THE
P RTAL
February 2012
Page 13
An Entrancing Voice
Breaking the Silence
by Brother Sean of The Work
John Campbell Shairp , an Oxford undergraduate in the 1840s, recalls the impression that
Newman’s sermons at the University Church had on him, saying that “[...] none ever penetrated the soul like
his.” Speaking of Newman’s departure from the pulpit of St Mary’s, Shairp said that it was “like the departure
of great bell tolling solemnly overhead which had suddenly gone still.” Without a doubt Newman’s sermons
attest to the immense theological output of the Oxford scholar and man of God, and are duly recognised as
some of the finest examples of English spirituality.
Parochial and Plain Sermons
Newman’s Anglican sermons constitute
three collections: the Parochial and
Plain Sermons, the University Sermons
and Sermons on the Subjects of the
Day. His most popular works were
the Parochial and Plain Sermons, six
volumes of which were published
between 1834 and 1843. From his
Roman Catholic period Newman
republished the Parochial and Plain
Sermons in 1868 as well as two further
volumes of sermons: Discourses to Mixed
Congregations and Sermons on Various
Occasions.
Three weeks after Newman
was ordained to the Anglican
Diaconate in 1824 he
was given the curacy of
St Clement’s in Oxford .
Newman preached at this
little church for just under
two years. Much of his work
at this time attests to his
Evangelical leanings.
However a change took place in Newman’s preaching
around 1828. He became immersed in the world of the
Church Fathers and was also providentially appointed
Vicar of the University Church. Newman now began
to develop a new style and gradually began to abandon
the previous forms of preaching.
Oxford Movement
Newman set about transforming the University
parish, introducing weekly communion services
(hitherto only four times a year) and preached twice
on Sundays. During his incumbency attendance
doubled, and the young don gained considerable
renown as a preacher, particularly
among undergraduates.
Newman’s depth, witness of
holiness and eloquence in the
pulpit of the University Church
gained the Oxford Movement
widespread sympathy among the
student body. Yet not only those
of the High Church Tradition
appreciated Newman’s gift for
preaching. Matthew Arnold,
theologically a liberal and by no
means a supporter of the Movement,
also wrote of the profound effect of
Newman’s preaching: “Who could
resist the charm of that spiritual
apparition, gliding in the dim afternoon
light along the aisles of St Mary’s, rising
into the pulpit, and then in the most
entrancing of voices breaking the
silence with words and thoughts
which were a religious music
- subtle, sweet, mournful.
Happy the man who, in the
susceptible season of youth, hears such voices. They
are a possession to him for ever.”
Littlemore
It was at Littlemore that Newman was to preach his
last sermon as an Anglican – “The Parting of Friends”,
which was one the most personal and impassioned he
had ever written. Newman ends: “And, O my brethren,
O kind and affectionate hearts, O loving friends,
should you know any one whose lot it has been, by
writing or by word of mouth, in some degree to help
you [...] remember such a one in time to come, though
you hear him not, and pray for him, that in all things
he may know God’s will, and at all times he may be
ready to fulfil it.”