It  is  this  that  ruins  churches,  that  you  do  not  seek  to  hear
sermons  that  touch  the  heart,  but  sermons  that  will  delight
your  ears  with  their  intonation  and  the  structure  of  their
phrases,  just  as  if  you  were  listening  to  singers  and  lute-
players.  And  we  preachers  humour  your  fancies,  instead  of
trying  to  crush  them.  We  act  like  a  father  who  gives  a  sick
child  a  cake  or  an  ice,  just  because  he  asks  for  it,  and  takes  no

*  Hatch,  op.  cit.,  pp.  108-109.  We  may  recall  Dr.  Parker's  definition
of  preaching  as  "dignified  conversation."

2  Op.  cit.f  p.  110.  A  modern  parallel  may  be  mentioned.  The  Rev.  Dr.
