LecturestoMyStudents

byC.H.Spurgeon

TableofContents

introduction1introduction2

LecturesI.TheMinister'sSelf-watchII.TheCalltotheMinistryIII.ThePreacher'sPrivatePrayerIV.OurPublicPrayerV.Sermons--theirMatterVI.OntheChoiceofaTextVII.OnSpiritualizingVIII.OntheVoiceIX.AttentionX.TheFacultyofImpromptuSpeechXI.TheMinister'sFaintingFitsXII.TheMinister'sOrdinaryConversationXIII.ToWorkerswithSlenderApparatusXIV.TheHolySpiritinConnectionwithOurMinistryXV.TheNecessityofMinisterialProgressXVI.TheNeedofDecisionfortheTruthXVII.Open-AirPreaching--ASketchofItsHistoryXVIII.Open-AirPreaching--RemarksThereonXIX.Posture,Action,Gesture,Etc.XX.Posture,Action,Gesture,Etc.(SecondLecture)XXI.Earnestness:ItsMarringandMaintenanceXXII.TheBlindEyeandtheDeafEarXXIII.OnConversionasOurAimXXIV.IllustrationsinPreachingXXV.AnecdotesfromthePulpitXXVI.TheUsesofAnecdotesandIllustrationsXXVII.WhereCanWeFindAnecdotesandIllustrations?XXVIII.TheSciencesasSourcesofIllustration

THEPASTORS'COLLEGE

THEPastors'Collegewascommenceduponaverysmallscaleintheyear1856.Sincethatdateithaseducatedandsentforthintotheministrynotless than three hundred and fifty men, of whom, after deductions bydeath and other causes, about three hundred remain in the Baptistdenomination,preachingthegospelofJesusChrist.Inadditiontothis,afar larger number of men receive gratuitous education in the evening,suchasmayfitthemtobecitymissionaries,colporteurs,orusefulprivateChristians.

Theinstitutionreceivesnomaninordertomakehimapreacher,butitisestablished tohelp in the further educationof brethrenwhohavebeenpreachingwithsomemeasureofsuccessfortwoyearsattheleast.ManymenofearnestspiritandestablishedChristiancharacterarehinderedintheireffortstodogoodbytheslendernessoftheirknowledge.Consciousof their own defects, they endeavour to improve themselves, but theabsenceofaguide,theirneedofbooks,andtheirscantytime,allpreventtheir making progress. These are the men whom the Pastors' Collegewelcomes.Men inwhompiety, zeal, and the indwellingSpirit are tobefound need not fear refusal at our doors on account of poverty, if theypossessthosegiftsofutterancewhichareessentialtothepreacher.

TheCollegeaimsattrainingpreachersratherthanscholars.Todevelopthefacultyofreadyspeech,tohelpthemtounderstandthewordofGod,andtofosterthespiritofconsecration,courage,andconfidenceinGod,areobjects so important thatweput all othermatters into a secondaryposition. If a student should learn a thousand things, and yet fail topreachthegospelacceptably,hisCollegecoursewillhavemisseditstruedesign.Shouldthepursuitofliteraryprizesandtheambitionforclassicalhonourssooccupyhismindastodiverthisattentionfromhislifework,they are perilous rather than beneficial. To bewise to win souls is thewisdomministersshouldpossess.

InthePastors'Collegedefinitedoctrinesareheldandtaught.Weholdbythedoctrinesofgraceandtheoldorthodoxfaith,andhavenosympathy

with the countless theological novelties of the present day, which arenoveltiesonlyinoutwardform:insubstancetheyarerepetitionsoferrorsexplodedlongago.Ourstandingindoctrinalmattersiswellknown,andwemakenoprofessionoflatitudinariancharity,yetwefindnofailureinthenumberofearnestspiritswhorallytoourstandard,believingthatintruthalonecantruefreedombefound.

The supportof theCollege isderived from the free-will offeringsof theLord's people. We have no roll of subscribers, although many friendssendusaidatregularintervals.OurconfidenceisthatGodwillsupplyallourneeds,andhehasalwaysdonesohitherto.ThePresidenthasneverderived a farthing from the work for himself in any shape, but on thecontrarydelightstogivetotheworkall thathecan,bothofmoneyandgratisservice;andthereforehethemoreconfidentlyappealstootherstoassisthiminmaintainingtheInstitution.NoworkcanpossiblyconferagreaterbenefituponmankindthanthetrainingofministerswhomGodhas chosen, for around them spring up churches, schools, and all theagenciesofreligionandphilanthropy.AswearecommandedtoprayforlabourersintheLord'sharvest,soareweboundtoprovethehonestyofourprayersbyouractions.

Atleast£100isrequiredeveryweektocarryonthework.

C.H.SPURGEON,NightingaleLane,Clapham,Surrey.

INTRODUCTIONANDAPOLOGY

Inreplytomanyrequestsfromthoseministerswhointheirstudentdayslistenedtomylectures,Isubmitaselectiontothepress.This,however,Icannot do without an apology, for these addresses were not originallypreparedforthepubliceye,andarescarcelypresentableforcriticism.

My College lectures are colloquial, familiar, full of anecdote, and oftenhumorous:theyarepurposelymadeso,tosuittheoccasion.Attheendof

theweekImeetthestudents,andfindthemwearywithsternerstudies,and I judge itbest tobeas livelyand interesting inmyprelectionsas Iwellcanbe.Theyhavehadtheirfillofclassics,mathematics,anddivinity,andareonly in a condition to receive somethingwhichwill attract andsecure their attention, and fire their hearts. Our reverend tutor, Mr.Rogers, compares my Friday work to the sharpening of the pin: thefashioningofthehead,thestraightening,thelayingonofthemetalandthe polishing have been done during the week, and then the processconcludeswithaneffort togivepointandsharpness.Tosucceedinthisthelecturermustnotbedullhimself,nordemandanygreateffort fromhisaudience.

I amasmuchathomewithmyyoungbrethrenas in thebosomofmyfamily,and therefore speakwithout restraint.Generousmindswill takethisintoaccountinreadingtheselectures,andIshallhopethatallwhofavourmewiththeircriticismswillbeofthatnobleorder.

Possibly caustic remarksmay bemade uponmy frequent references tomyself, my own methods of procedure, and personal reminiscences.These also were intentional. I have purposely given an almostautobiographicaltingetothewhole,becausemyownexperience,suchasitis,isthemostoriginalcontributionwhichIcanoffer,and,withmyownstudents,quiteasweighty as anyotherwithinmy reach. Itwouldhavebeenimpossibleformetoquotetheexperiencesofothermeniftheyhadnotbeenboldenoughtorecordthem,andImakeanhonestattempttoacknowledgemy debt to my greater predecessors by writing downmyown.Whether this arises fromegotismornot, each reader shall decideaccording to thesweetnessoracidityofhisowndisposition.A father isexcusedwhenhetellshissonshisownlife-storyandfindsitthereadiestwaytoenforcehismaxims;theoldsoldierisforgivenwhenhe"shouldershiscrutch,andshowshowfieldswerewon;"Ibegthatthelicencewhichtoleratesthesemay,onthisoccasion,beextendedtome.

ItwouldhavesavedmemuchlabourhadIreservedtheselecturesforre-deliverytonewcompaniesoffreshmen,andIamconsciousofnomotivein printing them but that of desiring to keepmy counsels alive in thememoriesofthosewhoheardthemyearsago,andimpressingthemuponotherswho dwell beyond the precincts of our class-room. The age has

becomeintenselypractical,andneedsaministrynotonlyorthodoxandspiritual, but also natural in utterance, and practically shrewd.Officialism is sick unto death; life is the true heir to success, and iscoming to its heritage.Mannerisms, pomposities, and proprieties, onceso potent in the religious world, are becoming as obsolete in thereverenceofmenas thosegodsofhighOlympus forwhominpastagespoets tuned their lyres, and sculptors quickened marble into beauty.Truthandlifemustconquer,andtheirvictoryisnearestwhentheyceaseto be encumbered with the grave clothes of conventionalism andpretence.It isdelicioustoputone'sfootthroughthelathandplasterofold affectations, tomake room for the granitewalls of reality. This hasbeenamaindesignwithme,andmayGodsendsuccesstotheeffort.

The solemn work with which the Christian ministry concerns itselfdemandsaman'sall,andthatallatitsbest.Toengageinithalf-heartedlyis an insult toGod andman. Slumbermust forsake our eyelids soonerthanmenshallbeallowedtoperish.Yetweareallpronetosleepasdoothers,andstudents,amongtherest,areapttoactthepartofthefoolishvirgins;thereforehaveIsoughttospeakoutmywholesoul,inthehopethatImightnotcreateorfosterdulnessinothers.MayHeinwhosehandarethechurchesandtheirpastorsblessthesewordstoyoungerbrethrenintheministry,andifsoIshallcountitmorethanafullreward,andshallgratefullypraise theLord. Shouldthispublicationsucceed,IhopeverysoontoissueinsimilarformaworkuponCommenting,containingafullcatalogueofCommentaries,andalsoasecondsetof lectures. I shall beobliged by any assistance rendered to the sale, for the price isunremunerative,andpersonsinterestedinoursubjectsarenotnumerousenoughtosecureaverylargecirculation;henceitisonlybythekindaidof all appreciating friends that I shall be able topublish the rest of thecontemplatedseries.

LECTUREITHEMINISTER'SSELF-WATCH

"Takeheeduntothyself,anduntothedoctrine."-1Timothyiv.16

EVERYworkmanknowsthenecessityofkeepinghistoolsinagoodstate

ofrepair,for"iftheironbeblunt,andhedonotwhettheedge,thenmustheputtomorestrength."Iftheworkmanlosetheedgefromhisadze,heknowsthattherewillbeagreaterdraughtuponhisenergies,orhisworkwillbebadlydone.MichaelAngelo,theelectofthefinearts,understoodsowelltheimportanceofhistools,thathealwaysmadehisownbrusheswithhisownhands,andinthishegivesusanillustrationof theGodofgrace,whowithspecialcare fashions forhimselfall trueministers.It istruethattheLord,likeQuintinMatsysinthestoryoftheAntwerpwell-cover, can work with the faultiest kind of instrumentality, as he doeswhen he occasionally makes very foolish preaching to be useful inconversion; and he can evenworkwithout agents, as he doeswhen hesavesmen without a preacher at all, applying the word directly by hisHoly Spirit; but we cannot regard God's absolutely sovereign acts as arule forouraction.Hemay, inhisownabsoluteness,doaspleaseshimbest,butwemustactashisplainerdispensationsinstructus;andoneofthefactswhichisclearenoughisthis,thattheLordusuallyadaptsmeansto ends, from which the plain lesson is, that we shall be likely toaccomplishmostwhenweareinthebestspiritualcondition;orinotherwords,weshallusuallydoourLord'sworkbestwhenourgiftsandgracesareingoodorder,andweshalldoworstwhentheyaremostoutoftrim.This is a practical truth for our guidance, when the Lord makesexceptions,theydobutprovetherule.

We are, in a certain sense, our own tools, and therefore must keepourselvesinorder.IfIwanttopreachthegospel,Icanonlyusemyownvoice; thereforeImust trainmyvocalpowers.Icanonly thinkwithmyownbrains,andfeelwithmyownheart,andthereforeImusteducatemyintellectualandemotionalfaculties.

I can only ,weep and agonise for souls in my own renewed nature,thereforemustIwatchfullymaintainthetendernesswhichwasinChristJesus.Itwillbeinvainformetostockmylibrary,ororganisesocieties,or project schemes, if I neglect the culture of myself; for books, andagencies, and systems, are only remotely the instruments of my holycalling; my own spirit, soul, and body, are my nearest machinery forsacredservice;myspiritualfaculties,andmyinnerlife,aremybattleaxeandweaponsofwar.M'Cheyne,writingtoaministerialfriend,whowas

travellingwithaview toperfectinghimself in theGermantongue,usedlanguage identical with our own:- " I know you will apply hard toGerman, but do not forget the culture of the innerman-Imean of theheart.Howdiligentlythecavalryofficerkeepshissabrecleanandsharp;every stainhe rubsoffwith thegreatest care.RememberyouareGod'ssword,hisinstrument-Itrust,achosenvesseluntohimtobearhisname.In great measure, according to the purity and perfection of theinstrument,willbethesuccess.ItisnotgreattalentsGodblessessomuchas likeness toJesus.Aholyminister isanawfulweapon in thehandofGod."

For the herald of the gospel to be spiritually out of order in his ownproper person is, both to himself and to his work, a most seriouscalamity;andyet,mybrethren,howeasilyissuchanevilproduced,andwithwhatwatchfulnessmustitbeguardedagainst!TravellingonedaybyexpressfromPerth toEdinburgh,onasuddenwecametoadeadstop,because a very small screw in one of the engines--every railwaylocomotive consisting virtually of two engines-had been broken, andwhenwestartedagainwewereobliged to crawl alongwithonepiston-rodatworkinsteadoftwo.Onlyasmallscrewwasgone,ifthathadbeenrightthetrainwouldhaverushedalongitsironroad,buttheabsenceofthat insignificantpieceof irondisarranged thewhole.A train is said tohavebeen stoppedonone of theUnited States' railways by flies in thegrease-boxesofthecarriagewheels.Theanalogyisperfect;amaninallother respects fitted to be useful, may by some small defect beexceedinglyhindered,orevenrenderedutterlyuseless.Sucharesultisallthemoregrievous,becauseitisassociatedwiththegospel,whichinthehighestsenseisadaptedtoeffectthegrandestresults.Itisaterriblethingwhen the healing balm loses its efficacy through the blunderer whoadministers it. You all know the injurious effects frequently produceduponwaterthroughflowingalongleadenpipes;evensothegospelitself,in flowing throughmenwho are spiritually unhealthy,may be debaseduntilitgrowsinjurioustotheirhearers.ItistobefearedthatCalvinisticdoctrine becomes most evil teaching when it is set forth by men ofungodly lives,andexhibitedas if itwereacloak for licentiousness;andArminianism, on the other hand, with its wide sweep of the offer ofmercy,maydomostseriousdamageto thesoulsofmen, if thecareless

tone of the preacher leads his hearers to believe that they can repentwhenever they please; and that, therefore, no urgency surrounds thegospelmessage.Moreover,whenapreacherispooringrace,anylastinggoodwhichmaybe theresultofhisministry,willusuallybefeebleandutterly out of proportion with what might have been expected. Muchsowingwillbefollowedbylittlereaping;theinterestuponthetalentswillbe inappreciablysmall.Intwoorthreeof thebattleswhichwere lost inthe late American war, the result is said to have been due to the badgunpowderwhichwasservedoutbycertain"shoddy"contractorstothearmy,sothatthedueeffectofacannonadewasnotproduced.Soitmaybewithus.Wemaymissourmark,loseourendandaim,andwasteourtime, through not possessing true vital force within ourselves, or notpossessing it in such a degree that God could consistently bless us.Bewareofbeing"shoddy"preachers.

IT SHOULDBEONEOFOURFIRSTCARESTHATWEOURSELVESBESAVEDMEN.

That a teacher of the gospel should first be a partaker of it is a simpletruth,butatthesametimearuleofthemostweightyimportance.Wearenot among those who accept the apostolical succession of young mensimplybecausetheyassumeit;iftheircollegeexperiencehasbeenrathervivaciousthanspiritual,iftheirhonourshavebeenconnectedratherwithathletic exercises than with labours for Christ, we demand evidence ofanotherkindthantheyareabletopresenttous.Noamountoffeespaidtolearneddoctors,andnoamountofclassicsreceivedinreturn,appearto us to be evidences of a call from above. True and genuine piety isnecessaryasthefirstindispensablerequisite;whatever"call"amanmaypretendtohave,ifhehasnotbeencalledtoholiness,hecertainlyhasnotbeencalledtotheministry.

"Firstbetrimmedthyself,andthenadornthybrother,"saytherabbins."Thehand,"saithGregory,"thatmeanstomakeanotherclean,mustnotitself be dirty." If your salt be unsavoury how can you season others?Conversion isasinequanon inaminister.Yeaspirants toourpulpits,"yemustbebornagain."Noristhepossessionofthisfirstqualificationathing to be taken for granted by any man, for there is very greatpossibilityofourbeingmistakenastowhetherweareconvertedornot.

Believeme,itisnochild'splayto"makeyourcallingandelectionsure."Theworld is full of counterfeits, and swarms with panderers to carnalself-conceit,whogatheraroundaministerasvulturesaroundacarcass.Our own hearts are deceitful, so that truth lies not on the surface, butmustbedrawnupfromthedeepestwell.Wemustsearchourselvesveryanxiouslyandverythoroughly, lestbyanymeansafterhavingpreachedtoothersweourselvesshouldbecastaways.

Howhorrible tobeapreacherof thegospelandyet tobeunconverted!Let each man here whisper to his own inmost soul, "What a dreadfulthing itwillbe forme if I shouldbe ignorantof thepowerof the truthwhich I am preparing to proclaim!" Unconvertedministry involves themostunnaturalrelationships.Agracelesspastorisablindmanelectedtoa professorship of optics, philosophising upon light and vision,discoursing upon and distinguishing to others the nice shades anddelicateblendingsoftheprismaticcolours,whilehehimselfisabsolutelyinthedark!Heisadumbmanelevatedtothechairofmusic;adeafmanfluent upon symphonies and harmonies! He is a mole professing toeducate eaglets; a limpet elected to preside over angels. To such arelationshiponemightapplythemostabsurdandgrotesquemetaphors,exceptthatthesubjectistoosolemn.Itisadreadfulpositionforamantostandin,forhehasundertakenaworkforwhichheistotally,wholly,andaltogether unqualified, but from the responsibilities of which thisunfitness will not screen him, because he wilfully incurred them.Whatever his natural gifts, whatever his mental powers may be, he isutterlyoutofcourtforspiritualworkifhehasnospirituallife;andit ishisduty tocease theministerial office till hehas received this first andsimplestofqualificationsforit.

Unconvertedministrymustbeequallydreadfulinanotherrespect.Iftheman has no commission, what a very unhappy position for him tooccupy! What can he see in the experience of his people to give himcomfort? How must he feel when he hears the cries of penitents; orlistenstotheiranxiousdoubtsandsolemnfears?Hemustbeastonishedto think that his words should be owned to that end! The word of anunconvertedmanmay be blessed to the conversion of souls, since theLord, while he disowns the man, will still honour his own truth. How

perplexed such a man must be when he is consulted concerning thedifficultiesofmatureChristians!Inthepathwayofexperience, inwhichhisownregeneratehearersare led,hemust feelhimselfquiteata loss.How can he listen to their deathbed joys, or join in their rapturousfellowshipsaroundthetableoftheirLord?

Inmanyinstancesofyoungmenputtoatradewhichtheycannotendure,theyhave runaway to sea sooner than followan irksomebusiness;butwhereshallthatmanfleewhoisapprenticedforlifetothisholycalling,andyetisatotalstrangertothepowerofgodliness?Howcanhedailybidmencome toChrist,whilehehimself isa stranger tohisdying love?Osirs, surely this must be perpetual slavery. Such a man must hate thesightofapulpitasmuchasagalley-slavehatestheoar.

Andhowunserviceable suchamanmustbe.Hehas toguide travellersalong a road which he has never trodden, to navigate a vessel along acoastofwhichheknowsnoneofthelandmarks!Heiscalledtoinstructothers,beinghimselfa fool.Whatcanhebebutacloudwithoutrain,atreewith leavesonly.Aswhen thecaravan in thewilderness,all athirstandreadytodiebeneaththebroilingsun,comestothelong,desiredwell,and,horror of horrors! finds itwithout a drop ofwater; sowhen soulsthirsting,afterGodcometoagracelessministry,theyarereadytoperishbecausethewateroflifeisnottobefound.Betterabolishpulpitsthanfillthemwithmenwhohavenoexperimentalknowledgeofwhattheyteach.

Alas!theunregeneratepastorbecomes terriblymischievous too, for ofall thecauseswhichcreate infidelity,ungodlyministersmustberankedamongthefirst.Ireadtheotherday, thatnophaseofevilpresentedsomarvellous a power for destruction, as the unconverted minister of aparish,witha£1200organ,achoirofungodlysingers,andanaristocraticcongregation. It was the opinion of the writer, that there could be nogreaterinstrumentfordamnationoutofhellthanthat.Peoplegototheirplace of worship and sit down comfortably, and think they must beChristians,whenallthetimeallthattheirreligionconsistsin,islisteningtoanorator,havingtheirearstickledwithmusic,andperhapstheireyesamusedwithgraceful actionand fashionablemanners; thewhole beingnobetterthanwhattheyhearandseeattheopera--notsogood,perhaps,inpointofaestheticbeauty,andnotanatommorespiritual,Thousands

are congratulating themselves, and even blessing God that they aredevout worshippers, when at the same time they are living in anunregenerateChristlessstate,havingtheformofgodliness,butdenyingthepowerthereof,Hewhopresidesoverasystemwhichaimsatnothinghigherthanformalism,isfarmoreaservantofthedevilthanaministerofGod.

A formal preacher is mischievous while he preserves his outwardequilibrium, but as he is without the preserving balance of godliness,sooneror laterhe is almost sure tomake a trip inhismoral character,andwhatapositionisheinthen!HowisGodblasphemed,andthegospelabused!

Terribleisittoconsiderwhatadeathmustawaitsuchaman!andwhatmust be his after-condition!The prophet pictures the king of Babylongoingdowntohell,andallthekingsandprinceswhomhehaddestroyed,and whose capitals he had laid waste, rising up from their places inPandemonium,andsaluting the fallen tyrantwith thecuttingsarcasm,"Artthoubecomelikeuntous?"Andcannotyousupposeamanwhohasbeen a minister, but who has lived without Christ in his heart, goingdowntohell,andalltheimprisonedspiritswhousedtohearhim,andalltheungodlyofhisparishrisingupandsayingtohiminbittertones,"Artthoualsobecomeasweare?Physician,didst thounotheal thyself?Artthouwhoclaimed tobea shining light castdown into thedarkness forever?" Oh! if onemust be lost, let it not be in this fashion! To be lostundertheshadowofapulpitisdreadful,buthowmuchmoresotoperishfromthepulpititself:

ThereisanawfulpassageinJohnBunyan'streatise,entitled"SighsfromHell,"which full often rings inmy ears: --"Howmany soulshave blindpriestsbeenthemeansofdestroyingbytheir ignorance?Preachingthatwasnobetterfortheirsoulsthanrats-banetothebody,Manyofthem,itis to be feared, havewhole towns to answer for.Ah! friend, I tell thee,thouthathasttakeninhandtopreachtothepeople,itmaybethouhasttakeninhandthoucanstnottellwhat.Will itnotgrievetheetoseethywhole parish come bellowing after thee into hell? crying out, 'This wehave to thank thee for, thou wast afraid to tell us of our sins, lest weshouldnotputmeat fastenough into thymouth.Ocursedwretch,who

wastnotcontent,blindguideasthouwast, to fall intotheditchthyself,buthastalsoledusthitherwiththee.'"

Richard Baxter, in his "Reformed Pastor," amid much other solemnmatter,writesasfollows:"TakeheedtoyourselveslestyoushouldbevoidofthatsavinggraceofGodwhichyouoffertoothers,andbestrangerstotheeffectualworkingofthatgospelwhichyoupreach;andlest,whileyouproclaim the necessity of a Saviour to the world, your hearts shouldneglect him, and you shouldmiss of an interest in him and his savingbenefits. Take heed to yourselves, lest you perish while you call uponotherstotakeheedofperishing,andlestyoufamishyourselveswhileyoupreparetheirfood.Thoughtherebeapromiseofshillingasstarstothosethatturnmanytorighteousness(Dan.xii.3), this isbuton suppositionthat they be first turned to it themselves: such promises are made)caeteris paribus, et suppositis supponendis. Their own sincerity in thefaithistheconditionoftheirglorysimplyconsidered,thoughtheirgreatministerial labours may be a condition of the promise of their greaterglory.Manymenhavewarnedothersthattheycomenottothatplaceoftorment,whichyettheyhastedtothemselves;manyapreacherisnowinhell, that hath an hundred times called upon his hearers to use theutmostcareanddiligencetoescapeit.Cananyreasonablemanimaginethat God should save men for offering salvation to others, while theyrefused it themselves, and for telling others those truths which theythemselvesneglectedandabused?Manyatailorgoesinragsthatmakethcostlyclothesforothers;andmanyacookscarcelickshisfingers,whenhe hath dressed for others themost costly dishes. Believe it, brethren,Godnever saved anyman for being apreacher,norbecausehewas anable preacher; but because he was a justified, sanctified man, andconsequently faithful in his Master's work. Take heed, therefore, toyourselves first, that yoube thatwhich you persuade others to be, andbelievethatwhichyoupersuadethemdailytobelieve,andhaveheartilyentertained thatChrist andSpiritwhich you offer unto others.He thatbadeyouloveyourneighboursasyourselves,did imply thatyoushouldloveyourselvesandnothateanddestroybothyourselvesandthem."

Mybrethren,lettheseweightysentenceshavedueeffectuponyou.Surelythere can be no need to add more; but let me pray you to examine

yourselves,andsomakegooduseofwhathasbeenaddressedtoyou.

This first matter of true religion being settled, IT IS OF THE NEXTIMPORTANCETOTHEMINISTERTHATHISPIETYBEVIGOROUS.

HeisnottobecontentwithbeingequaltotherankandfileofChristians,hemustbeamatureandadvancedbeliever;fortheministryofChristhasbeen truly called "the choicest of his choice, the elect of his election, achurch picked out of the church." If he were called to an ordinaryposition,andtocommonwork,commongracemightperhapssatisfyhim,thougheventhenitwouldbeall indolentsatisfaction;butbeingelecttoextraordinarylabours,andcalledtoaplaceofunusualperil,heshouldbeanxioustopossessthatsuperiorstrengthwhichaloneisadequatetohisstation.Hispulseofvitalgodlinessmustbeatstronglyandregularly;hiseyeoffaithmustbebright;hisfootofresolutionmustbefirm;hishandof activitymust be quick; his whole innermanmust be in the highestdegreeof sanity. It is saidof theEgyptians that theychose theirpriestsfrom the most learned of their philosophers, and then they esteemedtheirpriestssohighly,thattheychosetheirkingsfromthem.Werequiretohave forGod'sministers thepickofall theChristianhost; suchmenindeed, that if the nation wanted kings they could not do better thanelevate them to the throne. Our weakest-minded, most timid, mostcarnal, and most ill-balanced men are not suitable candidates for thepulpit.Therearesomeworkswhichweshouldneverallottotheinvalidordeformed-Amanmaynotbequalifiedforclimbingloftybuildings,hisbrain may be too weak, and elevated work might place him in greatdanger; by all means let him keep on the ground and find usefuloccupationwhereasteadybrainislessimportant:therearebrethrenwhohave analogous spiritual deficiencies, they cannot be called to servicewhich isconspicuousandelevated,becausetheirheadsaretooweak.Iftheywerepermittedalittlesuccesstheywouldbeintoxicatedwithvanity-a vice all too common among ministers, and of all things the leastbecominginthem,andthemostcertaintosecurethemafall.Shouldweas a nation be called to defend our hearths and homes, we should notsendoutourboysandgirlswithswordsandgunstomeetthefoe,neithermay the church sendout every fluentnovice or inexperienced zealot toplead for the faith. The fear of the Lord must teach the young man

wisdom,orheisbarredfromthepastorate;thegraceofGodmustmaturehisSpirit,orhehadbettertarrytillpowerbegivenhimfromonhigh.

The highestmoral charactermust be sedulouslymaintained.Many aredisqualified for office in the church who are well enough as simplemembers.I hold very sternopinionswith regard toChristianmenwhohavefallenintogrosssin;Irejoicethattheymaybetrulyconverted,andmay bewithmingled hope and caution received into the church; but Iquestion,gravelyquestionwhetheramanwhohasgrosslysinnedshouldbe very readily restored to the pulpit. As John Angell James remarks,"When a preacher of righteousness has stood in theway of sinners, heshould never again open his lips in the great congregation until hisrepentanceisasnotoriousashissin."LetthosewhohavebeenshornbythesonsofAmmon tarryat Jericho till theirbeardsbe grown; thishasoften been used as a taunt to beardless boys to whom it is evidentlyinapplicable, it is an accurate enough metaphor for dishonoured andcharacterless men, let their age be what it may. Alas! the beard ofreputationonce shorn ishard togrowagain.Open immorality, inmostcases,howeverdeeptherepentance,isafatalsignthatministerialgraceswere never in the man's character. Caesar's wife must be beyondsuspicion, and there must be no ugly rumours as to ministerialinconsistencyinthepast,orthehopeofusefulnesswillbeslender.Intothechurchsuchfallenonesaretobereceivedaspenitents,andintotheministry theymaybe received ifGodputs them there;mydoubt isnotabout that, but as to whether God ever did place them there; andmybeliefisthatweshouldbeveryslowtohelpbacktothepulpitmen,whohavingbeenoncetried,haveprovedthemselvestohavetoolittlegracetostandthecrucialtestofministeriallife.

Forsomeworkwechoosenonebutthestrong;andwhenGodcallsustoministerial labour we should endeavour to get grace that we may bestrengthened into fitness for our position, and not be mere novicescarriedawaybythetemptationsofSatan,totheinjuryofthechurchandourownruin.WearetostandequippedwiththewholearmourofGod,ready for feats of valour not expected of others: to us self-denial, self-forgetfulness,patience, perseverance, long suffering,must be every-dayvirtues,andwhoissufficientforthesethings?Wehadneedliveverynear

toGod,ifwewouldapproveourselvesinourvocation.

Recollect, as ministers, that your whole life, your whole pastoral lifeespecially,willbeaffectedbythevigourofyourpiety.Ifyourzealgrowsdull,youwillnotpraywellinthepulpit;youwillprayworseinthefamily,andworstinthestudyalone.Whenyoursoulbecomeslean,yourhearers,withoutknowinghoworwhy,will find thatyourprayers inpublic havelittlesavourforthem;theywillfeelyourbarrenness,perhaps,beforeyouperceiveityourself.Yourdiscourseswillnextbetrayyourdeclension.

Youmay utter aswell-chosenwords, and as fitly-ordered sentences, asaforetime;buttherewillbeaperceptiblelossofspiritualforce.Youwillshakeyourselvesasatothertimes,evenasSamsondid,butyouwillfindthat your great strength has departed. In your daily communion withyour people, theywill not be slow tomark the all-pervading decline ofyourgraces.Sharpeyeswillseethegreyhairshereandtherelongbeforeyoudo.Letamanbeafflictedwithadiseaseoftheheart,andallevilsarewrappedupinthatone-stomach,lungs,viscera,muscles,andnerveswillallsuffer;andso, letamanhavehisheartweakenedinspiritual things,andverysoonhisentire lifewill feel thewithering influence.Moreover,as the result of your own decline, everyone of your hearers will suffermore or less; the vigorous amongst themwill overcome the depressingtendency,buttheweakersortwillbeseriouslydamaged.Itiswithusandour hearers as it is withwatches and the public clock; if our watch bewrong,veryfewwillbemisledbyitbutourselves;butiftheHorseGuardsorGreenwichObservatory should go amiss, half Londonwould lose itsreckoning. So is itwith theminister; he is the parish-clock,many taketheirtimefromhim,andifhebeincorrect,thentheyallgowrongly,moreorless,andheisinagreatmeasureaccountableforallthesinwhichheoccasions. This we cannot endure to think of,my brethren. It will notbearamoment'scomfortableconsideration,andyetitmustbelookedatthatwemayguardagainstit.

You must remember, too, that we have need of very vigorous piety,because our danger is somuch greater than that of others. Upon thewhole,noplaceissoassailedwithtemptationastheministry.Despitethepopularideathatoursisasnugretreatfromtemptation,itisnolesstruethatour dangers aremore numerous andmore insidious than those of

ordinaryChristians.Oursmaybe a vantage-ground forheight, but thatheightisperilous,andtomanytheministryhasprovedaTarpeianrock.Ifyouaskwhatthesetemptationsare,timemightfailustoparticularisethem; but among them are both the coarser and themore refined; thecoarseraresuchtemptationsasself-indulgenceatthetable,enticementstowhicharesuperabundantamongahospitablepeople;thetemptationsoftheflesh,whichareincessantwithyoungunmarriedmensetonhighamong an admiring throng of young women: but enough of this, yourownobservationwillsoonrevealtoyouathousandsnares,unlessindeedyour eyes are blinded. There are more secret snares than these, fromwhichwecalllesseasilyescape;andofthesetheworstisthetemptationtoministerialism--thetendencytoreadourBiblesasministers,toprayasministers, to get into doing the whole of our religion as not ourselvespersonally,butonlyrelatively,concernedinit.Tolosethepersonalityofrepentance and faith is a loss indeed. "No man," says John Owen,"preacheshis sermonwell toothers if hedothnot first preach it tohisown heart." Brethren, it is eminently hard to keep to this. Our office,instead of helping our piety, as some assert, is through the evil of ournaturesturnedintooneofitsmostserioushindrances;at least,I finditso.Howone kicks and struggles against officialism, and yet how easilydothitbesetus,likealonggarmentwhichtwistsaroundtheracer'sfeetandimpedeshisrunning!Beware,dearbrethren,ofthisandalltheotherseductionsof your calling; and if youhavedone sountil now, continuestilltowatchtilllife'slatesthour.

