Value of Preaching,

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1687, 1 March 1913, Page 11

Value of Preaching,

A in_ discussing tho decline, considered that this was duo partly to tlie secondary place given to preaching in the training at the denominational colleges. "Congregationalists," he pointed out, "do .not use any stately ritual in their worship, nor is tho ordinary singing much above tho average, but the congregations do expect intelligence and an adequate delivery from tho minister when ho is in tho pulpit. There are many men in > tho Congregational ministry to-day who do not seom to possess any trained conception as to that which is expected of them as preachers. They- are neither instructive nor interesting. They have never been taught how to read Scripture, and tho beauties of 6ome of the finest Biblical passages seem lost to. them as well as their hearers. If greater attention was paid to this important matter by the principals of our colleges wo should havo fewer failures to-day amongst- the ministers. A busy professional or commercial man who attends church on Sundays is entitled to expect something better than the memgro and badly-prepared matter offered by some ministers. Un-less-much attached to tho Church, men of the type mentioned, as well as tho intelligent working men, refuso to spend their Sundays in Church. Even where tho parents attend it is difficult to securo the presence of the rising generation when a. dull and heavy preacher wanders aimlessly and falteringly through his liaJfliour discourse.

"The influence of Dr. Campbell Morgan at Cheshunt. College, Cambridge, will probably wove most beneficiail. to the men who are drained'there.' - As a past master in preaching, he .knows how to help others, and will advise them to avoid the errors of subject, matter, and delivery so often observable to-day.".

Union Between Baptists and Congregational ists, The leaders of both Churches have had for several years visions of union. Baptists Yind CongTCgatiionalists Iwlong to one religious order and the rite of baptism is the only vital difference, Union' has been suggested informally on tho basis that neither party should give up its _ distinctive principles, but that provision should bo made for a baptistry in every .church that was united in this way. "If such union could bo carried out," said a minister, "it would prove advantageous in sJnmll country towns where two or more churches, with the same number of ministers, are required for a combined membership that' would only fill one of the buildings. The duplication of ministers and machinery imposes a burden upon small communities, tends to dispirit and weaken their activities, and keeps such churches employed almost throughout the year in raising funds. I know of- several cases where olmrches have been started in direct opposition to the appeal jcif those already established. Efforts were made to meet tho views of people -who desired their own particular kind of Bethel, but to no purpose, and the church was started, .only to find pne,sentlv that tho difficulties were well nigh intolerable, Ministers hiave' floft 0110 after another, and oftentimes long intervals elapsed before others could be obtained.

"if this union oould be promoted a new spirit would come over many of the country churches, who would'then be able to assist tho village causes in a way that is not possible under the old divisions and competitions. This is a bipt job, and will require great courage ami much educational work to oonvinco the ordinary man.

"Apart these matters, reference was made to the influence of men's meetings upon tho ordinary church life, and tho attitude of the Free Churches to Brotherand P.S.A.'s. Sometimes a veiled hostility exists between the two, and in such cases the church suffers, for tho men feel that they have a grievance a<minst the church showing this spirit. ■With active cooperation or at J»>ast the manifestation of sympathy the Brotherhood memlx>rs may lie ennouriwed to dispel their aloofness from the Church."