LATE DR. J. H. JOWETT.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 December 1923, Page 6

LATE DR. J. H. JOWETT.

AN ORATOR IN THE PULPIT. The late Dr. Jowett. who has passed away at the comparative early age of 69, was a giant of pulpit oratory. From the time when, as a young Congregational minister barely 30 years of age. he was called, in 1895. to wear the mantle of that great theologian-minis-ter. the late R. W. Dale, at Carr’s Lane Chapel, Birmingham, Dr. Jowett’s rei putation steadily grew until his fam? reached the famous Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Chinch, New York. Not until i tie invitation to become its minister was made for the third time, in 1911, did Dr. Jowet accept. “Church full” was tiie notice displayed outside this fashionable church, which seats 3000 people, et the first service at which ho preachedThe same notice was continually in use tnrouglvout his ministry. The secret of Dr. Jowett’s power as a preacher was difficult to define. It was not brilliant eloquence—indeed, he gave cn erroneous impression of being a slave to his manuscript—nor wonderful expository gifts. Rpther it was that he was in touch with life at all points, and hie preaching was practical and robust:, he was essentially a man’s preacher. “Applied Christianity” perhaps best describes hie mesage. Frank to the point of bluntnees. he never left his hearers in doubt as to his meaning. Each sermon bore the impression of his personality. , w Dr. Jowett affected nothing of the cleric in manner or speech. Tall, his scant hair turned grey, he might have passed anywhere as a member of almost any other profession. Tn the pulpit his face—especially his eyes—gave unmis--1 takable evidence of great mental concentration. He wielded a great and valuable influence in the United States throughout tjie war. By a single sentence he made a profound impression upon a crowded congregation early in 1918: “If I were preaching in an English church to-day, one-half of the congregation would be mourning relatives lost through the war.” On his return to England in 1918, Dr. Jowett became Minister of We3tmins*er Chapel. He was educated at Hipperholme Grammar School, Edinburgh University, and Oxford University, and before going to Carr’s Lane, Birmingham, he was Minister of St. James’ Congregational Church, Newcastle-on-Tyne.