Wehavenotedbutoneoftheperils,butindeedtheyarelegion.Thegreatenemyofsouls takescare to leavenostoneunturned for thepreacher'sruin. "Take heed to yourselves," says Baxter, "because the tempterwillmake his first and sharpest onset upon you. If you will be the leadersagainsthim,hewill spareyouno further thanGodrestrainethhim.Hebearethyouthegreatestmalice thatareengagedtodohimthegreatestmischief. As he hateth Christ more than any of us, because he is theGeneral of the field, and the 'Captain of our salvation,' and dothmorethanall theworldbesides against thekingdomofdarkness; sodothhenotethe leadersunderhimmorethanthecommonsoldiers,onthe likeaccount,intheirproportion.Heknowswhatarouthemaymakeamongtherest,iftheleadersfallbeforetheireyes.Hehathlongtriedthatwayof

fighting, 'neitherwithsmallnorgreat,' comparatively,but these;andof'smiting the shepherds, thathemay scatter the flock.'And sogreathasbeenhissuccessthisway,thathewillfollowitonasfarasheisable.Takeheed,therefore,brethren,fortheenemyhathaspecialeyeuponyou.Youshallhavehismost subtle insinuations, and incessant solicitations, andviolentassaults.Aswiseandlearnedasyouare,takeheedtoyourselveslestheoverwityou.Thedevilisagreaterscholarthanyou,andanimblerdisputant;hecan'transformhimselfintoanangeloflight'todeceive.Hewillgetwithinyouand tripupyourheelsbeforeyouareaware;hewillplay the juggler with you undiscerned, and cheat you of your faith orinnocency,andyoushallnotknowthatyouhavelostit;nay,hewillmakeyou believe it is multiplied or increased when it is lost. You shall seeneither hook nor line,much less the subtle angler himself, while he isofferingyouhisbait.Andhisbaitsshallbesofittedtoyourtemperanddisposition,thathewillbesuretofindadvantageswithinyou,andmakeyour own principles and inclinations to betray you; and whenever heruinethyou,hewillmakeyoutheinstrumentofyourownruin.Oh,whataconquestwillhethinkhehathgot, ifhecanmakeaministerlazyandunfaithful; if he can tempt aminister into covetousness or scandal!Hewillgloryagainstthechurch,andsay,'Theseareyourholypreachers:youseewhattheirprecisenessis,andwhitheritwillbringthem.'Hewillgloryagainst Jesus Christ himself, and say, 'These are thy champions! I canmakethychiefestservantstoabusethee;Icanmakethestewardsofthyhouseunfaithful. ' Ifhedidso insultagainstGodupona false surmise,andtellhimhecould,makeJobtocursehimtohisface(Jobi.2),whatwouldhedo if he should indeedprevail against us?And at last hewillinsultasmuchoveryouthateverhecoulddrawyoutobe falsetoyourgreattrust,andtoblemishyourholyprofession,andtodohimsomuchservicethatwasyourenemy.OdonotsofargratifySatan;donotmakehim so much sport: suffer him not to use you as the Philistines didSamson-first to deprive you of your strength, and then to put out youreyes,andsotomakeyouthematterofhistriumphandderision."

Oncemore.Wemust cultivate the highest degree of godlinessbecauseourworkimperativelyrequiresit.ThelabouroftheChristianministryiswellperformedinexactproportiontothevigourofourrenewednature.Our work is only well done when it is well with ourselves. As is the

workman,suchwilltheworldbe.Tofacetheenemiesoftruth,todefendthebulwarksofthefaith,torulewellinthehouseofGod,tocomfortallthatmourn,toedify thesaints, toguide theperplexed, tobearwith thefroward, to win and nurse souls-all these and a thousand other worksbesidearenotforaFeeble-mindoraReady-to-halt,butarereservedforGreat-heart whom the Lord has made strong for himself. Seek thenstrength from the Strong One, wisdom from theWise One, in fact, allfromtheGodofall.

Thirdly, let theministertakecareTHATHISPERSONALCHARACTERAGREESINALLRESPECTSWITHHISMINISTRY.

Wehaveallheardthestoryofthemanwhopreachedsowellandlivedsobadly, thatwhenhewas in thepulpit everybodysaidheoughtnever tocome out again, and when he was out of it they all declared he neveroughttoenteritagain.FromtheimitationofsuchaJanusmaytheLorddeliverus.MayweneverbepriestsofGodatthealtar,andsonsofBelialoutside the tabernacledoor;buton thecontrary,maywe,asNazianzensaysofBasil,"thunderinourdoctrine,andlighteninourconversation."Wedonottrustthosepersonswhohavetwofaces,norwillmenbelieveinthose whose verbal and practical testimonies are contradictory. Asactions,accordingtotheproverb,speaklouderthanwords,soanill lifewilleffectuallydrownthevoiceof themosteloquentministry.Afterall,our truest buildingmust be performed with our hands; our charactersmustbemorepersuasivethanourspeech.HereIwouldnotalonewarnyouofsinsofcommission,butofsinsofomission.Toomanypreachersforget to serve God when they are out of the pulpit, their lives arenegatively inconsistent. Abhor, dear brethren, the thought of beingclockworkministerswho are not alive by abiding gracewithin, but arewoundupby temporary influences;menwhoareonlyministers for thetimebeing,under the stressof thehourofministering, but cease tobeministerswhentheydescendthepulpitstairs.Trueministersarealwaysministers. Toomanypreachers are like those sand-toyswe buy for ourchildren; you turn the box upside down, and the little acrobat revolvesandrevolvestillthesandisallrundown,andthenhehangsmotionless;sotherearesomewhopersevereintheministrationsoftruthaslongasthere is an official necessity for their work, but after that, no pay, no

paternoster;nosalary,nosermon.

It isahorrible thing tobean inconsistentminister.OurLord is said tohavebeen likeMoses, for thisreason, thathewas"aprophetmighty inwordandindeed."ThemanofGodshouldimitatehisMasterinthis;heshouldbemightybothinthewordofhisdoctrineandinthedeedofhisexample, andmightiest, ifpossible, in the second. It is remarkable thattheonlychurchhistorywehave is,"TheActsof theapostles."TheHolySpirithasnotpreservedtheirsermons.Theywereverygoodones,betterthanweshalleverpreach,butstilltheHolySpirithasonlytakencareoftheir"acts."Wehavenobooksoftheresolutionsoftheapostles;whenweholdourchurch-meetingswerecordourminutesandresolutions,buttheHolySpiritonlyputsdownthe"acts."Ouractsshouldbesuchastobearrecording, for recorded they will be. We must live as under the moreimmediateeyeofGod,andasintheblazeofthegreatall-revealingday.

Holiness in a minister is at once his chief necessity and his goodliestornament.Meremoralexcellenceisnotenough,theremustbethehighervirtue; a consistent character theremust be, but thismust be anointedwiththesacredconsecratingoil,orthatwhichmakesusmostfragranttoGodandmanwillbewanting.OldJohnStoughton,inhistreatiseentitled"ThePreacher'sDignityandDuty,"insistsupontheminister'sholinessinsentences fullofweight. "IfUzzahmustdiebut for touchingthearkofGod, and that to stay it when it was like to fall; if the men of Beth-shemeshforlookingintoit;iftheverybeaststhatdobutcomeneartheholymountbethreatened;thenwhatmannerofpersonsoughttheytobewhoshallbeadmittedtotalkwithGodfamiliarly,to 'standbeforehim,'astheangelsdo,and'beholdhisfacecontinually;' 'tobearthearkupontheirshoulders,' 'tobearhisnamebefore theGentiles;' inaword, tobehisambassadors?'Holinessbecomeththyhouse,OLord;'andwereitnotaridiculousthingtoimagine,thatthevesselsmustbeholy,thevesturesmust be holy, allmust be holy, but only he uponwhose very garmentsmustbewritten'holinesstotheLord,'mightbeunholy;thatthebellsofthe horses should have an inscription of holiness upon them, inZechariah, and the saints' bells, the bells of Aaron, should beunhallowed?No,theymustbe 'burningandshininglights,'orelsetheirinfluencewilldartsomemalignantquality;theymust'chewthecudand

divide the hoof,' or else they are unclean; they must' divide the wordaright,' and walk uprightly in their life, and so join life to learning. Ifholiness be wanting, the ambassadors dishonour the country fromwhencetheycome,andtheprincefromwhomtheycome;andthisdeadAmasa, this dead doctrine not quickened with a good life, lying in theway, stops thepeople of the Lord, that they cannot go on cheerfully intheirspiritualwarfare."

ThelifeofthepreachershouldbeamagnettodrawmentoChrist,anditissadindeedwhenitkeepsthemfromhim.Sanctityinministersisaloudcall to sinners to repent, and when allied with holy cheerfulness itbecomeswondrouslyattractive.JeremyTaylor inhisownrich languagetell us, "Herod's doves could never have invited so many strangers totheirdove-cotes,iftheyhadnotbeenbesmearedwithopobalsamum:

but,saidDidymus; 'makeyourpigeonssmellsweet,andtheywillallurewhole flocks;' and if your life be excellent, if your virtues be like aprecious ointment, youwill soon invite your charges to run 'inodoremunguentorum,' 'after yourprecious odours;' 'but youmust be excellent,not 'tanquamunusdepopulo,'but 'tanquamhomoDei;'youmustbeamanofGod,notafterthecommonmannerofmen,but'afterGod'sownheart;'andmenwillstrivetobelikeyou,ifyoubeliketoGod:butwhenyouonlystandatthedoorofvirtue,fornothingbuttokeepsinout,youwill draw into the folds of Christ none but such as fear drives in. 'AdmajoremDeigloriam,''TodowhatwillmostglorifyGod,'thatisthelineyoumustwalkby:fortodonomorethanallmenneedsmustisservility,notsomuchastheaffectionofsons;muchlesscanyoubefatherstothepeople,when you go not so far as the sons ofGod: for a dark lantern,thoughtherebeaweakbrightnessononeside,willscarceenlightenone,much less will it conduct amultitude, or alluremany followers by thebrightnessofitsflame."

Another equally admirable episcopal divine has well and pithily said,"ThestarwhichledthewisemenuntoChrist,thepillaroffirewhichledthechildrenuntoCanaan,didnotonlyshine,butgobeforethem.Matt.ii.9;Exod.xiii.21.ThevoiceofJacobwilldolittlegoodifthehandsbethehandsofEsau. In the law,nopersonwhohadanyblemishwas tooffertheoblationsoftheLord(Lev.xxi.17-20);theLordtherebyteachingus

what graces ought to be in hisministers. The priestwas to have in hisrobesbellsandpomegranates;theoneafigureofsounddoctrine,andtheotherofafruitfullife.Exod.xxviii.33,34.TheLordwillbesanctifiedinall those thatdrawnearuntohim(Isa.lii. 11); for thesinsof thepriestsmake the people abhor the offering of the Lord (1 Sam. ii. 17); theirwicked lives do shame their doctrine; Passionem Christi annunciantprofitendo, male agendo exhonorant, as St. Austin speaks: with theirdoctrine they build, and with their lives they destroy. I conclude thispointwith thatwholesomepassageofHieromadNepotianum.Letnot,saith he, thyworks shame thy doctrine, lest theywho hear thee in thechurchtacitlyanswer,Whydoestthounotthyselfwhatthouteachesttoothers?

Heistoodelicateateacherwhopersuadethotherstofastwithafullbelly.A robber may accuse covetousness. Sacerdotis Christi os, mens,manusqueconcordent;aministerofChristshouldhavehistongue,andhisheart,andhishandagree."

VeryquaintalsoisthelanguageofThomasPlayfereinhis"SayWell,DoWell." "There was a ridiculous actor in the city of Smyrna, who,pronouncingO coelum! O heaven! Pointed with his finger towards theground;whichwhenPolemo,thechiefestmanintheplace,saw,hecouldabide to stay no longer, but went from the company in a great chafe,saying'Thisfoolhathmadeasolecismwithhishand,hehasspokenfalseLatinwithhis finger.'Andsucharetheywhoteachwellanddo ill; thathowevertheyhaveheavenattheirtongue'send,yettheearth isattheirfinger'send;suchasdonotonlyspeakfalseLatinwiththeirtongue,butfalse divinity with their hands; such as live not according to theirpreaching.Buthe that sits in theheavenwill laugh them to scorn, andhissthemoffthestage,iftheydonotmendtheiraction."

Even in little things the minister should take care that his life isconsistentwithhisministry.Heshouldbeespeciallycarefulnevertofallshortofhisword.Thisshouldbepushedeventoscrupulosity;wecannotbe too careful; truth must not only be in us, but shine from us. AcelebrateddoctorofdivinityinLondon,whoisnowinheavenIhavenodoubt-a very excellent and godly man-gave notice one Sunday that heintended tovisitallhispeople,andsaid, that inorder tobeable toget

roundandvisitthemandtheirfamiliesonceintheyear,heshouldtakealltheseatholdersinorder.Apersonwellknowntome,whowasthenapoorman,wasdelightedwiththeideathattheministerwascomingtohishousetoseehim,andaboutaweekortwobeforeheconceiveditwouldbehis turn,hiswifewas very careful to sweep thehearthandkeep thehousetidy,andthemanranhomeearlyfromwork,hopingeachnighttofind the doctor there. This went on for a considerable time. He eitherforgot his promise, or grew weary in performing it, or for some otherreasonneverwenttothispoorman'shouse,andtheresultwasthis,themanlostconfidenceinallpreachers,andsaid,"Theycarefortherich,buttheydonot care foruswhoarepoor."Thatmannever settleddown toany one place of worship for many years, till at last he dropped intoExeterHall and remainedmy hearer for years till providence removedhim.Itwasnosmalltasktomakehimbelievethatanyministercouldbean honest man, and could impartially love both rich and poor. Let usavoiddoingsuchmischief,bybeingveryparticularastoourword.

Wemust remember thatweare verymuch lookedat.Menhardlyhavetheimpudencetobreakthelawintheopensightoftheirfellows,yet insuch publicity we live andmove.We are watched by a thousand eagleeyes;letussoactthatweshallneverneedtocareifallheaven,andearth,andhell,swelledthelistofspectators.OurpublicpositionisagreatgainifweareenabledtoexhibitthefruitsoftheSpiritinourlives;takeheed,brethren,thatyouthrownotawaytheadvantage.

Whenwesaytoyou,mydearbrethren,takecareofyourlife,wemeanbecareful of even the minutiae of your character. Avoid little debts,unpunctuality, gossipping, nicknaming, petty quarrels, and all other ofthose little viceswhich fill theointmentwith flies.The self-indulgenceswhichhaveloweredthereputeofmanymustnotbetoleratedbyus.Thefamiliarities which have laid others under suspicion, we must chastelyavoid. The roughnesses which have rendered some obnoxious, and thefopperieswhichhavemadeotherscontemptible,wemustputaway.Wecannotaffordtorungreatrisksthroughlittlethings.Ourcaremustbetoacton the rule, "givingnooffence inanything, that theministrybenotblamed."

Bythisisnotintendedthatwearetoholdourselvesboundbyeverywhim

orfashionofthesocietyinwhichwemove.Asageneralrule,Ihatethefashionsofsociety,anddetestconventionalities,andifIconceiveditbesttoputmyfootthroughalawofetiquette,Ishouldfeelgratifiedinhavingittodo.No,wearemen,notslaves;andarenottorelinquishourmanlyfreedom, to be the lacqueys of those who affect gentility or boastrefinement. Yet, brethren, anything that verges upon the coarsenesswhich is akin to sin, we must shun as we would a viper. The rules ofChesterfieldare ridiculous tous, butnot the example ofChrist; andhewasnevercoarse,low,discourteous,orindelicate.

Eveninyourrecreations,rememberthatyouareministers.Whenyouareoff the parade you are still officers in the army of Christ, and as suchdemean yourselves. But if the lesser things must be looked after, howcareful should you be in the great matters of morality, honesty, andintegrity!Heretheministermustnotfail.Hisprivatelifemusteverkeepgood tunewithhisministry, orhisdaywill soon setwithhim, and thesooner he retires the better, for his continuance in his office will onlydishonourthecauseofGodandruinhimself.

Brethren,thelimitsofalecturearereached,andwemustadjourn.

LECTUREIITHECALLTOTHEMINISTRY

AnyChristianhasarighttodisseminatethegospelwhohastheabilitytodoso;andmore,henotonlyhastheright,but it ishisdutysotodoaslongashelives.Rev.xxii.17.Thepropagationofthegospelisleft,nottoafew, but to all the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ: according to themeasureofgraceentrustedtohimbytheHolySpirit,eachmanisboundto minister in his day and generation, both to the church and amongunbelievers. Indeed, this question goes beyondmen, and even includesthewholeoftheothersex;whetherbelieversaremaleorfemale,theyareall bound, when enabled by divine grace, to exert themselves to theutmost to extend the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our service,however, need not take the particular form of preaching--certainly, insome cases it must not, as for instance in the case of females, whosepublicteachingisexpresslyprohibited:1Tim.ii.12;1Cor.xiv.34.Butyetif we have the ability to preach, we are bound to exercise it. I do not,however,inthislecturealludetooccasionalpreaching,oranyotherformofministry common to all the saints, but to thework and office of thebishopric, in which is included both teaching and bearing rule in thechurch,which requires the dedication of aman's entire life to spiritualwork,andseparationfromeverysecularcalling,2Tim.ii.4;andentitlestheman to cast himself for temporal supplies upon the church ofGod,sincehegivesupallhis time,energies,andendeavours, for thegoodofthoseoverwhomhepresides. 1Cor. ix. 11; 1Tim. v. 18. Suchaman isaddressedbyPeterinthewords,"FeedtheflockofGodwhichisamongyou,takingtheoversightthereof."1Pet.v.2.Now,allinachurchcannotoversee, or rule--theremustbe some tobeoverseenand ruled; andwebelievethattheHolyGhostappointsinthechurchofGodsometoactasoverseers, while others are made willing to be watched over for theirgood.Allarenotcalledtolabourinwordanddoctrine,ortobeelders,orto exercise the office of a bishop; nor should all aspire to such works,since thegiftsnecessary arenowherepromised to all; but those shouldaddict themselves to such important engagements who feel, like theapostle,thattheyhave"receivedthisministry."2Cor.iv.1.Nomanmayintrudeintothesheepfoldasanunder-shepherd;hemusthaveaneyetothe chief Shepherd, and wait his beck and command. Or ever a man

standsforthasGod'sambassador,hemustwaitforthecall fromabove;andifhedoesnotso,butrushesintothesacredoffice,theLordwillsayofhim and others like him, "I sent them not, neither commanded them;thereforetheyshallnotprofitthispeopleatall,saiththeLord."Jer.xxiii.32.

ByreferencetotheOldTestament,youwillfindthemessengersofGodintheolddispensationclaimingtoholdcommissionsfromJehovah.Isaiahtellsusthatoneoftheseraphimtouchedhislipswithalivecoalfromoffthealtar,andthevoiceoftheLordsaid,"WhomshallIsend,andwhowillgoforus?"Isa.vi.8.Thensaidtheprophet,"HereamI,sendme."Herannotbeforehehadbeen thusespeciallyvisitedof theLordandqualifiedforhismission."Howshalltheypreach,excepttheybesent?"werewordsas yet unuttered, but their solemn meaning was well understood.Jeremiahdetailshiscallinhisfirstchapter:"ThenthewordoftheLordcameuntome,saying,BeforeIformedtheeinthebellyIknewthee;andbefore thou camest forth out of the womb, I sanctified thee, and Iordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord God!behold,Icannotspeak:forIamachild.ButtheLordsaiduntome,Saynot, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, andwhatsoeverIcommandtheethoushaltspeak.Benotafraidoftheirfaces:forIamwiththeetodeliverthee,saiththeLord.ThentheLordputforthhishand,andtouchedmymouth;andtheLordsaiduntome,Behold,Ihaveputmywords in thymouth.See, Ihave thisday set theeover thenations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and todestroy, and to throw down, and to build, and to plant." Jer. 1.4-10.Varying in its outward form, but to the same purport, was thecommissionofEzekiel;itrunsthusinhisownwords:"Andhesaiduntome,Sonofman,standuponthyfeet,andIwillspeakuntothee.AndtheSpiritenteredintomewhenhespakeuntome,andsetmeuponmyfeet,thatIheardhimthatspakeuntome.Andhesaiduntome,Sonofman,Isend thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hathrebelledagainstme:theyandtheirfathershavetransgressedagainstme,evenuntothisveryday."Ezek.ii.1-3."Moreoverhesaiduntome,Sonofman,eatthatthoufindest;eat thisroll,andgospeakuntothehouseofIsrael.SoIopenedmymouth,andhecausedmetoeatthatroll.Andhesaiduntome,Sonofman,causethybellytoeat,andfillthybowelswith

this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was inmymouth ashoneyforsweetness.Andhesaiduntome,Sonofman,go,gettheeuntothehouseofIsrael,andspeakwithmywordsuntothem."Ezek. iii.1-4.Daniel's call toprophesy, althoughnot recorded, is abundantlyattestedby the visions granted to him, and the exceeding, favourwhich he hadwith theLord,both inhissolitarymeditationsandpublicacts. It isnotneedful topass all theotherprophets in review, for they all claimed tospeak with "thus saith the Lord." In the present dispensation, thepriesthood is common to all the saints; but to prophesy, or what isanalogousthereto,namely,tobemovedbytheHolyGhosttogiveoneselfupwhollytotheproclamationofthegospel,is,asamatteroffact,thegiftandcallingofonlyacomparativelysmallnumber;andsurelytheseneedtobe as sureof the rightfulness of theirposition aswere theprophets;andyethowcantheyjustifytheiroffice,exceptbyasimilarcall?

Norneedanyimaginethatsuchcallsareameredelusion,andthatnoneareinthisageseparatedforthepeculiarworkofteachingandoverseeing,thechurch,fortheverynamesgiventoministersintheNewTestamentimplyapreviouscall to theirwork.Theapostlesays, "Nowthenweareambassadors forGod;"butdoesnot theverysoulof theambassadorialofficelieintheappointmentwhichismadebythemonarchrepresented?Anambassadorunsentwouldbealaughing-stock.Menwhodaretoavowthemselves ambassadors for Christ, must feel most solemnly that theLordhas"committed"tothemthewordofreconciliation.2Cor.v.18,19.Ifitbesaidthatthisisrestrictedtotheapostles,Ianswerthattheepistleiswrittennot in thenameofPaulonly,butofTimothyalso,andhenceincludes other ministry besides apostleship. In the first epistle to theCorinthiansweread,"Letamansoaccountofus(theusheremeaning,Paul and Sosthenes, 1. Cor. i. 1), as of the ministers of Christ, andstewardsofthemysteriesofGod."1Cor.iv.1.Surelyastewardmustholdhis office from theMaster.He cannot be a stewardmerely because hechooses to be so, or is so regarded by others. If any of us should electourselves stewards to theMarquisofWestminster, andproceed todealwithhisproperty,weshouldhaveourmistakeveryspeedilypointedouttousinthemostconvincingmanner.Theremustevidentlybeauthorityereamancanlegallybecomeabishop,"thestewardofGod."Titusi.7.

TheApocalyptic titleofAngel (Rev. ii. 1)means amessenger; and howshallmenbeChrist'sheralds,unlessbyhiselectionandordination?IfthereferenceofthewordAngeltotheministerbequestioned,weshouldbegladtohaveitshownthatitcanrelatetoanyoneelse.TowhomwouldtheSpirit write in the church as its representative, but to some one in apositionanalogoustothatofthepresidingelder?

Titus was bidden to make full proof of his ministry--there was surelysomethingtoprove.Someare"vesselsuntohonour,sanctifiedandmeetfortheMaster'suse,andprepareduntoeverygoodwork."2Tim. ii.21.TheMasterisnottobedeniedthechoiceofthevesselswhichheuses,hewillstill sayofcertainmenashedidofSaulofTarsus,"Heisachosenvesseluntome,tobearmynamebeforetheGentiles."Actsix.15.WhenourLordascendedonhighhegavegiftsuntomen,andit isnoteworthythat these gifts weremen set apart for various works: "He gave some,apostles;andsome,prophets;andsome,evangelists;andsome,pastorsand teachers" (Eph. iv. 11); from which it is evident that certainindividualsare,astheresultofourLord'sascension,bestoweduponthechurches as pastors; they are given of God, and consequently not self-elevated to theirposition.Brethren, I trust youmaybeableoneday tospeakof the flockoverwhom"theHolyGhosthasmadeyouoverseers"(Actsxx.28),andIpraythateveryoneofyoumaybeabletosaywiththeapostleoftheGentiles,thatyourministryisnotofman,neitherbyman,butthatyouhavereceiveditoftheLord.Gal.i.1.Inyoumaythatancientpromisebe fulfilled, "Iwillgive thempastorsaccording tomineheart."Jer.iii.15."Iwillsetupshepherdsoverthem,whichshallfeedthem."Jer.xxiii. 4. May the Lord himself fulfil in your several persons his owndeclaration: "I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, whichshall never hold their peace day nor night." May you take forth theprecious from the vile, and so be asGod'smouth. Jer. xv. 19.May theLordmakemanifestbyyouthesavouroftheknowledgeofJesusineveryplace,andmakeyou"untoGodasweetsavourofChrist,inthemthataresaved,andinthemthatperish."2Cor.ii,15.Havingapricelesstreasureinearthenvessels,maytheexcellencyofthedivinepowerrestuponyou,andsomayyoubothglorifyGodandclearyourselvesfromthebloodofallmen.AstheLordJesuswentuptotheMountandcalledtohimwhomhewould,andthensentthemforthtopreach(Markiii,13),evensomay

heselectyou, call youupward to communewithhimself, and sendyouforthashiselectservantstoblessboththechurchandtheworld.

Howmay a youngman knowwhether he is called or not? That is aweighty enquiry, and I desire to treat it most solemnly. O for divineguidance in so doing! That hundreds have missed their way, andstumbled against a pulpit is sorrowfully evident from the fruitlessministries and decaying churches which surround us. It is a fearfulcalamitytoamantomisshiscalling,andto thechurchuponwhomheimposeshimself,hismistake involves anafflictionof themost grievouskind. It would be a curious and painful subject for reflection--thefrequencywithwhichmeninthepossessionofreasonmistaketheendoftheir existence, and aim at objects which they were never intended topursue.Thewriterwhopennedthefollowinglinesmustsurelyhavehadhiseyeuponmanyill-occupiedpulpits:

"Declare,yesages,ifyefind'Mongstanimalsofeverykind,Ofeachcondition,sort,andsize,Fromwhalesandelephantstoflies,Acreaturethatmistakeshisplan,Anderrssoconstantlyasman!Eachkindpursuesitspropergood,Andseeksenjoyment,restandfood,Asnaturepoints,andnevererrsInwhatitchoosesorprefers;Manonlyblunders,thoughpossessedOfreasonfarabovetherest.Descendtoinstancesandtry:Anoxwillnotattempttofly,OrleavehispastureinthewoodWithfishestoexploretheflood.ManonlyactsofeverycreatureInoppositiontohisnature

WhenIthinkupontheallbutinfinitemischiefwhichmayresultfroma

mistakeastoourvocationfortheChristianpastorate,Ifeeloverwhelmedwithfearlestanyofusshouldbeslackinexaminingourcredentials;andI had rather that we stood too much in doubt, and examined toofrequently,thanthatweshouldbecomecumberersoftheground.Therearenotlackingmanyexactmethodsbywhichamanmaytesthiscalltotheministryifheearnestlydesirestodoso.Itisimperativeuponhimnottoentertheministryuntilhehasmadesolemnquestandtrialofhimselfas to this point. His own personal salvation being secure, he mustinvestigateastothefurthermatterofhiscalltooffice;thefirstisvitaltohimselfasaChristian,thesecondequallyvitaltohimasapastor.Aswellbe a professor without conversion, as a pastor without calling. In bothcasesthereisanameandnothingmore.

1.Thefirstsignoftheheavenlycallisanintense,all-absorbingdesireforthe work. In order to a true call to the ministry there must be anirresistible,overwhelmingcravingand raging thirst for telling tootherswhatGodhasdonetoourownsouls;whatifIcallitakindofÃÄ¿Á³®,suchasbirdshaveforrearingtheiryoungwhentheseasoniscome;whenthe mother-bird would sooner die than leave her nest. It was said ofAlleine by one who knew him intimately, that "he was infinitely andinsatiablygreedyoftheconversionofsouls."Whenhemighthavehadafellowship at his university, he preferred a chaplaincy, because he was"inspiredwithan impatiencetobeoccupied indirectministerialwork.""Donotentertheministryifyoucanhelpit,"wasthedeeplysageadviceofadivinetoonewhosoughthisjudgment.Ifanystudentinthisroomcouldbecontenttobeanewspapereditor,oragrocer,orafarmer,oradoctor, or a lawyer, or a senator, or a king, in thenameofheavenandearthlethimgohisway;heisnotthemaninwhomdwellstheSpiritofGodinitsfulness,foramansofilledwithGodwouldutterlywearyofanypursuitbutthatforwhichhisinmostsoulpants.Ifontheotherhand,youcansaythatforallthewealthofboththeIndiesyoucouldnotanddarenot espouse any other calling so as to be put aside frompreaching thegospel of Jesus Christ, then, depend upon it, if other things be equallysatisfactory,youhavethesignsofthisapostleship.Wemustfeelthatwoeisuntousifwepreachnotthegospel;thewordofGodmustbeuntousasfire in our bones, otherwise, if we undertake theministry, we shall beunhappyinit,shallbeunabletobeartheself-denialsincidenttoit,and

shallbeoflittleservicetothoseamongwhomweminister.Ispeakofself-denials, andwell Imay; for the true pastor'swork is full of them, andwithouta love tohis callinghewill soonsuccumb,andeither leave thedrudgery, or move on in discontent, burdened with a monotony astiresomeasthatofablindhorseinamill.

"Thereisacomfortinthestrengthoflove;'Twillmakeathingendurablewhichelse'Wouldbreaktheheart

Girtwiththatlove,youwillbeundaunted;divestedofthatmorethanmagic-belt of irresistible vocation, you will pine away inwretchedness.

This desire must be a thoughtful one. It should not be a suddenimpulse unattended by anxious consideration. It should be theoutgrowth of our heart in its best moments, the object of ourreverentaspirations,thesubjectofourmostferventprayers.Itmustcontinuewithuswhentemptingoffersofwealthandcomfortcomeintoconflictwithit,andremainasacalm,clear-headedresolveaftereverything has been estimated at its right figure, and the costthoroughlycounted.Whenlivingasachildatmygrandfather'sinthecountry, I saw a company of huntsmen in their red coats ridingthrough his fields after a fox. I was delighted!My little heartwasexcited; I was ready to follow the hounds over hedge and ditch. Ihave always felt a natural taste for that sort of business, and, as achild,whenaskedwhatIwouldbe,IusuallysaidIwasgoingtobeahuntsman.Afineprofession,truly!ManyyoungmenhavethesameideaofbeingparsonsasIhadofbeingahuntsman--amerechildishnotion that they would like the coat and the horn-blowing; thehonour, the respect, the ease; and they are probably even foolsenough to think, the riches of the ministry. (Ignorant beings theymust be if they look for wealth in connection with the Baptistministry.) The fascination of the preacher's office is very great toweak minds, and hence I earnestly caution all young men not tomistakewhimforinspiration,andachildishpreferenceforacalloftheHolySpirit.

Mark well, that the desire I have spoken of must be thoroughlydisinterested. If a man can detect, after the most earnest self-examination,anyothermotivethanthegloryofGodandthegoodofsoulsinhisseekingthebishopric,hehadbetterturnasidefromitatonce;fortheLordwillabhorthebringingofbuyersandsellersintohis temple: the introduction of anything mercenary, even in thesmallestdegree,willbe like the fly in thepotofointment,andwillspoilitall.

Thisdesireshouldbeonewhichcontinueswithus,apassionwhichbearsthetestoftrial,alongingfromwhichitisquiteimpossibleforus to escape, thoughwemay have tried to do so; a desire, in fact,whichgrowsmore intenseby the lapseof years,until it becomesayearning,apining, a famishing toproclaim theWord.This intensedesire issonobleandbeautifula thing, thatwhenever Iperceive itglowinginanyyoungman'sbosom,Iamalwaysslowtodiscouragehim,eventhoughImayhavemydoubtsastohisabilities.Itmaybeneedful,forreasonstobegivenyoufurtheron,torepresstheflame,but it should always be reluctantly andwisely done. I have such aprofoundrespect forthis"fire inthebones," that if Ididnot feel itmyself, I must leave the ministry at once. If you do not feel theconsecratedglow,IbeseechyoureturntoyourhomesandserveGodin your proper spheres; but if assuredly the coals of juniper blazewithin, do not stifle them, unless, indeed, other considerations ofgreat moment should prove to you that the desire is not a fire ofheavenlyorigin.

2.Inthesecondplace,combinedwiththeearnestdesiretobecomeapastor, there must be aptness to teach and some measure of theotherqualitiesneedfulfortheofficeofapublicinstructor.Amantoprovehis callmustmake a successful trial of these. I donot claimthat the first time aman rises to speak hemust preach aswell asRobertHalldidinhis laterdays.Ifhepreachesnoworsethanthatgreatmandidatthefirst,hemustnotbecondemned.Youareawarethat RobertHall broke down altogether three times, and cried, "Ifthisdoesnothumbleme,nothingwill."Someofthenoblestspeakerswere not in their early days the most fluent. Even Cicero at first

sufferedfromaweakvoiceandadifficultyofutterance.Still,amanmustnotconsiderthatheiscalledtopreachuntilhehasprovedthathe can speak. God certainly has not created behemoth to fly andshould leviathan have a strong desire to ascend with the lark, itwould evidently be an unwise aspiration, since he is not furnishedwithwings.Ifamanbecalledtopreach,hewillbeendowedwithadegreeofspeakingability,whichhewillcultivateandincrease.Ifthegiftofutterancebenotthereinameasureatthefirst,itisnotlikelythatitwilleverbedeveloped.

Ihaveheardofagentlemanwhohadamostintensedesiretopreach,and pressed his suit upon his minister, until after a multitude ofrebuffsheobtainedleavetopreachatrialsermon.Thatopportunitywas the end of his importunity, for upon announcing his text hefound himself bereft of every idea but one, which he deliveredfeelingly, and thendescended the rostrum. "Mybrethren," saidhe,"ifanyofyouthinkitaneasythingtopreach,Iadviseyoutocomeuphereandhavealltheconceittakenoutofyou."Thetrialofyourpowerswillgofartorevealtoyouyourdeficiency,ifyouhavenottheneeded ability. I knowofnothingbetter.Wemust give ourselves afair trial in thismatter, orwe cannot assuredly knowwhetherGodhas called us or not; and during the probation wemust often askourselveswhether,uponthewhole,wecanhopetoedifyotherswithsuchdiscourses.

