A Book of Gems, or, Choice selections from the writings of Benjamin Franklin

WE must make an effort to bring out our young people. If they are brought into the church, and not employed any way, not induced to do anything, nor in any way made useful, one half of them will be led off into the world again. A bishop who understands this matter, will engage not simply the attention of the young, but their ability, whatever it may be, and bring it out. We fell in company with a bishop of this kind a few evenings since, on the cars, who informed us, if our memory is not at fault, that out of about forty male members in his congregation, in Illinois, all but some three took some part in the public worship, by way of reading, prayer, or exhortation. We have recently heard of several churches of this sort. These can worship without a preacher, can “draw out an audience,” and will, in a short time, send out preachers. Bishops who thus bring forward their young men, are bishops indeed. They do not imagine that their work is to sing, pray, preach, break the loaf, rule, and do every thing, and that the duty of the audience is simply to obey them. It is the work of a Christian bishop to develop and bring out the talent in the congregation, and apply it to the work of the Lord. Here is where our preachers are to come from. The church must furnish the preachers of Christ. No other institution will ever do it. We need not look to our colleges to make preachers. They will never do it. We need the colleges as much as any of our brethren have ever thought; but not to make preachers, but to educate our young men who want to preach or do anything else.