Author Archives: scott

Forty years a country preacher

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Turns out that the man whose picture I used for my last post is the grandson of the Rev. George Gilbert, who was an Episcopal Priest in Connecticut.  Rev. Gilbert wrote a column for the Rural New-Yorker entitled ‘Pastoral Parson and His Country Folks’ for 25 years.

He was the subject of a 1939 Time article.  His life story was published by Harper and Bros. in 1940, Forty years a country parson.  I’ve added it to my Amazon wishlist.

CHAP. VI The Parson praying.

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THe Countrey Parson, when he is to read divine services, composeth himselfe to all possible reverence; lifting up his heart and hands, and eyes, and using all other gestures which may expresse a hearty, and unfeyned devotion. This he doth, first, as being truly touched and amazed with the Majesty of God, before whom he then presents himself; yet not as himself alone, but as presenting with himself the whole Congregation, whose sins he then beares, and brings with his own to the heavenly altar to be bathed, and washed in the sacred Laver of Christs blood. Secondly, as this is the true reason of his inward feare, so he is content to expresse this outwardly to the utmost of his power; that being first affected himself, hee may affect also his people, knowing that no Sermon moves them so much to a reverence, which they forget againe, when they come to pray, as a devout behaviour in the very act of praying. Accordingly his voyce is humble, his words treatable, and slow; yet not so slow neither, to let the fervency of the supplicant hang and dy between speaking, but with a grave livelinesse, between fear and zeal, pausing yet pressing, he performes his duty. Besides his example, he having often instructed his people how to carry themselves in divine service, exacts of them all possible reverence, by no means enduring either talking, or sleeping, or gazing, or leaning, or halfe-kneeling, or any undutifull behaviour in them, but causing them, when they sit, or stand, or kneel, to do all in a strait, and steady posture, as attending to what is done in the Church, and every one, man, and child, answering aloud both Amen, and all other answers, which are on the Clerks and peoples part to answer; which answers also are to be done not in a hudling, or slubbering fashion, gaping, or scratching the head, or spitting even in he midst of their answer, but gently and pausably, thinking what they say; so that while they answer, As it was in the beginning, &c. they meditate as they speak, that God hath ever had his people, that have glorified him as wel as now, and that he shall have so for ever. And the like in other answers. This is that which the Apostle cals a reasonable service, Rom. 12 [:1]. when we speak not as Parrats, without reason, or offer up such sacrifices as they did of old, which was of beasts devoyd of reason; but when we use our reason, and apply our powers to the service of him, that gives them. If there be any of the gentry or nobility of the Parish, who somtimes make it a piece of state not to come at the beginning of service with their poor neighbours, but at mid-prayers, both to their own loss, and of theirs also who gaze upon them when they come in, and neglect the present service of God, he by no means suffers it, but after divers gentle admonitions, if they persevere, he causes them to be presented: or if the poor Church-wardens be affrighted with their greatness, notwithstanding his instruction that they ought not to be so, but even to let the world sinke, so they do their duty; he presents them himself, only protesting to them, that not any ill will draws him to it, but the debt and obligation of his calling, being to obey God rather then men.

In this section Herbert is setting a guide for the Parson leading the worship service, reading the prayers of the prayerbook with his congregation. (For those from a tradition suspicious of ‘read’ prayers, I think Herbert’s own ideal shows us that they are not simply forms read without devotion or though ‘we speak not as Parrots’.) This serves as a reminder of the importance of leading a congregation in prayer and worship. It is not as obvious that we should apply ourselves to improving our leadership of worship. Preaching and singing get the lion’s share of attention when discussing worship, but Herbert reminds us of the vital importance of corporate prayer. I suspect our neglect of this topic has to do, in part, with an idea that we should ‘just talk with God’. While that is ok for personal prayer, as a worship leader we are not just praying, but leading in prayer, and praying for those in our charge, as Herbert describes it bringing our congregation before the throne. Hughes Oliphant Old has been very helpful for me in this area.

Notice how he mentions our physical posture and use of voice. Since we are leading worship, what people see and hear from us has a profound effect in how well they can worship. Are we chatty and funny to the point that the focus is ourselves rather than on God? Do our gestures and tone of voice communicate a lack of reverence?…or of self-righteousness? We are ministers leading in the Church’s divine worship not game show hosts, and our bearing and speech should reflect that.

He closes with a reminder to not to tolerate unworthy worship, even from those with wealth and status, the ‘gentry’ and ‘nobility’. All are equal before God and the minister serves a higher Lord. What is interesting to me is that Herbert sees it as the Pastor’s responsibility for what goes on in the pew. Something to ponder…

(image is: ‘In Living Color’ by eye2eye)

CHAP. V. The Parsons Accessary Knowledges.

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THe Countrey Parson hath read the Fathers also, and the Schoolmen, and the later Writers, or a good proition of all, out of all which he hath compiled a book, and body of Divinity, which is the storehouse of his Sermons, and which he preacheth all his Life; but diversly clothed, illustrated, and inlarged. For though the world is full of such composures, yet every mans own is fittest, readyest, and most savory to him. Besides, this being to be done in his younger and preparatory times, it is an honest joy ever after to looke upon his well spent houres. This Body he made by way of expounding the Church Catechisme, to which all divinity may easily be reduced. For it being indifferent in it selfe to choose any Method, that is best to be chosen, of which there is likelyest to be most use. Now Catechizing being a work of singular, and admirable benefit to the Church of God, and a thing required under Canonicall obedience, the expounding of our Catechisme must needs be the most use- full forme. Yet hath the Parson, besides this laborious work, a slighter forme of Catechizing, fitter for country people; according as his audience is, so he useth one, or other; or somtimes both, if his audience be intermixed. He greatly esteemes also of cases of conscience, wherein he is much versed. And indeed, herein is the greatest ability of a Parson to lead his people exactly in the wayes of Truth, so that they neither decline to the right hand, nor to the left. Neither let any think this a slight thing. For every one hath not digested, when it is a sin to take something for mony lent, or when not; when it is a fault to discover anothers fault, or when not; when the affections of the soul in desiring and procuring increase of means, or honour, be a sin of covetousnes or ambition, and when not, when the appetites of the body in eating, drinking, sleep, and the pleasure that comes with sleep, be sins of gluttony, drunkenness, sloath, lust, and when not, and so in many circumstances of actions. Now if a shepherd know not which grass will bane, or which not, how is he fit to be a shepherd? Wherefore the Parson hath throughly canvassed al the particulars of humane actions, at least all those which he observeth are most incident to his Parish.

Old BOoks by deepsan

Herbert continues with what knowledge a parson needs to lead his flock. I love this suggestion of compiling a personal book of excerpts from others to use in teaching and preaching. This itself is a wonderful example of the paradox of our calling to hand on the universal, timeless message of the Gospel…yet through a person with unique interests, skills and voice. Wouldn’t that be a powerful exercise – sorting through the wealth of Christian literature and compiling a ‘storehouse’ of what speaks most powerfully to you?

The second thing I notice is that the message stays the same, we don’t have to keep revising every few years, we simply present the same message that has been handed down through the ages, but in different forms and with different illustrations. I mentioned in an earlier post, how I’ve tried to focus on the most basic meaning in a text, it has been good for me to drive deeper into these foundational matters and work more on presenting them clearly.

 He closes with a reminder that teaching on the basics of the faith is not trivial matter as well as the sharp comment that ‘if a shepherd know not which grass will bane, or which not, how is he fit to be a shepherd?’ I think there is a wealth of wisdom in that line.

 So what would be some of the excerpts that would be part of your own ‘storehouse’?

 (Photo ‘Old Books’ by deepsan)