Wemust,however,domuchmorethanputittoourownconscienceand judgment, for we are poor judges. A certain class of brethrenhave a great facility for discovering that they have been verywonderfullyanddivinelyhelpedintheirdeclamations;Ishouldenvythem their glorious liberty and self-complacency if there were anygroundforit;foralas!Iveryfrequentlyhavetobemoanandmournovermy non-success and shortcomings as a speaker. There is notmuchdependencetobeplaceduponourownopinion,butmuchmaybe learned from judicious, spiritual-minded persons. It is by nomeansalawwhichoughttobindallpersons,butstillitisagoodoldcustom in many of our country churches for the young man whoaspirestotheministrytopreachbeforethechurch.Itcanhardlyever

be a very pleasant ordeal for the youthful aspirant, and, in manycases, itwillscarcelybeaveryedifyingexercise for thepeople;butstill itmay prove amost salutary piece of discipline, and save thepublic exposure of rampant ignorance. The church book at Arnsbycontainsthefollowingentry:

AshortaccountoftheCallofRobertHall,Junior,totheworkoftheMinistry,bytheChurchatArnsby,August13th,1780.

"ThesaidRobertHallwasbornatArnsby,May2nd,1764;andwas,evenfromhischildhood,notonlyserious,andgiventosecretprayerbeforehe could speakplain, butwas alwayswholly inclined to thework of the ministry. He began to compose hymns before he wasquite seven years old, and therein discoveredmarks of piety, deepthought,andgenius.Betweeneightandnineyearshemadeseveralhymns, which were much admired by many, one of which wasprinted in the Gospel Magazine about that time. He wrote histhoughts on various religious subjects, and select portions ofScripture. He was likewise possessed of an intense inclination forlearning, and made such progress that the country master underwhomhewascouldnotinstructhimanyfurther.HewasthensenttoNorthampton boarding school, under the care of the Rev. JohnRyland,wherehecontinuedaboutayearanda-half,andmadegreatprogress in Latin and Greek. In October, 1778, he went to theAcademy at Bristol, under the care of the Rev.Mr. Evans; and onAugust13th,1780,wassentouttotheministrybythischurch,beingsixteenyearsandthreemonthsold,Themannerinwhichthechurchobtained satisfaction with his abilities for the great work, was hisspeakinginhisturnatconferencemeetingsfromvariousportionsofScripture;inwhich,andinprayer,hehadborneapartforupwardsof four years before; and having when at home, at their request,frequently preached on Lord's-day mornings, to their greatsatisfaction.Theythereforeearnestlyandunanimouslyrequestedhisbeing ina solemnmanner set apart topublic employ. Accordingly,on the day aforesaid, he was examined by his father before thechurch,respectinghis inclination,motives,andend, inreferencetotheministry, andwas likewisedesired tomakeadeclarationofhis

religioussentiments.Allwhichbeingdone,totheentiresatisfactionof the church, they therefore sethimapart by liftingup their righthands,andbysolemnprayer.His father thendeliveredadiscoursetohim from2Tim, ii. 1, 'Thou therefore,my son, be strong in thegrace that is inChrist Jesus.'Being thus sent forth,hepreached inthe afternoon from 2 Thess. i. 7, 8. 'May the Lord bless him, andgrant him great success!'" (Biographical Recollections of the Rev,RobertHall,A.M.ByJ.M.Morris,1833.)

Considerable weight is to be given to the judgment of men andwomenwholiveneartoGod,andinmostinstancestheirverdictwillnotbeamistakenone.Yetthisappealisnotfinalnorinfallible,andisonlytobeestimatedinproportiontotheintelligenceandpietyofthose consulted. I remember well how earnestly I was dissuadedfrompreachingbyasgodlyaChristianmatronaseverbreathed;thevalue of her opinion I endeavoured to estimate with candour andpatience-butitwasoutweighedbythejudgmentofpersonsofwiderexperience.Youngmenindoubtwilldowelltotakewiththemtheirwisestfriendswhennexttheygoouttothecountrychapelorvillagemeeting-roomandessay todeliver theWord. Ihavenoted-andourvenerable friend, Mr. Rogers, has observed the same--that you,gentlemen,students,asabody,inyourjudgmentofoneanother,areseldomifeverwrong.Therehashardlyeverbeenan instance, takethe whole house through, where the general opinion of the entirecollegeconcerningabrotherhasbeenerroneous.Menarenotquiteso unable to form an opinion of each other as they are sometimessupposed to be.Meeting as you do in class, in prayer-meeting, inconversation,andinvariousreligiousengagements,yougaugeeachother; and a wiseman will be slow to set aside the verdict of thehouse.

IshouldnotcompletethispointifIdidnotadd,thatmereabilitytoedify,andaptnesstoteachisnotenough,theremustbeothertalentsto complete the pastoral character. Sound judgment and solidexperiencemust instructyou;gentlemannersand lovingaffectionsmust sway you; firmness and courage must be manifest; andtendernessand sympathymustnotbe lacking.Gifts administrative

inrulingwellwillbeasrequisiteasgiftsinstructiveinteachingwell.Youmustbefittedtolead,preparedtoendure,andabletopersevere.In grace, you should be head and shoulders above the rest of thepeople, able to be their father and counsellor. Read carefully thequalificationsofabishop,givenin1Tim.iii.2-7,andinTitusi.6-9.Ifsuchgiftsandgracesbenotinyouandabound,itmaybepossibleforyoutosucceedasanevangelist,butasapastoryouwillbeofnoaccount.

3.Inorderfurthertoproveaman'scall,afteralittleexerciseofhisgifts, such as I have already spoken of, hemust see ameasure ofconversion-workgoingonunderhisefforts,orhemayconcludethathehasmadeamistake,and,therefore,maygobackbythebestwayhecan.Itisnottobeexpectedthatuponthefirstoreventwentietheffortinpublicweshallbeapprizedofsuccess;andamanmayevengivehimselfalifetrialofpreachingifhefeelscalledtodoso,butitseems to me, that as a man to be set apart to the ministry, hiscommission is without seals until souls are won by hisinstrumentalitytotheknowledgeofJesus.Asaworker,heistoworkonwhetherhesucceedsorno,butasaministerhecannotbesureofhis vocation till results are apparent.Howmy heart leaped for joywhen Iheard tidingsofmy first convert! I couldneverbe satisfiedwith a full congregation, and the kind expressions of friends; Ilongedtohearthatheartshadbeenbroken,thattearshadbeenseenstreamingfromtheeyesofpenitents.HowdidIrejoice,asonethatfindethgreatspoil,overonepoorlabourer'swifewhoconfessedthatshe felt the guilt of sin, and had found the Saviour under mydiscourseonSundayafternoon:Ihavethecottageinwhichshelivedin my eye now; believe me, it always appears picturesque. Iremember well her being received into the church, and her dying,andhergoinghometoheaven.Shewasthefirstsealtomyministry,and, I can assure you, a very precious one indeed.Nomotherwasevermore fullofhappinessat the sightofher first-born son.Thencould I have sung the song of the Virgin Mary , for my soul didmagnifytheLordforrememberingmylowestate,andgivingmethegreathonour todoawork forwhichallgenerationsshouldcallmeblessed, forsoIcountedtheconversionofonesoul.Theremustbe

somemeasure of conversion-work in your irregular labours beforeyoucallbelievethatpreachingistobeyourlife-work.RemembertheLord's words by the prophet Jeremiah; they are verymuch to thepoint,andshouldalarmallfruitlesspreachers."Ihavenotsenttheseprophets, yet they ran; I have not spoken to them, yet theyprophesied.Butiftheyhadstoodinmycounsel,andhadcausedmypeople tohearmywords, then they shouldhave turned them fromtheirevilway,andfromtheeviloftheirdoings."Jer.xxiii.21,22.Itisamarveltomehowmencontinueateaseinpreachingyearafteryear without conversions. Have they no bowels of compassion forothers?nosenseofresponsibilityuponthemselves?Darethey,byavainmisrepresentationofdivinesovereignty,casttheblameontheirMaster?OrisittheirbeliefthatPaulplantsandApolloswaters,andthatGodgivesnoincrease?Vainaretheirtalents,theirphilosophy,theirrhetoric,andeventheirorthodoxy,withoutthesignsfollowing.HowaretheysentofGodwhobringnomentoGod?Prophetswhosewordsarepowerless,sowerswhoseseedallwithers,fisherswhotakenofish,soldierswhogivenowounds-aretheseGod'smen?Surelyitwerebettertobeamud-raker,orachimney-sweep,thantostandinthe ministry as an utterly barren tree. The meanest occupationconfers some benefit upon mankind, but the wretched man whooccupies a pulpit and never glorifies his God by conversions is ablank,ablot,aneyesore,amischief.Heisnotworththesaltheeats,much lesshisbread;and ifhewrites tonewspapers tocomplainofthesmallnessofhissalary,hisconscience,ifhehasany,mightwellreply, "Andwhat you have is undeserved." Times of drought theremaybe;ay,andyearsofleannessmayconsumetheformeryearsofusefulness,but still therewill be fruit in themain, and fruit to theglory of God; andmeanwhile the transient barrenness will fill thesoulwithunutterableanguish.Brethren,iftheLordgivesyounozealforsouls,keeptothelapstoneorthetrowel,butavoidthepulpitasyouvalueyourheart'speaceandyourfuturesalvation.

4.Astepbeyondallthisishoweverneedfulinourenquiry.ThewilloftheLordconcerningpastorsismadeknownthroughtheprayerfuljudgmentofhischurch.Itisneedfulasaproofofyourvocationthatyour preaching should be acceptable to the people of God. God

usuallyopensdoorsofutteranceforthosewhomhecallstospeakinhisname.Impatiencewouldpushopenorbreakdownthedoor,butfaith waits upon the Lord, and in due season her opportunity isawarded her. When the opportunity comes then comes our trial.Standinguptopreach,ourspiritwillbejudgedoftheassembly,andifitbecondemned,orif,asageneralrule,thechurchisnotedified,theconclusionmaynotbedisputed,thatwearenotsentofGod.ThesignsandmarksofatruebishoparelaiddownintheWordfortheguidance of the church; and if in following such guidance thebrethrenseenotinusthequalifications,anddonotelectustooffice,itisplainenoughthathoweverwellwemayevangelise,theofficeofthepastorisnotforus.Churchesarenotallwise,neitherdotheyalljudgeinthepoweroftheHolyGhost,butmanyofthemjudgeafterthe flesh; yet I had sooner accept the opinion of a company of theLord'speople thanmy own upon so personal a subject asmy owngifts and graces. At any rate, whether you value the verdict of thechurchorno,one thing is certain, thatnoneof youcanbepastorswithoutthelovingconsentoftheflock;andthereforethiswillbetoyou a practical indicator if not a correct one. If your call from theLordbearealoneyouwillnot longbesilent.Assurelyasthemanwantshishour,sosurelythehourwantsitsman;ThechurchofGodisalwaysurgentlyinneedoflivingministers;toheramanisalwaysmoreprecious than the goldofOphir.Formal officialsdo lackandsufferhunger,buttheanointedoftheLordneedneverbewithoutacharge, for there are quick ear's which will know them by theirspeech,andreadyheartstowelcomethemtotheirappointedplace.Befitforyourwork,andyouwillneverbeoutofit.Donotrunaboutinviting yourselves to preach here and there; be more concernedabout your ability than your opportunity, and more earnest aboutyourwalkwithGodthanabouteither.ThesheepwillknowtheGod-sentshepherd;theporterofthefoldwillopentoyou,andtheflockwillknowyourvoice.

At the timeofmy firstdeliveryof this lecture, Ihadnot readJohnNewton's admirable letter to a friend on this subject; it so nearlytallieswithmyownthoughts,thatattheriskofbeingthoughttobeacopyist,whichIcertainlyamnotinthisinstance,Iwillreadyouthe

letter:

"Your case reminds me of my own; my first desires towards theministrywereattendedwithgreatuncertaintiesanddifficulties,andtheperplexity ofmy ownmindwas heightened by the various andopposite judgmentsofmy friends.Theadvice Ihave tooffer is theresult of painful experience and exercise, and for this reason,perhaps,maynotbeunacceptabletoyou.IprayourgraciousLordtomakeituseful."I was long distressed, as you are, about what was or was not aproper call to the ministry. It now seems to me an easy point tosolve;but,perhaps,itwillnotbesotoyou,tilltheLordshallmakeitcleartoyourselfinyourowncase.IhavenotroomtosaysomuchasIcould.Inbrief,Ithinkitprincipallyincludesthreethings:"1. A warm and earnest desire to be employed in this service. Iapprehendthemanwho isoncemovedby theSpiritofGodto thiswork,willpreferit, ifattainable,tothousandsofgoldandsilver;sothat, thoughhe isat times intimidatedbyasenseof its importanceanddifficulty,comparedwithhisowngreatinsufficiency(foritistobe presumed a call of this sort, if indeed from God, will beaccompaniedwithhumilityandself-abasement),yethecannotgiveitup.Iholditagoodruletoenquireinthispoint,whetherthedesiretopreachismostferventinourmostlivelyandspiritualframes,andwhenwearemostlaidinthedustbeforetheLord?Ifso,itisagoodsign.Butif,asissometimesthecase,apersonisveryearnesttobeapreachertoothers,whenhefindsbutlittlehungeringsandthirstingsafter grace in his own soul, it is then to be feared his zeal springsratherfromaselfishprinciplethanfromtheSpiritofGod."2. Besides this affectionate desire and readiness to preach, theremust in due season appear some competent sufficiency as to gifts,knowledge,andutterance.Surely, if theLordsendsaman to teachothers, he will furnish him with the means. I believe many haveintendedwell in setting up for preachers, who yetwent beyond orbeforetheircallinsodoing.Themaindifferencebetweenaminister

and a private Christian, seems to consist in thoseministerial gifts,which are imparted to him, not for his own sake, but for theedification of others. But then I say these are to appear in dueseason;theyarenottobeexpectedinstantaneously,butgradually,intheuseofpropermeans.Theyarenecessaryforthedischargeoftheministry,butnotnecessaryaspre-requisites towarrantourdesiresafter it. In your case, you are young, and have time before you;therefore,Ithinkyouneednotasyetperplexyourselfwithenquiringifyouhavethesegiftsalready.It issufficient ifyourdesire is fixed,andyouarewilling,inthewayofprayeranddiligence,towaitupontheLordforthem;asyetyouneedthemnot.[Weshouldhesitatetospeakpreciselyinthismanner.Thegiftsmustbesomewhatapparentbefore thedesire shouldbe encouraged. Still in themainwe agreewithMr.Newton.]"3. That which finally evidences a proper call, is a correspondentopeninginprovidence,byagradualtrainofcircumstancespointingout the means, the time, the place, of actually entering upon thework.Anduntil thiscoincidencearrives,youmustnotexpect tobealwaysclearfromhesitationinyourownmind.Theprincipalcautiononthisheadis,nottobetoohastyincatchingatfirstappearances.Ifit be the Lord's will to bring you into hisministry, he has alreadyappointed your place and service, and though you know it not atpresent,youshallatapropertime.Ifyouhadthetalentsofanangel,youcoulddonogoodwiththemtillhishouriscome,andtillheleadsyoutothepeoplewhomhehasdeterminedtoblessbyyourmeans.Itisverydifficult torestrainourselveswithintheboundsofprudencehere,whenourzeal iswarm:asenseoftheloveofChristuponourhearts,andatendercompassionforpoorsinners,isreadytopromptustobreakouttoosoon;buthethatbelievethshallnotmakehaste.Iwas about five years under this constraint; sometimes I thought Imust preach, though it was in the streets. I listened to everythingthatseemedplausible,andtomanythingswhichwerenotso.ButtheLordgraciously, and as itwere insensibly, hedgedupmywaywiththorns;otherwise,ifIhadbeenlefttomyownspirit,Ishouldhaveputitquiteoutofmypowertohavebeenbroughtintosuchasphereofusefulness,asheinhisgoodtimehasbeenpleasedtoleadmeto.

And I cannowsee clearly, that at the time Iwould firsthavegoneout, though my intention was, I hope, good in the main, yet Ioverrated myself, and had not that spiritual judgment andexperiencewhicharerequisiteforsogreataservice."

Thusmuchmaysuffice,butthesamesubjectwillbebeforeyouifIdetail a little of my experience in dealing with aspirants for theministry.I have constantly to fufil the dutywhich fell to the lot ofCromwell'sTriers.Ihavetoformanopinionastotheadvisabilityofaiding certain men in their attempts to become pastors. This is amostresponsibleduty,andonewhichrequiresnoordinarycare.Ofcourse,Idonotsetmyselfuptojudgewhetheramanshallentertheministry ornot, butmy examinationmerelyaimsat answering thequestionwhetherthisinstitutionshallhelphim,orleavehimtohisown resources. Certain of our charitable neighbours accuse us ofhaving"aparsonmanufactory"here,butthechargeisnottrueatall.We never tried to make a minister, and should fail if we did; wereceivenone intotheCollegebut thosewhoprofess tobeministersalready.Itwouldbenearerthetruthiftheycalledmeaparsonkiller,for a goodlynumberof beginnershave received their quietus fromme;andIhavethefullesteaseofconscienceinreflectinguponwhatIhavesodone.IthasalwaysbeenahardtaskformetodiscourageahopefulyoungbrotherwhohasappliedforadmissiontotheCollege.My heart has always leaned to the kindest side, but duty to thechurches has compelled me to judge with severe discrimination.After hearing what the candidate has had to say, having read histestimonials and seen his replies to questions, when I have feltconvinced that theLordhadnotcalledhim, Ihavebeenobligedtotellhimso.Certainofthecasesaretypesofall.Youngbrethrenapplywho earnestly desire to enter the ministry, but it is painfullyapparent that their main motive is an ambitious desire to shineamong men. These men are from a common point of view to becommendedforaspiring,butthenthepulpitisnevertobetheladderbywhichambitionistoclimb.Hadsuchmenenteredthearmytheywouldneverhavebeensatisfiedtilltheyhadreachedthefrontrank,fortheyaredeterminedtopushtheirwayup—allverylaudableandvery proper so far; but they have embraced the idea that if they

enteredtheministrytheywouldbegreatlydistingnished;theyhavefeltthebuddingsofgenius,andhaveregardedthemselvesasgreaterthan ordinary persons, and, therefore, they have looked upon theministryasaplatformuponwhichtodisplaytheirsupposedabilities.WheneverthishasbeenvisibleIhavefeltboundtoleavetheman"togang his ain gate," as the Scotch say; believing that such spiritsalwayscometonoughtiftheyentertheLord'sservice.Wefindthatwehavenothingwhereoftoglory,andifwehad,theveryworstplaceinwhichtohangitoutwouldbeapulpit; for therewearebroughtdailytofeelourowninsignificanceandnothingness.

Menwho since conversion have betrayed great feebleness ofmindandarereadily ledtoembracestrangedoctrines,or to fall intoevilcompanyandgrosssin,Inevercanfinditinmyhearttoencourageto enter the ministry, let their professions be what they may. Letthem,iftrulypenitent,keepintherearranks.Unstableaswatertheywillnotexcel.

So,too,thosewhocannotendurehardness,butareofthekid-glovedorder, I refer elsewhere. We want soldiers, not fops, earnestlabourers,not genteel loiterers.Menwhohave donenothing up totheir timeof application to the college, are told to earn their spursbeforetheyarepubliclydubbedasknights.Ferventloversofsoulsdonotwaittilltheyaretrained,theyservetheirLordatonce.

Certaingoodmenappealtomewhoaredistinguishedbyenormousvehemenceandzeal,andaconspicuousabsenceofbrains;brethrenwhowould talk for ever and everuponnothing--whowould stampand thump theBible,andgetnothingoutof it all; earnest, awfullyearnest,mountains in labourof themostpainfulkind;butnothingcomesofitall,noteventheridiculusmus.Therearezealotsabroadwho are not capable of conceiving or uttering five consecutivethoughts, whose capacity is most narrow and their conceit mostbroad, and these can hammer, and bawl, and rave, and tear, andrage, but the noise all arises from the hollowness of the drum. Iconceivethatthesebrethrenwilldoquiteaswellwithouteducationaswithit,andthereforeIhaveusuallydeclinedtheirapplications.

Anotherexceedinglylargeclassofmenseekthepulpittheyknownotwhy. They cannot teach and will not learn, and yet must fain beministers. Like the man who slept on Parnassus, and ever afterimaginedhimselfapoet, theyhavehad impudenceenoughonce tothrust a sermon upon an audience, and now nothing will do butpreaching.Theyaresohastytoleaveoffsewinggarments,thattheywill make a rent in the church of which they are members toaccomplish their design. The counter is distasteful, and a pulpitcushion is coveted; the scales and weights they are weary of, andmust needs try their hands at the balances of the sanctuary. Suchmen, like raging waves of the sea usually foam forth their ownshame,andwearehappywhenwebidthemadieu.

Physicalinfirmitiesraiseaquestionaboutthecallofsomeexcellentmen. Iwouldnot, likeEusthenes, judgemenby their features, buttheirgeneralphysiqueisnosmallcriterion.Thatnarrowchestdoesnotindicateamanformedforpublicspeech.Youmaythinkitodd,butstill I feelverywell assured, thatwhenamanhasa contractedchest,withnodistancebetween his shoulders, the all-wise Creatordid not intend him habitually to preach. If he had meant him tospeakhewouldhavegivenhim in somemeasurebreadthof chest,sufficienttoyieldareasonableamountoflungforce.WhentheLordmeans a creature to run, he gives it nimble legs, and if hemeansanothercreature topreach,hewill give it suitable lungs.A brotherwhohastopauseinthemiddleofasentenceandworkhisair-pump,should askhimselfwhether there is not someother occupation forwhichhe is better adapted. Amanwho can scarcely get through asentencewithoutpain,canhardlybecalledto"Cryaloudandsparenot."Theremaybeexceptions,butistherenotweightinthegeneralrule?Brethrenwithdefectivemouthsandimperfectarticulationarenotusuallycalledtopreachthegospel.Thesameappliestobrethrenwithnopalate,oranimperfectone.

Application was received some short time ago from a young manwhohadasortofrotaryactionofhisjawofthemostpainfulsorttothebeholder.Hispastorcommendedhimasaveryholyyoungman,who had been the means of bringing some to Christ, and he

expressedthehopethatIwouldreceivehim,butIcouldnotseethepropriety of it. I could not have looked at him while preachingwithoutlaughterifallthegoldofTarshishhadbeenmyreward,andinallprobabilitynineoutoftenofhishearerswouldhavebeenmoresensitive thanmyself.Amanwith a big tonguewhich filled up hismouth and caused indistinctness, another without teeth, anotherwhostammered,anotherwhocouldnotpronounceallthealphabet,IhavehadthepainofdecliningonthegroundthatGodhadnotgiventhemthosephysicalappliances,whichareastheprayer-bookwouldputit,"generallynecessary."

One brother I have encountered--one did I say? I have met ten,twenty,ahundredbrethren,whohavepleadedthat theyweresure,quite sure that they were called to the ministry--they were quitecertainofit,becausetheyhadfailedineverythingelse.Thisisasortofmodelstory:"Sir,Iwasputintoalawyer'soffice,butInevercouldbeartheconfinement,andIcouldnotfeelathomeinstudyinglaw;Providenceclearlystoppedupmyroad,forIlostmysituation.""Andwhatdidyoudo then?" "Why sir, Iwas induced toopena grocer'sshop.""Anddidyouprosper?""Well,Idonotthink,Sir,Iwasevermeantfortrade,andtheLordseemedquitetoshutmywayupthere,forIfailedandwasingreatdifficulties.SincethenIhavedonealittleinlife-assuranceagency,andtriedtogetupaschool,besidessellingtea;butmypathishedgedup,andsomethingwithinmemakesmefeelthatIoughttobeaminister."Myanswergenerallyis,"Yes,Isee;youhavefailedineverythingelse,andthereforeyouthinktheLordhas especially endowed you for his service; but I fear you haveforgottenthattheministryneedstheverybestofmen,andnotthosewho cannot do anything else." A man who would succeed as apreacherwouldprobablydorightwelleitherasagrocer,oralawyer,or anything else. A really valuableministerwould have excelled atanything. There is scarcely anything impossible to aman who cankeepacongregationtogetherforyears,andbethemeansofedifyingthemforhundredsofconsecutiveSabbaths;hemustbepossessedofsome abilities, and be by no means a fool or ne'er-do-well. JesusChristdeservesthebestmentopreachhiscross,andnottheempty-headedandtheshiftless.

OneyounggentlemanwithwhosepresenceIwasoncehonoured,hasleftonmymindthephotographofhisexquisiteself.Thatsamefaceof his looked like the title-page to a whole volume of conceit anddeceit.He sent word intomy vestry one Sabbathmorning that hemustseemeatonce.Hisaudacityadmittedhim;andwhenhewasbeforemehesaid,"Sir,IwanttoenteryourCollege,andshouldliketoenter itatonce." "Well,Sir," said I, "I fearwehaveno room foryou at present, but your case shall be considered." "Butmine is averyremarkablecase,Sir;youhaveprobablyneverreceivedsuchanapplication as mine before." "Very good, we'll see about it; thesecretarywillgiveyouoneoftheapplicationpapers,andyoucanseeme on Monday." He came on the Monday bringing with him thequestions,answeredinamostextraordinarymanner.Astobooks,heclaimed to have read all ancient and modern literature, and aftergivinganimmenselistheadded,"thisisbutaselection;Ihavereadmost extensively in all departments."As tohispreaching,he couldproducethehighesttestimonials,buthardlythoughttheywouldbeneeded,asapersonal interviewwouldconvincemeofhisabilityatonce.HissurprisewasgreatwhenIsaid,"Sir,IamobligedtotellyouthatIcannotreceiveyou.""Whynot,Sir?""Iwilltellyouplainly.YouaresodreadfullycleverthatIcouldnot insultyoubyreceivingyouintoourCollege,wherewehavenonebutratherordinarymen; thepresident,tutors,andstudents,areallmenofmoderateattainments,andyouwouldhavetocondescendtoomuchincomingamongus."Helookedatmeveryseverely,andsaidwithdignity,"Doyoumeantosay,thatbecauseIhaveanunusualgenius,andhaveproducedinmyself a gigantic mind such as is rarely seen, I am refusedadmittanceintoyourCollege?""Yes,"Ireplied,ascalmlyasIcould,considering the overpowering awe which his genius inspired, "forthat very reason." "Then, Sir, you ought to allowme a trial ofmypreachingabilities;selectmeanytextyoulike,orsuggestanysubjectyouplease,andhereinthisveryroomIwillspeakuponit,orpreachuponitwithoutdeliberation,andyouwillbesurprised.""No,thankyou, I would rather not have the trouble of listening to you.""Trouble,Sir!Iassureyouitwouldbethegreatestpossiblepleasureyoucouldhave."Isaiditmightbe,butIfeltmyselfunworthyof theprivilege, and so bade him a long farewell. The gentleman was

unknown tome at the time, but he has since figured in the policecourtastoocleverbyhalf.

Wehaveoccasionallyhadapplicationsatwhich,perhaps,youwouldbe amazed, from men who are evidently fluent enough, and whoanswerallourquestionsverywell,exceptthoseupontheirdoctrinalviews,towhichrepeatedlywehavehadthisanswer:"Mr.So-and-soispreparedtoreceivethedoctrinesoftheCollegewhatevertheymaybe!" In all such cases we never deliberate a moment, theinstantaneous negative is given. Imention it, because it illustratesourconvictionthatmenarenotcalledtotheministrywhohavenoknowledgeandnodefinitebelief.Whenyoungfellowssaythattheyhavenotmadeuptheirmindsupontheology,theyoughttogobackto the Sunday-school until theyhave. For aman to come shufflingintoaCollege,pretendingthatheholdshismindopentoanyformoftruth,and thathe is eminently receptive,buthasnot settled in hismind such things as whether God has an election of grace, orwhetherheloveshispeopletotheend,seemstometobeaperfectmonstrosity."Notanovice,"saystheapostle;yetamanwhohasnotmade up his mind on such points as these, is confessedly andegregiously "anovice," andought tobe relegated to the catechism-classtillhehaslearnedthefirsttruthsofthegospel.

Afterall,gentlemen,weshallhavetoproveourcallbythepracticalproofofourministryinafterlife,anditwillbealamentablethingforustostartinourcoursewithoutdueexamination;forifso,wemayhave to leave it indisgrace.On thewhole, experience is our suresttest, and if God upholds us from year to year, and gives us hisblessing,weneedmakenoothertrialofourvocation.Ourmoralandspiritualfitnesseswillbetriedbythelabourofourministry,andthisisthemosttrustworthyofalltests.FromsomeoneorotherIheardinconversationofaplanadoptedbyMatthewWilks,forexaminingayoungmanwhowantedtobeamissionary;thedrift,ifnotthedetailofthetest,commendsitselftomyjudgmentthoughnottomytaste.TheyoungmandesiredtogotoIndiaasamissionaryinconnectionwith the London Missionary Society. Mr. Wilks was appointed toconsiderhisfitnessforsuchapost.Hewrotetotheyoungman,and

told him to call upon him at six o'clock the next morning. Thebrother livedmanymilesoff,buthewasat thehouseatsixo'clockpunctually. Mr. Wilks did not, however, enter the room till hoursafter. The brother waited wonderingly, but patiently. At last, Mr.Wilksarrived,andaddressed thecandidate thus, inhisusualnasaltones, "Well, young,man, so youwant to be amissionary?" "Yes,Sir." "Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ?" "Yes, Sir, I hope I do.""Andhave youhad any education?" "Yes, Sir, a little." "Well, now,we'll tryyou;canyouspell 'cat'? "Theyoungman lookedconfused,and hardly knew how to answer so preposterous a question. Hismindevidentlyhaltedbetweenindignationandsubmission,butinamomentherepliedsteadily,"C,a,t,cat.""Verygood,"saidMr.Wilks;"now,canyouspell'dog'"Ouryoungmartyrhesitated,butMr.Wilkssaid inhis coolestmanner, "Oh,nevermind;don'tbebashful; youspelt theotherwordsowell that I should thinkyouwill be able tospellthis:highastheattainmentis,itisnotsoelevatedbutwhatyoumightdoitwithoutblushing."TheyouthfulJobreplied,"D,o,g,dog.""Well, that is right; I see youwill do in your spelling, andnow foryour arithmetic; howmany are twice two?" It is awonder thatMr.Wilks did not receive "twice two" after the fashion of muscularChristianity, but the patient youth gave the right reply and wasdismissed. Matthew Wilks at the committee meeting said, "Icordiallyrecommendthatyoungman;histestimonialsandcharacterI have duly examined, and besides that, I have given him a rarepersonal trialsuchas fewcouldbear. I triedhisself-denial,hewasupinthemorningearly;Itriedhistemper,andItriedhishumility;he can spell 'cat' and 'dog,' and can tell that 'twice twomake four,'andhewilldoforamissionaryexceedinglywell."Now,whattheoldgentleman is thussaid tohavedonewithexceedinglybadtaste,wemaywithmuchproprietydowithourselves.Wemusttrywhetherwecanendurebrow-beating,weariness,slander,jeering,andhardship;andwhetherwe canbemade theoff-scouringof all things, andbetreated asnothing forChrist's sake. Ifwe can endure all these,wehavesomeofthosepointswhichindicatethepossessionoftherarequalities which should meet in a true servant of the Lord JesusChrist. I gravelyquestionwhether someof uswill find our vessels,whenfaroutatsea,tobequitesoseaworthyaswethinkthem.Omy

brethren,makesureworkofitwhileyouareyetinthisretreat;anddiligentlylabourtofityourselvesforyourhighcalling.Youwillhavetrialsenough,andwoetoyouifyoudonotgofortharmedfromheadtofootwitharmourofproof.Youwillhavetorunwithhorsemen,letnot the footmenweary you while in your preliminary studies. Thedevilisabroad,andwithhimaremany.Proveyourownselves,andmay the Lord prepare you for the crucible and the furnace whichassuredlyawait you. Your tribulationmaynot in all respects be sosevereasthatofPaulandhiscompanions,butyoumustbereadyfora like ordeal. Let me read you his memorable words, and let meentreatyou topray,whileyouhear them, that theHolyGhostmaystrengthen you for all that lies before you. "Giving no offence inanything, that the ministry be not blamed: but in all thingsapproving ourselves as theministers of God, inmuch patience, inaffliction, innecessities, indistresses, in stripes, in imprisonments,in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; by pureness, byknowledge,bylongsuffering,bykindness,bytheHolyGhost,byloveunfeigned,bythewordoftruth,bythepowerofGod,bythearmourof righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honour anddishonour,byevilreportandgoodreport:asdeceivers,andyettrue;asunknown,andyetwellknown;asdying,and,behold,we live;aschastened,andnotkilled;assorrowfnl,yetalwaysrejoicing;aspoor,yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing allthings."

LECTUREIIITHEPREACHER'SPRIVATEPRAYER

Ofcoursethepreacherisaboveallothersdistinguishedasamanofprayer.HepraysasanordinaryChristian,elsehewereahypocrite.HepraysmorethanordinaryChristians,elseheweredisqualifiedfortheofficewhichhehasundertaken."Itwouldbewhollymonstrous,"saysBernard, "foramantobehighest inofficeand lowest insoul;first in station and last in life."Over all his other relationships thepre-eminenceofthepastor'sresponsibilitycastsahalo,andiftruetohisMaster,hebecomesdistinguished forhisprayerfulness in them

all.Asacitizen,hiscountryhastheadvantageofhisintercession;asa neighbour those under his shadow are remembered insupplication.He prays as a husband and as a father; he strives tomakehisfamilydevotionsamodelforhisflock;andifthefireonthealtarofGodshouldburnlowanywhereelse,it iswell tendedinthehouse of the Lord's chosen servant--for he takes care that themorningandeveningsacrificeshall sanctifyhisdwelling.Butthereare some of his prayerswhich concern his office, and of those ourplan in these lectures leads us to speak most. He offers peculiarsupplicationsasaminister,andhedrawsneartoGodinthisrespect,overandaboveallapproachesinhisotherrelationships.

