THOUGHTS ON PULPIT INSTRUCTION.

SIR,

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BATH JOURNAL.

Widcombe Cottage, near Bath,
June 24.

As I observe, that you are not disinclined to admit, occasionally, into your valuable Journal, articles of a religious and serious character; I beg leave to offer for its columns, a few slight observations, on PULPIT INSTRUCTION,* (referring, ex

* When I speak of PULPIT INSTRUCTION, I do not include, what is commonly called EXTEMPORE PREACHING, by the ministers of our Church, within the dignified phrase; an attempt at IMPRES SIVE ORATORY, which, (generally speaking) issues in a complete failure - characterized, as it usually is, (from the want of TRAINING," in our public schools and universities) by hesitation, repetition, and incoherence, rather than by fluent elocution, well-digested thought, connected argument; and clear arrangement, (lucidus ordo;)-exhibitions (too frequently the product of vanity or idleness: the desire of admiration, or a reluctance to the labour of composition) which breathe, (not uncommonly) the crude notions of an ill-regulated fancy-instead of the words of truth and soberness; the sublime, but intelligible, (ESSENTIAL) DOCTRINES of the Gospel; and the edifying enunciations of its divine MORALITY. This practice ("better honor'd in the breach than the obvervance") must be discountenanced and discontinued; or, the ministers of our Zion, will, ere long, render themselves obnoxious, to our immortal Milton's vituperative description of inefficient preachers,

clusively, to the ministrations of the Established Church)-a subject, on which, a fifty years' "service in the Temple," may, possibly be thought to qualify me, to speak with a little experience, though without any authority.

As the merciful design of our blessed Lord and Saviour, in "his manifestation in the flesh," was, confessedly, to enlighten, improve, and redeem, a benighted, sinful, and condemned race: to reveal clearly all those doctrinal truths, which it was essential for them to understand, as grounds of consolation and hope, and as motives of action: and to enjoin,

Who, when they list, their lean and flashy songs
Grate on their scrannel pipes of wretched straw;
The hungry sheep look up, and are not fed,
But swoln with wind, and the rank mist they draw,
Rot inwardly, and foul contagion spread."

LYCIDAS.

May not some of the unamiable; reproachful; and degrading traits, in the national character, at the present day,—spiritual pride: uncharitableness: selfishness: worldly-mindedness: and luxurious, or vicious personal indulgence; to be witnessed in individuals in every class of the community-may not these blots, I ask, be attributed, in some degree, to the neglect of moral didactics, in the unscriptural, and unedifying system of preaching alluded to? The question is worth consideration. And, may it not occasion our sublime, beautiful, and scriptural, LITURGY, to be too "lightly esteemed;" if not "thought scorn of," both by preacher and hearer: and the SERMON exalted and extolled above the BIBLE and PRAYER BOOK, in their distempered regard? These points deserve some serious thought.

authoritatively, all those personal, relative, social, and moral duties, the performance of which was necessary, not only as the proof of their sincere faith in him here, but as an indispensable preparation for their proper enjoyment of a state of holiness, purity, benevolence, and happiness hereafter.— As such, I repeat, was the merciful design of the Saviour, whilst upon earth; and the high office of those of his inspired Apostles, who, by his com→ mand, and according to his example, were to evan gelize the nations, after his ascension into Heaven - it seems to be highly desirable, that the ministers of Christ's Gospel, in after times, of every age; should "diligently enquire," into the manner, or plan of teaching, practised by Him, and his personally commissioned servants;-the plan which, He deemed, and they understood, to be the best means, of effecting the sublime and benevolent end, of promoting the glory of God, by thus enlightening, regenerating, and redeeming lost mankind; and, at the same time, of conferring, upon these objects of the Saviour's compassion, the greatest portion of well-being, which they were capable of attaining to, and enjoying, in their mortal state of discipline and trial.

Now, Sir, I presume, it will be universally allowed, that the developement of this PLAN, is to be sought for, and found, in the NEW TESTAMENT— and in that ALONE. Let us then open the sacred volume, and endeavour to discover it.

In its first pages I find the harbinger of Jesus Christ; the "messenger of the covenant" John the Baptist; announcing the approach of the Kingdom of Heaven," and unfolding the preparation, qualifying for an entrance into it, in these words "Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand," (Matt. III. 2.) and, "Bring forth therefore, fruits worthy of Repentance," (Luke III. 8.)— (a frame of spirit, involving, not only sorrow for past transgression, but substantial resolves of future obedience)-I find him denouncing, specifically, in his "preaching," the vices by which the hearts of his various hearers were polluted; and enunciating appropriate precepts, for their moral improvement. As I proceed in the sacred story, I find the ever-blessed Saviour commencing his work of mercy and regeneration, with the same solemn, public direction, to "search out the plagues of the heart;" to extinguish them in sorrow; and to supplant them by faith and righteousness; "Repent and believe the Gospel," (Mark I. 15.) In his first recorded discourse to his disciples and the multitude, (the sublime practical "SERMON ON THE MOUNT,") I find the same divine "Preacher of Righteousness," specifying and denouncing the particular sins which characterized the moral condition of his own countrymen; as well as those, which cleave to our fallen Nature, generally: and enjoining the practice of their antagonist virtues, with an equal particularity, fervency, and power; as

"one having authority, and not as the Scribes ;" and I further observe, that, in all his "sayings ;" whether figurative, or literal: whether in parable, or colloquy; throughout the whole of his ministry,› from first to last; he never suffered those who listened to him, to depart, without recommending to their understanding, and enforcing upon their consciences, the performance of some Christian grace, or moral virtue, improving to their nature, and necessary to their salvation. When I arrive at the EPISTLES, I find these inspired communications from the Apostles to the different churches, breathing the same spirit of practical teaching. "Taught of God," and commissioned by Christ; after satisfying the doubts; settling the disputes; and denouncing the uncharitable prejudices, of those to whom they addressed themselves; they devoted the remainder of their "lively oracles," to MORAL INSTRUCTION: to the development and enforcement, of "the whole duty of man," as "a reason. able soul;" and a social and responsible being : particularizing, and even analyzing (1 Cor: xiii.c.) the spiritual excellences, and moral graces, which must improve, refine, and adorn his Nature, in order to render him " a Child of God," and fit him to become "an inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven."

I will now, sir, relieve your readers.-Two ques tions, I apprehend, arise out of the remarks with which I have troubled you.