Chap. III.]
DUTY OF WORSHIPPING GOD.
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be infused into society. We see what might be done by thepulpit in restraining other vices, by what it has done in check-ing the evil of intemperate drinking.
Again, the instructions of the pulpit are too much of a desul-tory character. The preacher discusses one subject on themorning of Sunday, another in the afternoon, and still anotheron the morning of the coming Sunday. In this respect, thepulpit is unlike any other place of instruction. Every teacherand every learner of the sciences understands the importance ofmethod and connexion in his instructions, and that he cannotexpect success without them. Is not this want of systematic,connected instruction, too little regarded in the pulpit ? Theusual method of unconnected preaching, seems to have originatedin the inability of the clergy to prepare a systematic, well-di-gested course of pulpit instruction. Many men are qualified topreach on subjects selected without regard to connexion, whowould be inadequate to prepare a systematic, instructive course.But clerical education is so much advanced at the present day,that very many clergymen must be fully qualified to discuss,illustrate, and enforce the doctrines and morals of Christianity,with system and due connexion.
The truth is, that the usual style of preaching has considerablemerits joined with very striking defects ; so striking, indeed,that I am convinced, the pulpit is deprived of very much of itslegitimate power by their existence. It merits the serious andmature consideration of those who have authority and influencein the church, whether there ought not to be at least a partialchange. Might not the peculiar advantages of the customaryand the systematic style be combined, by giving the mornings ofSundays to systematic preaching, and the afternoons to preach-ing on subjects selected with reference to the peculiar condition,wants, and circumstances of the congregation. By this change,should we not retain the excellences and remedy the defects ofthe present style of preaching ?
It has been matter of regret with pious men generally, thatcatechetical instruction has fallen into such neglect in late times.In the primitive ages of the church, there was a well-knownclass of religious teachers named catechists, whose office it was,11