Itakeitthatasaministerheisalwayspraying.Wheneverhismindturns to his work, whether he is in it or out of it, he ejaculates apetition, sendinguphisholydesires aswell-directed arrows to theskies.Heisnotalwaysintheactofprayer,buthelivesinthespiritofit. If his heart be in his work, he cannot eat or drink, or takerecreation,orgotohisbed,orriseinthemorning,withoutevermorefeelinga fervencyofdesire,aweightofanxiety,andasimplicityofdependence uponGod; thus, in one form or other he continues inprayer.Iftherebeanymanunderheaven,whoiscompelledtocarryout the precept--"Pray without ceasing," surely it is the Christianminister. He has peculiar temptations, special trials, singulardifficulties,andremarkableduties,hehastodealwithGodinawfulrelationships, and with men in mysterious interests; he thereforeneedsmuchmoregracethancommonmen,andasheknowsthis,heisledconstantlytocrytothestrongforstrength,andsay,"Iwillliftupmineeyesuntothehills, fromwhencecomethmyhelp."Alleineoncewrote to adear friend, "Though I amapt tobeunsettled andquicklysetoff thehinges,yet,methinks,Iamlikeabirdoutof thenest, I amnever quiet till I am inmyoldway of communionwithGod;liketheneedle inthecompass, that isrestlesstill itbeturnedtowardsthepole.Icansay,throughgrace,withthechurch,'WithmysoulhaveIdesired thee in thenight,andwithmyspiritwithinmehaveIsoughttheeearly.'MyheartisearlyandlatewithGod;'tisthebusinessanddelightofmylifetoseekhim."Suchmustbetheeventenorof yourway,Omen ofGod. If you asministers are not very

prayerful, you aremuch to be pitied. If, in the future, you shall becalled to sustain pastorates, large or small, if you become lax insecretdevotion,notonlywillyouneedtobepitied,butyourpeoplealso; and, in addition to that, you shall be blamed, and the daycomethinwhichyoushallbeashamedandconfounded.

It may scarcely be needful to commend to you the sweet uses ofprivate devotion, and yet I cannot forbear. To you, as theambassadorsofGod,themercy-seathasavirtuebeyondallestimate;themore familiar youarewith the court ofheaven thebetter shallyou discharge your heavenly trust. Among all the formativeinfluences which go to make up a man honoured of God in theministry,Iknowofnonemoremightythanhisownfamiliaritywiththemercy-seat.Allthatacollegecoursecandoforastudentiscoarseand external compared with the spiritual and delicate refinementobtainedbycommunionwithGod.While theunformedminister isrevolving upon the wheel of preparation, prayer is the tool of thegreat potter by which he moulds the vessel. All our libraries andstudiesaremereemptinesscomparedwithourclosets.Wegrow,wewaxmighty,weprevailinprivateprayer.

Yourprayerswillbeyourablestassistantswhileyourdiscoursesareyetupontheanvil.Whileothermen,likeEsau,arehuntingfortheirportion,you,bytheaidofprayer,willfindthesavourymeatnearathome, andmay say in truthwhat Jacob said so falsely, "The Lordbrought it to me." If you can dip your pens into your hearts,appealinginearnestnesstotheLord,youwillwritewell;andifyoucangatheryourmatteronyourkneesatthegateofheaven,youwillnot fail tospeakwell.Prayer,asamentalexercise,willbringmanysubjectsbeforethemind,andsohelpintheselectionofatopic,whileasahighspiritualengagementitwillcleanseyourinnereyethatyoumay see truth in the light of God. Textswill often refuse to revealtheir treasures till you open them with the key of prayer. Howwonderfully were the books opened to Daniel when he was insupplication!HowmuchPeterlearneduponthehousetop!Theclosetis the best study. The commentators are good instructors, but theAuthorhimselfisfarbetter,andprayermakesadirectappealtohim

andenlistshiminourcause.Itisagreatthingtoprayone'sselfintothe spirit andmarrow of a text; working into it by sacred feedingthereon,evenas thewormbores itsway into thekernelof thenut.Prayersuppliesaleveragefortheupliftingofponderoustruths.Onemarvelshow the stonesofStonehenge couldhavebeen set in theirplaces; it is even more to be enquired after whence some menobtainedsuchadmirableknowledgeofmysteriousdoctrines:wasnotprayer the potent machinery which wrought the wonder? WaitinguponGodoftenturnsdarknessintolight.Perseveringenquiryatthesacred oracle uplifts the veil and gives grace to look into the deepthings of God. A certain Puritan divine at a debate was observedfrequentlytowriteuponthepaperbeforehim;uponotherscuriouslyseekingtoreadhisnotes,theyfoundnothinguponthepagebutthewords, "More light, Lord," "More light, Lord," repeated scores oftimes: a most suitable prayer for the student of the Word whenpreparinghisdiscourse.

Youwillfrequentlyfindfreshstreamsofthoughtleapingupfromthepassagebeforeyou,asiftherockhadbeenstruckbyMoses'rod;newveinsofpreciousorewillberevealedtoyourastonishedgazeasyouquarryGod'sWordandusediligentlythehammerofprayer.Youwillsometimesfeelasifyouwereentirelyshutup,andthensuddenlyanew road will open before you. He who hath the key of Davidopeneth, and no man shutteth. If you have ever sailed down theRhine,thewatersceneryofthatmajesticriverwillhavestruckyouasbeing very like in effect to a series of lakes.Before andbehind thevesselappears tobeenclosed inmassivewallsof rock,or circlesofvine-cladterraces,tillonasuddenyouturnacorner,andbeforeyouthe rejoicing and abounding river flows onward in its strength. Sothelaboriousstudentoftenfindsitwithatext; itappearstobefastclosedagainstyou,butprayerpropelsyourvessel,andturnsitsprowinto fresh waters, and you behold the broad and deep stream ofsacredtruthflowinginitsfulness,andbearingyouwithit.Isnotthisa convincing reason for abiding in supplication? Use prayer as aboringrod,andwellsoflivingwaterwillleapupfromthebowelsoftheWord.Whowill be content to thirst when livingwaters are soreadilytobeobtained!

Thebestandholiestmenhaveevermadeprayerthemostimportantpartof pulpit preparation. It is said ofM'Cheyne, "Anxious to givehispeople on the Sabbathwhat had cost him somewhat, henever,withoutanurgentreason,wentbeforethemwithoutmuchpreviousmeditationandprayer.Hisprincipleonthissubjectwasembodiedinaremarkhemadetosomeofuswhowereconversingonthematter.Being asked his view of diligent preparation for the pulpit, hereminded us of Exodus xxvii. 20. 'Beaten oil--beaten oil for thelampsofthesanctuary.'Andyethisprayerfulnesswasgreaterstill.Indeed,hecouldnotneglectfellowshipwithGodbeforeenteringthecongregation. He needed to be bathed in the love of God. Hisministrywassomuchabringingoutofviewsthathadfirstsanctifiedhisownsoul,thatthehealthinessofhissoulwasabsolutelyneedfulto the vigour and power of his ministrations." "With him thecommencementofalllabourinvariablyconsistedinthepreparationof his own soul. The walls of his chamber were witnesses of hisprayerfulnessandofhistears,aswellasofhiscries."

Prayerwillsingularlyassistyouinthedeliveryofyoursermon;infact,nothingcansogloriouslyfityoutopreachasdescendingfreshfrom themountof communionwithGod to speakwithmen.NonearesoabletopleadwithmenasthosewhohavebeenwrestlingwithGod on their behalf. It is said of Alleine, "He poured out his veryheart in prayer and preaching. His supplications and hisexhortationsweresoaffectionate,sofullofholyzeal,lifeandvigour,thattheyquiteovercamehishearers;hemeltedoverthem,sothathethawedandmollified,andsometimesdissolvedthehardesthearts."Therecouldhavebeennoneof thissacreddissolvingofheart ifhismindhadnotbeenpreviouslyexposedtothetropicalraysoftheSunofRighteousness by private fellowshipwith the risenLord.A trulypathetic delivery, in which there is no affectation, but muchaffection,canonlybetheoffspringofprayer.Thereisnorhetoriclikethat of the heart, and no school for learning it but the foot of thecross.Itwerebetterthatyouneverlearnedaruleofhumanoratory,butwerefullofthepowerofheavenbornlove,thanthatyoushouldmaster Quintilian, Cicero, and Aristotle, and remain without theapostolicanointing.

Prayermaynotmakeyoueloquentafterthehumanmode,butitwillmakeyoutrulyso,foryouwillspeakoutoftheheart;andisnotthatthemeaning of theword eloquence? Itwill bring fire fromheavenuponyoursacrifice,andthusproveittobeacceptedoftheLord.

As fresh springs of thought will frequently break up duringpreparationin answer toprayer, sowill it be in thedelivery of thesermon.MostpreacherswhodependuponGod'sSpiritwilltellyouthat their freshest and best thoughts are not those which werepremeditated,butideaswhichcometothem,flyingasonthewingsof angels; unexpected treasures brought on a sudden by celestialhands,seedsof the flowersofparadise,wafted fromthemountainsof myrrh. Often and often when I have felt hampered, both inthoughtandexpression,mysecretgroaningofhearthasbroughtmerelief,andIhaveenjoyedmorethanusualliberty.ButhowdareweprayinthebattleifwehavenevercriedtotheLordwhilebucklingonthe harness! The remembrance of hiswrestlings at home comfortsthe fettered preacher when in the pulpit: God will not desert usunlesswehavedesertedhim.You,brethren,willfindthatprayerwillensureyoustrengthequaltoyourday.

As the tongues of fire came upon the apostles, when they satwatchingandpraying,evensowilltheycomeuponyou.Youwillfindyourselves, when you might perhaps have flagged, suddenlyupborne, asby a seraph'spower.Wheels of firewill be fastened toyour chariot, which had begun to drag right heavily, and steedsangelicwillbeinamomentharnessedtoyourfierycar,tillyouclimbtheheavenslikeElijah,inaraptureofflaminginspiration.

Afterthesermon,howwoulda conscientiouspreachergivevent tohis feelings and find solace for his soul if access to themercy-seatweredeniedhim?Elevated to thehighestpitchof excitement,howcanwerelieveoursoulsbutinimportunatepleadings.Ordepressedbya fearof failure,howshallwebe comfortedbut inmoaningoutourcomplaintbeforeourGod.Howoftenhavesomeofustossedtoand fro upon our couch half the night because of consciousshortcomings in our testimony!How frequently havewe longed torush back to the pulpit again to say over again more vehemently,

whatwehaveutteredinsocoldamanner!Wherecouldwefindrestforourspiritsbutinconfessionofsin,andpassionateentreatythatourinfirmityorfollymightinnowayhindertheSpiritofGod!Itisnotpossible inapublicassembly topouroutallourheart's lovetoour flock. Like Joseph, the affectionateministerwill seekwhere toweep;hisemotions,however freelyhemayexpresshimself,willbepentupinthepulpit,andonlyinprivateprayercanhedrawupthesluicesand bid them flow forth. Ifwe cannot prevailwithmen forGod,wewill, at least, endeavour to prevail withGod formen.Wecannotsavethem,orevenpersuadethemtobesaved,butwecanatleastbewailtheirmadnessandentreattheinterferenceoftheLord.LikeJeremiah,wecanmakeitourresolve,"Ifyewillnothearit,mysoul shallweep in secret places for your pride, andmine eye shallweep sore and run downwith tears." To such pathetic appeals theLord's heart can never be indifferent; in due time the weepingintercessor will become the rejoicing winner of souls. There is adistinctconnectionbetweenimportunateagonisingandtruesuccess,evenasbetweenthetravailandthebirth,thesowingintearsandthereapinginjoy."Howisitthatyourseedcomesupsosoon?"saidonegardener to another. "Because I steep it," was the reply.Wemuststeep all our teachings in tears, "when none butGod is nigh," andtheir growthwill surprise and delight us. Could anyonewonder atBrainerd's success, when his diary contains such notes as this:"Lord's Day, April 25th--This morning spent about two hours insacredduties,andwasenabled,morethanordinarily,toagonizeforimmortal souls; though it was early in the morning, and the sunscarcely shone at all, yetmy body was quite wet with sweat. "ThesecretofLuther'spowerlayinthesamedirection.Theodorussaidofhim:"Ioverheardhiminprayer,but,goodGod,withwhat lifeandspirit did he pray! It was with so much reverence, as if he werespeakingtoGod,yetwithsomuchconfidenceasifhewerespeakingtohisfriend."Mybrethren,letmebeseechyoutobemenofprayer.Great talents you may never have, but you will do well enoughwithoutthemifyouaboundinintercession.Ifyoudonotprayoverwhat you have sown, God's sovereigntymay possibly determine togiveablessing,butyouhavenorighttoexpectit,andif itcomesitwillbringno comfort to yourownheart. Iwas readingyesterdaya

bookbyFatherFaber,lateoftheOratory,atBrompton,amarvellouscompoundoftruthanderror.Initherelatesalegendtothiseffect.Acertainpreacher,whosesermonsconvertedmenbyscores,receivedarevelationfromheaventhatnotoneoftheconversionswasowingtohistalentsoreloquence,butalltotheprayersofanilliteratelay-brother, who sat on the pulpit steps, pleading all the time for thesuccessofthesermon.Itmayintheall-revealingdaybesowithus.We may discover, after having laboured long and wearily inpreaching, that all the honour belongs to another builder, whoseprayers were gold, silver, and precious stones, while oursermonisingsbeingapartfromprayer,werebuthayandstubble.

When we have done with preaching, we shall not, if we are trueministersofGod,havedonewithpraying,becausethewholechurch,with many tongues, will be crying, in the language of theMacedonian,"Comeoverandhelpus"inprayer.Ifyouareenabledtoprevail inprayeryouwillhavemanyrequests tooffer forotherswhowill flocktoyou,andbegashare inyour intercessions,andsoyouwill find yourselves commissioned with errands to themercy-seat for friends and hearers. Such is alwaysmy lot, and I feel it apleasuretohavesuchrequeststopresentbeforemyLord.Nevercanyou be short of themes for prayer, even if no one should suggestthem toyou.Lookat your congregation.Therearealways sick folkamongthem,andmanymorewhoaresoul-sick.Someareunsaved,othersareseekingandcannotfind.Manyaredesponding,andnotafewbelieversarebackslidingormourning.There arewidows' tearsandorphans'sighstobeput intoourbottle,andpouredoutbeforetheLord. If you are a genuineminister ofGod youwill stand as apriestbeforetheLord,spirituallywearingtheephodandthebreast-platewhereonyoubearthenamesofthechildrenofIsrael,pleadingforthemwithintheveil.Ihaveknownbrethrenwhohavekeptalistofpersonsforwhomtheyfeltboundespeciallytopray,andIdoubtnotsucharecordoftenremindedthemofwhatmightotherwisehaveslippedtheirmemory.Norwillyourpeoplewhollyengrossyou;thenationandtheworldwillclaimtheirshare.Themanwhoismightyinprayermaybeawalloffirearoundhiscountry,herguardianangelandhershield.WehaveallheardhowtheenemiesoftheProtestant

causedreadedtheprayersofKnoxmorethantheyfearedarmiesoftenthousandmen.ThefamousWelchwasalsoagreatintercessorforhiscountry;heusedtosay,"hewonderedhowaChristiancouldlieinhisbedallnightandnotrisetopray."Whenhiswife,fearingthathe would take cold, followed him into the room to which he hadwithdrawn,sheheardhimpleadinginbrokensentences,"Lord,wiltthou not grant me Scotland?" O that we were thus wrestling atmidnight,crying,"Lord,wiltthounotgrantusourhearers'souls?"

Theministerwhodoesnotearnestlyprayoverhisworkmustsurelybe a vain and conceited man. He acts as if he thought himselfsufficientofhimself,andthereforeneedednottoappealtoGod.Yetwhatabaselesspridetoconceive thatourpreachingcaneverbe initself so powerful that it can turn men from their sins, and bringthemtoGodwithouttheworkingoftheHolyGhost.Ifwearetrulyhumble-mindedweshallnotventuredowntothefightuntiltheLordofHostshasclotheduswithallpower,andsaidtous,"Gointhisthymight." The preacher who neglects to pray much must be verycareless about his ministry. He cannot have comprehended hiscalling.Hecannothavecomputed thevalueofa soul,orestimatedthemeaningofeternity.Hemustbeamereofficial, temptedintoapulpitbecausethepieceofbreadwhichbelongstothepriest'sofficeis very necessary to him, or a detestable hypocrite who loves thepraise ofmen, and cares not for the praise of God.He will surelybecomeameresuperficialtalker,bestapprovedwheregraceisleastvalued and a vain showmost admired.He cannot be one of thosewhoploughdeepandreapabundantharvests.Heisamereloiterer,notalabourer.Asapreacherhehasanametoliveandisdead.HelimpsinhislifelikethelamemanintheProverbs,whoselegswerenotequal,forhisprayingisshorterthanhispreaching.

Iamafraidthat,moreorless,mostofusneedself-examinationastothismatter. Ifanymanhereshouldventuretosaythathepraysasmuch as he ought, as a student, I should gravely question hisstatement;and if therebeaminister,deacon,orelderpresentwhocansaythathebelievesheisoccupiedwithGodinprayertothefullextenttowhichhemightbe,Ishouldbepleasedtoknowhim.Ican

onlysay,thatifhecanclaimthisexcellence,heleavesmefarbehind,for I can make no such claim: I wish I could; and I make theconfessionwithnosmalldegreeofshame-facednessandconfusion,butIamobligedtomakeit.Ifwearenotmorenegligentthanothers,this is no consolation to us; the shortcomings of others are noexcuses for us. How few of us could compare ourselves with Mr.Joseph Alleine, whose character I havementioned before? "At thetime of his health," writes his wife, "he did rise constantly at orbefore four of the clock, and would bemuch troubled if he heardsmiths or other craftsmen at their trades before he was atcommunionwithGod; saying tome often, 'How this noise shamesme.Does notmyMaster deservemore than theirs?' From four tilleighthespentinprayer,holycontemplation,andsingingofpsalms,inwhichhemuchdelightedanddiddailypractisealone,aswellasinthe family. Sometimes he would suspend the routine of parochialengagements, and devote whole days to these secret exercises, inordertowhich,hewouldcontrivetobealoneinsomevoidhouse,orelseinsomesequesteredspotintheopenvalley.Heretherewouldbemuch prayer and meditation on God and heaven." Could we readJonathan Edwards, description of David Brainerd and not blush?"Hislife,"saysEdwards,"showstherightwaytosuccessintheworksof theministry.Hesought itasaresolutesoldierseeksvictory inasiege or battle; or as a man that runs a race for a great prize.Animatedwith love to Christ and souls, how did he labour alwaysfervently,notonlyinwordanddoctrine,inpublicandprivate,butinprayersdayandnight,'wrestlingwithGod'insecret,and'travailingin birth,' with unutterable groans and agonies! 'until Christ wereformed'intheheartsofthepeopletowhomhewassent!Howdidhethirst for ablessinguponhisministry, 'andwatch for souls as onethatmustgiveaccount!'Howdidhe 'goforth inthestrengthof theLord God, seeking and depending on the special influence of theSpirit to assist and succeed him! Andwhat was the happy fruit atlast, after long waiting and many dark and discouragingappearances: like a true son of Jacob, he persevered in wrestlingthroughallthedarknessofthenight,untilthebreakingoftheday."

Might not Henry Martyn's journal shame us, where we find such

entriesasthese;"Sept.24th--ThedeterminationwithwhichIwenttobed last night, of devoting this day to prayer and fasting, I wasenabledtoputintoexecution.Inmyfirstprayerfordeliverancefromworldlythoughts,dependingonthepowerandpromisesofGod,forfixingmysoulwhileIprayed,Iwashelpedtoenjoymuchabstinencefromtheworldfornearlyanhour.

Then read the history of Abraham, to see how familiarly God hadrevealedhimselftomortalmenofold.Afterwards,inprayerformyown sanctification,my soul breathed freely and ardently after theholinessofGod,andthiswasthebestseasonoftheday."Wemightperhapsmoretrulyjoinwithhiminhislamentafterthefirstyearofhis ministry that "he judged he had dedicated too much time topublicministrations,andtoolittletoprivatecommunionwithGod."

Howmuch of blessingwemay havemissed through remissness insupplicationwe can scarcely guess, and none of us can know howpoorweareincomparisonwithwhatwemighthavebeenifwehadlivedhabituallynearer toGod inprayer.Vainregretsandsurmisesareuseless,butanearnestdeterminationtoamendwillbefarmoreuseful.Wenotonlyoughttopraymore,butwemust.Thefactis,thesecretofallministerialsuccessliesinprevalenceatthemercy-seat.

One bright benison which private prayer brings down upon theministry is an indescribable and inimitable something, betterunderstoodthannamed;itisadewfromtheLord,adivinepresencewhichyouwillrecogniseatoncewhenIsayitis"anunctionfromtheholyOne."Whatisit?Iwonderhowlongwemightbeatourbrainsbeforewecouldplainlyput intowordswhat ismeantbypreachingwithunction;yethewhopreachesknows itspresence,andhewhohears soon detects its absence; Samaria, in famine, typifies adiscoursewithout it; Jerusalem,withher feastsof fat things fullofmarrow,mayrepresentasermonenrichedwithit.Everyoneknowswhatthefreshnessofthemorningiswhenorientpearlsaboundoneverybladeofgrass,butwhocandescribeit,much,lessproduceitofitself! Such is themystery of spiritual anointing; we know, butwecannot tell to others what it is. It is as easy as it is foolish tocounterfeit it, as somedowhouse expressionswhicharemeant to

betoken fervent love, but oftener indicate sickly sentimentalism ormere cant. "Dear Lord!" "Sweet Jesus!" "Precious Christ!" are bythempouredoutwholesale,tilloneisnauseated.Thesefamiliaritiesmayhavebeennotonlytolerable,butevenbeautifulwhentheyfirstfell from a saint of God, speaking, as it were, out of the excellentglory,butwhenrepeatedflippantlytheyarenotonlyintolerable,butindecent, if not profane. Some have tried to imitate unction byunnaturaltonesandwhines;byturningupthewhitesof theireyes,andliftingtheirhandsinamostridiculousmanner.M'Cheyne'stoneandrhythmonehearsfromScotchmencontinually:wemuchpreferhisspirittohismannerism;andallmeremannerismwithoutpoweris as foul carrion of all life bereft, obnoxious,mischievous. Certainbrethrenaimatinspirationthroughexertionandloudshouting;butit does not come: somewe have known to stop the discourse, andexclaim, "God bless you," and others gesticulate wildly, and drivetheir finger nails into the palms of their hands as if they were inconvulsionsof celestial ardour.Bah!Thewhole thing smells of thegreen-roomandthestage.Thegettingupoffervourinhearersbythesimulationofitinthepreacherisaloathsomedeceittobescornedbyhonestmen."Toaffectfeeling,"saysRichardCecil,"isnauseousandsoondetected,buttofeelisthereadiestwaytotheheartsofothers."Unction is a thing which you cannot manufacture, and itscounterfeitsareworsethanworthless;yetitisinitselfpriceless,andbeyond measure needful if you would edify believers and bringsinners to Jesus. To the secret pleader with God this secret iscommitted; upon him rests the dew of the Lord, about him is theperfumewhichmakesgladtheheart.IftheanointingwhichwebearcomenotfromtheLordofhostswearedeceivers,andsinceonlyinprayercanweobtainit, letuscontinueinstant,constant,ferventinsupplication.Letyourfleecelieonthethreshing-floorofsupplicationtillitiswetwiththedewofheaven.Gonottoministerinthetempletill you have washed in the laver. Think not to be a messenger ofgracetootherstillyouhaveseentheGodofgraceforyourselves,andhadthewordfromhismouth.

Time spent in quiet prostration of soul before the Lord is mostinvigorating.David"satbefore theLord;" it isagreat thing tohold

thesesacredsittings; themindbeing receptive, likeanopen flowerdrinking in the sunbeams, or the sensitive photographic plateaccepting the image before it. Quietude, which some men cannotabide,becauseitrevealstheirinwardpoverty,isasapalaceofcedarto the wise, for along its hallowed courts the King in his beautydeignstowalk.

"Sacredsilence!thouthatartFloodgateofthedeeperheart,Offspringofaheavenlykind;Frosto'themouth,andthawo'themind."--Flecknoe

Priceless as the gift of utterancemay be, the practice of silence insomeaspectsfarexcelsit.DoyouthinkmeaQuaker?Well,beitso.HereinIfollowGeorgeFoxmostlovingly;forIampersuadedthatwemostofusthinktoomuchofspeech,whichafterallisbuttheshellofthought.Quietcontemplation,stillworship,unutteredrapture,theseareminewhenmybestjewelsarebeforeme.Brethren,robnotyourheart of the deep sea joys; miss not the far-down life, by for everbabblingamongthebrokenshellsandfoamingsurgesoftheshore.

Iwould seriously recommend to you,when settled in theministry,thecelebrationofextraordinaryseasonsofdevotion.Ifyourordinaryprayersdonotkeepup the freshnessandvigourofyoursouls,andyoufeelthatyouareflagging,getaloneforaweek,orevenamonthifpossible.Wehaveoccasionalholidays,whynot frequentholydays?We hear of our richer brethren finding time for a journey toJerusalem;couldwenotsparetimeforthelessdifficultandfarmoreprofitable journeytotheheavenlycity? IsaacAmbrose,oncepastoratPreston,whowrotethatfamousbook,LookinguntoJesus,alwayssetapartonemonthintheyearforseclusion, inahutinawoodatGarstang.Nowonderthathewassomightyadivine,whenhecouldregularlyspendsolongatimeinthemountwithGod.Inoticethatthe Romanists are accustomed to securewhat they call "Retreats,"whereanumberofpriestswillretireforatimeintoperfectquietude,tospendthewholeofthetimeinfastingandprayer,soastoinflametheirsoulswithardour.Wemaylearnfromouradversaries.Itwould

be a great thing every now and then for a band of truly spiritualbrethrentospendadayortwowitheachotherinrealburningagonyof prayer. Pastors alone could use much more freedom than in amixedcompany.Timesofhumiliationandsupplicationforthewholechurchwillalsobenefitusifweenterintothemheartily.OurseasonsoffastingandprayerattheTabernaclehavebeenhighdaysindeed;never has heaven-gate stood wider; never have our hearts beennearer the central glory. I look forward to our month of specialdevotion,asmarinersreckonuponreachingland.Evenifourpublicworkwerelaidasidetogiveusspaceforspecialprayer,itmightbeagreat gain to our churches. A voyage to the golden rivers offellowship and meditation would be well repaid by a freight ofsanctifiedfeelingandelevatedthought.OursilencemightbebetterthanourvoicesifoursolitudewerespentwithGod.Thatwasagrandaction of old Jerome, when he laid all his pressing engagementsaside to achieve a purpose towhichhe felt a call fromheaven.Hehadalargecongregation,aslargeaoneasanyofusneedwant;buthesaidtohispeople,"NowitisofnecessitythattheNewTestamentshouldbetranslated,youmustfindanotherpreacher:thetranslationmustbemade;Iamboundforthewilderness,andshallnot returntill my task is finished." Away he went with his manuscripts, andprayed and laboured, and produced a work--the Latin Vulgate--which will last as long as the world stands; on the whole a mostwonderful translation ofHoly Scripture. As learning and prayerfulretirementtogethercouldthusproduceanimmortalwork,ifweweresometimestosaytoourpeoplewhenwefeltmovedtodoso,"Dearfriends,wereallymustbegoneforalittlewhiletorefreshoursoulsinsolitude,"ourprofitingwouldsoonbeapparent,andifwedidnotwriteLatinVulgates,yetweshoulddoimmortalwork,suchaswouldabidethefire.

LECTUREIVOURPUBLICPRAYER

IThas sometimesbeen theboastofEpiscopalians thatChurchmengo to their churches to pray andworshipGod, but thatDissentersmerely assemble to hear sermons. Our reply to this is, that albeittheremaybesomeprofessorswhoareguiltyofthisevil,itisnottrueofthepeopleofGodamongus,andthesearetheonlypersonswhoever will in any church really enjoy devotion. Our congregationsgathertogethertoworshipGod,andweassert,andfeelnohesitationin so asserting, that there is as much true and acceptable prayeroffered in our ordinary Nonconformist services as in the best andmostpompousperformancesoftheChurchofEngland.

Moreover, if theobservationbemeant to imply that thehearingofsermonsisnotworshippingGod,itisfoundedonagrossmistake,forrightly to listen to the gospel is one of the noblest parts of theadoration of the Most High. It is a mental exercise, when rightlyperformed, inwhichall the facultiesof thespiritualmanarecalledinto devotional action. Reverently hearing the word exercises ourhumility,instructsourfaith,irradiatesuswithjoy,inflamesuswithlove, inspiresuswith zeal, and liftsusup towardsheaven.Many atimeasermonhasbeenakindofJacob'sladderuponwhichwehaveseentheangelsofGodascendinganddescending,andthecovenantGod himself at the top thereof. We have often felt when God hasspokenthroughhisservantsintooursouls,"ThisisnoneotherthanthehouseofGod,andtheverygateofheaven."WehavemagnifiedthenameoftheLordandpraisedhimwithallourheartwhilehehasspokentousbyhisSpiritwhichhehasgivenuntomen.Hencethereisnotthewidedistinctiontobedrawnbetweenpreachingandprayerthatsomewouldhaveusadmit;fortheonepartoftheservicesoftlyblendsintotheother,andthesermonfrequentlyinspirestheprayerandthehymn.TruepreachingisanacceptableadorationofGodbythe manifestation of his gracious attributes: the testimony of hisgospel,whichpre-eminentlyglorifieshim,andtheobedienthearingof revealed truth, are an acceptable form of worship to the MostHigh, and perhaps one of the most spiritual in which the humanmindcanbeengaged.Nevertheless,astheoldRomanpoettellsus,itisrighttolearnfromourenemies,andthereforeitmaybepossiblethatourliturgicalopponentshavepointedouttouswhatisinsome

instancesaweakplace inourpublicservices. It is tobe fearedthatour exercises are not in every casemoulded into the best form, orpresented in the most commendable fashion. There are meeting-houses in which the supplications are neither so devout nor soearnestaswedesire;inotherplacestheearnestnessissoalliedwithignorance,andthedevotionsomarredwithrant,thatnointelligentbelievercanenterintotheservicewithpleasure.PrayingintheHolyGhost is not universal among us, neither do all pray with theunderstanding as well as with the heart. There is room forimprovement,and insomequarters there isan imperativedemandfor it. Let me, therefore, very earnestly caution you, belovedbrethren,againstspoilingyourservicesbyyourprayers:makeityoursolemnresolvethatalltheengagementsofthesanctuaryshallbeofthebestkind.

Beassuredthatfreeprayeristhemostscriptural,andshouldbethemostexcellentformofpublicsupplication.Ifyoulosefaithinwhatyou are doing you will never do it well; settle it in your mindstherefore, that before the Lord you are worshipping in a mannerwhich iswarranted by theword ofGod, and accepted of the Lord.The expression, "reading prayers," to which we are now soaccustomed, is not to be found in Holy Scripture, rich as it is inwords for conveying religious thought; and the phrase is not therebecause the thing itself hadno existence.Where in thewritings ofthe apostlesmeetwewith thebare idea of a liturgy?Prayer in theassemblies of the early Christians was unrestricted to any form ofwords.Tertullianwrites,"wepraywithoutaprompterbecausefromthe heart."1 Justin Martyr describes the presiding minister aspraying "according tohis ability."2 Itwouldbedifficult todiscoverwhenandwhereliturgiesbegan;theirintroductionwasgradual,andaswebelieve,co-extensivewiththedeclineofpurity inthechurch;theintroductionofthemamongNonconformistswouldmarktheeraofourdeclineandfall.Thesubjecttemptsmetolinger,butitisnotthepointinhand,andthereforeIpasson,onlyremarkingthatyouwill find the matter of liturgies ably handled by Dr. John Owen,whomyouwilldowelltoconsult.3

Beitourstoprovethesuperiorityofextemporeprayerbymakingitmorespiritualandearnestthanliturgicaldevotion.Itisagreatpitywhen the observation is forced from the hearer, our ministerpreachesfarbetterthanheprays: this isnotafterthemodelofourLord;hespakeasnevermanspake--andas forhisprayers, theysoimpressedhisdisciples that they said, "Lord, teachus to pray."Allour faculties should concentrate their energy, and the whole manshould be elevated to his highest point of vigour while in publicprayer,theHolyGhostmeanwhilebaptizingsoulandspiritwithhissacred influence; but slovenly, careless, lifeless talk in the guise ofprayer,madetofillupacertainspaceintheservice,isawearinesstoman,andanabominationtoGod.Hadfreeprayerbeenuniversallyofahigherorderaliturgywouldneverhavebeenthoughtof,andto-day forms of prayer have no better apology than the feebleness ofextemporaneous devotions. The secret is that we are not so reallydevout at heart as we should be. Habitual communion with Godmustbemaintained,orourpublicprayerswillbevapidorformal.Ifthere be no melting of the glacier high up in the ravines of themountain, there will be no descending rivulets to cheer the plain.Private prayer is the drill ground for our more public exercises,neithercanwelongneglectitwithoutbeingoutoforderwhenbeforethepeople.

Ourprayersmustnevergrovel,theymustsoarandmount.Weneedaheavenlyframeofmind.Ouraddressestothethroneofgracemustbesolemnandhumble,notflippantandloud,orformalandcareless.The colloquial form of speech is out of place before the Lord; wemust bow reverently and with deepest awe. We may speak boldlywithGod,butstillheisinheavenandweareuponearth,andweareto avoid presumption. In supplicationwe are peculiarly before thethroneoftheInfinite,andasthecourtierintheking'spalaceputsonanothermienandanothermannerthanthatwhichheexhibitstohisfellow courtiers, so should it be with us. We have noticed in thechurches ofHolland, that as soon as theminister begins topreacheverymanputshishaton,buttheinstantheturnstoprayeverybodytakes his hat off: this was the custom in the older PuritaniccongregationsofEngland, and it lingered longamong theBaptists;

they wore their caps during those parts of the service which theyconceivedwerenotdirectworship,butputthemoffassoonastherewasadirectapproachtoGod,eitherinsongorinprayer.Ithinkthepracticeunseemly,andthereasonforiterroneous.Ihaveurgedthatthe distinction between prayer and hearing is not great, and I feelsurenoonewouldproposetoreturntotheoldcustomortheopinionofwhichitwastheindex;butstillthereisadifference,andinasmuchas in prayer we are more directly talking with God rather thanseeking the edification of our fellow men, we must put our shoesfromoffourfeet,fortheplacewhereonwestandisholyground.

