too refined and cultured—was more of a reflection upon the taste of the congregations of those days than upon the preacher. Yet, there was much truth in that reason. Several rough, coarse, ignorant preachers, if they possessed the gift of the gab, were more popular in the Principality than the ablest and most cultured men who uttered the sublimest truths in choicest words. We are tempted to give names; but it would not be in good taste. And with all our culture, is it not true today that the ablest and most thoughtful preachers are not the most popular, unless—as in rare cases—they mix with deep thought the intoxicating wine of charming delivery. Without casting any aspersion on our present cultured congregations, is it not true that they rather be entertained than instructed? Emerson was not the only man who preached to empty seats.
The third reason—That already he had better education than many of the best preachers of Wales—evidently belongs to the past. It is true that few—very few—Welsh preachers rose to the first rank without the advantage of College education. Such were Rev. John Jones, Talysarn, and Rev. Henry Rees, with the Calvinistic Methodists; and Hiraethog and Ap Vychan with the Congregationalists, But remember that they were all giants in body and mind: only few such men are born in a thousand years. Remember, also, that it took the first two, often, several months to compose a first class sermon; and that in their itinerant preaching they could often preach the same sermon so many times, and improve it. But now the Calvinistic Methodist ministers become more settled, and must compose new sermons every month, or oftener; while the Congregational and Baptist ministers have to get up
