The Pulpit

Sunday, November 16, 2008 • 8:59 pm

A poem by William Cowper (1731-1800)

The pulpit, therefore, (and I name it filled with solemn awe,
that bids me well beware with what intent I touch that holy thing;)

the pulpit (when the satirist has at last, strutting and vaporing in an empty school,
spent all his force, and made no proselyte;)

I say the pulpit (in the sober use of its legitimate, peculiar powers)
must stand acknowledged, while the world shall stand,
the most important and effectual guard, support, and ornament of virtue’s cause.

There stands the messenger of truth.
There stands the legate of the skies; his theme divine, his office sacred, his credentials clear.
By him, the violated law speaks out its thunders,
and by him, in strains as sweet as angels use, the gospel whispers peace.

He ‘stablishes the strong, restores the weak, reclaims the wanderer, binds the broken heart,
and, armed himself in panoply complete of heavenly temper, furnishes with arms bright as his own,
and trains, by every rule of holy discipline, to glorious war,
the sacramental host of God’s elect.

This on a day when I read another preacher describe Jesus’ words in the Parable of the Talents and those of the prophet Zephaniah as “wretched”. That is a terrifying self-indictment.

It is a curious tension, this wonderful work that I have:

Isaiah 52:7 How delightful it is to see approaching over the mountains the feet of a messenger who announces peace, a messenger who brings good news, who announces deliverance, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
...
James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly.

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Comments:

Cowper:

(when the satirist has at last, strutting and vaporing in an empty school,
spent all his force, and made no proselyte;)

Jude:

They are clouds without rain

[1] Posted by Jill Woodliff on 11-17-2008 at 06:50 AM • top

Thanks David. I won a few points with my rector by sharing this with him this morning. Of course, I gave you the credit for bringing it to my attention. God Bless.

[2] Posted by Donal Clair on 11-17-2008 at 06:56 AM • top

Thank you for posting this wonderful poem, Fr. Ould. It also reminded me of Isaiah 61 and Jesus’ inaugural address and mandate for the ministry of His Church in Luke 4.

[3] Posted by Floridian on 11-17-2008 at 07:58 AM • top

This on a day when I read another preacher describe Jesus’ words in the Parable of the Talents and those of the prophet Zephaniah as “wretched”.

In his sermon, our rector called the parable of the talents (as well as the parable of the bridesmaids) “awful.” Read what I can recall here
I think they don’t like the idea of a day of judgement. I wish they would stop spreading such messages to their flock.

[4] Posted by Undergroundpewster on 11-17-2008 at 11:42 AM • top

I’m pleased that in my Episcopal Church we had a priest who told us that Jesus often tells parables that make us feel uncomfortable - and that we need to take them very seriously. He also said we should care as much/more about spreading the word of the Lord as we do about spreading our politics. Yeah. In an Episcopal Church.

[5] Posted by oscewicee on 11-17-2008 at 11:47 AM • top

I think they don’t like the idea of a day of judgement. I wish they would stop spreading such messages to their flock.

Not only don’t they like the idea of a day of judgment, they have no concept that they will be called to account on Judgment Day for how they shepherded the flock. See reference to James 3:1 above, e.g.

[6] Posted by Jim the Puritan on 11-17-2008 at 11:59 AM • top

I’m pleased that in my Episcopal Church we had a priest who told us that Jesus often tells parables that make us feel uncomfortable - and that we need to take them very seriously. He also said we should care as much/more about spreading the word of the Lord as we do about spreading our politics. Yeah. In an Episcopal Church.

Well, oscewicee, our pastor said basically the same thing. Yeah. In an Episcopal (TEC) church. Dang that gospel thing just keep spreading around not matter what KJS does. Imagine that.

[7] Posted by yankeeintexas on 11-17-2008 at 02:50 PM • top

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