304 PSYCHOLOGY AND PREACHING
feels himself dependent in these important matters upon the pleasure of the local membership, he is constantly under the temptation to become a time-server, flattering his people, saying things he thinks they would like to hear, timid in exposing their faults, keeping sometimes his own deepest convictions and highest enthusiasms under the lid of a shame ful silence until they lose their life. Especially is he in danger of an attitude of timidity with respect to the wealthier and more influential members. But he is con scious of the importance of " keeping on the good side " of all, for even a comparatively insignificant person may by persistent agitation render his position untenable.
The situation is complicated and rendered more difficult by the fact that he is supposed to be the spiritual leader of his people, and to exercise a high degree of moral authority over them. His function is not to \ c ollow. To be sure, he can not drive, he can not dictate. He can only advise and admonish ; and in doing this he can no longer, except among the backward and yet priest-ridden population, wield the potent weapon with which once the minister of religion coerced his spiritual subjects his supposed control over their eternal destinies. Superstitious fear no longer affords a basis for his spiritual control. His admonition and per suasion must be rational and backed by no forces except the appeal of truth and the moral power of personality ; and an essential element of this personal power is the conscious ness of independence. The effective discharge of his func tion of persuasive leadership requires that he should not ir ritate the people by his manner or by insistence upon his petty personal notions ; and that he should avoid conflicting with their prejudices and tastes when no essential principle is involved. He should, of course, be adaptable, knowing how " to be all things to all men." There is no sacrifice of his independence in this ; though some preachers of small caliber seem to be able to find no larger and more fruitful way of asserting their independence than by refusing to adapt themselves to the prejudices and whims of their peo-
�� �
