The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-04-24
ON DANGEROUS GROUND


temerity in commenting on a topic which, in less
skillful hands might lead to serious trouble. When
it comes to suggesting to class of men and women
who are paid TO perform a certain service just to
what extent that service should be carried, the sug
gestor is On dangerous ground with reference to
the suggestee. But the Herald seems to be equal
to the occasion when it undertakes to publish an
editorial entitled How Long Is Sermon?" Ev-
cry individual will be able to answer the question
for himself or herself. Invariably the answer will
be based to some extent on selfish motives-those
of mental comfort and physical convenience. Of
course it is up to the preacher to his ability
to hold and interest his hearers. There are hour
long sermons that occupy seemingly not more than
half an hour in delivery; there are haf-hour SER
mons that seemingly last Indefinitely.
But we started out to quote the Herald so here
goes:
AN interesting compromise has been effected
between St. Louis clergyman and his vestrymen,
as a result of which he has agreed to conhne his
sermons to twenty-five minutes in length, and the
church officials pledge themselves to attend all the
services. On the face Of it everyone is the gamer
by this arrangement. The minister gets larger
congregation. and the members get a little mere
time for Sunday dinner or golf. There are some
undesirable possibilities in the scheme. however.
Ideas are not all cut to the same measure.
There are great themes which cannot be wrought
out hel pfully in limited me and if the attempt
is made to discuss them briefly the discussion loses
its force. There are other times which do not need
even twenty-five minutes for their consideration.
There are some men who have remarkable power
of concentrating thought while others must am
plify in order 10 clarity. Whether twenty-five min
utes is the proper standard, assuming that there
must be standard of length. might be doubted.
1T mig also be questioned whether the mo-
tive for church attendance which this plan provided
is the best The best listener is the person who lis
tens because he wants to do it If his attendance
has to be purchased he may become very respon-
sive auditor. 1t is quite possible that instead of
centering his thought upon the sermon he may be
wandering, mentally. back to the Office, CT cut to
the golf course or into the garage. Or in the
of woman. she may be planning her next bonnet
or trying to scheme a way to circumvent her social
enemy.
Times have changed within the past hundred
years or so. Time when the Sunday service
was the central event in the life Of the community
There was no idea of twenty-five minute sermons
That was too short period for prayer even.
In these good old days the whole family drove
to the meeting house in the morning. listened to a
couple of hours Of sermon, had lunch under the
trees and listened to another sermon for two or
three hours in the afternoon. And they sat upon
hard wooden benches Either the preaching was
better in these days. or the patience of the people
was infinitely greater Perhaps BOTH
There was a real reason. however for the for
mer situation In the first place preaching was al
most exclusively upon doctrina themes. One Of the
ancient doctrines gave almost unlimited scope for
discursve and elaborate treatment. 1t had to be
supported by an intricate course of reasoning. The
thing simply could net be done in twentyminutes
And there was no reason why it should. Sum
day was day-of for the people. There moth
ing to do except to attend church. and the meet
ing house became not only the religious but the
social center of the community. The hardy pion-
GERS enjoyed the involved logic of the two-hour SER
mon. especially if it included few stirring al
usions to sinners in the hands of an angry Cod. or
something Of the sort.
Preaching today has to do largely with the
concerns of the present wOrkaday world There
is little interest in 6nc-spun theological ideas. In
t6cate PHILOSOPHERS do moi touch life quite intimate
enough to excite the interest of the average man.
Iii, well that il should Be- 80. The only d.eolosy
md The only philosophy diat works is that which