Abolition of Sermons.

Manawatu Times, Volume X, Issue 1157, 24 January 1884, Page 2

Abolition of Sermons.

The abolition of sermons is the latest proposal m the way of ecclesiastical reform. It seems that m Ens-land sermons have ceased to be interesting even to the clergy who preach them, and it is a preacher who advocates through the Pall Mall Gazette their totat abolition. A correspondent of the same paper writing to support this proposal remarks on the "grave and stirring topics" that are open to preachers if they like to use them — " life, death, and all the relations of human beings to- one another ; surely, I have often thought to myself, a man who has to talk to his fellows on such things could desire no better, ought to be able to move his hearers to the of their souls." No doubt — pro* vided always that the hearers have any souls to be moved, ang that the preacher has really something to ssy. What is the use of a |topic to a man who can't think of anything to say upon it ? The writer m the Pall Mall, however, complains that nowsa-days preachers have not even intelligence enough to find the right sort of Topic. He says : During a tolerably long course of sermons I can solomnly declare that I can recollect no choice of topics such as these. Let me give., a few subjects that I do remember 1. The character of Saul. In this sermon the magnificent character of the Dead March m " Saul," was gravely advanced as a proof that Saul must have had m him. the elements of greatness, my brethren. 2. The proper limits of the veneration to be paid to the Virgin Mary. 8. The character and offence of Simon Magus. 4. The necessity of attending church more frequently thao once on Sundays. These must have been the most interesting topics, as they alone have fixed themselves on my memory. I can safely aver that the forgotton ones were of the same character* Dr Johnson thought that he could write sensibly on the subject of a broomstick if he tried, and I don't see why a preacher might not say some clever and original things on the character of Saul or Simon Magus, or even on the duty of attending church twice on Sundays. Indeed, the preacher on Saul did say one clever and origiual thing, even by the confession of his critic. The remark about the Dead March ought to have made the reputation of the man who uttered it. — Civis m the Witness.