THE Central Literary Magazine. It must be borne in mind that this Magazine is neutral in Politics and Religion; its pages are open to a free expression of all shades of opinion without leaning to any. No. 2. APRIL, 1879. PULPIT AND PEW. VOL. IV. A FEW REMARKS SUGGESTED BY A RECENT VOICE.' In a recent number of this Magazine,* a writer who signed himself 'Ishmael,' thrust his lance very freely into the side of ministers of Religion, and gave it as his opinion, that very few men could be called really good preachers, while the majority of them seemed unable to interest their hearers on the Sunday. Now, I do not intend my remarks to be an exhaustive reply to the criticisms of 'Ishmael.' I wish rather to state a few thoughts suggested by those criticisms; and to say a few words about the class to which the writer belongs. To my thinking, 'Ishmael' made out a very weak case, where he might have made out a very strong one. His paper is a mere pop-gun, compared with the heavy artillery he might have discharged: it would have been possible to have brought much graver charges against the ministry than his paper contains, for unfortunately many ministers, when they get into their pulpits, seem to be outside human life almost entirely; while many more apparently have seen the grandeur of Christ's teachings, only afar off, and have failed almost completely, to see how these teachings are adapted to the ever-changing conditions of life. At the same time, I am not disposed to think that things are quite so bad as the 'Ishmaelites' are inclined to represent them; and, by-and-bye, I shall have something to say on this matter. * July, 1878. It ought not to be forgotten, by those who essay to be critics of ministers, that the majority of the latter have passed through an experience which the former know nothing of,-and which, therefore, prevents them from regarding the ministry in the same light as the ministers themselves; and I should be inclined to say, that on the whole, the outsider's point of view is the least valuable of the two. Moreover, if ministers are conscientious men, we may be quite sure that they will preach those things which they believe to be true, and of prime importance both in the conduct of this life, and in the preparation for the life which is to come. Looking over a number of 'ministerial portraits,' which appeared in a local print some time ago, I was much amused at the author's exposure of awkward styles, absurd mannerisms, and foolish conceits. I did not wonder either, at his being weary of the repetition of platitudes; but at the same time, I confess that in his criticisms, and in all the advice which he gave to ministers, I sought in vain for a statement of what I conceive true preaching to be. Indeed, what it is in all its difficulty and its grandeur, is known only to those who reverently study the Bible, and who faithfully endeavour to realize and express the mutual relations between God and man; and between man and his fellows. Before giving expression to some of the thoughts suggested by 'Ishmael's' paper, I should like to interpose a few remarks on the class which I suppose he may be fairly taken to represent. Of course, I know nothing of the Sunday habits of the particular 'Ishmael' in question; but my impression is, that as a class they hear fewer sermons than most people; and are, as the name denotes, unattached to any particular congregation. Then again, I very much question whether the attitude which they assume towards the ministry, is such as will ensure for them the aid and blessing, which Christ intended should flow through that channel, for it must not be forgotten that the preaching of the Gospel is intended primarily, to effect a moral and spiritual reformation in the life, and not simply to tickle the fancy, or even to command the intellect. The Great Teacher's choice of men whose speech 'bewrayed' them is a signal confirmation of our position here: as is also the utterance of St. Paul, an authority by no means to be despised. "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty * That no flesh should glory in His presence." I have no wish to appear uncharitable in either my suppositions or my statements, but I put it forth as my impression too, that the least satisfactory part of most minister's congregations, is that which is affected by Ishmaelitism.' As a rule, it is difficult to please: it lacks enthu siasm, and is not particularly conspicuous by its charity or its consecration. It would not be difficult to prove that the best work in the churches is done by the men whose opinions the religious nomad affects to have outgrown-even if he does not actually despise them. Perhaps it might be as well for some members of this class to divest themselves |