LettheLordalonebetheobjectofyourprayers.Bewareofhavinganeyetotheauditors;bewareofbecomingrhetorical, topleasethelisteners.Prayermustnothetransformedinto"anobliquesermon."It is little short of blasphemy to make devotion an occasion fordisplay. Fine prayers are generally very wicked prayers. In thepresenceof theLord of hosts it ill becomes a sinner to parade thefeathers and finery of tawdry speech with the view of winningapplause from his fellow mortals. Hypocrites who dare to do thishave their reward,but it isone tobedreaded.Aheavy sentenceofcondemnationwaspasseduponaministerwhen itwas flatteringlysaidthathisprayerwasthemosteloquenteverofferedtoaBostoncongregation.Wemayaimatexcitingtheyearningsandaspirationsofthosewhohearusinprayer;buteverywordandthoughtmustbeGodward, and only so far touching upon the people as may beneedful tobring themand theirwants before theLord.Rememberthepeople inyourprayers,butdonotmouldyour supplications towintheiresteem:lookup,lookupwithbotheyes.

Avoidallvulgaritiesinprayer.Imustacknowledgetohavingheardsome, but it would be unprofitable to recount them; the moreespeciallyas they become less frequent every day.We seldomnowmeetwith thevulgaritiesofprayerwhichwereonce socommon inMethodist, prayer-meetings, much commoner probably, by reportthan in reality. Uneducated peoplemust, when in earnest, pray intheir own way, and their language will frequently shock thefastidiousifnotthedevout;butforthisallowancemustbemade,and

if the spirit is evidently sincere we may forgive uncomelyexpressions. I once, at a prayer-meeting, heard a poor man praythus:"Lord,watchovertheseyoungpeopleduringthefeasttime,forthou knowest, Lord, how their enemies watch for them as a catwatchesformice."Someridiculedtheexpression,butitappearedtometobenaturalandexpressive,considering thepersonusing it.Alittle gentle instruction and a hint or two will usually prevent arepetition of anything objectionable in such cases, but we, whooccupy the pulpit,must be careful to be quite clear ourselves. Thebiographerof thatremarkableAmericanMethodistpreacher,JacobGruber,mentions as an instanceofhis readywit, that afterhavingheardayoungCalvinisticministerviolentlyattackhiscreed,hewasasked to conclude with prayer, and among other petitions, prayedthattheLordwouldbless theyoungmanwhohadbeenpreaching,andgranthimmuchgrace, "thathisheartmightbecomeassoftashis head." To say nothing of the bad taste of such publicanimadversionuponafellowminister,everyright-mindedmanwillseethatthethroneoftheMostHighisnottheplaceforutteringsuchvulgar witticisms. Most probably the young orator deserved acastigation forhisoffenceagainst charity,but theolderonesinnedten timesmore in hiswant of reverence. Choicewords are for theKingofkings,notsuchasribaldtongueshavedefiled.

Anotherfaultequallytobeavoidedinprayerisanunhallowedandsickeningsuperabundanceofendearingwords.When"DearLord"and "BlessedLord" and "SweetLord" comeover andover again asvainrepetitions,theyareamongtheworstofblots.ImustconfessIshould feel no revulsion inmymind to thewords, "Dear Jesus," iftheyfellfromthelipsofaRutherford,oraHawker,oraHerbert;butwhenIhearfondandfamiliarexpressionshackneyedbypersonsnotat all remarkable for spirituality, I am inclined to wish that theycould, insomewayorother,cometoabetterunderstandingof thetrue relation existing betweenman and God. The word "dear" hascome fromdaily use to be so common, and so small, and in somecases so silly and affected a monosyllable, that interlarding one'sprayerswithitisnottoedification.

Thestrongestobjectionexiststotheconstantrepetitionoftheword"Lord,"whichoccursintheearlyprayersofyoungconverts,andevenamong students. The words, "O Lord! O Lord! O Lord!" grieve uswhenwehearthemsoperpetuallyrepeated."Thoushaltnottakethename of the Lord thyGod in vain," is a great commandment, andalthoughthelawmaybebrokenunwittingly,yetitsbreachisstillasin and a very solemn one. God's name is not to be a stop-gap tomakeupforourwantofwords.TakecaretousemostreverentlythenameoftheinfiniteJehovah.TheJewsintheirsacredwritingseitherleave a space for the word "Jehovah," or else write the word,"Adonai,"becausetheyconceivethatholynametobetoosacredforcommonuse:weneednotbesosuperstitious,butitwerewelltobescrupulouslyreverent.Aprofusionof"ohs!"andother interjectionsmaybewelldispensedwith;youngspeakersareoftenatfaulthere.

Avoidthatkindofprayerwhichmaybecalled--thoughthesubjectis one on which language has not given usmany terms--a sort ofperemptorydemandingofGod.ItisdelightfultohearamanwrestlewithGod,andsay,"Iwillnotlettheegoexceptthoublessme,"butthatmustbesaidsoftly,andnotinahectoringspirit,asthoughwecouldcommandandexactblessingsfromtheLordofall.Remember,itisstillamanwrestling,eventhoughpermittedtowrestlewiththeeternal I AM. Jacob halted on his thigh after that night's holyconflict, to let him see thatGod is terrible, and that his prevailingpowerdidnotlieinhimself.Wearetaughttosay,"OurFather,"butstillitis,"OurFatherwhoartinheaven."Familiaritytheremaybe,butholy familiarity;boldness,but theboldnesswhichsprings fromgraceandistheworkoftheSpirit;nottheboldnessoftherebelwhocarries abrazen front in thepresenceofhis offendedking,but theboldnessofthechildwhofearsbecauseheloves,andlovesbecausehefears.NeverfallintoavaingloriousstyleofimpertinentaddresstoGod;heisnottobeassailedasanantagonist,butentreatedwithasourLordandGod.Humbleandlowlyletusbeinspirit,andsoletuspray.

Praywhen you profess to pray, and don't talk about it. Businessmensay,"Aplaceforeverythingandeverythinginitsplace;"preach

inthesermonandprayintheprayer.Disquisitionsuponourneedofhelpinprayerarenotprayer.Whydonotmengoatoncetoprayer--whystandbeatingaboutthebush;insteadofsayingwhattheyoughttodoandwanttodo,whynotsettoworkinGod'snameanddoit?Indownright earnestness, address yourself to intercession, and setyour face towards the Lord. Plead for the supply of the great andconstant needs of the church, and do not fail to urge,with devoutfervour, thespecialrequirementsof thepresent timeandaudience.Let the sick, the poor, the dying, the heathen, the Jew, and allforgotten classes of people, bementioned as they press upon yourheart.Prayforyourpeopleassaintsandsinners--notasiftheywereall saints.Mention the young and the aged; the impressed and thecareless;thedevoutandthebacksliding.Neverturntotherighthandor to the left, but plough on in the furrow of real prayer. Let yourconfessions of sin and your thanksgivings be truthful and to thepoint;andletyourpetitionsbepresentedas ifyoubelieved inGodandhadnodoubtastotheefficacyofprayer:Isaythis,becausesomanyprayinsuchaformalmannerastoleadobserverstoconcludethattheythoughtitaverydecentthingtopray,but,afterall,averypoor and doubtful business as to any practical result. Pray as onewho has tried and proved his God, and therefore comes withundoubtingconfidencetorenewhispleadings:anddoremembertopray to God right through the prayer, and never fall to talking orpreaching--muchless,assomedo,toscoldingandgrumbling.

Asarule,ifcalledupontopreach,conducttheprayeryourself;andifyoushouldbehighlyesteemedintheministry,asItrustyoumaybe,make apoint,with great courtesy, but equal firmness, to resistthepracticeofchoosingmentopraywiththeideaofhonouringthembygivingthemsomethingtodo.Ourpublicdevotionsoughtnevertobedegradedintoopportunitiesforcompliment.Ihaveheardprayerand singing, now and then called "the preliminary services," as iftheywerebutaprefacetothesermon;thisisrareIhopeamongus--if it were common it would be to our deep disgrace. I endeavourinvariablytotakealltheservicemyselfformyownsake,andIthinkalso for thepeople's. Idonotbelieve that "anybodywilldo for thepraying."No,sirs,itismysolemnconvictionthattheprayerisoneof

themostweighty, useful, and honourable parts of the service, andthat it ought to be even more considered than the sermon. Theremustbenoputtingupofanybodiesandnobodiestopray,andthenthe selection of the abler man to preach. It may happen throughweakness, orupona special occasion, that itmaybea relief to theministertohavesomeonetoofferprayerforhim;butiftheLordhasmadeyouloveyourworkyouwillnotoftenorreadilyfulfilthispartof it by proxy. If you delegate the service at all, let it be to one inwhose spirituality and present preparedness you have the fullestconfidence;buttopitchonagiftlessbrotherunawares,andputhimforwardtogetthroughthedevotionsisshameful.

"ShallweserveheavenwithlessrespectThanwedoministertoourgrossselves?"

Appointtheablestmantopray,andletthesermonbeslurredsoonerthantheapproachtoheaven.LettheInfiniteJehovahbeservedwithour best; let prayer addressed to the Divine Majesty be carefullyweighed, and presented with all the powers of an awakened heartandaspiritualunderstanding.HewhohasbeenbycommunionwithGodpreparedtoministertothepeople,isusuallyofallmenpresentthemostfittoengageinprayer;tolayoutaprogrammewhichputsupanotherbrotherinhisplace,istomartheharmonyoftheservice,to rob the preacher of an exercise which would brace him for hissermon,andinmanyinstancestosuggestcomparisonsbetweenonepartoftheserviceandtheotherwhichoughtnevertobetolerated.IfunpreparedbrethrenaretobesentintothepulpittodomyprayingformewhenIamengagedtopreach,IdonotseewhyImightnotbeallowed to pray, and then retire to let these brethren do thesermonizing.Iamnotabletoseeanyreasonfordeprivingmeoftheholiest, sweetest and most profitable exercise which my Lord hasallotted me; if I may have my choice, I will sooner yield up thesermonthantheprayer.ThusmuchIhavesaidinordertoimpressuponyouthatyoumusthighlyesteempublicprayer,andseekoftheLordforthegiftsandgracesnecessarytoitsrightdischarge.

Thosewhodespiseallextemporeprayerwillprobablycatchattheseremarks and use them against it, but I can assure them that the

faultsadvertedtoarenotcommonamongus,andareindeedalmostextinct;whilethescandalcausedbythemneverwas,attheworst,sogreatasthatcausedbythewayinwhichtheliturgicalserviceisoftenperformed.Fartoooften is thechurchservicehurriedthrough inamanner as indevout as if itwere a ballad-singer's ditty. Thewordsareparrotedwithouttheslightestappreciationoftheirmeaning;notsometimes,butveryfrequently,intheplacessetapartforEpiscopalworship, you may see the eyes of the people, and the eyes of thechoristers,andtheeyesoftheparsonhimself,wanderingaboutinalldirections,whileevidentlyfromtheverytoneofthereadingthereisno feeling of sympathy with what is being read.4 I have been atfuneralswhentheburialserviceof thechurchofEnglandhasbeengallopedthroughsoindecorouslythatithastakenallthegraceIhadtopreventmythrowingahassockatthecreature'shead.Ihavefeltso indignant that I have not known what to do, to hear, in thepresence of mourners whose hearts were bleeding, a man rattlingthrough the service as if hewere paid by the piece, and hadmoreworktofollow,andthereforedesiredtogetitthroughasquicklyaspossible.Whateffecthecouldthinkhewasproducing,orwhatgoodresult could come from words jerked forth and hurled out withvengeanceandvehemence,Icannotimagine.Itisreallyshockingtothink of how that very wonderful burial service is murdered, andmadeintoanabominationbythemodeinwhichitisfrequentlyread.I merely mention this because, if they criticise our prayers tooseverely,we canbring a formidable countercharge to silence them.Betterfar,however,forustoamendourownblundersthanfindfaultwithothers.

In order to make our public prayer what it should be, the firstnecessary is,that itmustbeamatterof theheart.Amanmustbereallyinearnest insupplication.Itmustbetrueprayer,andif itbesuch, itwill, like love; cover amultitudeof sins.You canpardonaman'sfamiliaritiesandhisvulgaritiestoo,whenyouclearlyseethathis inmost heart is speaking to his Maker, and that it is only theman'sdefectsofeducationwhichcreatehisfaults,andnotanymoralor spiritual vices of his heart. The pleader in public must be inearnest;forasleepyprayer---whatcanbeaworsepreparationfora

sermon?Asleepyprayer---whatcanmakepeoplemoredislikegoinguptothehouseofGodatall?Castyourwholesoulintotheexercise.If ever your wholemanhood was engaged in anything, let it be indrawingnearuntoGodinpublic.Sopray,thatbyadivineattraction,youdrawthewholecongregationwithyouuptothethroneofGod.So pray, that by the power of the Holy Spirit resting on you, youexpress thedesiresand thoughtsof everyonepresent,andstandastheonevoice for thehundredsofbeatingheartswhichareglowingwithfervourbeforethethroneofGod.

Next to this,ourprayersmustbeappropriate. Idonotsaygo intoeveryminute detail of the circumstances of the congregation. As Ihavesaidbefore,thereisnoneedtomakethepublicprayeragazetteoftheweek'sevents,oraregisterofthebirths,deaths,andmarriagesofyourpeople,butthegeneralmovementsthathavetakenplaceinthecongregationshouldbenotedbytheminister'scarefulheart.Heshould bring the joys and sorrows of his people alike before thethroneofgrace,andask that thedivinebenedictionmayrestuponhis flock in all theirmovements, their exercises, engagements, andholyenterprises,andthattheforgivenessofGodmaybeextendedtotheirshortcomingsandinnumerablesins.

Then,bywayofnegativecanon,Ishouldsay,donotletyourprayerbelong.IthinkitwasJohnMacdonaldwhousedtosay,"Ifyouareinthespiritofprayer,donotbelong,becauseotherpeoplewillnotbeabletokeeppacewithyouinsuchunusualspirituality;andifyouarenotinthespiritofprayer,donotbelong,becauseyouwillthenbesuretowearythelisteners."LivingstonesaysofRobertBruce,ofEdinburgh, the famous co-temporaryofAndrewMelville, "NomaninhistimespokewithsuchevidenceandpoweroftheSpirit.Nomanhadsomanysealsofconversion;yea,manyofhishearersthoughtnoman,sincetheapostles,spakewithsuchpower.Hewasveryshortinprayer when others were present, but every sentence was like astrongboltshotuptoheaven.Ihaveheardhimsaythatheweariedwhen otherswere long in prayer; but, being alone, he spentmuchtimeinwrestlingandprayer."Amanmay,onspecialoccasions,ifhebe unusually moved and carried out of himself, pray for twenty

minutes in the long morning prayer, but this should not oftenhappen.Myfriend,Dr.CharlesBrown,ofEdinburgh,laysitdown,asa result ofhisdeliberate judgment, that tenminutes is the limit towhichpublicprayeroughttobeprolonged.OurPuritanicforefathersused to pray for three-quarters of an hour, ormore, but then youmustrecollectthattheydidnotknowthattheywouldeverhavetheopportunityofprayingagainbeforeanassembly,andtherefore,tooktheirfillofit;andbesides,peoplewerenotinclinedinthosedaystoquarrelwiththelengthofprayersorofsermonssomuchastheydonowadays.Youcannotpraytoolonginprivate.Wedonotlimityoutotenminutesthere,ortenhours,ortenweeksifyoulike.Themoreyouareonyourkneesalonethebetter.Wearenowspeakingofthosepublicprayerswhichcomebeforeorafterthesermon,andforthesetenminutes is a better limit than fifteen. Only one in a thousandwouldcomplainofyouforbeingtooshort,whilescoreswillmurmuratyourbeingwearisomeinlength."Heprayedmeintoagoodframeofmind,"GeorgeWhitfieldoncesaidofacertainpreacher,"andifhehadstopped there, itwouldhavebeenverywell;butheprayedmeoutof itagainbykeepingon."Theabundant longsufferingofGodhasbeenexemplifiedinhissparingsomepreachers,whohavebeengreat sinners in this direction; they have donemuch injury to thepietyofGod'speoplebytheirlong-windedorations,andyetGod,inhismercy,haspermittedthemstilltoofficiateinthesanctuary.Alas!for thosewhohave to listen topastorswhopray inpublic for five-and-twenty minutes, and then ask God to forgive their"shortcomings"! Do not be too long, for several reasons. First,becauseyouwearyyourselvesandthepeople;andsecondly,becausebeing too long inprayer, puts yourpeopleout of heart for hearingthesermon.Allthosedry,dull,prolixtalkificationsinprayer,dobutblunttheattention,andtheeargets,asitwere,chokedup.Nobodywould think of blocking up Ear-gate withmud or stones when hemeant to storm the gate. No, let the portal be cleared that thebattering-ramofthegospelmaytelluponitwhenthetimecomestouse it. Long prayers either consist of repetitions, or else ofunnecessary explanationswhichGoddoesnot require; or else theydegenerateintodownrightpreachings,sothatthereisnodifferencebetween the praying and the preaching, except that in the one the

ministerhashiseyesshut,andintheotherhekeepsthemopen.Itisnot necessary in prayer to rehearse the Westminster Assembly'sCatechism.Itisnotnecessaryinprayertorelatetheexperienceofallthepeoplewhoarepresent,orevenyourown.ItisnotnecessaryinprayertostringaselectionoftextsofScripturetogether,andquoteDavid, and Daniel, and Job, and Paul, and Peter, and every otherbody,underthetitleof"thyservantofold."ItisnecessaryinprayertodrawnearuntoGod,butitisnotrequiredofyoutoprolongyourspeechtilleveryoneislongingtoheartheword"Amen."

One little hint I cannot withhold--never appear to be closing, andthenstartoffagainforanotherfiveminutes.Whenfriendsmakeuptheirmindsthatyouareabouttoconclude, theycannotwitha jerkproceedagaininadevoutspirit.Ihaveknownmentantalizeuswiththe hope that theywere drawing to a close, and then take a freshleasetwoorthreetimes;thisismostunwiseandunpleasant.

Anothercanonis--donotusecantphrases.Mybrethren,havedonewith those vile things altogether; they have had their day, and letthem die. These pieces of spiritual fustian cannot be too muchreprobated.Someof themarepure inventions;othersarepassagestakenfromtheApocrypha;othersaretextsfathereduponScripture,but which have been fearfully mangled since they came from theAuthor of the Bible. In the Baptist Magazine for 1861 I made thefollowingremarksuponthecommonvulgaritiesofprayer-meetings."Cantphrasesarea great evil.Whocan justify suchexpressionsasthe following? 'We would not rush into thy presence as theunthinking(!!)horseintothebattle.'Asifhorseseverdidthink,andas if itwerenotbetter toexhibit the spirit andenergyof thehorsethan the sluggishness and stupidity of the ass! As the verse fromwhichwe imagine this fine sentence to be derived hasmore to dowithsinningthanwithpraying,wearegladthatthephraseisonitslast legs. 'Go from heart to heart, as oil from vessel to vessel,' isprobablyaquotationfromthenurseryromanceof'AliBaba,andtheForty Thieves,' but as destitute of sense, Scripture, and poetry, asever sentence could be conceived to be.We are not aware that oilrunsfromonevesseltoanotherinanyverymysteriousorwonderful

manner;itistrueitisratherslowincomingout,andisthereforeanapt symbol of some people's earnestness; but surely it would bebetter to have the grace direct from heaven than to have it out ofanother vessel---a Popish idea which the metaphor seems toinsinuate, if indeed it has anymeaning at all. 'Thy poor unworthydust,'anepithetgenerallyappliedtothemselvesbytheproudestmenin the congregation, and not seldom by the most moneyed andgrovelling, in which case the last two words are not so veryinappropriate.Wehaveheardofagoodmanwho,inpleadingforhischildren and grandchildren, was so completely beclouded in theblinding influence of this expression, that he exclaimed, 'O Lord,savethydust,andthydust'sdust,andthydust'sdust'sdust.'WhenAbrahamsaid,'IhavetakenuponmetospeakuntotheLord,whichambut dust and ashes,' the utterancewas forcible and expressive;but in itsmisquoted, perverted, and abused form, the sooner it isconsignedtoitsownelementthebetter.Amiserableconglomerationof perversions of Scripture, uncouth similes, and ridiculousmetaphors, constitute a sort of spiritual slang, the offspring ofunholy ignorance, unmanly imitation, or graceless hypocrisy; theyareatonceadishonourtothosewhoconstantlyrepeatthem,andanintolerablenuisancetothosewhoseearsarejadedwiththem."

Dr. Charles Brown, of Edinburgh, in an admirable address at ameetingof theNewCollegeMissionaryAssociation,gives instancesofcurrentmisquotations indigenous toScotland,whichsometimes,however,findtheirwayacrosstheTweed.Byhispermission,Ishallquote at length. "There is what might be called an unhappy,sometimes,quitegrotesque,minglingofScripturetexts.WhoisnotfamiliarwiththefollowingwordsaddressedtoGodinprayer, 'Thouart thehighand loftyOne that inhabitetheternity,andthe praisesthereof'!which is but a jumble of two glorious texts, each glorioustaken by itself--bothmarred, and one altogether lost indeed,whenthuscombinedandmingled.TheoneisIsaiahlvii.15,'Thussaiththehigh and loftyOne, that inhabiteth eternity, whose name isHoly.'Theotheris,Psalmxxii.3,'Thouartholy,OthouthatinhabitestthepraisesofIsrael.'Theinhabitingofthepraisesofeternity,tosaytheleast,ismeagre;therewerenopraisesinthepasteternitytoinhabit.

ButwhatagloryisthereinGod'scondescendingtoinhabit,takeuphisveryabode,inthepraisesofIsrael,oftheransomedchurch.Thenthereisanexamplenothinglessthangrotesqueunderthishead,andyet one in such frequent use that I suspect it is very generallyregardedashaving the sanctionorScripture.Here it is, 'Wewouldputourhandonourmouth,andourmouthinthedust,andcryout,Unclean, unclean;God bemerciful to us sinners.' This is no fewerthan four texts joined, each beautiful by itself. First, Job xl. 4,'Behold,Iamvile;whatshallIanswerthee?Iwilllaymyhanduponmymouth.'Second,Lamentations iii. 29, 'Heputtethhismouth inthedust;ifsobetheremaybehope.'Third,Leviticusxiii.45,wheretheleperisdirectedtoputacoveringuponhisupperlip,andtocry,Unclean, unclean. And fourth, the publican's prayer. But howincongruous a man's first putting his hand on his mouth, thenputtinghismouth in thedust, and, lastof all, cryingout, etc.!TheonlyotherexampleIgiveisanexpressionnearlyuniversalamongus,and,Isuspect,almostuniversallythoughttobeinScripture,'Inthyfavouris life,andthylovingkindnessisbetterthanlife.'Thefact is,that this also is just an unhappy combination of two passages, inwhich, the term life is used in altogether different, and evenincompatible senses, namely, Psalm lxiii. 3, 'Thy lovingkindness isbetter than life,' where, evidently, lifemeans the present temporallife.

"AsecondclassmaybedescribedasunhappyalterationsofScripturelanguage.NeedIsaythatthe130thPsalm,'Outofthedepths,'etc.,isoneofthemostpreciousinthewholebookofthePsalms?Whymustwe have the words of David and of the Holy Ghost thus given inpublic prayer, and so constantly that our pious people come all toadopt it into their social and family prayers, 'There is forgivenesswith thee, that thou mayest be feared, and plenteous redemptionthat thou mayest be sought after,' or 'unto'? How precious thesimple words as they stand in the Psalm (verse 4), 'There isforgivenesswiththee,thatthoumayestbefeared'(verses7,8);'WiththeLordthereismercy,andwithhimisplenteousredemption;andheshallredeemIsraelfromallhisiniquities!'Again, inthisblessedPsalm, thewords of the third verse, 'If thou,Lord, shouldestmark

iniquities,OLord,who shall stand?' too seldomare leftus in theirnaked simplicity, but must undergo the following change, 'If thouwertstricttomarkiniquity,'etc.Irememberinmyoldcollegedays,We used to have it in amuchmore offensive shape, 'If thou wertstrict tomarkandrigoroustopunish!'Another favourite change isthefollowing, 'Thouartinheaven,andweuponearth;thereforeletourwordsbefewandwellordered.'Solomon'ssimpleandsublimeutterance (full of instruction, surely, on the whole theme I amdealingwith)is,'Godisinheaven,andthouuponearth;thereforeletthywordsbefew.'Eccles.v.2.ForanotherexampleunderthisclassseehowHabakkuk'ssublimewordsaretortured, 'Thouartofpurereyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on sin withoutabhorrence.'ThewordsoftheHolyGhostare(Heb.i.13),'Thouartof purer eyes than to behold evil. and canst not look on iniquity.'NeedIsaythatthepowerofthefigure,'canstnotlookoniniquity'isnearly lostwhenyouaddthatGodcan lookon it,onlynotwithoutabhorrence!

"A third class is made up of meaningless pleonasms, vulgar,common-place redundancies of expression, in quoting from theScriptures.Oneof thesehasbecomesouniversal, that I venture tosayyouseldommissit,whenthepassagereferredtocomesupatall.'Be in themidst of us' (or, as some prefer to express it, somewhatunfortunately, as I think, 'in ourmidst'), 'to bless us,and todousgood.'Whatadditionalideaisthereinthelastexpression,'andtodous good'? The passage referred to is Exodus xx. 24, 'In all placeswhereIrecordmyname,Iwillcomeuntoyou,andIwillblessyou.'SuchisthesimplicityofScripture.Ouradditionis,'Blessus,anddousgood.' InDaniel iv.35,weread thenoblewords, 'Nonecanstayhishand,orsayuntohim,Whatdoestthou?'Thefavouritechangeis,'Nonecanstaythyhandfromworking.''Eyehathnotseen,norearheard,neitherhaveentered into theheartofmanthe thingswhichGodhathpreparedforthemthatlovehim!'Thisischanged,'Neitherhath it entered into the heart of man to conceive the things.'Constantlywe hearGod addressed as 'the hearerand answerer ofprayer,'amerevulgaranduselesspleonasm,fortheScriptureideaofGod's hearing prayer is just his answering it--'O thou that hearest

prayer,untotheeshallall fleshcome;'"HearmyprayerOLord;' , IlovetheLordbecausehehathheardmyvoiceandmysupplications.'Whence, again, that common-place of public prayer, 'Thyconsolationsareneitherfewnorsmall'?Thereference,Isuppose,istothosewordsofJob,'AretheconsolationsofGodsmallwiththee?'So one scarce ever hears that prayer of the seventy-fourth Psalm,'Haverespecttothecovenant,forthedarkplacesoftheeartharefullof thehabitationsof cruelty,'without the addition, 'horridcruelty;'nor the call toprayer in Isaiah, 'Keepnot silence, andgivehimnorest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in theearth,'withouttheaddition,'thewholeearth;'northatappealofthePsalmist, 'WhomhaveIinheavenbutthee,andthereisnoneuponearththatIdesirebesidethee,'withouttheaddition,'noneinalltheearth.'Theselastmayseemsmallmatters, indeed.Andsotheyare,norwereworth finding faultwith, did they occur but occasionally.But viewed as stereotyped common-places, weak enough inthemselves,andoccurringsooftenastogiveanimpressionoftheirhaving Scripture authority. I humbly think they ought to bediscountenanced and discarded--banished wholly from ourPresbyterianworship.Itwill,perhapssurpriseyoutolearnthattheonly Scripture authority for that favourite, and somewhat peculiarexpression, about the 'wicked rolling sin as a sweet morsel undertheir tongue,' is the following words in the book of Job (xx. 12),'Thoughwickednessbesweetinhismouth,thoughhehideitunderhistongue.'"

Butenoughofthis.Iamonlysorrytohavefeltboundinconsciencetobesolonguponsounhappyasubject.Icannot,however,leavethepointwithouturginguponyouliteralaccuracyinallquotationsfromthewordofGod.

It ought to be a point of honour amongministers always to quoteScripturecorrectly.Itisdifficulttobealwayscorrect,andbecauseitis difficult, it should be all themore the object of our care. In thehallsofOxfordorCambridgeitwouldbeconsideredalmosttreasonor felony fora fellow tomisquoteTacitus,orVirgil,orHomer;butfor a preacher tomisquotePaul, orMoses, orDavid, is a farmore

seriousmatter,andquiteasworthyoftheseverestcensure.Mark,Isaida"fellow,"notafreshman,andfromapastorweexpect,atleast,equal accuracy in his own department as from the holder of afellowship. You who so unwaveringly believe in the verbal-inspirationtheory(tomyintensesatisfaction),oughtnevertoquoteatalluntilyoucangivetheprecisewords,because,accordingtoyourown showing, by the alteration of a single word you may missaltogetherGod's sense of the passage. If you cannotmake extractsfromScripturecorrectly,whyquoteitatallinyourpetitions?Makeuseofanexpressionfreshfromyourownmind,anditwillbequiteas acceptable to God as a scriptural phrase defaced or clipped.Vehemently strive against garblings and perversions of Scripture,andrenounceforeverallcantphrases,fortheyarethedisfigurementoffreeprayer.

Ihavenoticedahabitamongsome--Ihopeyouhavenotfallenintoit--ofprayingwiththeireyesopen.Itisunnatural,unbecoming,anddisgusting.Occasionally the opened eye uplifted to heavenmay besuitableand impressive,but tobegazingaboutwhileprofessing toaddress the unseen God is detestable. In the earliest ages of thechurch the fathers denounced this unseemly practice. Action inprayershouldbeverylittleused,ifatall.Itisscarcelycomelytoliftand move the arm, as if in preaching; the outstretched armshowever, or the clasped hands, are natural and suggestive whenunder strong holy excitement. The voice should accord with thematter, and should never be boisterous, or self-asserting: humbleandreverent let those tonesbe inwhichman talkethwithhisGod.Doth not even nature itself teach you this? If grace does not Idespair.

With special regard to your prayers in the Sabbath services, a fewsentences may be useful. In order to prevent custom and routinefrombeingenthronedamongus,itwillbewelltovarytheorderofserviceasmuchaspossible.WhateverthefreeSpiritmovesustodo,thatletusdoatonce.Iwasnottilllatelyawareoftheextenttowhichthe control of deacons has been allowed to intrude itself uponministers in certain benighted churches. I have always been

accustomedtoconduct religiousservices in thewayIhave thoughtmost suitable and edifying, and I never have heard so much as aword of objection, although I trust I can say I live on the dearestintimacy with my officers; but a brother minister told me thismorning,thatononeoccasion,heprayedinthemorningserviceatthe commencement instead of giving out a hymn, and when heretiredintothevestry,afterservice, thedeacons informedhimthattheywouldhavenoinnovations.WehithertounderstoodthatBaptistchurches arenotunderbondage to traditions and fixed rules as tomodes of worship, and yet these poor creatures, these would-belords,whocryoutloudlyenoughagainstaliturgy,wouldbindtheirministerwithrubricsmadebycustom.Itistimethatsuchnonsensewereforeversilenced.WeclaimtoconductserviceastheHolySpiritmovesus,andaswe judgebest.Wewillnotbebound tosinghereand pray there, but will vary the order of service to preventmonotony.Mr.Hinton, Ihaveheard, oncepreached the sermonatthecommencementoftheservice,sothatthosewhocamelatemightatanyratehaveanopportunitytopray.Andwhynot?Irregularitieswould do good,monotonyworksweariness. It will frequently be amost profitable thing to let the people sit quite still in profoundsilencefortwoorfiveminutes.Solemnsilencemakesnobleworship.

TrueprayerisnotthenoisysoundThatclamorouslipsrepeat,ButthedeepsilenceofasoulThatclaspsJehovah'sfeet.

Vary the order of your prayers, then, for the sake ofmaintainingattention,andpreventingpeoplegoingthroughthewholethingasaclockrunsontilltheweightsaredown.

Varythe length,ofyourpublicprayers.Doyounot think itwouldbemuchbetter if sometimes insteadofgiving threeminutes to thefirstprayerandfifteenminutestothesecond,yougavenineminutestoeach?Would itnotbebettersometimestobe longer inthe first,and not so long in the second prayer? Would not two prayers oftolerablelengthhebetterthanoneextremelylongandoneextremelyshort? Would it not be as well to have a hymn after reading the

chapter, or a verse or two before the prayer? Why not sing fourtimes, occasionally?Why not be content with two hymns, or onlyone,occasionally?Whysingaftersermon?Why,ontheotherhand,do some never sing at the close of the service? Is a prayer aftersermon always, or even often, advisable? Is it not sometimesmostimpressive?WouldnottheHolySpirit'sguidancesecureusavarietyatpresentunknown?Letushaveanythingsothatourpeopledonotcome to regard any form of service as being appointed, and sorelapseintothesuperstitionfromwhichtheyhaveescaped.

Vary the current of your prayers in intercession. There aremanytopicswhich requireyourattention; the church in itsweakness, itsbackslidings, its sorrows, and its comforts; the outside world, theneighbourhood,unconvertedhearers, theyoungpeople, thenation.Donotprayforalltheseeverytime,orotherwiseyourprayerswillbelong and probably uninteresting. Whatever topic shall comeuppermosttoyourheart,letthatbeuppermostinyoursupplications,Thereisawayoftakingalineofprayer,iftheHo]ySpiritshallguideyoutherein,whichwillmaketheserviceallofapiece,andharmonizewiththehymnsanddiscourse.Itisveryusefultomaintainunity intheservicewhereyoucan;notslavishly,butwisely,sothattheeffectis one. Certain brethren do not evenmanage to keep unity in thesermon, but wander from Britain to Japan, and bring in allimaginablesubjects;butyouwhohaveattained to thepreservationofunityinthesermonmightgoalittlefarther,andexhibitadegreeof unity in the service, being careful in both the hymn, and theprayer,andthechapter,tokeepthesamesubjectprominent.Hardlycommendable is the practice, common with some preachers, ofrehearsingthesermoninthelastprayer.Itmaybeinstructivetotheaudience, but that is an object altogether foreign to prayer. It isstilted,scholastic,andunsuitable;donotimitatethepractice.

As you would avoid a viper, keep from all attempts to work upspuriousfervourinpublicdevotion.Donotlabourtoseemearnest.Prayas yourheart dictates, under the leadingof theSpirit ofGod,andifyouaredullandheavytelltheLordso.Itwillbenoillthingtoconfessyourdeadness,andbewail it,andcryforquickening; itwill

be real and acceptable prayer; but simulated ardour is a shamefulformoflying.Neverimitatethosewhoareearnest.Youknowagoodmanwhogroans, andanotherwhose voice grows shrillwhenhe iscarriedawaywithzeal,butdonotthereforemoanorsqueakinorderto appear as zealous as they are. Just be natural the whole waythrough,andaskofGodtobeguidedinitall.

