It would be beyond the scope of an article of this character to
attempt to recall the names of the eminent preachers of the century.
It has been singularly rich in men of eloquence, depth of thought and
high culture. A few, however, are distinguished among the noble army
by the phenomenal character of their work. Of these probably no name
is so widely known as that of Rev. T. DeWitt Talmage, D.D. One of the
most remarkable phenomena of the religious world in this century, is
the fact that every week one preacher should address an audience
numbered by millions. The fact is unprecedented. Of all classes of
readers, the number of those who read sermons is considered the
smallest, yet this century has produced a preacher whose sermons
command a public larger than that of a fascinating novelist. For
thirty years the newspapers have been publishing Dr. Talmage's sermons
in every city of his own land, in every English-speaking land and in
many foreign lands where they are translated for publication. It is a
significant fact, which should gratify every Christian, that the man
whose words reach regularly and surely the largest audience in the
world should be a preacher of the Gospel.
To no man in any walk of life, whether politician, editor or author,
has the opportunity of impressing his thoughts on his generation that
Dr. Talmage enjoys been given in such fulness. Next in extent of
influence, and with a like faculty of reaching immense and widely
scattered masses of people, was the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon, a
preacher of singularly homely power, Calvinistic in theology,
epigrammatic in style, and with an earnest evangelical spirit which
had a powerful influence on both hearers and readers. His sermons,
like those of Dr. Talmage, were read in every land and were
instrumental in conversions wherever they went. Strongly resembling
Mr. Spurgeon in his strong evangelicalism, as well as in homely
eloquence, is Mr. D.L. Moody. During this century probably no man has
addressed so large a number of people. In this country and in England
such audiences have thronged the buildings in which he preached as no
other orator has ever addressed on religious subjects, and the
influence of his words is demonstrated by the thousands who through
his appeals have been led to Christ.
We are nearing the end of the century. Looking back over the events in
the religious world which have marked its history, one characteristic
is prominent above all others. It is the operation of the force to
which an eminent writer has given the name of "spiritual dynamics."
The world does not need a dogma, or a creed, so much as it needs
power. It needs power to live right, to do right, to love God and man,
to pity the fallen, to relieve the needy, the power of being good, of
leading a spiritual life. This power it finds in Christ and the whole
tendency of the religious life of the century is to get back to him.
Conduct rather than creed, love rather than theology, have been the
watchwords of the church. The spirit of Christ, His teachings, His
character, His example, are the centre of attraction which holds His
church together and endues it with the power which shall yet subdue
the world.