
the church" He became very angry
but l declared on eternal truth.
Till we follow the example of Jesus
and preach politics." said Mr. Williams
in conclusion, preach the rules of
God in the primary, at the polls, in
the City Council, in the Mayors office
on the judges bench, in the solicitors
place, in the jury box, in the sheriff's
office, on the policeman's beat. we
will not be declaring the whole coup