Lastly--this is a word I utter in confidence to yourselves--prepareyourprayer.You saywithastonishment, "Whatever canyoumeanby that?"Well, Imeanwhat somedo notmean. The questionwasoncediscussedinasocietyofministers,"Wasitrightfortheministertopreparehisprayerbeforehand?ItwasearnestlyassertedbyBornethat it was wrong; and very properly so. It was with equalearnestnessmaintainedbyothersthatitwasright;andtheywerenottobegainsayed. Ibelievebothparties tohavebeen right.The firstbrethren understood by preparing the prayer, the studying ofexpressions, and the putting together of a train of thought, whichtheyallsaidwasaltogetheropposedtospiritualworship,inwhichweought to leaveourselves in thehandofGod'sSpirit tobe taughtofhim both as tomatter and words. In these remarks we altogetheragree; for if amanwrites his prayers and studies his petitions, lethimusea liturgyatonce.Butthebrethreninopposition,meantbypreparationquiteanotherthing,notthepreparationofthehead,butoftheheart,whichconsistsinthesolemnconsiderationbeforehandof the importance of prayer, meditation upon the needs of men'ssouls, and a remembrance of the promises whichwe are to plead;and thus coming before the Lordwith a petitionwritten upon thefleshytablesoftheheart.ThisissurelybetterthancomingtoGodatrandom,rushingbeforethethroneathaphazard,withoutadefiniteerrand or desire. "I never am tired of praying," said one man,"becauseIalwayshaveadefiniteerrandwhenIpray."Brethren,areyourprayersofthissort?Doyoustrivetobeinafitframetoleadthesupplications of your people? Do you order your cause in comingbefore the Lord? I feel, my brethren, that we ought to prepareourselvesbyprivateprayerforpublicpraying.BylivingneartoGodweoughttomaintainprayerfulnessof spirit, and thenweshallnotfailinourvocalpleadings.Ifanythingbeyondthisistobetolerated,

itwouldbethecommitment tomemoryof thePsalmsandpartsofScripture containing promises, supplications, praises, andconfessions,suchasmaybehelpfulintheactofprayer.ItissaidofChrysostom,thathehadlearnedhisBiblebyheart,soastobeableto repeat it at his pleasure: no wonder that he was called golden-mouthed. Now, in our converse with God, no speech can bemoreappropriate than the words of the Holy Ghost--"Do as thou hastsaid,"willalwaysprevailwiththeMostHigh.Wecounsel,therefore,thecommittingtomemoryoftheinspireddevotionalexercisesofthewordoftruth,andthenyourcontinuedreadingoftheScriptureswillkeepyoualwaysfurnishedwithfreshsupplications,whichwillbeasointment poured forth, filling the whole house of God with itsfragrance,whenyoupresentyourpetitionsinpublicbeforetheLord.Seedsofprayerthussowninthememorywillyieldaconstantgoldenharvest,astheSpiritshallwarmyoursoulwith,hallowedfireinthehour of congregational prayer.AsDavidused the sword ofGoliathfor after victories, so may we at times employ a petition alreadyanswered,andfindourselvesabletosaywiththesonofJesse,"Thereisnonelikeuntoit,"asGodshallyetagainfulfilitinourexperience.

Let your prayers be earnest, full of fire, vehemence, prevalence. Ipray theHolyGhost to instruct every student of this College so toofferpublicprayer, thatGodshallalwaysbeservedofhisbest.Letyour petitions be plain and heart-felt; and while your people maysometimesfeel thatthesermonwasbelowthemark,maytheyalsofeelthattheprayercompensatedforall.

Much more might be said, perhaps should be said, but time andstrengthbothfailus,andsowedrawtoaclose.

____

1 "Denique sine monitore, quia de pectore oramus." TertullianiApologet.C.30.

2JustinMartyr,Apol.I,c.68,p.270.EdOtto.

3A Discourse concerning Liturgies and their Imposition. Vo. XV,

Owen'sWorks,Goold'sEdition.

4Itisbutfairtoadmit,andwedosowithpleasure,thatoflateyearsthisfaulthasgrownmoreandmorerare.

LECTUREVSERMONS--THEIRMATTER

SERMONS should have real teaching in them, and their doctrineshould be solid, substantial, and abundant. We do not enter thepulpit to talk for talk's sake; we have instructions to conveyimportant to the last degree, and we cannot afford to utter prettynothings.Ourrangeofsubjectsisallbutboundless,andwecannot,therefore,beexcusedifourdiscoursesarethreadbareanddevoidofsubstance. If we speak as ambassadors for God, we need nevercomplainofwant ofmatter, for ourmessage is full to overflowing.Theentiregospelmustbepresentedfromthepulpit;thewholefaithoncedeliveredtothesaintsmustbeproclaimedbyus.ThetruthasitisinJesusmustbeinstructivelydeclared,sothatthepeoplemaynotmerelyhear,butknow,thejoyfulsound.Weservenotatthealtarof"the unknown God," but we speak to the worshippers of him ofwhomit iswritten,"theythatknowthynamewillputtheirtrust inthee."Todivideasermonwellmaybeaveryusefulart,buthowifthereisnothingtodivide?Ameredivisionmakerislikeanexcellentcarver with an empty dish before him. To be able to deliver anexordiumwhichshallbeappropriateandattractive,tobeateaseinspeakingwith propriety during the time allotted for the discourse,and towindupwith a respectableperoration,mayappear tomerereligiousperformerstobeallthatisrequisite;butthetrueministerofChristknows that the truevalueofa sermonmust lie,not in itsfashionandmanner,butinthetruthwhichitcontains.Nothingcancompensatefortheabsenceofteaching;alltherhetoricintheworldisbutaschafftothewheatincontrasttothegospelofoursalvation.Howeverbeautiful thesower'sbasket it isamiserablemockery if itbe without seed. The grandest discourse ever delivered is anostentatiousfailureifthedoctrineofthegraceofGodbeabsentfrom

it;itsweepsovermen'sheadslikeacloud,butitdistributesnorainuponthethirstyearth;andthereforetheremembranceofittosoulstaught wisdom by an experience of pressing need is one ofdisappointment,orworse.Aman'sstylemaybeasfascinatingasthatof the authoress of whom one said, "that she should write with acrystalpendippedindewuponsilverpaper,anduseforpouncethedust of a butterfly's wing"; but to an audience whose souls are ininstant jeopardy,whatwillmereelegancebebut"altogether lighterthanvanity"?

Horsesarenottobejudgedbytheirbellsortheirtrappings,butbylimbandboneandblood;andsermons,whencriticisedbyjudicioushearers, are largely measured by the amount of gospel truth andforce of gospel spirit which they contain. Brethren, weigh yoursermons.Donot retail themby the yard, butdeal themoutby thepound. Set no store by the quantity ofwordswhich you utter, butstrivetobeesteemedforthequalityofyourmatter.Itisfoolishtobelavishinwordsandniggardlyintruth.Hemustbeverydestituteofwitwhowouldbepleasedtohearhimselfdescribedafterthemanneroftheworld'sgreatpoet,whosays,"Gratianospeaksaninfinitedealofnothing,morethananymaninallVenice:hisreasonsareastwograinsofwheathiddenintwobushelsofchaff;youshallseekalldayereyoufindthem;andwhenyouhavethemtheyarenotworththesearch."

Rousing appeals to the affections are excellent, but if they are notbackedupby instruction they are amere flash in the pan, powderconsumedandnoshotsenthome.Restassuredthatthemostfervidrevivalismwillwearitselfoutinmeresmoke,ifitbenotmaintainedby the fuel of teaching. Thedivinemethod is to put the law in themind, and thenwrite it on the heart; the judgment is enlightened,andthenthepassionssubdued.ReadHebrewsviii.10,andfollowthemodelofthecovenantofgrace.Gouge'snoteonthatplacemaywithfitnessbequotedhere:--"MinistersarehereintoimitateGod,and,totheirbestendeavour,toinstructpeopleinthemysteriesofgodliness,andtoteachthemwhattobelieveandpractise,andthentostirthemupinactanddeed,todowhattheyareinstructedtodo.Theirlabour

otherwiseisliketobeinvain.Neglectofthiscourseisamaincausethatmenfall intomanyerrorsastheydointhesedays."Imayaddthatthislastremarkhasgainedmoreforceinourtimes;itisamonguninstructed flocks that the wolves of popery make havoc; soundteachingisthebestprotectionfromtheheresieswhichravagerightandleftamongus.

Sound informationupon scriptural subjects yourhearers crave for,and must have. Accurate explanations of Holy Scripture they areentitledto,andifyouare"aninterpreter,oneofathousand,"arealmessengerofheaven,youwillyieldthemplenteously.Whateverelsemay be present, the absence of edifying, instructive truth, like theabsence of flour frombread,will be fatal. Estimated by their solidcontents rather than their superficial area,many sermons are verypoor specimensofgodlydiscourse. I believe the remark is toowellgrounded that if youattend to a lectureron astronomyor geology,during a short course you will obtain a tolerably clear view of hissystem;butifyoulisten,notonlyfortwelvemonths,but fortwelveyears, to the common run of preachers, you will not arrive atanything like an ideaof their systemof theology. If it be so, it is agrievous fault, which cannot be too much deplored. Alas! theindistinct utterances of many concerning the grandest of eternalrealities, and the dimness of thought in others with regard tofundamentaltruths,havegiventoomuchoccasionforthecriticism!Brethren, if youarenot theologiansyouare inyourpastorates justnothingatall.Youmaybefinerhetoricians,andberichinpolishedsentences;butwithoutknowledgeofthegospel,andaptnesstoteachit, youarebut a soundingbrass anda tinkling cymbal.Verbiage istoo often the fig-leafwhich does duty as a covering for theologicalignorance. Soundingperiods are offered insteadof sounddoctrine,andrhetoricalflourishesintheplaceofrobustthought.Suchthingsought not to be. The abounding of empty declamation, and theabsenceoffoodforthesoul,willturnapulpitintoaboxofbombast,andinspirecontemptinsteadofreverence.Unlessweareinstructivepreachers, and really feed the people, we may be great quoters ofelegant poetry, andmighty retailers of second-handwindbags, butweshallbe likeNeroofold, fiddlingwhileRomewasburning,and

sending vessels toAlexandria to fetch sand for the arenawhile thepopulacestarvedforwantofcorn.

We insist upon it, that there must be abundance of matter insermons,andnext,that thismattermustbecongruous to the text.Thediscourseshouldspringoutof the textasarule,andthemoreevidently it does so the better; but at all times, to say the least, itshould have a very close relationship thereto. In the matter ofspiritualising and accommodation very large latitude is to beallowed;butlibertymustnotdegenerateintolicense,andtheremustalways be a connection, and something more than a remoteconnection--a real relationship between the sermon and its text. Iheardtheotherdayofaremarkabletext,whichwasappropriateorinappropriate,asyoumaythink.Asquireofaparishhadgivenawaya number of flaming scarlet cloaks to the oldest matrons of theparish.TheseresplendentbeingswererequiredtoattendtheparishchurchonthefollowingSunday,andtositinfrontofthepulpit,fromwhichoneoftheavowedsuccessorsoftheapostlesedifiedthesaintsfromthewords,"Solomoninallhisglorywasnotarrayedlikeoneofthese."Itisreportedthatonasubsequentoccasion,whenthesamebenefactoroftheparishhadgivenabushelofpotatoestoeverymanwhohadafamily,thetopiconthefollowingSundaywas,"Andtheysaid,Itismanna."Icannottellwhetherthematterinthatcasewascongruoustotheselectionofthetext;Isupposeitmayhavebeen,forthe probabilities are that the whole performance was foolishthroughout.Somebrethrenhavedonewiththeirtextassoonastheyhavereadit.Havingpaidallduehonourtothatparticularpassagebyannouncingit,theyfeelnonecessityfurthertorefertoit.Theytouchtheirhats,as itwere,tothatpartofScripture,andpassontofreshfields andpasturesnew.Whydo suchmen take a text at all?Whylimittheirowngloriousliberty?WhymakeScriptureahorsing-blockbywhichtomountupontheirunbridledPegasus?SurelythewordsofinspirationwerenevermeanttobeboothookstohelpaTalkativeto draw on his seven-leagued boots in which to leap from pole topole.

ThesurestwaytomaintainvarietyistokeeptothemindoftheHoly

Spiritintheparticularpassageunderconsideration.Notwotextsareexactly similar; something in theconnectionordriftof thepassagegivestoeachapparentlyidenticaltextashadeofdifference.Keeptothe Spirit's track and you will never repeat yourself or be short ofmatter:hispathsdropfatness.Asermon,moreover,comeswithfargreaterpowertotheconsciencesofthehearerswhenitisplainlytheveryword of God--not a lecture about the Scripture, but Scriptureitselfopenedupandenforced.Itisduetothemajestyofinspirationthatwhenyouprofesstobepreachingfromaverseyoudonotthrustitoutofsighttomakeroomforyourownthinkings.

Brethren,ifyouareinthehabitofkeepingtotheprecisesenseoftheScripture before you, I will further recommend you to hold to theipsissimaverba, theverywordsof theHolyGhost; for,althoughinmanycasestopicalsermonsarenotonlyallowable,butveryproper,thosesermonswhichexpoundtheexactwordsoftheHolySpiritarethe most useful and the most agreeable to the major part of ourcongregations. They love to have the words themselves explainedand expounded. The many are not always sufficiently capable ofgrasping thesenseapart fromthe language--ofgazing, so to speak,upon the truthdisembodied;butwhen theyhear theprecisewordsreiteratedagainandagain,andeachexpressiondweltuponafterthemannerofsuchpreachersasMr.Jay,ofBath,theyaremoreedified,andthetruthfixesitselfmorefirmlyupontheirmemories.Letyourmatter,then,becopious,andletitgrowoutoftheinspiredword,asviolets and primroses spring up naturally from the sod, or as thevirginhoneydropsfromthecomb.

Take care that your deliverances are alwaysweighty, and full ofreally important teaching. Build not withwood, hay, and stubble,butwith gold, silver, and precious stones. It is scarcely needful towarnyouagainstthegrosserdegradationsofpulpiteloquence,ortheexample of the notorious orator Henley might be instanced. Thatloquacious adventurer, whom Pope has immortalized in his"Dunciad," was wont to make the passing events of the week thethemes of his buffoonery on week days, and theological topicssufferedthesamefateonSundays.Hisfortelayinhislowwitandin

tuning his voice and balancing his hands. The satirist says of him,"Howfluentnonsensetricklesfromhistongue."Gentlemen,itwerebetternevertohavebeenborn,thantohavetheliketruthfullysaidofus;weareonperilofoursoulsboundtodealwiththesolemnitiesofeternityandwithnoearth-borntopics.Thereare,however,otherandmoreinvitingmethodsofwoodandhay-building,anditbehovesyounottobedupedbythem.Thisremarkisnecessary,especiallytothose gentlemen whomistake high flying sentences for eloquence,and latinized utterances for great depth of thought. Certainhomiletical instructors, by their example, if not by their precepts,encourage rhodomontade andgreat swellingwords, and, therefore,are most perilous to young preachers. Think of a discoursecommencingwithsuchanamazingandstupendousassertionasthefollowing,whichbyitsnativegrandeurwillstrikeyouatoncewithasenseof thesublimeandbeautiful: "MANISMORAL."Thisgeniusmighthaveadded, "Acathas four feet."Therewouldhavebeenasmuch novelty in the one information as the other. I remember asermon by a would-be profound writer which quite stunned thereader with grenadier words of six-feet length, but which, whenproperlyboileddown,cametoasmuchessenceofmeatasthis--Manhasasoul,hissoulwillliveinanotherworld,andthereforeheshouldtake care that it occupies a happy place. No one can object to theteaching,but it isnotsonovelastoneedablastof trumpetsandaprocessionofbedizenedphrases to introduce it topublic attention.The art of saying commonplace things elegantly, pompously,grandiloquently, bombastically, is not lost among us, although itsutter extinction were "a consummation devoutly to be wished."Sermonsofthissorthavebeenheldupasmodels,andyettheyaremerebitsofbladderwhichwouldlieonyourfinger-nail,blownoutuntil they remind you of those coloured balloons which itinerantdealerscarryabout thestreets tosellatahalfpennya-piece for thedelectationoftheextremelyjuvenile;theparallel,Iamsorrytosay,holding good a little further, for in some cases these discoursescontainjustatingeofpoisonbywayofcolouring,whichsomeoftheweaker sort have found out to their cost. It is infamous to ascendyourpulpitandpouroveryourpeopleriversoflanguage,cataractsofwords, in which mere platitudes are held in solution like

infinitesimal grains of homoeopathic medicine in an Atlantic ofutterance.Better fargive thepeoplemassesofunprepared truth inthe rongh, like pieces ofmeat from a butcher's block, chopped offanyhow,boneandall,andevendroppeddowninthesawdust,thanostentatiously and delicately hand them out upon a china dish adelicioussliceofnothingatall,decoratedwiththeparsleyofpoetry,andflavouredwiththesauceofaffectation.

It will be a happy circumstance if you are so guided by the HolySpirit as to give a clear testimony to all the doctrines whichconstituteorliearoundthegospel.Notruthistobekeptback.Thedoctrineofreserve,sodetestableinthemouthsofJesuits,isnotonewhit the lessvillainouswhenacceptedbyProtestants. It isnot truethatsomedoctrinesareonlyfortheinitiated;thereisnothingintheBiblewhich is ashamed of the light. The sublimest views of divinesovereignty have a practical bearing, and are not, as some think,meremetaphysicalsubtleties;thedistinctiveutterancesofCalvinismhavetheirbearinguponevery-daylifeandordinaryexperience,andif you hold such views, or the opposite, you have no dispensationpermittingyoutoconcealyourbeliefs.Cautiousreticenceis,inninecases out of ten, cowardly betrayal. The best policy is never to bepolitic, but to proclaim every atom of the truth so far as God hastaught it to you. Harmony requires that the voice of one doctrineshallnotdrowntherest,anditalsodemandsthatthegentlernotesshallnotbeomittedbecauseofthegreatervolumeofothersounds.Everynoteappointedby the greatminstrelmust be sounded; eachnotehavingitsownproportionatepowerandemphasis,thepassagemarkedwithfortemustnotbesoftened,andthosewithpianomustnotberolledoutlikethunder,buteachmusthaveitsduehearing.Allrevealedtruthinharmoniousproportionmustbeyourtheme.

Brethren, if you resolve in your pulpit utterances to deal withimportant verities, you must not for ever hover around the mereangles of truth. Those doctrines which are not vital to the soul'ssalvation, nor even essential to practicalChristianity, are not to beconsidereduponeveryoccasionofworship.Bringinallthefeaturesof truth indueproportion, foreverypart of Scripture is profitable,

andyouarenotonlytopreachthetruth,butthewholetruth.Donotinsist perpetually upon one truth alone. A nose is an importantfeatureinthehumancountenance,buttopaintaman'snosealoneisnot a satisfactorymethodof takinghis likeness: a doctrinemaybeveryimportant,butanexaggeratedestimateofitmaybefataltoanharmonious and complete ministry. Do not makeminor doctrinesmainpoints.Donotpaintthedetailsofthebackgroundofthegospelpicture with the same heavy brush as the great objects in theforegroundofit.Forinstance,thegreatproblemsofsublapsarianismand supralapsarianism, the trenchant debates concerning eternalfiliation, theearnestdisputeconcerning thedoubleprocession,andthepreorpostmillenarianschemes,however important somemaydeemthem,arepracticallyofverylittleconcerntothatgodlywidowwoman,withsevenchildrentosupportbyherneedle,whowantsfarmoretohearoftheloving-kindnessoftheGodofprovidencethanofthesemysteriesprofound;ifyoupreachtoheronthefaithfulnessofGodtohispeople,shewillbecheeredandhelpedinthebattleoflife;butdifficultquestionswillperplexheror sendher to sleep.She is,however,thetypeofhundredsofthosewhomostrequireyourcare.Ourgreatmasterthemeisthegoodnewsfromheaven;thetidingsofmercy through the atoning death of Jesus, mercy to the chief ofsinnersupontheirbelievinginJesus.

Wemustthrowallourstrengthofjudgment,memory,imagination,and eloquence into the delivery of the gospel; and not give to thepreaching of the cross our random thoughts while wayside topicsengrossourdeepermeditations.Dependupon it, ifwebrought theintellect of aLockeor aNewton, and the eloquence of aCicero, tobearupon the simpledoctrineof "believeand live,"weshould findno surplus strength. Brethren, first and above all things, keep toplainevangelicaldoctrines;whatever else youdoordonotpreach,besureincessantlytobringforththesoul-savingtruthofChristandhimcrucified.Iknowaministerwhoseshoe-latchetIamunworthyto unloose, whose preaching is often little better than sacredminiaturepainting--Imightalmostsayholytrifling.Heisgreatuponthetentoesofthebeast,thefourfacesofthecherubim,themysticalmeaningofbadgers' skins,and the typicalbearingsof thestavesof

the ark, and the windows of Solomon's temple: but the sins ofbusinessmen,thetemptationsofthetimes,andtheneedsoftheage,hescarcelyevertouchesupon.Suchpreachingremindsmeofalionengaged in mouse-hunting, or a man-of-war cruising after a lostwater-butt. Topics scarcely in importance equal towhatPeter calls"oldwives' fables," aremadegreatmattersofby thosemicroscopicdivines to whom the nicety of a point is more attractive than thesavingofsouls.YouwillhavereadinTodd's"Student,'sManual"thatHarcatius,kingofPersia,wasanotablemole-catcher;andBriantes,king of Lydia, was equally au fait at filing needles; but thesetrivialities by nomeans prove them to have been great kings: it ismuchthesameintheministry,thereissuchathingasmeannessofmental occupation unbecoming the rank of an ambassador ofheaven.

Amongacertainorderofmindsat this timetheAtheniandesireoftellingorhearingsomenewthingappearstobepredominant.Theyboastofnewlight,andclaimaspeciesofinspirationwhichwarrantsthem in condemning allwho are out of their brotherhood, and yettheirgrandrevelationrelatestoamerecircumstantialofworship,orto an obscure interpretation of prophecy; so that, at sight of theirgreatfussandloudcryconcerningsolittle,weareremindedof

"Oceanintotempesttoss'dTowaftafeatherortodrownafly."

Worse still are thosewhowaste time in insinuating doubts concerningthe authenticity of texts, or the correctness of Biblical statementsconcerningnaturalphenomena.Painfullydo I call tomindhearingoneSabbatheveningadeliverancecalledasermon,ofwhichthethemewasacleverenquiryas towhetheranangeldidactuallydescend,andstir thepool at Bethesda, or whether it was an intermitting spring, concerningwhichJewishsuperstitionhadinventedalegend.Dyingmenandwomenwereassembledtohearthewayofsalvation,andtheywereputoffwithsuchvanityasthis!Theycameforbread,andreceivedastone;thesheeplookeduptotheshepherd,andwerenotfed.SeldomdoIhearasermon,and when I do I am grievously unfortunate, for one of the last I wasentertained with was intended to be a justification of Joshua for

destroyingtheCanaanites,andanotherwenttoprovethatitwasnotgoodforman to be alone.Howmany soulswere converted in answer to theprayersbefore these sermons Ihaveneverbeenable to ascertain,but Ishrewdlysuspectthatnounusualrejoicingdisturbedtheserenityof thegoldenstreets.

Believingmynext remark tobe almostuniversallyunneeded, I bring itforward with diffidence--do not overload a sermon with too muchmatter.Alltruthisnottobecomprisedinonediscourse.Sermonsarenottobebodiesofdivinity.Thereissuchathingashavingtoomuchtosay,andsayingittillhearersaresenthomeloathingratherthanlonging.Anoldministerwalkingwithayoungpreacher,pointed toacornfield,andobserved, "Your last sermon had too much in it, and it was not clearenough, or sufficiently well-arranged; it was like that field of wheat, itcontainedmuchcrudefood,butnonefit foruse.Youshouldmakeyoursermonslikealoafofbread,fitforeating,andinconvenientform."Itisto be feared that human heads (speaking phrenologically) are not socapaciousfor theologyas theyoncewere, forour forefathersrejoiced insixteenouncesofdivinity,undilutedandunadorned,andcouldcontinuereceivingitforthreeorfourhoursatastretch,butourmoredegenerate,orperhapsmorebusy,generationrequiresaboutanounceofdoctrineatatime,andthatmustbetheconcentratedextractoressentialoil,ratherthantheentiresubstanceofdivinity.Wemustinthesetimessayagreatdealinafewwords,butnottoomuch,norwithtoomuchamplification.Onethoughtfixedonthemindwillbebetterthanfiftythoughtsmadetoflitacrosstheear.One tenpennynaildrivenhomeandclenchedwillbemoreusefulthanascoreoftin-tackslooselyfixed,tobepulledoutagaininanhour.

Ourmattershouldbewellarrangedaccordingtothetruerulesofmentalarchitecture. Not practical inferences at the basis and doctrines as thetopstones; not metaphors in the foundations, and propositions at thesummit;notthemoreimportanttruthsfirstandtheminorteachingslast,after the manner of an anticlimax; but the thought must climb andascend; one stair of teaching leading to another; onedoor of reasoningconductingtoanother,andthewholeelevatingthehearertoachamberfrom whose windows truth is seen gleaming in the light of God. In

preaching,haveaplaceforeverything,andeverythinginitsplace.Neversuffertruthstofallfromyoupell-mell.Donotletyourthoughtsrushasamob, but make them march as a troop of soldiery. Order, which isheaven'sfirstlaw,mustnotbeneglectedbyheaven'sambassadors.

Yourdoctrinal teaching shouldbe clearandunmistakable.Tobe so itmustfirstofallbecleartoyourself.Somementhinkinsmokeandpreachinacloud.Yourpeopledonotwantaluminoushaze,butthesolidterrafirmaoftruth.Philosophicalspeculationsputcertainmindsintoasemi-intoxicatedcondition, inwhichtheyeitherseeeverythingdouble,orseenothingatall.TheheadofacertaincollegeinOxfordwasyearsagoaskedbyastrangerwhatwasthemottoofthearmsofthatuniversity.Hetoldhim that it was "Dominus illuminatio mea." But he also candidlyinformed the stranger that, in his private opinion, a motto moreappropriate might be, "Aristoteles meæ tenebræ." Sensational writershavehalf crazedmanyhonestmenwhohaveconscientiously read theirlucubrationsoutofanotionthattheyoughttobeabreastoftheage,asifsuchanecessitymightnotalsorequireustoattendthetheatresinordertobeabletojudgethenewplays,orfrequenttheturfthatwemightnotbetoobigotedinouropinionsuponracingandgambling.Formypart,Ibelievethatthechiefreadersofheterodoxbooksareministers,andthatiftheywouldnotnoticethemtheywouldfallstill-bornfromthepress.Letaministerkeepclearofmystifyinghimself,and thenhe ison theroad tobecoming intelligible to his people. No man can hope to be felt whocannot make himself understood. If we give our people refined truth,pure Scriptural doctrine, and all so worded as to have no needlessobscurity about it, we shall be true shepherds of the sheep, and theprofitingofourpeoplewillsoonbeapparent.

Endeavourtokeepthematterofyoursermonisingasfreshasyoucan.Do not rehearse five or six doctrines with unvarying monotony ofrepetition. Buy a theological barrel-organ, brethren with five tunesaccurately adjusted, and you will be qualified to practise as an ultra-Calvinistic preacher at Zoar and Jireh if you also purchase at somevinegar factory a good supply of bitter, acrid abuse of Arminians, andduty-faith men. Brains and grace are optional, but the organ and thewormwoodareindispensable.Itisourstoperceiveandrejoiceinawider

rangeoftruth.Allthatthesegoodmenholdofgraceandsovereigntywemaintainas firmlyandboldlyas they;butwedarenotshutoureyes tootherteachingsoftheword,andwefeelboundtomakefullproofofourministry,bydeclaringthewholecounselofGod.Withabundantthemesdiligently illustrated by fresh metaphors and experiences, we shall notweary,but,underGod'shand,shallwinourhearers'earsandhearts.

Let your teachings grow and advance; let them deepen with yourexperience,andrisewithyoursoul-progress.Idonotmeanpreachnewtruths;for,onthecontrary,Iholdthatmanhappywhoissowelltaughtfromthefirstthat,afterfiftyyearsofministry,hehasneverhadtorecantadoctrineortomournanimportantomission;butImean,letourdepthand insightcontinually increase,andwhere there is spiritualadvance itwill be so. Timothy couldnot preach likePaul.Our earlier productionsmustbesurpassedbythoseofourriperyears;wemustnevermaketheseourmodels; theywill bebestburned,oronlypreserved tobemournedoverbecauseoftheirsuperficialcharacter.Itwereill,indeed,ifweknewnomoreafterbeingmanyyears inChrist'sschool;ourprogressmaybeslow,butprogresstheremustbe,ortherewillbecausetosuspectthattheinnerlifeislackingorsadlyunhealthy.Setitbeforeyouasmostcertainthat you have not yet attained, and may grace be given you to pressforward towards that which is yet beyond. May you all become ableministersoftheNewTestament,andnotawhitbehindtheverychiefofpreachers,thoughinyourselvesyouwillstillbenothing.

The word "sermon" is said to signify a thrust, and, therefore, insermonising itmustbeouraim touse the subject inhandwith energyand effect, and the subject must be capable of such employment. Tochoosemeremoralthemeswillbetouseawoodendagger;butthegreattruthsofrevelationareassharpswords.Keeptodoctrineswhichstirtheconscienceandtheheart.Remainunwaveringlythechampionsofasoul-winninggospel.God's truth is adapted toman, andGod's grace adaptsmantoit.Thereisakeywhich,underGod,canwindupthemusicalboxofman'snature;getit,anduseitdaily.HenceIurgeyoutokeeptotheold-fashionedgospel,andtothatonly,forassuredlyitisthepowerofGoduntosalvation.

OfallIwouldwishtosaythisisthesum;mybrethren,preachCHRIST,

always and evermore. He is the whole gospel. His person, offices, andworkmustbeouronegreat,all-comprehendingtheme.TheworldneedsstilltobetoldofitsSaviour,andofthewaytoreachhim.Justificationbyfaith should be far more than it is the daily testimony of Protestantpulpits; and if with this master-truth there should be more generallyassociatedtheothergreatdoctrinesofgrace,thebetterforourchurchesandourage.IfwiththezealofMethodistswecanpreachthedoctrineofPuritansa great future is before us. The fire ofWesley, and the fuel ofWhitfield,willcauseaburningwhichshallsettheforestsoferroronfire,andwarmtheverysoulofthiscoldearth.Wearenotcalledtoproclaimphilosophyandmetaphysics,but thesimplegospel.Man's fall,hisneedof anewbirth, forgiveness through an atonement, and salvation as theresult of faith, these are our battle-axe and weapons of war. We haveenoughtodotolearnandteachthesegreattruths,andaccursedbethatlearningwhichshalldivertusfromourmission,orthatwilfulignorancewhichshallcrippleusinitspursuit.MoreandmoreamIjealouslestanyviews upon prophecy, church government, politics, or even systematictheology,shouldwithdrawoneofusfromgloryinginthecrossofChrist.SalvationisathemeforwhichIwouldfainenlisteveryholytongue.IamgreedyafterwitnessesforthegloriousgospeloftheblessedGod.OthatChristcrucifiedweretheuniversalburdenofmenofGod.Yourguessatthenumberofthebeast,yourNapoleonicspeculations,yourconjecturesconcerning a personal Antichrist--forgive me, I count them but merebonesfordogs;whilemenaredying,andhellisfilling,itseemstometheveriest drivel to be muttering about an Armageddon at Sebastopol orSadowa or Sedan, and peeping between the folded leaves of destiny todiscover the fate of Germany. Blessed are they who read and hear thewords of the prophecy of the Revelation, but the like blessing hasevidentlynot fallenon thosewhopretend toexpound it, forgenerationafter generation of them have been proved to be in error by the merelapse of time, and the present race will follow to the same inglorioussepulchre.Iwouldsoonerpluckonesinglebrandfromtheburningthanexplain all mysteries. To win a soul from going down into the pit is amoregloriousachievementthantobecrownedinthearenaoftheologicalcontroversy asDoctor Sufficientissimus; to have faithfully unveiled theglory of God in the face of Jesus Christ will be in the final judgmentaccounted worthier service than to have solved the problems of the

religiousSphinx,ortohavecuttheGordianknotofapocalypticdifficulty.BlessedisthatministryofwhichCHRISTISALL.

LECTUREVI

ONTHECHOICEOFTEXT

I TRUST, my brethren, that we all feel very deeply the importance ofconducting every part of divine worship with the utmost possibleefficiency. When we remember that the salvation of a soul may hang,instrumentally, upon the choice of a hymn, we should not consider sosmallamatterastheselectionofthepsalmsandhymnstobeatrifle.Anungodly stranger, stepping into one of our services at ExeterHall, wasbrought to the crossby thewordsofWesley's verse--"Jesu, loverofmysoul.""DoesJesusloveme?"saidhe:"thenwhyshouldIliveinenmitytohim?" When we reflect, too, that God may very especially bless anexpressioninourprayertotheconversionofawanderer;andthatprayerintheunctionoftheHolySpirit,mayministergreatlytotheedificationofGod'speople,andbringunnumberedblessingsdownuponthem,weshallendeavour to pray with the best gift and the highest grace within ourreach. Since, also, in the reading of the Scriptures comfort andinstruction may be plenteously distributed, we shall pause over ouropened Bibles, and devoutly seek to be guided to that portion of HolyWritwhichshallbemostlikelytobemadeuseful.

