But it is not my lack of reverence that I intended to write about, it
is the contradictory way in which those who are under their charge
view this matter. The practical, effective and active irreverence of
professing Christians astonishes as much as it puzzles me. They believe,
or assume to believe, in the sacredness of the ministry and in the
reverence due ministers as such; how do they show it? It seems to me
that the architectural custom of elevating the pulpit above the heads
of the people arose out of the congregational custom of shooting at
the preacher. You may tell me what you please about the world's people,
but it is the well-directed volley from the communicants' pews,
generally fired from ambush, that does the business for the preacher's
influence. Did you ever think of the marked absurdity in the contrast?
The subject of calling a preacher is prefaced by prayer; the Almighty
is invoked to send a man of His choice; the man is installed with
impressive ceremony and much prayer; he is introduced by other ministers
at the installation with allusions to him as the under shepherd to
whom is to be rendered obedience and reverence. The new man then goes
heartily to work for God, and the congregation goes heartily to work
on him.
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