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TO YOUNG THEOLOGIANS

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 23, 1858

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 12, No. 18.

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TO YOUNG THEOLOGIANS.

By Wilder

Young theologians, wisely set apart To learn the rules of theologic art, A few brief words let me address to you. I have the pulpit now, and you the pew; And all can see at but a single glance, How seldom laymen get so good a chance; And Dr. Wayland, with his views of teaching, Would have some laymen take a hand at preaching. Avoid, I pray you, all approach to rant, Or to the meanest of all vices, cant. Thought, and not noise, the understanding fills; It is the lightning, not the thunder, kills; And simple truth, in simple words expressed, Has been, is now, and ever will be, best. Sermons, like wells, should small circumference sweep, Be short in their diameter; but deep. And public prayer, as in the Scriptures taught, Beyond a cavil, always should be short. Had good St. Peter, in his hour of need, Stopped to recite the Calvinistic creed, As he was sinking through the yielding wave, The Galilean sea had been his grave. The royal pronoun WE, but seldom touch; Quote the original not over much; For with due deference and submission meek, We all prefer good English to poor Greek. Wade not too long through shallows to begin, But over head and ears jump bravely in. Have but one "lastly;" let that come about As soon as thought and feeling have run out. But "finallies" and "in conclusions," send, As was suggested, to one common end. With your attainments ever keep in view That "common people" know a thing or two; And can discern between those shops that group All of their wares upon the outside stoop, And less pretentious ones, whose alcoves deep Their valued fabrics in good order keep. Be chaste in manner; throw aside the vile, Florid, high-sounding, and "spread eagle" style. Get wisdom, learning, all without pretense; And with your gettings, get good common sense. The broad-brimmed beaver and the white cravat, Gold-headed cane and all such things as that, Have had their day; the people now will search For the TRUE MAN, in Physic, Law and Church. [Wilder's Poems]