THE SERMON TRADE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 131, 11 August 1870, Page 7

THE SERMON TRADE.

The following extract from a letter which appeared in the "Daily Times " on the " Sermon Trade" will be interesting to our readers : —

There exist at the present time in that metropolis about twenty companies, composed of course of gentlemen of good education, who earn a liseliloud by writing and supplying to the clergy sermons upon all the choice texts in Scripture. They are nearly all orthodox although in some instances there is liberal provision made for mild heterodoxy. The latter being in greatly less demand than the former, would pay poorly in proportion, which accounts for the preponderance of the old stereotyped teachings. Circulars are issued with lists of texts and prices, and specimen sermons are also given gratis to likely enquirers. Ju>-i ;u in other trades, the several proprietors recommend their goods, but there is a sort of coalition among them for the sake of the common interest they have in preventing publicity, which restricts the one company from running down the other, and so they work in a measure harmoniously. They all guarantee by circular that they will not send out two copies of the same sermon to the same town, or to anyone living within a certain distance of it, and they also make it a condition that no clergyman shall deliver any sermon supplied beyond a certain distance from his own Church. In large cities, therefore, theix* business is very much circumscribed. They also state that all their sermons shall be written — lithographed — in a plain, bold hand, upon sheets of paper of size and shai)e exactly like a clergyman's manuscript, and so very like a real manuscript it looks a few yards off, that any lynx-eyed critic, even in the gallery, would not be able to suspect it. They also take in orders which they will execute upon the shortest notice, and upon any text named, and if an outline of the sentiments are given by the applicant they will embody them in language guaranteed to be both powerful and convincing. Not being particular to a shade, and open to oblige the public in every possible way, they boldly defend one set of principles to one person, and cut them up and show their absurdity to another, just as may bo wanted. In fact, these companies are the most obliging and indispensable people possible, and work together in a most harmonious way — a pattern in this to all other rival companies — and they are no doubt the instruments of doing much good and saving souls, although it ia a curious- way to go about -it. Their cash too is sure — bad debts they have none, and being rid of ail the annoyances which worry to death the ordinany man of business, they are strictly honourable in their promises and dealings with their numerous supporters.

A most curious case of 1< g- fracturing occurred at Ross lately. It appears that the driver of the Band of Hope engine was engaged in bringing in a supply of wood by a wheelbarrow, his leg got entangled in some rubbish and he was thrown down. On rising he discovered that his leg was fractured. In all others instances the sequel would be this — The poor unfortunate sufferer was brought to the hospital where, under the skilful medical treatment of Dv Zarhorst, he is doing well. But judge our astonishment on hearing, that here the sufferer took the broken limb and jumped home on ono \eg quite cheerful — the leg was a wooden one. — "West Coast Times."

The " Lyttelton Times" of July 11th, states: — "A little boy named Ferrick, whose parents, we understand, reside in George-street, Christchurch, accidentally cut himself very severely with a knife between the thumb and forefinger, yesterday afternoon* Medical aid was immediately sent for, but the child died of lockjaw in a short time after the occurrence."