weapon God has given us for the service of his pulpit.



CHAPTER FIFTH

A SOPHISTRY EXPOSED. ADVICE GIVEN

Theologian and Preacher--The Difference

It is amazing to think how often the offices of theologian and
preacher are spoken of as if they were identical. Now, the
functions of theologian and preacher stand widely apart. To the
reflective mind this sounds like repeating a truism; yet what a
world of confused thought and ignorant criticism would be cleared
from the subject if this fact were kept well in sight.

When you say that a young priest is becoming a good preacher you
are met by "impossible! he never got a prize in theology."

This is supposed to give your poor judgment its final _coup_;
argument after that is useless: _causa finita est_.

Now, I do not think our appreciation of an eminent surgeon is
lessened by our being told that he is a poor chemist; yet the
difference between these respective professions is scarcely more
radical than that which separates the office of preacher from
that of theologian.

To the ordinary public the theological treatise is a sealed book.