perishing. As when the
Pentecostal fire rested on the Apostles' heads, a new light
filled their minds and a new flame sprung up within their hearts;
so when the same spirit breathes through the preacher's lips, the
clouds of ignorance dissolve and the light of truth divine
glorifies the minds and inflames the souls of his hearers. The
ears of faith can hear the applause of angels and the eyes of
faith can read Heaven's approval in the flashing glances of the
Blest, as with each stroke the preacher widens the empire of the
Precious Blood and piles palpitating trophies before the Sacred
Heart. Ah! here is a field worthy of the highest ambition that
ever burned within a human breast.

Hence, we should toil, toil, toil, and call no labour excessive
that we put forth in burnishing into polished efficiency every
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.
It is the preacher's duty to break that seal; to take out the dry
truths stored there; to render them palatable and inviting, and
bring them within the grasp of the plainest intelligence.

[Side note: Solicitor and barrister]

Few occupations more aptly illustrate this difference than those
of solicitor and barrister.

The attorney works up the materials for the case: he groups
statutes, discovers principles, tabulates references, supplies
dates. While he does not plead himself, a man so armed is
invaluable at the elbow