Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-03-21
CLASSIFIED ADS.
MINISTER AND
The REPORTER
DR.. MendenhaH, Former Pas
for Writes an Article.

The following interesting article
by Rev. Harlan G.. Mendenhall, d. D.,
pastor OF the Westminster %Presbyte-
rian church, New York. formerly of
the First Presbyterian church of this
city, entitled why Every Minister
Should Be a Reporter" Is a reprint
from the Homiletic Review:
s.If the young clergyman could
supplement the training of the the
illogical seminary with a year at
least on a daily newspaper, he would
be much better equipped for his
work. To secure this additional ed
ucation 1t is not necessary to ex-
tend the time of preparation, but
the long vacation can be utilized for
the purpose, instead of going into
mission work, as is now frequently
done. This change would add to
the mental stature and give renewed
yigor to the body as well.
LET us study a few arguments in
favor of the school journalism
will aid In sermonizing. The re-
porter expresses his thoughts In
clear, terse English. He knows what
he wants to say and says 1t In a way
that Is not only interesting but con-
vincfng. He learns word-painting In
describing events which he actually
sees: he tells his story In such a
graphic manner that the reader Is
interested to the end. The photo
graphic art Is brought In to aid him
In making a good story" The ed
itor covers a different field, for he
seeks to convince by argument or
otherwise of the truthfulness Of the
story he discusses. In simple, d.
rect address he places his cause be-
fore the readers judgment and asks
a verdict In his favor.
Now the preacher is both re-
porter and editor. His business is
to bring the mind to think Alright
on the subject which he discusses
from the pulpit, to convince of the
righteousness Of the cause for which
he pleads, and convert the unbeliev-
err to his way Of thinking. The ar
gument is enforced with illustra-
tions Of actual facts or the magma
ton Is allowed free rein In describ-
ing results that may follow from q
certain course Of conduct.
THE expert word-painter makes
striking the anecdote or picture
which deepens the hearers impress
sion of the sermonic argument; he
photographs his own thoughts upon
the mind 0f the listener. The min
lister learns this marvellous art of
sermonizing by studying the methods
OF the Journalist. The dull sermon
gives place to a discourse which will
not only rivet the attention of the
hearer but deepen impressions up
On the heart. ThEgide-awake jour-
circulation of
his paper; the wide-awake-nreaehe
Ellis the pews of his church.
This school gives the minister
facility OF expression and c~oncentra-
tion Of thought, The journalist is
compelled to write out his subject
quickly, sometimes when In III
health or with others In the same
room or amid the exciting events he
Is describing. The morning or even
Ing paper In its editorials discusses
events which have happened within
twenty-four hours and does 1t with
the diction and grace of the scholar.
Many ministers have been handi-
capped In their preparation for SER
monizing and now with constant calls
to duties outside Of the study they
are driven to v p~rostration as
Sunday draws On apace and not even
one sermon is ready for delivery.
"A young minister clings tena-
ciousiy to the sermons composed In
his seminary days, when he has en-
tered the p~astorate. lest the time
should come when. hard pressed for
time, he would be unable to accom-
plish his task. To be able to concen-
trate his thought and express them
quickly and in~telligently Is more
easily learned in the editorial room
than in any other school; and, what
Is of far greater Importance, the
thoughts thus stirred come with a
burning enthusiasm which In turn
kindles the glow of a new life in the
minds Of the hearers.
"The minister learns from the
Journalist the art of condensation.
Is 1t not remarkable how much an
editor or q reporter can put into a
few words and how many words
many clergymen use to express the
same thing boil 1t down" is good
advice for the preacher as we'll as
the journalist. The blue pencil is an
excellent bit Of armor for the minis
ter's desk. The tendency OF a few
pulpiteers at least is to verbosity,
Troilus has pictured their sermons
when he speaks of Words. words
mere works. no matter from the
heart" There is preachers whose
short, crisp sentences are full of sug.