With regard to the sermon, we shall be most anxious, first of all,respectingthe selection of the text.No one amongst us looks upon thesermon in so careless a light as to conceive that a text picked up atrandomwillbesuitableforevery,orindeed,foranyoccasion.WearenotallofSydneySmith'smind,whenherecommendedabrotheratalossfora text, to preach from "Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and thedwellersinMesopotamia;"asthoughanythingwoulddoforasermon.Ihopeweallmake it amatterofveryearnestandseriousconsideration,everyweek,whatshallbethesubjectsuponwhichweshalladdressourpeopleontheSabbathmorningandevening;for,althoughallScriptureisgood and profitable, yet it is not all equally appropriate for everyoccasion.1Toeverythingthereisaseason;andeverythingisthebetterforbeingseasonable.Awisehouseholder labourstogivetoeachoneof thefamilyhisportionofmeat indue season;hedoesnot serveout rationsindiscriminately,but suits theviands to theneedsof theguests.Onlyamere official, the slave of routine, the lifeless automaton of formalism,will be content to snatch at the first subjectwhich comes to hand. The

manwhopluckstopicsaschildreninthemeadowsgatherbuttercupsanddaisies, just as they offer themselves, may act in accordance with hispositioninachurchintowhichapatronmayhavethrusthim,andoutofwhichthepeoplecannotejecthim;butthosewhoprofesstobecalledofGod, and selected to theirpositionsby the free choice of believers,willneed tomake fuller proof of their ministry than can be found in suchcarelessness. Among many gems we have to select the jewel mostappropriate for the setting of the occasion.We dare not rush into theKing's banquet hall with a confusion of provisions as though theentertainment were to be a vu]gar scramble, but as well-manneredservitors we pause and ask the great Master of the feast, "Lord, whatwouldstthouhaveussetuponthytablethisday?"

Some texts have struckus asmost unhappily chosen.WewonderwhatMr.Disraeli's rector didwith thewords, "Inmy flesh shall I seeGod,"whenlatelypreachingatavillageharvesthome!Exceedinglyunfortunatewasthefuneraltextforamurderedclergyman(Mr.Plow),from,"Sohegiveth his beloved sleep." Most manifestly idiotic was he who selected"Judgenot,thatyebenotjudged,"forasermonbeforethejudgesatanassize.

Donotbemisledbythesoundandseemingfitnessofscripturalwords.M. Athanase Coquerel confesses to having preached on a third visit toAmsterdam,fromthewords,"ThisisthethirdtimeIamcomingtoyou,"2Corinthiansxiii. 1--wellmayheadd, thathe "foundgreatdifficulty inafterwardsputtingintothisdiscoursewhatwasfittingtotheoccasion."AparallelcasewasthatofoneofthesermonsonthedeathofthePrincessCharlotte from,"Shewassickanddied."It isstillworsetoselectwordsoutofamiserablefacetiousness,asinthecaseofarecentsermononthedeathofAbrahamLincoln, fromthesentence,"Abrahamisdead." It issaidthatastudent,whoit istobehopedneveremergedfromtheshell,preachedasermoninpublic,beforehistutor,Dr.PhilipDoddridge.Nowthegoodmanwasaccustomed toplacehimself immediately in front ofthestudent,andlookhimfullintheface,judgethereforeofhissurprise,ifnotindignation,whenthetextannouncedraninthesewords,"HaveIbeen so long timewith you, and yet hast thou not knownme, Philip?"Gentlemen, fools sometimes become students, let us hopenone of that

ordermaydishonourourAlmaMater. Ipardonthemanwhopreachedbefore that drunken Solomon, James I of England and VI of Scotland,fromJamesi.6, thetemptationwastoogreattoberesisted;but let thewretchbeforeverexecrated,ifsuchamaneverlived,whocelebratedthedecease of a deacon by a tirade from, "It came to pass that the beggardied."Iforgivetheliarwhoattributedsuchanoutragetome,butIhopehewillnottryhisinfamousartsuponanyoneelse.

Aswewouldavoida careless accidentalpitchingupon topics, sowouldweequallyavoidamonotonousregularity.Ihaveheardofadivinewhohadfifty-twoSundaysermons,andafewextraonesforholydays, fromwhichhewaswonttopreachinregularorder,yearafteryear.Inhiscase,there would be no need that the people should entreat that the samethings should be spoken to them on the next Sabbath-day, nor wouldtherebemuchwonderifimitatorsofEutychusshouldbefoundinotherplacesbesidethethirdloft.Itisnotverylongagosinceaclergymansaidtoafarmerfriendofmine,"Doyouknow,Mr.D---,Iwasturningovermysermonstheotherday,andreallytheparsonageissodamp,especiallyinmystudy, thatmy sermonshavebecomequitemusty."My friend,whoalthoughhewaschurchwarden,attendedaDissentingplaceofworship,wasnotsorudeastosaythathethoughtitverylikely;butasthevillagevenerables had frequently heard the aforesaid discourses, it is possiblethey were musty in more senses than one. There are persons in theministrywho,havingaccumulatedalittlestockofsermons,repeatthemad nauseam, with horrible regularity. Itinerating brethrenmust be farmoresubjecttothistemptationthanthosewhoarestationedforseveralyearsinoneplace.If theyfallvictimstothehabit, itmustsurelybetheend of their usefulness, and send an intolerable death-chill into theirhearts, of which their people must soon be conscious while they hearthem parroting forth their time-worn productions. The very bestinventionforpromotingspiritualidlenessmustbetheplanofacquiringatwoorthreeyears'stockofsermons,andrepeatingtheminorderagainandagain.Aswe,mybrethren,hopetoliveformanyyears,ifnotforlife,inoneplace,rootedtothespotbythemutualaffectionwhichwillgrowup between ourselves and our people, we have need of a far differentmethodfromthatwhichmaysuitasluggardoranitinerantevangelist.

It must be burdensome to some, and very easy to others, I shouldimagine,tofindtheirsubject,astheydowhoselotiscastintheEpiscopalestablishment, where the preacher usually refers to the gospel or theepistle,orthelessonfortheday,andfeelshimselfbound--notbyanylaw,butbyasortofprecedent--topreachfromaverseineithertheoneortheother. When Advent and Epiphany, and Lent and Whitsuntide, bringtheir stereotyped round, no man needs to agonise at heart over thequestion,"WhatshallIsayuntothispeople?"Thevoiceofthechurchisclear and distinct, "Master, say on; there is your work, give yourselfwholly to it." There may be some advantages connected with this pre-arrangement, but the Episcopalian public do not appear to have beenmadepartakersofthem,fortheirpublicwritersarealwaysgroaningoverthe dreariness of sermons, and bemoaning the sad condition of a longsuffering laitywhoarecompelled to listento them.Theslavishhabitoffollowingthecourseofthesunandtherevolutionofthemonths,insteadofwaitingupontheHolySpirit is,tomymind,quiteenoughtoaccountfor the fact that inmany churches, their ownwriters being judges, thesermonsarenothingbetterthanspecimensof"thatdecentdebilitywhichalike guards their authors from ludicrous errors, and precludes themfromstrikingbeauties."

Beitthentakenforgranted,thatweallfeelittobemostimportant,notonlytopreachthetruth,buttopreachtherighttruthforeachparticularoccasion;oureffortwillbetodescantuponsuchsubjectsasshallbebestadaptedtoourpeople'swants,andmostlikelytoproveachannelofgracetotheirhearts.

Isthereanydifficultyinobtainingtexts?Iremember,inmyearlierdays,readingsomewhereinavolumeoflecturesuponHomiletics,astatementwhich considerably alarmed me at the time; it was something to thiseffect:"Ifanymanshallfindadifficultyinselectingatext,hehadbetteratoncegobacktothegrocer'sshop,ortotheplough,forheevidentlyhasnot the capacity required for aminister." Now, as such had been veryfrequently my cross and burden, I enquired within myself whether Ishouldresorttosomeformofsecularlabour,andleavetheministry;butIhavenotdoneso,forIstillhavetheconvictionthat,althoughcondemnedbythesweepingjudgmentofthelecturer,IfollowacalltowhichGodhas

manifestlysethisseal.Iwassomuchintroubleofconsciencethroughtheaforesaid severe remark, that I askedmygrandfather,whohadbeen intheministrysomefiftyyears,whetherhewaseverperplexedinchoosinghis theme. He told me frankly that this had always been his greatesttrouble,comparedwithwhich,preachinginitselfwasnoanxietyatall.Iremember the venerable man's remark, "The difficulty is not becausetherearenotenoughtexts,butbecausetherearesomany,thatIaminastraitbetwixtthem."Brethren,wearesometimesliketheloverofchoiceflowers,whofindshimselfsurroundedbyallthebeautiesof thegarden,withpermissiontoselectbutone.Howlonghelingersbetweentheroseand the lily, and how great the difficulty to prefer one among tenthousand blooming lovelinesses! To me still, I must confess, my textselection is a very great embarrassment--embarras de richesses, as theFrench say--an embarrassment of riches, very different from thebewildermentofpoverty--theanxietyofattendingtothemostpressingofsomany truths, all clamoring forahearing, somanydutiesallneedingenforcing, and so many spiritual needs of the people all demandingsupply.IconfessthatIfrequentlysithourafterhourprayingandwaitingfor a subject, and that this is the main part of my study; much hardlabour have I spent inmanipulating topics, ruminating upon points ofdoctrine,makingskeletonsoutofversesandthenburyingeveryboneofthem in the catacombs of oblivion, sailing on and on over leagues ofbrokenwater,tillIseetheredlightsandmakesaildirecttothedesiredhaven. I believe that almost any Saturday in my life I make enoughoutlines of sermons, if I felt at liberty to preach them, to lastme for amonth,butInomoredaretousethemthananhonestmarinerwouldrunto shore a cargoof contrabandgoods. Themes flit before themind oneafter another, like images passing across the photographer's lens, butuntil themind is like the sensitive plate,which retains the picture, thesubjectsarevaluelesstous.

Whatistherighttext?Howdoyouknowit?Weknowitbythesignsofafriend. When a verse gives your mind a hearty grip, from which youcannot release yourself, you will need no further direction as to yourpropertheme.Likethefish,younibbleatmanybaits,butwhenthehookhas fairly pierced you, youwill wander nomore.When the text gets ahold of us, we may be sure that we have a hold of it, and may safely

deliveroursoulsuponit.Touseanothersimile:yougetanumberoftextsinyourhand,andtrytobreakthemup;youhammeratthemwithmightamdmain,butyourlabourislost;atlastyoufindonewhichcrumblesatthefirstblow,andsparklesasitfallsinpieces,andyouperceivejewelsoftherarestradianceflashingfromwithin.Itgrowsbeforeyoureyelikethefabledseedwhichdevelopedintoatreewhiletheobserverwatchedit. Itcharmsandfascinatesyou,oritweighsyoutoyourkneesandloadsyouwiththeburdenoftheLord.KnowthenthatthisisthemessagewhichtheLordwouldhaveyoudeliver;and,feelingthis,youwillbecomesoboundby that scripture that youwill never feel at rest until you have yieldedyourwholemindtoitspower,andhavespokenuponitastheLordshallgiveyouutterance.Waitforthatelectword,evenifyouwaittillwithinanhouroftheservice.Thismaynotbeunderstoodbycool,calculatingmen,whoarenotmovedbyimpulsesasweare,buttosomeofusthesethingsare a law in our hearts against which we dare not offend.We tarry atJerusalemtillpowerisgiven.

"IbelieveintheHolyGhost."Thisisoneofthearticlesofthecreed,butitis scarcely believed among professors so as to be acted on. Manyministers appear to think that they are to choose the text; they are todiscover its teaching;theyaretofindadiscourse in it.Wedonotthinkso. We are to use our own volitions, of course, as well as ourunderstandingsandaffections,forwedonotpretendthattheHolyGhostwillcompelustopreachfromatextagainstourwills.Hedoesnotdealwithusas thoughweweremusicalboxes, tobewoundupand set to acertaintune;butthatglorious inspirerofall truthdealswithusaswithrational intelligences, who are swayed by spiritual forces congruous toour natures: still, devoutminds evermore desire that the choice of thetext should restwith the all-wiseSpirit ofGod, andnotwith their ownfallible understandings, and therefore they humbly put themselves intohishand,askinghimtocondescendtodirectthemtotheportionofmeatin due season which he has ordained for his people. Gurnal says,"Ministershavenoabilityoftheirownfortheirwork.Oh!howlongmaythey sit tumbling theirbooksover, andpuzzling theirbrains,untilGodcomes to theirhelp,andthen--asJacob'svenison--it isbrought to theirhand.IfGoddropnotdownhisassistance,wewritewithapenthathathnoink:ifanyoneneedwalkdependentlyuponGodmorethananother,

theministerishe."

If anyone enquire ofme, "How shall I obtain themost proper text?" Ishouldanswer, "Cry toGod for it."HarringtonEvans, inhis "Rules forSermons," lays down as the first, "Seek God in prayer for choice of apassage.Enquirewhysuchapassageisdecidedupon.Letthequestionbefairlyanswered.Sometimes theanswermaybe such as ought todecidethemindagainstthechoice."Ifprayeraloneshouldnotguideyoutothedesiredtreasure,itwillinanycasebeaprofitableexercisetoyoutohaveprayed.Thedifficultyofsettlinguponatopic,ifitmakesyoupraymorethan usual, will be a very great blessing to you. Praying is the beststudying.Luthersaidsoofold--"Beneorasseestbenestuduisse,"andthewell-wornproverbwillbearrepeating.PrayovertheScripture;itisasthetreadingofgrapesinthewine-vat,thethreshingofcornonthebarnfloor,the melting of gold from the ore. Prayer is twice blest; it blesseth thepleadingpreacher,andthepeopletowhomheministers.Whenyourtextcomes inanswer toprayer, itwill be all thedearer to you; itwill comewithadivinesavourandunctionaltogetherunknowntotheformaloratortowhomonethemeisasanother.

Afterprayer,weareboundwithmuchearnestnesstousefittingmeansforconcentratingourthoughts,anddirectingtheminthebestchannel.Considertheconditionofyourhearers.Reflectupontheirspiritualstateasawholeandasindividuals,andprescribethemedicineadaptedtothecurrentdisease,orpreparethefoodsuitablefortheprevailingnecessity.Let me caution you, however, against considering the whims of yourhearers,orthepeculiaritiesofthewealthyandinfluential.Donotgivetoomuchweighttothegentlemanandladywhositinthegreenpew,ifyouaresounfortunateastopossesssuchanabominableplaceofdistinctioninahousewhereallareonalevel.Letthelargecontributorbeconsideredby allmeans asmuch as others, and let not his spiritual infirmities beneglected;butheisnoteverybody,andyouwillgrievetheHolySpiritifyouthinkhimtobeso.Lookatthepoorintheaisleswithequalinterest,andselecttopicswhicharewithintheirrangeofthought,andwhichmaycheerthemintheirmanysorrows.Donotsufferyourheadstobeturnedbyrespect to thoseone-sidedmembersof thecongregation,whohaveasweet tooth for one portion of the gospel, and turn a deaf ear to other

partsof truth;nevergooutofyourwayeither togive thema feastorascolding.Itmaybesatisfactorytothinkthattheyarepleased,iftheyaregood people, and one respects their predilections, but faithfulnessdemandsthatweshouldnotbecomemerepiperstoourhearers,playingsuch tunesas theymaydemandofus,but should remainas theLord'smouthtodeclareallhiscounsels.Ireturntotheremark,thinkoverwhatyourpeoplereallywantfortheiredification,andletthatbeyourtheme.That famous apostle of the north of Scotland,Dr.Macdonald, gives aninstancetothepointinhisDiaryofWorkinSt.Kilda:--"Friday,May27.Atourmorning exercise this day, I read and gave some illustrations ofRomansxii.,whichaffordedmeanopportunityofstatingtheconnectionbetweenfaithandpractice,andthatthedoctrinesofgraceareaccordingto godliness, and lead to holiness in heart and life. This I deemednecessary,asfromthehighgroundIhadoccupiedforsomedayspast,IwasafraidthepeoplemightveertowardsAntinomianism,anextremeasdangerousasArminianism,ifnotmoreso."

Consider what sins appear to be most rife in the church andcongregation--worldliness, covetousness, prayerlessness, wrath, pride,want of brotherly love, slander, and such like evils. Take into account,affectionately, the trials of your people, and seek for a balm for theirwounds.Itisnotnecessarytogointominutedetails,eitherintheprayerorinthesermon,astoallthesetrialsofyourcongregation,althoughthiswas thecustomofavenerableministerwhowasonceagreatbishop inthis neighbourhood, and has now gone to heaven.Hewaswont, in hisabundant love tohispeople, togivesuchhintsas tobirths,deaths,andmarriages,inhisflock,thatoneoftheSundayafternoon'senjoymentsofhis constant hearers must have consisted in finding out to whom theministerreferredinthevariouspartsofhisprayerandsermon.Thiswastolerated,andevenadmiredfromhim--fromusitwouldberidiculous:apatriarchmay do with propriety what a youngmanmust scrupulouslyavoid. The venerable divine whom I have just mentioned, had learnedthis particularising from the example of his father, for hewasoneof afamily inwhichthechildren,havingobservedthatsomethingparticularhadoccurredduringtheday,wouldsaytoeachother,"Wemustwaittillfamily prayer, when we shall know all about it." But I digress; thisinstance showshowan excellenthabitmaydegenerate into a fault,but

the rulewhich I have laiddown is not affectedby it. Certain trialswilloccur,atparticularjunctures,tomanyinthecongregation,andastheseafflictionswillinviteyourmindintonewfieldsofthought,youwilldoillto be deaf to their call. Again,wemustwatch the spiritual state of ourpeople,andifwenoticethattheyarefallingintoabackslidingcondition;ifwefearthattheyarelikelytobeinoculatedbyanymischievousheresyor perverse imagining; if anything, in fact, in the whole physiologicalcharacter of the church should strike our mind, we must hasten toprepareasermonwhich,byGod'sgrace,maystaytheplague.Thesearethe indications among his hearerswhich the Spirit of God gives to thecareful, observant pastor as to his line of action. The careful shepherdoftenexamineshisflock,andgovernshismodeoftreatmentbythestatein which he finds it. He will be likely to supply one sort of food butsparingly, and another in greater abundance, and medicine in its duequantity,accordingashispractisedjudgmentfindstheoneortheothernecessary.We shall be rightly directed ifwe do but associate ourselveswith"thatgreatShepherdofthesheep."

Donot,however,letusallowourpreachingrighthometoourpeopletodegenerate into scolding them. They call the pulpit "Cowards' Castle,"anditisaverypropernameforitinsomerespects,especiallywhenfoolsmount the platform and impudently insult their hearers by holding uptheir faults or infirmities to public derision. There is a personality--anoffensive, wanton, unjustifiable personality--which is to be studiouslyavoided;itisoftheearth,earthy,andistobecondemnedinunmeasuredterms;whilethereisanotherpersonality,wise,spiritual,heavenly,whichistobeaimedatunceasingly.ThewordofGodissharperthananytwo-edgedsword,andthereforeyoucanleavethewordofGodtowoundandkill, and need not be yourselves cutting in phrase and manner. God'struthissearching:leaveittosearchtheheartsofmenwithoutoffensiveadditions from yourself.He is amere bungler in portrait paintingwhoneeds to write the name under the picture when it is hung up in thefamilyparlourwhere thepersonhimself issitting.Compelyourhearersto perceive that you speak of them, though you have not even in theremotest degree named them, or pointed them out. Occasions maypossibly occur when youmay be bound to go as far as Hugh Latimer,whenspeakinguponbribery--hesaid,"Hethattookthesilverbasinand

ewer for a bribe, thinketh that it will never come out. But hemay notknow that Iknow it, and Iknow itnotalone; therebemorebesidemethatknowit.Oh,briberandbribery!Hewasneveragoodmanthatwillso take bribes; nor can I believe that he that is a briberwill be a goodjustice."Herewas asmuchprudent reticence asbolddisclosure; and ifyougonofurtherthanthis,nomandare,forshamesake,accuseyouoftoogreatpersonality.

Inthenextplace, theminister in lookingafterhis text,should considerwhat his previous topics have been. It would be unwise to insistperpetually upon one doctrine to the neglect of others. Some of ourprofounderbrethrenmaybeabletodealwiththesamesubjectinaseriesofdiscourses,andmaybeable,byaturnofthekaleidoscope,topresentnewformsofbeautywithnochangeofsubject,butthemostofus,whoare of less fertile abilities,will find it best to study variety, and deliverourselves upon awide range of truth. I think itwell frequently to lookoverthelistofmysermons,andseewhetheranydoctrinehasescapedmyattention,oranyChristiangracehasbeenneglectedinmyministrations.It is well to enquire whether we have been too doctrinal lately, or toobarely practical, or too exclusively experimental. We do not desire todegenerate intoAntinomians, nor, on the other hand, to descend to bemereteachersofacoldmorality,butourambitionistomakefullproofofourministry.Wewould give everyportionof Scripture its fair share inour heart and head. Doctrine, precept, history, type, psalm, proverb,experience, warning, promise, invitation, threatening, or rebuke--wewould include the whole of inspired truth within the circle of ourteachings.Letus abhor all one-sidedness, all exaggeration of one truthanddisparagementofanother,andletusendeavourtopainttheportraitof truthwithbalanced features and blended colours, lestwe dishonourherbypresentingdistortioninsteadofsymmetry,andacaricatureforafaithfulcopy.

Supposing, however, that you have prayed in that little room of yours,have wrestled hard and supplicated long, and have thought over yourpeopleandtheirwants,andstillyoucannotmeetwiththetext--well,donot fret about it, nor give way to despair. If you were about to go awarfare at your own charges, it would be a verymiserable thing to be

short of powder, and the battle so near; but as your Captain has toprovide, there is no doubt that all in good time he will serve out theammunition. If you trust in God, he will not, he cannot, fail you.Continuepleadingandwatching,fortotheindustriousstudentheavenlyhelpiscertain.Ifyouhadgoneupanddownidlyalltheweek,andgivennoheedtoproperpreparation,youcouldnotexpectdivineaid;butifyouhavedoneyourbest,andarenowwaitingtoknowyourLord'smessage,yourfaceshallneverbeashamed.

Twoorthreeincidentshaveoccurredtomewhichmayseemratheroddtoyou,butthenIamanoddman.WhenIlivedatCambridge,Ihad,asusual,topreachintheeveningataneighbouringvillage,towhichIhadtowalk.Afterreadingandmeditatingallday,Icouldnotmeetwiththerighttext.DowhatIwould,noresponsecamefromthesacredoracle,nolight flashed from the Urim and Thummim; I prayed, I meditated, Iturnedfromoneversetoanother,butthemindwouldnottakehold,orIwas,asBunyanwouldsay,"muchtumbledupanddowninmythoughts."JustthenIwalkedtothewindowandlookedout.OntheothersideofthenarrowstreetinwhichIlived,Isawapoorsolitarycanarybirdupontheslates,surroundedbyacrowdofsparrows,whowereallpeckingatitasiftheywouldtearittopieces.Atthatmomenttheversecametomymind--"Mineheritageisuntomeasaspeckledbird,thebirdsroundaboutareagainst her." I walked off with the greatest possible composure,considered the passage duringmy long and lonely walk, and preachedupon the peculiar people, and the persecutions of their enemies, withfreedom and ease to myself, and I believe with comfort to my rusticaudience. The text was sent to me, and if the ravens did not bring it,certainly the sparrows did. At another time, while labouring atWaterbeach,IhadpreachedontheSundaymorning,andgonehometodinner, as was my wont, with one of the congregation. Unfortunately,therewerethreeservices,andtheafternoonsermoncamesocloseuponthe back of the morning, that it was difficult to prepare the soul,especiallyasthedinnerisanecessarybutseriousinconveniencewhereaclearbrain isrequired.Alas! forthoseafternoonservices inourEnglishvillages,theyareusuallyadolefulwasteofeffort.Roastbeefandpuddinglieheavyonthehearers'souls,andthepreacherhimself isdeadened inhismentalprocesseswhiledigestionclaimsthemasteryofthehour.Bya

carefulmeasuring of diet, I remained, on that occasion, in an earnest,livelycondition,buttomydismay,Ifoundthatthepre-arrangedlineofthought was gone from me. I could not find the trail of my preparedsermon,andpressmyforeheadasImight, themissing topicwouldnotcome.Timewasbrief,thehourwasstriking,andinsomealarmItoldthehonest farmer that I could not for the life of me recollect what I hadintendedtopreachabout."Oh!"hesaid,"nevermind;youwillbesuretohaveagoodwordforus."Justatthatmomentablazingblockofwoodfelloutof the tireupon thehearthatmy feet, smoking intoone's eyesandnoseatagreatrate."There,"saidthefarmer,"there'satextforyou,sir--'Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?'"No, I thought, itwas notpluckedout,foritfelloutofitself.Herewasatext,anillustration,andaleading thought as a nest egg for more. Further light came, and thesermonwascertainlynotworsethanmymorepreparedeffusions;itwasbetter in the best sense, for one or two came forward declaringthemselvestohavebeenarousedandconvertedthroughthatafternoon'ssermon.IhavealwaysconsideredthatitwasahappycircumstancethatIhadforgottenthetextfromwhichIhadintendedtopreach.AtNewParkStreet., I once passed through a very singular experience, of whichwitnessesarepresentinthisroom.IhadpassedhappilythroughalltheearlypartsofdivineserviceintheeveningoftheSabbath,andwasgivingoutthehymnbeforesermon.IopenedtheBibletofindthetext,whichIhadcarefullystudiedasthetopicofdiscourse,whenontheoppositepageanotherpassageofScripturespranguponme likea lion froma thicket,withvastlymorepowerthanIhadfeltwhenconsideringthetextwhichIhadchosen.ThepeopleweresingingandIwassighing.Iwasinastraitbetwixt two, and my mind hung as in the balances. I was naturallydesiroustoruninthetrackwhichIhadcarefullyplanned,buttheothertextwould takenorefusal,andseemedto tugatmyskirts,crying,"No,no, you must preach from me. God would have you follow me." Ideliberatedwithinmyselfastomyduty,forIwouldneitherbefanaticalnorunbelieving,andatlastIthoughtwithinmyself,"Well,IshouldliketopreachthesermonwhichIhaveprepared,anditisagreatrisktoruntostrikeoutanewlineofthought,butstillasthistextconstrainsme,itmaybeoftheLord,andthereforeIwillventureuponit,comewhatmay."Ialmostalwaysannouncemydivisionsverysoonaftertheexordium,buton this occasion, contrary to my usual custom, I did not do so, for a

reasonwhichsomeofyoumayprobablyguess.Ipassedthroughthefirstheadwithconsiderableliberty,speakingperfectlyextemporaneouslybothas to thought and word. The second point was dwelt upon with aconsciousnessofunusualquietefficientpower,butIhadnoideawhatthethirdwouldorcouldbe,forthetextyieldednomorematterjustthen,norcan I tell even nowwhat I could have done had not an event occurredupon which I had never calculated. I had brought myself into greatdifficulty by obeying what I thought to be a divine impulse, and I feltcomparatively easy about it, believing that God would help me, andknowing that I could at least close the service should there be nothingmoretobesaid.Ihadnoneedtodeliberate,forinonemomentwewerein total darkness--the gas had gone out, and as the aisleswere chokedwithpeople,andtheplaceeverywherecrowded,itwasagreatperil,butagreatblessing.WhatwasItodothen?Thepeoplewerealittlefrightened,but I quieted them instantly by telling them not to be at all alarmed,thoughthegaswasout,foritwouldsoonberelighted;andasformyself,having nomanuscript, I could speak just as well in the dark as in thelight,iftheywouldbesogoodastositandlisten.Hadmydiscoursebeeneversoelaborate,itwouldhavebeenabsurdtohavecontinuedit,andsoasmyplightwas,Iwasallthelessembarrassed.Iturnedatoncementallyto the well-known text which speaks of the child of light walking indarkness, and the child of darkness walking in the light, and foundappropriateremarksandillustrationspouringinuponme,andwhenthelampswereagainlit,Isawbeforemeanaudienceasraptandsubduedasever aman beheld in his life. The odd thing of all was, that some fewchurch-meetings afterwards, two persons came forward to makeconfession of their faith, who professed to have been converted thatevening; but the first owed her conversion to the former part of thediscourse, which was on the new text that came to me, and the othertraced his awakening to the latter part, which was occasioned by thesuddendarkness.Thus,yousee,Providencebefriendedme.IcastmyselfuponGod,andhisarrangementsquenched the lightat theproper timeforme.Somemayridicule,but Iadore;othersmayevencensure,but Irejoice. Anything is better than mechanical sermonising, in which thedirectionoftheSpiritispracticallyignored.EveryHolyGhostpreacher,Ihave no doubt, will have such recollections clustering around hisministry.Isay,therefore,watchthecourseofProvidence;castyourselves

upontheLord'sguidanceandhelp.Ifyouhavesolemnlydoneyourbesttogetatext,andthesubjectdoesnotstartupbeforeyou,goupintothepulpit firmly convinced that you will receive amessage when the timecomes,eventhoughyouhavenotawordatthatmoment.

In the life of Samuel Drew, a famous Methodist preacher, we read,"Whilst stopping at a friend's house, in Cornwall, after preaching, apersonwhohadattendedtheservice,observing tohim, thathehad,onthat occasion, surpassed his usual ability; and other individualsconcurring in the opinion,Mr. Drew said, 'If it be true, it is themoresingular, becausemy sermonwas entirely unpremeditated. I went intothepulpitdesigningtoaddressyoufromanothertext,butlookingupontheBible,which layopen,thatpassagefromwhichyouheardmespeakjust now, 'Prepare tomeet thy GodO Israel,' arrestedmy attention soforcibly as to put to flight my former ideas; and though I had neverconsideredthepassagebefore,Iresolvedinstantlytomakeitthesubjectof my discourse." Mr. Drew did well to be obedient to the heavenlydirection.

Under certain circumstances you will be absolutely compelled to castaway thewell-studied discourse, and rely upon the present help of theHolySpirit,usingpurelyextemporespeech.Youmayfindyourselfintheposition of the late Kingman Nott, when preaching in the NationalTheatre,NewYork.Inoneofhisletters,hesays,"Thebuildingwasfilledfull, andmostlywith youngmen andboys of the roughest type. IwentwithasermoninmymindbutassoonasIcameuponthestage,greetedwitha'Hi!hi!'andsawthemotleyanduproariouscrowdIhadtodowith,I let all thoughts of the sermon go, and catching up the parable of theProdigal Son, tried to interest them in that, and succeeded in keepingmostoftheminsidethehouse,andtolerablyattentive."Whatasimpletonwould he have been had he persevered in his unsuitable prelection!Brethren,Ibeseechyou,believeintheHolyGhost,andpracticallycarryoutyourfaith.

Asa furtherassistance toapoorstrandedpreacher,whocannot launchhismindforwantofawaveortwoofthought,Irecommendhiminsucha case, to turn again and again to theWord ofGod itself, and read achapter,andponderoveritsversesonebyone;orlethimselectasingle

verse,andgethismindfullyexerciseduponit.Itmaybethathewillnotfindhis text in theverseor chapterwhichhe reads,but the rightwordwill come to him through his mind being actively engaged upon holysubjects.Accordingtotherelationofthoughtstoeachother,onethoughtwill suggest another, and another, until a long procession will havepassed before the mind, out of which one or other will be thepredestinatedtheme.

Readalsogoodsuggestivebooks,andgetyourmindarousedbythem.Ifmenwishtogetwateroutofapumpwhichhasnotbeenlatelyused,theyfirstpourwaterdown,andthenthepumpworks.ReachdownoneofthePuritans, and thoroughly study the work, and speedily you will findyourselflikeabirdonthewing,mentallyactiveandfullofmotion.

By way of precaution, however, let me remark, that we ought to bealways in training for text-getting and sermon-making. We shouldconstantlypreservetheholyactivityofourminds.Woeuntotheministerwho dares to waste an hour. Read John Foster's "Essay on theImprovementofTime," and resolvenever to losea secondof it.Amanwho goes up and down fromMondaymorning till Saturday night, andindolently dreams that he is to have his text sent down by an angelicmessengerinthelasthourortwooftheweek,temptsGod,anddeservestostandspeechlessontheSabbath.Wehavenoleisureasministers;weareneveroffduty,butareonourwatchtowersdayandnight.Students,Itellyousolemnly,nothingwillexcuseyoufromthemostrigideconomyoftime;itisatyourperilthatyoutriflewithit.Theleafofyourministrywillsoonwitherunless,liketheblessedmaninthefirstPsalm,youmeditatein the lawof theLordbothday andnight. I ammost anxious that youshouldnotthrowawaytimeinreligiousdissipation,oringossipingandfrivolous talk. Beware of running about from this meeting to that,listening to mere twaddle, and contributing your share to the generalblowingupofwindbags.Amangreat at tea-drinkings, evening parties,and Sunday-school excursions, is generally little everywhere else. Yourpulpitpreparationsareyourfirstbusiness,andifyouneglectthese,youwillbringnocredituponyourselforyouroffice.Beesaremakinghoneyfrommorningtillnight,andweshouldbealwaysgatheringstoresforourpeople. I have no belief in that ministry which ignores laborious

preparation.Whentravelling inNorthernItaly,ourdriveratnightsleptinthecarriage,andwhenIcalledhimupinthemorning,heleapedout,crackedhiswhipthreetimes,andsaidhewasquiteready.Sucharapidtoilet I hardly appreciated, and wished that he had slept elsewhere, orthatIhadtooccupyanotherseat.Youwhoarereadytopreachinahop,skip,andjump,willpardonmeifItakeapewsomewhereelse.Habitualmentalexerciseinthedirectionofourworkisadvisable.Ministersshouldalwaysbemakingtheirhay,butespeciallywhilethesunshines.Doyounot findyourself sometimeswonderfully readyat sermonising?Mr. Jaysaid thatwhenhe felt in sucha condition,hewould takeouthispaperandjotdowntextsanddivisionsofsermons,andkeeptheminstore,thatthey might serve him at times when his mind was not so ready. ThelamentedThomasSpencerwrote, "Ikeepa littlebook, inwhich I enterevery text of Scripture which comes into my mind with power andsweetness.Were I to dreamof a passage of Scripture I should enter it,andwhen I sit down to compose I look over the book, and have neverfoundmyselfatalossforasubject."Watchforsubjectsasyougoaboutthecityorthecountry.2"Alwayskeepyoureyesandearsopen,andyouwillhearandseeangels.Theworldisfullofsermons--catchthemonthewing.Asculptorbelieves,wheneverheseesaroughblockofmarble,thatthere isanoblestatueconcealedwithin it, and thathehasonly tochipawaythesuperfluitiesandrevealit.Sodoyoubelievethatthereiswithinthehuskofeverythingthekernelofasermonforthewiseman.Bewise,andseetheheavenlyinitsearthlypattern.Hearthevoicesfromtheskies,andtranslatethemintothelanguageofmen.Alwaysapreacherbethou,OmanofGod,foragingforthepulpit,inallprovincesofnatureandart,storingandpreparingatallhoursandseasons.

