Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-08-08
THE TRANSFORMATION OF A MODBH
MINISTER INTO AN OLD-FASEIIONED PREACHER
az eIsHoP W. 4. cANDLER

the same time he found out that Il IS
only a delusive and disappointing sort
of happiness that can be had apart from
goodness. 1t was brought home to him
by the recollection of the tragedies
among his former parishioners that !
programme of life that puts happiness
in the chief place and holiness in a s=>-
ondary position fails to preserve decency
in a family through two generations.
far less piety.
A sadder, but wiser man. he is devot-
ing his later years to a ministry which
puts self-denial and bearing for
ward as Indispensable characteristics of
genuine christianity. He attends fewer
functions. and more prayer-meetings
He is not so felicitous as formerly In
after-dinner addresses. but far more eff
fective in priestly intercessions. The
congregation he serves pays little atten-
ton to the pursuit of happiness, but
possesses much Of the most satisfying
and sanctifying joys. They have their
sorrows too, but their hearts are more
open than were the souls of his former
parishioners to the consultations of grace.
When he enters a Swallowed home among
them he finds the grief stricken are al
ready soothed by the tender touch of
the Comforter who has gone in advance
of him. They respond to the solaces
of grace which he utters understanding
the Scriptures by personal experience as
well as by patient study.
Nevertheless he finds in his present pas
toral charge that amid the most favour
able conditions the work of making hu-
man hearts thoroughly good, as God
counts goodness, is not easy To en-
terrain men and women he finds is not
difficult; that can be done by pleasing
phrases or novelties Of theory. But the
renewal Of the human heart in righteous
ness and true holiness he finds is a re-
suit not possible without supernatural.
regenerative power from heaven. such
being the case. he is now more careful
to please God from whom only such
powsr can come, than to please men.
Therefore an unearthly and heavenly ac-
cent has come into his speech. When he
comes before his people he brings with
him an atmosphere that IL like a breath
from the upper world. They take knowI-
edge OF him that he has been with Jesus
in the heavenlies. Even men and women
Of the world are impressed by his spirit
ual presence. Not infrequently men ap-
ply to him the beautiful lines of Gold
smith concerning the village preacher in
the Deserted Village:
"Unpractised he to fawn. or seek for
y power,
BY doctrines fashioned to the varying
hour;
Far other aims his heart had learned to
prize
More skilled to raise the wretched than
to rise.
And in his duty prompt at every can.
He watched and wept, he prayed and felt
for all;
And as bird each fond endearn,ent
tries
To tempt its new-nedged Offspring to the
skies.
He tried each art. reproved each dull
delay
Allured to brighter worlds. and led the
way.
Men and women and youth who sIncere-
ly seek to be real followers OF Christ
seek his counsel; but the giddy and
shallow call him quite old fashfon,,d',.
some applying to him the coarser terms
of ''moss-back" and "old fogy''. How
ever 1t is commonly observed in the cou-
munity that even the people who deride
him when they are beset by no ti,ou-
bic, wish his presence above all other
ministers when sharp trials or sore be-
reavements or the near approach of deafh
compels them to be real and genuine In
matters OF religion.
The cody man himself IL well con-
tent to be called an ''old-fashicned
preacher. In this old world with It's old
sin, old sorrow, old death, he feels that
nothing is quite so good for human souls
as the old, old story OF Jesus and His
love-. He is probably correct about that
matter. At any rate most of us who
recall hours in our lives, when the strain
upon our spirits was greatest, remem-
Der that we found renewed strength in
nothing else.
God multiply the ''old-fashioned preach
ers" who unknown and Indifferent to
fame, preach in unsensational ways the
''old-fashioned gospel! It is by the min
istry OF such men that faith is kept alive
ia earth.
God help all Of us TO think more OF
the men who try by the faithful preach
ing Of Gods word to make US really good
and to estimate at their true value the
mistaken men who are only concerned
to coddle us with soft sentimentality to
make US happy The sum Of human hap
piness Is increased only by them who,
seek to make US good.