An Unfair Discrimination.
By Editor
SOME of the papers in this State are "going for" a certain female lecturer "in rough style," because on a recent Sunday "she delivered a stolen sermon" in one of the churches. If every male preacher who delivered a stolen sermon that Sunday morning were in like manner assailed we think there would be a lively shaking up in California. Are not these papers aware that the practice of reading sermons has led to a regular trade in sermons, and that to steal—no, it is called "borrowing," yet without leave—sermons is a very common thing? A minister once read a sermon in the presence of Dr. North. At its close, the doctor complimented him on the sermon, which the minister modestly acknowledged with thanks. The doctor continued: "I think that is one of the best sermons I ever wrote." "Are you Dr. North?" "I am." "Well," said the minister, with a coolness which was immensely clerical, "I am never ashamed to preach Dr. North's sermons." We should think such a minister would not be ashamed of anything that is mean. But why is it called preaching? It may be that among extemporaneous preachers many poor sermons are given, but they are generally honest ones, and honesty is quite desirable in a pulpit. Let the woman rest, and go for the male pretenders who have established the practice.