Pulpit Sensations by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 3, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 14.

Pulpit Sensations.

By Editor

SOME of the best of the religious papers, and of the most thoughtful among religious teachers, have denounced the sensational style of getting up sermons and of advertising subjects which is so largely adopted at the present time. A late convention or meeting of preachers discussed the propriety of discarding entirely the system of advertising subjects of sermons, believing that it is proving detrimental to the best interests of the ministry of the gospel. But fashion has fetters stronger than iron, and the majority of those who fill the pulpits are as veritable slaves of fashion as are the misses who worship at the shops of the milliners. And the fashionable style is a great convenience to some people. It needs neither grace, study, nor a knowledge of the Scriptures to be sensational; and a crowd of tickled hearers is quite sufficient to tickle the vanity of the average sensational preacher.

We have seen many examples of this method of abusing the means of divine grace, but it is reserved for Oakland, California, to furnish the climax to all that has appeared hitherto. And, to our sorrow we record it, the theater (yes, that is the proper appellation) for this unseemly display is a Baptist pulpit. For the information of the readers, and that it may be seen that we are not overdrawing the case, we copy in full the printed notice now lying on our table, as follows:—

TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH, OAKLAND.

Sunday evenings. “In Foro Conscientiæ, or Poe’s Raven Moralized;” in ten sermons. W. T. Fleenor, Pastor. Come and worship with us.

I.—MARCH 9TH.

CONVICTION.—“Rapping at my chamber door.”

II.—MARCH 16TH.

SAD MEMORIES.—“It was in the bleak December.”

III.—MARCH 23D.

BRACING AGAINST FEAR.—“To still the beating I stood repeating.”

IV.—MARCH 30TH.

MORAL MELANCHOLY.—“In there stepped a stately Raven.”

V.—APRIL 13TH.

APPEALING TO REASON.—“Perched upon a bust of Pallas.”

VI.—APRIL 20TH.

VAIN HOPES.—“On the morrow he will leave me.”

VII.—APRIL 27TH.

RESPONSE OF JUSTICE.—“Quoth the Raven, ‘Nevermore.’”

VIII.—MAY 11TH.

LOOKING TO GRACE.—“Is there balm in Gilead? Tell me, I implore!”

IX.—MAY 18TH.

LENORE.—“A sainted maiden whom the angels name ‘Lenore.’”

X.—MAY 25TH.

LIFTED INTO LIGHT.—“From out that shadow that lies floating on the floor.”

Ten sermons—Baptist sermons—are probably sufficient to give a fair elucidation of “Poe’s Raven.” But they will soon pass, and then what? The subject is rather sombre for popular use; the pastor might perhaps keep up the interest for some time by preaching from the “Pickwick Papers.” The Bible is exhausted; that is out of the question.