The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-04-21
A LAY SERMON.
How Oft, when Paul has served us with text.
Has Epictetus Plato fully preached
-Cowper's '"rhs Task. "

How Oft, when Paul has served us with text,
Has Epicietus Plato fully preached
-cowper's 'arhe Task"
There are complaints and criticisms
made by many persons OF the style and
matter of modern preaching. TO ne the
least rational Of these complaints are
that the sermons Of modern preachers are
so mild and so lacking IN the strength and
fervor Of the old-time preaching that con
gregations are not impressed with the
necessity of putting their spiritual house
in order against the day when they Will
be summoned TO give an account OF the
deeds done in the body. / see no justifi-
cation for these complaints as based on
the mildness Of the present preaching, as
compared with that of the old-time prac-
tice. The manuscript of a sermon by
one Of the most famous preachers IN New
England. noted for his learning and earn
estness. has lately come TO light which
would hardly meet the approval Of any
of the ehurch-goers of to-day. II was
preached at Northampton, Conn, IN July.
17n. I make the following extracts.
The God that holds you over the pit
"a AaIttf AAAHAAA tl@ AAAA AA1AAe a NtfAN+N- W
some loathsome insect over a fire. abhors
you and is dreadfully provoked. His
wrath toward you burns like fire. He
looks upon you as worthy Of nothing else
but 10 be cast into the fire. He is Of
purer eyes than TO bear to have you in
his sight. you are ten thousand times
more abominable IN his eyes as the most
hateful and ven0mous serpent is in
ours.
Instead of one how many Is 1t likely
viii remember this discourse ia hell? And
it would be a wonder If some that are
now present should not be in hell in a
very short time-before this year is out.
And il would be no wonder if some per
sons that now sit here IN seats Of this
meeting house ia health, and quiet, and
secure, should be there before tomorrow
morning
The man who uttered these words ex-
eTcised great influence over his congre-
cation, and We can w-u speculate on
what effect IL had upon his hearers.
Ia those days Hell fire ard damnatiOn'
were the subject OF most sermons. The
preacher never pictured the Creator as a
God of love Of mercy. and of kindness, but
as a God of wrath. who delighted in the
punishment OF his creatures throughout
ali eternity. Such attributes as love. mer-
cy, and forgiveness had no place in the
sermons of those New England colonial
preachers. No hope was held out for sin
ners, but they were told that when they
died they would Immediately enter upon
an endless period OF the most horrible
punishment.
While the presence Of sinners in church
.
Of God In their hearts, and desired to
live so as 70 receive His forgiveness. very
little hope or comfort was given them.
Perhaps this sort of preaching had its
advantages Ia colonial days, but IL Ger
tainiy had its disadvantages. To-day the
picturing of God as a hide0us monster of
wrath and hate would not be tolerated.
These preachers were Of that class which
TennysoH depicts as Heated pulpiteers.
not preaching Christ TO simple men-an-
n0unced the coming DOOM
Compare this preaching with the saying
Of Jesus:
Come unto Ne all Of SIC who are weary
and heavy laden, and 1 Will give you
rest"
A recent writer on "Genetic History OF
New England Theology says that "A col
lapse Of great theology has occurred
He says Nothing Is more remarkable
about IL than its collapse. At the begin
ming OF the year 1889 &c was ina control Of
all the theological seminaries Of the Con-
gregational denominations, with possibly
la single exception. and some of the Pres
byterians.
1 refer 10 this simply because the style
OF preaching Of that denomination was.
usually in carly days. of what have de-
Nominated as the Hell FIRE and damnati0n
preaching" II has held its influence and
control. and is a potent and large factor
In religious influence to-day. but it has
happily changed its teachings. all for the
better.
Why should not our preachers tell as of
Gods love. and not OF His anger. and
preach from the teachings Of Jesus. from
His Sermon on the Mount and His other
teachings which taught, II they taught
anything that God so loved the world that
He sent His only beloved Son to teach us
love and charity.