The Influence of the Pulpit.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XIX, Issue 5940, 9 May 1894, Page 1

The Influence of the Pulpit.

A good deal has been said of recent years about the declining influence of the pulpit, and in Auckland the Herald has recently been referring to this subject. Under these circumstances it is quite refreshing to hear a word on the other side from Biship Cowie. At St. Sepulchre's yesterday morning, in the course of a decidedly able and interesting address to the large congregation ' which took part in the dedication of the Pierce memorial pulpit, the Primate carried the war into the enemy's quarters. He replies to those who were for ever asking, " Why do the clergy inflict so many sermons upon us % " by pointing out that the clergy have no pleasure in preaching merely for preaching's sake, or in addressing empty pews ; and contends that the additional sermons and services of to-day came in response to an increased demand on the part of the congregations. Bishop Cowie is also rather severe on those who complain that they hear from the pulpit the same thing over and over again, and church-going thus becomes a weariness to the flesh. He remarks that such are not the sentiments of the earnest worshippers, but rather of those who are eaten up with a craving for spiritual luxuries. Are the sunlight, the bracing air, and the clear cool water to be despised, he asks, because we have them continually with us 1 How then can thoughtful persons consider the insistence upon the highest spiritual truths as dull and uninteresting? The Bishop frankly admits that the influence of the pulpit is not what it once was; for the clergy are not now the only educated people. Happily, he says, the spread of education has had its effect upon the laity, and the fundamental truths of the Gospel are familiar even to children. The Bishop made many interesting points, and it is quite a change to be told his experience as a sermon preacher. He says that, as a rule, the simple words of an ordinary true-hearted clergyman have touched more deeply than the brilliant and eloquent discourses he has heard from the University pulpits or St Paul's Cathedral or Westminster Abbey. Certainly, if all sermons were as interesting aa& as suggestive as that delivered by the Primate yesterday, there would be little room for complaint.