THE PRESS V. THE PULPIT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 132, 18 August 1870, Page 6

THE PRESS V. THE PULPIT.

(To tlie Editor of the Tuapeka Times.) Sir, — At the Congregational soiree at Wetherstones, the Rev. Dr. Copland delivered an address upon a subject which was warmly discussed some twenty years ago, namely, The Pulpit v. The Press. I thought it was rather a singular subject to pitch upon for a tea meeting address ; and further, the remarks made I considered very illtimed and ungenerous. If the Press is made too much of — if it is unduly lauded by those who take part in conducting it— rthe Rev. Dr. did not forget to magnify the Pulpit, and make it appear to occupy a position which it certainly ought to do, but which all the experience of the present day shows it does not do. The rev, gentleman said that both as regards the matter and manner of its utterances the Pulpit was far superior to the Press. All I can say is that the matter generally presented to their hearers by those who occupy the pulpits of Otago (and I have heard the most of them), is anything but superior. As a rule, and I think I will be borne out in my opinion, it is neither attractive nor profitable, but thoroughly dogmatical and unpractical. So, much for the matter. Then as to the manner of its utterances : the doctor descanted with great warmth upon the power and influence of the human voice as compared with the silent and less powerful influence of the Press. J don't think Otago can' boast of its eloquent divines. I know I would prefer to be a comfortable distance from the sound of some of their voices. No person would attempt to deny that in byegone days, when only the clergy and a select few of the laity were able to read, the Pulpit held a much more exalted position than it does in these days when public opinion is becoming so enlightened as to. demand compulsory education. But, sir, I make bold to assert that the pulpit has almost entirely lost its hold upon the educated public. I do not say that educated men do not attend to the ministrations of the pulpit ; a few certainly do, but I believe not one out of ten is influenced by what he hears. How can the Rev. Dr explain that, I wonder? Perhaps he puts it down to hardness of heart, or worldliness ; but surely that would be a very easy way to get clear of a very uncomfortable fact. The cause, I think, is rather to be sought in the weakness of the vessels that are supposed to contain the water, of life. The Rev. Mr. ICeall referred to the prejudices which he had had to contend with, especially in Otago, and believed that accounted tc% a great extent for the want of a more practical Christianity in our midst. In this Mr. Keall no doubt was not far from the mark, for. old Scotch prejudices are not easily overcome. The old see-saw sermons which the people have been educated ta in Scotland for the last half century, are now feebly echoed by our Otago Presbyterian clergy, and the result is there is no spiritual life amongst either them or their hearers. If there is any church unpractical in its teachings, that church is the Scotch Presbyterian. How can it be otherwise when the symbolic language used in bhdt church has long lost the significance it had in olden times. The clergy^ especially the Presbyterian section of chem, keep talking to their flock about the absolute necessity of being " clothed with, the robe of righteousness," and the "garments of salvation," and hundreds of other similar figurative expressions — expressions ! which, when they were first uttered, might be instinct with life, but which, from oft repetition, have lost all their original force upon the mind. The Pulpit is boiuid, through the spread of education, either to entirely succumb to, the Press, or to undergo a great reviving change. Even now there is far more, and I believe a far superior religious instruction communicated by the Press than there is by the Pulpit. I do not refer to the newspaper press, as it is not supposed to teach religious truth, but I mean religious books, periodicals, &c. The difficulty which exists at the present day of getting good men for the ministry has been often lamented by those, of the clergy who have been able with, prophetic eye to see the future prostration of the church. That difficulty, can be accounted for only by thje fact that any man whose mind i& i keeping pace with the times cannot subscribe to the dogmas of the church without placing liimself in a false position ; besides, if he did give expression to his advanced ideas, he would be determinately persecuted by his brethren. Finding, therefore, that he cannot engage in such a profession^ however congenial it may be with his feelings, he is obliged to devote his talent to literature or some other more profitable occupation. The remarks the rev. doctor made as to the purely mercenary object of the press, came with very bad grace from him, as it is well known the clergy, as a rule, are not behind other people in their appreciation of a "call" from £200 to £400 a year. — I am, <kc, Omega. Lawrence, August 14.,