The San Francisco call., 1905-06-04

wilkinson makes this criticisms eriti-
cism whose strength resides partly in its
restraint:
when the mind recovers itself and be-
comes undazzled from the binding effect
Of such sudden magnifeence, it per
ceives clearly that here is highly
rhetorical expression Of what. through
out, Is Mr.. Beechers governing thought,
namely, that love : q sentiment, an emo
ton in distinction from love as obedi-
snee 10 God is the ideal TO aim at.
say nothing against this thought: / need,
indeed. say nothing whatever about II,
except that il is not the IDEAL presented
in Scripture"
So throughout the book in these criti-
cisms Of mems religion the thought of
obedience IS strongly emphasized. and in
criticizng their language his belief is
made plain that in the use of words rever
ence for literary excellence is closely
bound up with true ethics and genuine
ness Of manhood
The work is written both for preachers
and for the general reader Any one who
cares for literature for letters own sake
viii enjoy it very much. One Of the best
uses OF reading II viii be that he who
does so viii likely gain thereby in capae
city 10 appreciate the thoughtful sermons
IIGE may ntdI- NE tl-Al-SS III AIC HGe
Of pulpit masterpieces are often heard
unappreciatively. How difficult they are
10 do-to be perfect in obedience TO re-
ligious law. and 70 be so rexerent Of the
truth Of good taste in the language that
conveys the thought with sonoTous per
suasiOn 10 ears held 10 attention by the
speakers skiII-an the aptitude and the
preparation that this task involves will
be more clearly realized in the pews after
our attention has been called by a keen
homiletic critic and an ardent lover Of
our language TO the beauties and also
the flaws that exist in the work even of
the worlds great masters of pulpit dis
course. Sometimes when We listen, LET
us remember this sentence from John
Hall. the great preacher whose extraor-
binary endowment Of common sense is
said TO be giorified into genius. and whose
distinguishing trait Of character and of
language IS genuineness: Gentlemen.
We ministers are not heather philosophers
finding out things. we are eEpositors of
a revelation that settles things"
Perhaps as fair a sample as can be
given IN brief space Of WilkinsOn's work
in portrsying the pastors for US is the
following in which, speaking of the great
preacher. Pere Felix. he combines high
praise with little touch OF adverse crit
icism-showing the one thing lacking
in a truly great man
Hearing him preach was ike seeing
salt crystallize. His matter seemed in
stinct with some spirit OF life that moved
1t into perfect forms. Every sentence
was a formulated 1hought-defnite, clear,
sharp. ultimate-like crystal The
whole discourse was glittsTing mass Of
capitalization. How do ac-
couu. for this strange phenonenon-the
absence Of sympathy between speaker
and hesrer-in the midst Of such re-
splendent oratory? T felt the repellant
charm. radiant around that white-rebed
priest. Of his Jesuitical character He
stood there insulated entirely from the
electric touches OF those human hearts,
bv the vitreous non-conductors Of his
eccIestasticjs-n sss priest celibate.
Jesuit. how solitary he was, ] could have
pi-ied my human brother: but In the
pride Of schooled ana imperial intellect.
he wanted nothing that the heart had TO
offer"
The best chapter in the book is an ap-
probation Of Eugene Bersier, whose work
is estimated TO be more likely 10 take
permanent place IN literature than that
Of any OF the other preachers of modern
times. His sermons. either in translation.
or better. in the French. are urgently
recommended BY the author for the read
inE Of al preachers who would excel by
STUDYING the best models. Let US imagine
him. whose words are 10 go furthest down
the ages 10 be In the pulpit. while We
listen for moments TO fragment Of his
discourse:
Consider from this point Of view, the
manner IN which Jesus Christ trains and
prepares his disciples I have Just been
recalling 10 what moral height he sum
mons them. I have now to remark with
what admirable patience he conducts
them thither. II is impossible 10 think
or il without a stir OF profound emotion;
never was human nature treated with
) such respect You find delicacies
the most exquisite. words that warn
with Jut wounding that enlighten with
: out 6azzling. that humble, then revive.
without even once despising. Such pa
tienco is sublime.
lFunk & WsgnaIls Company. New