I am asked whether it is a good thing to announce arrangements, andpublishlistsofprojectedsermons.Ianswer,Everymaninhisownorder.I am not a judge for others; but I dare not attempt such a thing, andshould signally fail if I were to venture upon it. Precedents are muchagainstmy opinion, and at the head of them the sets of discourses byMatthewHenry,JohnNewton,andahostofothers,stillIcanonlyspeakmy own personal impressions, and leave each man to be a law untohimself. Many eminent divines have delivered valuable courses ofsermons upon pre-arranged topics, but we are not eminent, and must

counsel others like ourselves to be cautious how they act. I dare notannouncewhat I shall preach from to-morrow,much less what I shallpreach from in six weeks' or sixmonths' time, the reason being partlythis,thatIamconsciousofnotpossessingthosepeculiargiftswhicharenecessarytointerestanassemblyinonesubjectorsetofsubjects,foranylengthoftime.Brethrenofextraordinaryresearchandprofoundlearningcando it,andbrethrenwithnoneof these,andnocommonsense,maypretend to do it, but I cannot. I am obliged to owe a great deal ofmystrengthtovarietyratherthanprofundity.Itisquestionablewhetherthegreatmajorityoflistpreachershadnotfarbetterburntheirprogrammesiftheywouldsucceed.Ihaveaverylively,orratheradeadly,recollectionof a certain series of discourses on the Hebrews, which made a deepimpressiononmymindofthemostundesirablekind.Iwishedfrequentlythat theHebrewshad kept the epistle to themselves, for it sadly boredone poor Gentile lad. By the time the seventh or eighth discourse hadbeendelivered,onlytheverygoodpeoplecouldstandit:these,ofcourse,declaredthattheyneverheardmorevaluableexpositions,buttothoseofa more carnal judgment it appeared that each sermon increased indulness.Paul,inthatepistle,exhortsustosufferthewordofexhortation,andwedidso.Areallcoursesofsermonslikethis?Perhapsnot,andyetIfeartheexceptionsarefew,foritisevensaidofthatwonderfulexpositor,Joseph Caryl, that he commenced his famous lectures upon Job witheighthundredhearers,andclosedthebookwithonlyeight!Apropheticalpreacher enlarged so much upon "the little horn" of Daniel, that oneSabbathmorning he had but seven hearers remaining. They doubtlessthoughtit

"Strangethataharpofthousandstrings,Shouldplayonetunesolong."

Ordinarily, and for ordinary men, it seems to me that pre-arrangeddiscoursesareamistake,arenevermore thananapparentbenefit, andgenerallyarealmischief.Surelytogothroughalongepistlemustrequireagreatdealofgeniusinthepreacher,anddemandaworldofpatienceonthepartofthehearers.IammovedbyayetdeeperconsiderationinwhatIhavenowsaid:itstrikesmethatmanyatrulyliving,earnestpreacher,wouldfeelaprogrammetobeafetter.Shouldthepreacherannouncefor

nextLord'sday a topic full of joy, requiring liveliness and exaltationofspirit,itisverypossiblethathemay,fromvariouscauses,findhimselfina sad and burdened state of mind; nevertheless, he must put the newwine into his old bottle, and go up to the wedding feast wearing hissackclothandashes,andworstofall,thishemaybeboundtorepeatforawhole month. Is this quite as it should be? It is important that thespeakershouldbe intunewithhis theme,buthowis this tobesecuredunlesstheelectionofthetopicislefttoinfluenceswhichshallworkatthetime?Amanisnotasteamengine,torunonmetals,anditisunwisetofixhim inonegroove.Verymuchof thepreacher'spowerwill lie inhiswhole soul being in accord with the subject, and I should be afraid toappointasubjectforacertaindatelest,whenthetimecome,Ishouldnotbe inthekey for it.Besides, it isnoteasytoseehowamancanexhibitdependenceupontheguidanceoftheSpiritofGod,whenhehasalreadyprescribed his own route. Perhaps you will say, "That is a singularobjection,forwhynotrelyuponhimfortwentyweeksaswellasforone?"True, but we have never had a promise to warrant such faith. Godpromises togiveusgraceaccording toourdays,buthe saysnothingofendowinguswithareservefundforthefuture.

"Daybydaythemannafell;Oh,tolearnthislessonwell!"

Evensowilloursermonscometous,freshfromheaven,whenrequired.IamjealousofanythingwhichshouldhinderyourdailydependenceupontheHolySpirit,andthereforeIregistertheopinionalreadygiven.Toyou.myyoungerbrethren,Ifeelsafeinsayingwithauthority,leaveambitiousattempts at elaborate series of discourses to older and abler men. Wehavebut a small shareofmental goldand silver, letus investour littlecapital in useful goodswhichwill obtain a readymarket, and leave thewealthiermerchantstodealinmoreexpensiveandcumbrousarticles.Weknownotwhatadaymaybringforth--letuswaitfordailyteaching,anddo nothingwhichmight preclude us from using thosematerials whichprovidencemayto-dayorto-morrowcastinourway.

Perhaps you will ask whether you should preach from texts whichpersons select for you, and request you to preach upon! My answerwouldbe, asa rule,never; and if theremustbe exceptions let thembe

few.Letmeremindyouthatyoudonotkeepashoptowhichcustomersmaycomeandgivetheirorders.Whenafriendsuggestsatopic,thinkitover,andconsiderwhetheritbeappropriate,andseewhetheritcomestoyou with power. Receive the request courteously, as you are in dutybound todoasagentlemanandaChristian;but if theLordwhomyouservedoesnotcasthislightuponthetext,donotpreachfromit,letwhomaypersuadeyou.

I am quite certain that if we will wait upon God for our subjects, andmakeitamatterofprayerthatwemayberightlydirected,weshallbeledforthbyarightway;butifwearepuffedupwiththeideathatwecanveryeasily choose forourselves,we shall find that even in the selectionofasubject,withoutChristwecandonothing.WaitupontheLord,hearwhathewouldspeak,receivetheworddirectfromGod'smouth,andthengoforthasanambassador freshfromthecourtofheaven."Wait, Isay, ontheLord."

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1"Amoment's reflection upon the eternal consequences thatmay issuefrom thepreachingof a single sermon in thenameof the greatAuthorand Finisher of faith, should be sufficient to effectually rebuke thehaphazardcarelessnessandtherecklessself-conceitwithwhichtextsaresometimes takenand treated,and to impressevery trueministerof thegospelwiththedutyofchoosinghistextsinsuchaframeofmindasmayharmonise with the divine guidance as often as he may perform thatimportant task. "--DANIEL P .KIDDER. "A Treatise on Homiletics,designed to Illustrate the True Theory and Practice of Preaching theGospel."

2"Iwasledintoaprofitablestrainofmeditation,onourgoodShepherd'scareofhis flock,byseeingsome lambsexposed to thecold,andapoorsheepperishingforwantofcare."--ANDREWFULLER'SDIARY.

LECTUREVIIONSPIRITUALIZING

ManywritersuponHomiletics condemn inunmeasured termseven theoccasionalspiritualizingofa text. "Select texts," say they, "whichgive aplain, literal sense; never travel beyond the obvious meaning of thepassage;neverallowyourselftoaccommodateoradapt;itisanartificeofmenofartificial culture, a trickofmountebanks, amiserabledisplayofbadtasteandimpudence."Honourtowhomhonourisdue,butIhumblybeg leave to dissent from this learned opinion, believing it to bemorefastidiousthancorrect,moreplausiblethantrue.Agreatdealofrealgoodmaybedonebyoccasionallytakingforgotten,quaintremarkable,out-of-the-waytexts;andIfeelpersuadedthatifweappealtoajuryofpractical,successful preachers, who are not theorizers, but men actually in thefield,weshallhaveamajority inour favour. Itmaybe that the learnedrabbisof thisgenerationare toosublimeandcelestial tocondescend tomen of low estate; but we who have no high culture, or profoundlearning,orenchantingeloquencetoboastof,havedeemeditwisetousetheverymethodwhichthegrandeeshaveproscribed;forwefinditoneofthebestwaysofkeepingoutoftherutofdullformality,andityieldsusasort of saltwithwhich to give flavour to unpalatable truth.Many greatsoul-winners have felt it meet to give a fillip to their ministry, and toarresttheirpeople'sattentionbynowandthenstrikingoutapathwhichhad not been trodden heretofore. Experience has not taught them thatthey were in error, but the reverse. Within limit, my brethren, be notafraid to spiritualize, or to take singular texts. Continue to look outpassagesofScripture,andnotonlygivetheirplainmeaning,asyouareboundtodo,butalsodrawfromthemmeaningswhichmaynotlieupontheir surface. Take the advice for what it is worth, but I seriouslyrecommend you to show the superfine critics that everybody does notworshipthegoldenimagewhichtheyhavesetupIcounselyoutoemployspiritualizingwithincertainlimitsandboundaries,butIprayyoudonot,undercoverofthisadvice,rushheadlongintoincessantandinjudicious"imaginings," asGeorgeFoxwould call them.Donotdrownyourselvesbecause you are recommended to bathe, or hang yourselves on an oakbecausetannin isdescribedasavaluableastringent.Anallowablethingcarriedtoexcessisavice,evenasfireisagoodservantinthegrate,gutabadmasterwhen raging in a burning house. Toomuch even of a goodthingsurfeitsanddisgusts,andinnocaseisthis factmoresurethanintheonebeforeus.

The first canon tobeobserved is this--donotviolently straina textbyillegitimate spiritualizing. This is a sin against common sense. Howdreadfully thewordofGodhas beenmauled andmangledby a certainbandofpreacherswhohave laid textson the rack tomake themrevealwhat they neverwould have otherwise spoken.Mr. Slopdash, ofwhomRowlandHilltellsusinhisVillageDialogues,isbutatypeofanumerousgeneration.Thatworthyisdescribedasdeliveringhimselfofadiscourseupon, "I had three white baskets on my head," from the dream ofPharaoh's baker. Upon this the "thrice-anointed ninny-hammer," as afriend of mine would call him, discoursed upon the doctrine of theTrinity!AdearministerofChrist,avenerableandexcellentbrother,oneof themost instructiveministers inhiscountry, toldme thathemissedonedaya labouringmanandhiswife fromhischapel,Hemissedthemagain and again, Sunday after Sunday, and one Monday, meeting thehusband in the street, he said to him,"Well John, I have not seen youlately." "No sir," was the reply, "We did not seem to profit under yourministry aswe used to do." " Indeed, John, I am very sorry to her it.""Well,meandmymissislikesthedoctrinesofgrace,andthereforewe'vegonetohearMr.Bawlerlately.""Oh!YoumeanthegoodmanattheHighCalvanistMeeting?""Yes,sir,andwearesohappy;wegetrightgoodfoodthere, sixteenounces to thepound.Wewere gettinghalf starvedunderyourministry--thoughIalwaysrespectyouasaman,sir.""Allright,myfriend;ofcourseyououghttogowhereyougetgoodfoodforyoursoul,Ionlyhopeit isgood;butwhatdidyouget lastSunday?""Oh!Wehadamostrefreshingtime,sir.Inthemorningwehad--Idon'tseemtoliketotell you--however, we had really amost precious time." "Yes, butwhatwas it,John?""Well, sir,Mr.Bawley ledusblessedly into thatpassage,'Art thou amangiven to appetite?Put a knife to thy throatwhen thousittestbeforearuler.'""Whateverdidhemakeoutof that?""Well,sir,Icantellyouwhathemadeoutofit,butIshouldliketoknowfirstwhatyouwouldhavesaiduponit.""Idon'tknow,John;IdontthinkIshouldhavetakenitatall,butifImusthavespokenaboutit,Ishouldhavesaidthatapersongiventoeatinganddrinkingshouldtakecarewhathewasabout when he was in the presence of great men, or he would ruinhimself.Gluttonyeveninthislifeisruinous.""Ah!"saidtheman,"thatisyourdead-letterwayof rendering it.As I toldmymissis theotherday,eversincewehavebeentohearMr.Bawler,theBiblehasbeenopenedup

toussothatwecanseeagreatdealmoreinitthanweusedtodo.""Yes,butwhatdidMr.Bawler tell you abouthis text?" "Well, he said amangiventoappetitewasayoungconvert,whoissuretohaveatremendousappetite forpreaching, and alwayswants food; buthe ain't always niceabout what sort of food it is." "What next John?" "He said that if theyoungconvertwenttositbeforearuler--thatistosay,alegalpreacher,ora duty-faithman, it would be the worse for him." "But how about theknife,John?""Well,sir,Mr.Bawlersaiditwasaverydangerousthingtohearlegalpreachers,itwouldbesuretoruintheman;andhemightjustas well cut his throat at once, sir!" The subject was, I suppose, themischievous effects of young Christians listening to any preachers butthoseofthehyperschool;andthemoraldrawnfromitwas,thatsoonerthanthisbrothershouldgotohearhisformerminister,hehadbettercuthisthroat!Thatwasaccommodatingconsiderably!Yecritics,wegiveoversuchdeadhorsesasthesetoyourdoggishteeth.Rendanddevourasyewill, we will not upbraid. We have heard of another performer whodeliveredhisminduponProverbsxxi.17."Hethat lovethpleasureshallbe a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich." TheProverbs are a favourite field for spiritualizers to disport themselveswithal. Our worthy disposed of the proverb in this fashion: "'He thatloveth pleasure,' that is, the Christian who enjoys the means of grace,'shallbeapoorman,'thatis,heshallbepoorinspirit;'andhethatlovethwine and oil;' that is to say, rejoices in covenant provisions, and endenjoystheoilandwineofthegospel, 'shallnotberich,' that is,heshallnotberich inhisownesteem;'showingtheexcellenceof thosewhoarepoor in spirit, and how they shall enjoy the gospel--a very propersentiment,butmycarnaleyesfailtoseeitinthetext.YouhaveallheardofWilliamHuntingdon'sfamousrenderingofthepassageinIsaiahxi.8;"Thesuckingchildshallplayontheholeoftheasp,andtheweanedchildshallputhishandonthecockatrice'den.""'Thesuckingchild,'thatis,thebabe in grace, 'shall play on the hole of the asp,' the asp, that is, theArminian: 'the hole of the asp,' that is, the Arminian's mouth." Thenfollowsanaccountofthegamesinwhichsimplemindsaremorethanamatch for Arminian wisdom. Professors of the other school of divinityhave usually had the good sense not to return the compliment, or theAntinomiansmighthavefoundthemselvesrankedwithcockatrices,andtheiropponentsboastfullydefyingthematthemouthsoftheirdens,Such

abuse only injures those who use it. Theological differences are betterexpoundedandenforcedthanbysuchbuffoonery.

Ludicrous results sometimes arise from sheer stupidity inflated withconceit.One instancemay suffice.Aworthyminister toldme the otherday that he had been preaching lately to his people upon the nine andtwenty knives of Ezra. I am sure he would handle these edged toolsdiscreetly, but I could not refrain from saying that I hoped he had notimitatedtheverysageinterpreterwhosawinthatoddnumberofknivesareferencetothefour-and-twentyeldersoftheApocalypse.

ApassageintheProverbsreadsasfollows:"Forthreethingstheearthisdisquieted, and for four which it cannot bear: for a servant when hereigneth; and a foolwhen he is filledwithmeat: for an odiouswomanwhen she ismarried; and an handmaid that is heir to hermistress."Araving spiritualizer declares that this is a sweet picture of the work ofgraceinthesoul,andshowswhatitisthatdisquietsArminians,andsetsthembytheears."'Aservantwhenhereigneth,'thatis,poorservantslikeourselves,whenwearemadetoreignwithChrist;'afoolwhenheisfilledwithmeat,' that is, poor foolishmen like us,whenwe are fedwith thefinest of the wheat of gospel truth; 'an odious woman when she ismarried,'thatis,asinnerwhenheisunitedtoChrist;'Ahandmaidthatisheir tohermistress,' that is,whenwepoorhandmaids thatwereunderthelaw,bondslaves,comeintotheprivilegesofSarah,andbecomeheirstoourownmistress.'"

These are a few specimens of ecclesiastical curiosities which are asnumerous and valuable as the relics which are every day gathered soplentifully on the battle-field of Waterloo, and accepted by the moreverdant as priceless treasures. But we have surfeited you, and have nowishtowastemoreofyourtime.Fromallsuchrankabsurdityneedyoubeadmonishedtoturnaway!SuchmaunderingsdishonourtheBible,areaninsulttothecommon-senseofthehearers,andadeplorableloweringof the minister. This, however, is no more the spiritualizing which werecommendtoyouthanthe thistle inLebanon is thecedarofLebanon.Avoid that childish trifling and outrageous twisting of texts which willmakeyouawisemanamongfools,butafoolamongwisemen.

Oursecondis,neverspiritualizeuponindelicatesubjects.Itisneedfultosaythis,fortheSlopdashfamilyarenevermoreathomethanwhentheyspeakinawaytocrimsonthecheekofmodesty.Thereisakindofbeetlewhichbreedsinfilth,andthiscreaturehasitsprototypeamongmen.DoInot at this moment call to mind a savoury divine who enlarged withwonderful gustoand sensuousunctionupon the concubine cut into tenpieces: Greenacre himself could not have done it better. Whatabominable things have been said upon some of the sterner andmorehorrifying similes of Jeremiah and Ezekiel! Where the Holy Spirit isveiledandchaste,thesemenhavetornawaytheveil,andspokenasnonebutnaughtytongueswouldventure todo. Iamnot,squeamish, indeed,farfromit,butexplanationsofthenewbirthbyanalogiessuggestedbyamonthly nurse, expositions of the rite of circumcision, and minutedescriptionsofmarried life,wouldarousemytemperandmakemefeelinclinedtocommandwithJehuthattheshamelessoneshouldbethrowndown from the exalted position disgraced by such brazen-facedimpudence.Iknowitissaid,"Honisoitquimalypense,"butIaverthatnopuremindoughttobesubjectedto theslightestbreathof indelicacyfrom the pulpit. Caesar's wife must be without suspicion, and Christ'sministersmust bewithout speck in their lives or stain in their speech.Gentlemen, thekissingandhuggingwhichsomepreachersdelight in isdisgusting:Solomon'sSonghadbetterbe let alone thandragged in themireasitoftenis.Youngmenespeciallymustbescrupulously,jealouslymodestandpure inword:anoldman ispardoned, I scarceknowwhy,butayoungman isutterlywithoutexcuse shouldheoverstepthestrictlineofdelicacy.

Next, and thirdly, never spiritualize for the sake of showing what anuncommonlycleverfellowyouare.Suchanintentionwillbewicked,andthemethodusedwillbefoolish.Onlyanegregioussimpletonwillseektobenotedfordoingwhatnineoutoftencoulddoquiteaswell.Acertainprobationeroncepreachedasermonupontheword"but,"thushopingtoingratiate himself with the congregation, who would, he thought, beenraptured with the powers of a brother who could enlarge somarvellouslyuponamereconjunction.Hissubjectappearstohavebeen,the fact that whatever there may be of good in a man's character, oradmirable inaman'sposition, there is sure tobe somedifficulty, some

trialinconnectionwithusall:"Naamanwasagreatmanwithhismaster,but--?' When the orator descended from the pulpit the deacons said,"Well,sir,youhavegivenusasingularsermon,but--youarenotthemanfortheplace;thatwecanseeveryclearly."Alas!forwitwhenitbecomesso common, and withal puts a weapon into the hand of its ownadversaries!Rememberthatspiritualizingisnotsuchawonderfuldisplayofingenuity,evenifyouareabletodoitwell,andthatwithoutdiscretionitisthemostreadymethodofrevealingyouregregiousfolly.Gentlemen,ifyouaspiretoemulateOrigeninwild,daring,interpretations,itmaybeaswelltoreadhislifeandnoteattentivelythefolliesintowhichevenhismarvellousmindwasdrawnbyallowingawild fancy tousurpabsoluteauthorityoverhisjudgment;andifyousetyourselvestorivalthevulgardeclaimersofapastgeneration,letmeremindyouthatthecapandbellsdonotnowcommandthesamepatronageasfelltotheirshareafewyearsago.

Ourfourthcautionis,neverpervertScripturetogive itanovelandso-called spiritualmeaning, lest you be found guilty of that solemn cursewith which the roll of inspiration is guarded and closed. Mr. Cook, ofMaidenhead, felt himself obliged to separate fromWilliamHuntingdonbecause of his making the seventh commandment to mean the LordspeakingtohisSonandsaying,"Thoushaltnotcovetthedevil'swife,i.e.,thenon-elect."Onecanonlysay,horrible!Perhapsitwouldbeaninsultto your reason and your religion to say, loathe the thought of suchprofanity.Youinstinctivelyshrinkfromit.

Oncemore,innocaseallowyouraudiencetoforgetthatthenarrativeswhich you spiritualize are facts,and notmeremyths or parables. Thefirstsenseofthepassagemustneverbedrownedintheoutflowofyourimagination; itmustbedistinctlydeclaredandallowed tohold the firstrank; your accommodationof itmustnever thrust out the original andnativemeaning,orevenpush it intothebackground.TheBible isnotacompilation of clever allegories or instructive poetical traditions; itteaches literal facts and reveals tremendous realities: let your fullpersuasion of this truth bemanifest to allwho attend yourministry. Itwill be an ill day for the church if the pulpit should even appear toendorsethescepticalhypothesisthatHolyScriptureisbuttherecordofa

refined mythology, in which globules of truth are dissolved in seas ofpoeticandimaginarydetail.

However, there is a legitimate range for spiritualizing,or rather for theparticular gift which leads men to spiritualize. For instance, you havefrequentlybeenshownthatthetypesyieldamplescopefortheexerciseofasanctifiedingenuity.Whyneedyougoabouttofind"odiouswomen"topreachupon,whenyouhavebeforeyouthetabernacleinthewilderness,withallitssacredfurniture,theburnt-offering,thepeace-offering,andallthe various sacrificeswhichwere offered beforeGod?Why struggle fornoveltieswhenthetempleandall itsgloriesarebeforeyou?The largestcapacityfortypicalinterpretationwillfindabundantemployment intheundoubtedsymbolsoftheWordofGod,anditwillbesafetoenteruponsuchanexercise,becausethesymbolsareofdivineappointment.

Whenyouhaveexhaustedall theOldTestament types, youhave left toyou an heirloom of a thousand metaphors. Benjamin Keach, in hislaborious treatise, proves most practically what mines of truth lieconcealedinthemetaphorsofScripture.Hiswork,bytheway,isopentomuch criticism on the score ofmakingmetaphors run not only on all-fours, but on asmany legs as a centipede; but it does not deserve thecondemnation of Dr. Adam Clarke, when he says it has done more todebasethetastebothofpreachersandpeoplethananyotherworkofthekind. A discreet explanation of the poetical allusions ofHoly Scripturewill bemost acceptable to your people, and,withGod's blessing, not alittleprofitable.

But supposing you have expounded all the usually accepted types, andhavecast lightupontheemblemsandfigurativeexpressions,mustyourfancy and delight in sirnilitudes go to sleep? By no means. When theapostlePaulfindsamysteryinMelchisedek,andspeakingofHagarandSarah,says,"Which thingsareanallegory,"hegivesusaprecedent fordiscovering scriptural allegories in other places besides the twomentioned.Indeed,thehistoricalbooksnotonlyyieldushereandthereanallegory,butseemasawholetobearrangedwithaviewtosymbolicalteaching.Apassage fromMr.AndrewJukes'preface tohisworkonthetypes of Genesis, will show how, without violence, a most elaboratetheorymaybe constructedby a devoutmind: "As a base or ground for

whatistofollow,wefirstareshownwhatspringsfromman,andallthedifferentformsoflife,whicheitherbynatureorgracecangrowoutoftherootofoldAdam.ThisisthebookofGenesis.Thenwesee,thatbeitbadorgoodwhichhascomeoutofAdam,theremustberedemption;soanelect people by the blood of the Lamb are saved from Egypt. This isExodus. After redemption is known, we come to the experience of theelectasneedingaccess,andlearningthewayofit,toGodtheRedeemerinthesanctuary.ThiswegetinLeviticus.Theninthewildernessofthisworld, as pilgrims from Egypt, the house of bondage, to the promisedlandbeyondJordan,thetrialsofthejourneyarelearnt,fromthatlandofwondersandman'swisdomtothelandflowingwithmilkandhoney.Thisis the book of Numbers. Then comes the desire to exchange thewilderness for the better land, from entering which for a season afterredemptionisknowntheelectyetshrink;answeringtothedesireof theelectatacertainstagetoknowthepoweroftheresurrection,toliveevennowasinheavenlyplaces.Therulesandpreceptswhichmustbeobeyed,ifthisistobedone,comenext.Deuteronomy,asecondgivingofthelaw,a second cleansing, tells the way of progress. After which Canaan isindeedreached.WegooverJordan:weknowpracticallythedeathoftheflesh,andwhat it is tobecircumcised,andtorollawaythereproachofEgypt.WeknownowwhatitistoberisenwithChrist,andtowrestle,notwith flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers in heavenlyplaces. This is Joshua. Then comes the failure of the elect in heavenlyplaces, failure arising frommaking leagues with Canaanites instead ofovercomingthem.ThisisJudges.Afterwhichthedifferentformsofrule,whichthechurchmayknow,pass inreviewinthebooksofKings, fromthefirstsettingupofruleinIsraeldowntoitsextinction,whenfortheirsintheruleofBabylonsupersedesthatoftheelect.Whenthisisknownwithallitsshame,weseetheremnantsoftheelect,eachaccordingtoitsmeasure,doingwhatmaybedone,ifpossible,torestoreIsrael;some,likeEzra, returning tobuild the temple, that is, to restore the formsof trueworship;andsomecomingup,likeNehemiah,tobuildthewall,thatis,toreestablish, by Gentile permission, a feeble imitation of the ancientpolity; while a third remnant in Esther is seen in bonds, but faithful,providentially saved, though God's name (and this is characteristic oftheirstate)neverappearsthroughoutthewholerecord."IshouldbefarfromrecommendingyoutobecomeasfancifulastheingeniousauthorI

havejustquotedsometimesbecomes,throughthelargeindulgenceofhistendency to mysticism, but nevertheless, you will read the Word withgreatly increased interest if youarea sufficiently careful reader tohavenoticed the general run of the books of the Bible, and theirconsecutivenessasasystemoftypes.

Then,too,thefacultywhichturnstospiritualizingwillbewellemployedin generalizing the great universal principles evolved by minute andseparate facts.This is an ingenious, instructive, and legitimatepursuit.Perhapsyoumightnotelecttopreachupon,"Takeitbythetail,"buttheremark arising from it is natural enough--"there is a way of takingeverything." Moses took the serpent by the tail, so there is a mode ofgrasping our afflictions and finding them stiffen in our hands into awonder-workingrod; there isawayofholding thedoctrinesof grace, awayofencounteringungodlymen,andsoon. Inhundredsofscripturalincidents youmay find great general principleswhichmaynowhere beexpressedinsomanywords.TakethefollowinginstancesfromMr.Jay.FromPsalmlxxiv.14,"Thoubrakesttheheadsofleviathaninpieces,andgavesthimtobemeattothepeopleinhabitingthewilderness,"heteachesthedoctrinethatthegreatestfoesofGod'spilgrimpeopleshallbeslain,andtheremembranceofthemercyshallrefreshthesaints.FromGenesisxxxv.8,"ButDeborah,Rebekah'snursedied,andshewasburiedbeneathBeth-el,underanoak:andthenameofitwascalledAllon-bachuth,"hediscourses upon good servants, and the certainty of death. Upon 2Samuel xv. 15, "And theking's servants saidunto theking,Behold, thyservants are ready to dowhatsoevermy lord the king shall apoint," heshows that such languagemaywithproprietybeadoptedbyChristians,and addressed to Christ. Should anyone take exception to the form ofspiritualizingwhichMr.Jaysoefficientlyandjudiciouslyindulgedin,hemustbeapersonwhoseopinionneednotswayyouintheleast.Aftermyownability Ihave taken the liberty todo the same, and theoutlinesofmany sermons of the kind may be found in my little work entitledEvening by Evening, and a less liberal sprinkling in its companion,MorningbyMorning.

A notable instance of a good sermon fixed upon a strained andunjustifiable basis, is that of Everard, in his Gospel Treasury. In the

discourseupon Joshua xv.16,17,where thewords are, "AndCaleb said,HethatsmitethKirjath-sepher, and taketh it, tohimwill I giveAchsahmydaughtertowife.AndOthnielthesonofKenaz,thebrotherofCaleb,tookit:andhegavehimAchsahhisdaughtertowife;"heretherunofthepreacher'sutteranceisbaseduponthetranslationoftheHebrewpropernames,sothathemakesitread,"Agoodheartsaid.Whosoeversmitethandtakeththecityoftheletter,tohimwillIgivetherendingoftheveil;andOthnieltookitasbeingGod'sfittimeoropportunity,andhemarriedAchsah, that is, enjoyed the rending of the veil, and thereby had theblessing both of the upper and nether springs." Was there no othermethod of showing that we are to search after the inner sense ofScripture,andnotrestinthemerewordsorletteroftheBook?

TheparablesofourLordintheirexpoundingandenforcementaffordtheamplestscopeforamaturedanddisciplinedfancy,andif thesehaveallpassedbeforeyou,themiraclesstillremain,richinsymbolicalteaching.There can be no doubt that themiracles are the acted sermons of ourLord Jesus Christ. You have his "word sermons" in his matchlessteaching, and his "deed sermons" in his peerless acts. Despite manydoctrinal failures,youwill findTrench,onthemiracles,mosthelpful inthisdirection.AllourLord'smightyworksarefullofteaching.Takethestory of the healing of the deaf and dumb man. The poor creature'smaladies are eminently suggestive ofman's lost estate, and our Lord'smode of procedure most instructively illustrates the plan of salvation."Jesustookhimasidefromthemultitude"--thesoulmustbemadetofeelitsownpersonalityandindividuality,andmustbeledintoloneliness.He"put his fingers into his ears," the source of the mischief indicated;sinners are convinced of their state. "And spat"--the gospel is a simpleandadespisedmeans,andthesinner,inordertosalvation,musthumblehimselftoreceiveit.He"touchedhistongue,"furtherpointingoutwherethe mischief lay--our sense of need grows on us. He "looked up toheaven"--Jesus reminded his patient that all strengthmust come fromabove--alessonwhicheveryseekermustlearn."Hesighed,"showingthatthesorrowsoftheHealerarethemeansofourhealing.Andthenhesaid,"Ephphatha, Be opened"--here was the effectual word of grace whichwrought an immediate, perfect, and lasting cure. From this oneexposition learn all, and ever believe that the miracles of Christ are a

greatpicturegallery,illustratingHisworkamongthesonsofmen.

Letitbeaninstruction,however,toallwhohandleeithertheparablesorthemetaphors, tobediscreet.Dr.Gill isonewhosenamemusteverbementionedwithhonourandrespectinthishouseinwhichhispulpitstillstands,buthisexpositionoftheparableoftheProdigalSonstrikesmeasbeing sadly absurd in some points. The learned commentator tells us,"the fatted calf"was theLordJesusChrist!Really, one shudders to seespiritualizingcometothis.Thenalsothereishisexpositionof theGoodSamaritan.ThebeastonwhichthewoundedmanwasplacedisagainourLord Jesus, and the two pence which the Good Samaritan gave to thehost,aretheOldandNewTestament,ortheordinancesofBaptismandtheLord'sSupper.

Despite this caution, you may allow much latitude in spiritualizing tomenofrarepoeticaltemperament,suchasJohnBunyan.Gentlemen,didyoueverreadJohnBunyan'sspiritualizingofSolomon'sTemple?It isamostremarkableperformance,andevenwhenalittlestraineditisfullofaconsecratedingenuity.Take,foraspecimen,oneofhismostfar-fetchedexplanations,andseeifitcanbeimproved.Itison"theleavesoftheGateoftheTemple.""Theleavesofthisgateordoor,asItoldyoubefore,werefolding,andso,aswashinted,havesomethingof signification in them.For by this means a man, especially a young disciple,may easily bemistaken;thinkingthatthewholepassage,whenyetbutapart,wasopen,whereas three parts might be yet kept undiscovered to him. For thesedoors, as I said before, were never yet set wide open, I mean in theantitype;nevermanyetsawalltherichesandfulnesswhichisinChrist.SothatIsay,anewcomer,ifhejudgedbypresentsight,especiallyifhesawbutlittle,mighteasilybemistaken,whereforesuchforthemostpartaremosthorriblyafraidthattheyshallneverget inthereat.Howsayestthou,youngcorner,isnotthisthecasewiththysoul?Soitseemstotheethatthouarttoobig,beingsogreat,sotun-belliedasinner!But,Othousinner,fearnot, thedoorsare folding-doors,andmaybeopenedwider,andwideragainafterthat;whereforewhenthoucomesttothisgate,andimaginestthatthereisnotspaceenoughfortheetoenter,knock,anditshallbewideropeneduntothee,andthoushaltbereceived.Lukexi.9;Johnvi.37.Sothen,whoeverthouart,thouartcometothedoorofwhich

the temple was a type, trust not to thy first conceptions of things, butbelievethereisgraceabundant.ThouknowestnotyetwhatChristcando,thedoorsarefolding-doors.Hecan'doexceedingabundantlyaboveallthatwecanaskorthink.'Eph.iii.20.Thehingesonwhichthesedoorsdohang,were,asItoldyou,gold;tosignifythattheybothturneduponmotives and motions of love, and also that the openings thereof wererich.GoldenhingesthegatetoGoddothturnupon.Thepostsonwhichthesedoorsdidhangwereoftheolivetree,thatfatandoilytree,toshowthattheydoneveropenwithlothness,orsluggishnessasdoorsdowhosehingeswantoil.Theyarealwaysoily,andsoopeneasilyandquicklytothose who knock at them. Hence you read that he that dwells in thishousegivesfreely,lovesfreely,anddothusgoodwithallhisheart.'Yea,'saithhe,'Iwillrejoiceoverthemtodothemgood,andIwillplanttheminthislandassuredly,withmywholeheart,andwithmywholesoul.'Jer.iii. 12,14,22;xxxii.41;Rev.xxi.6;xxii. 17.Wherefore, theoilofgrace,signifiedby thisoily tree,or theseolive-posts,onwhich thesedoorsdohang,docausethattheyopengliblyorfranklytothesoul."

WhenBunyanopensupthemeaningofthedoorsbeingmadeoffirwood,whobuthewouldhavesaid,"Thefirtreeisalsothehouseof thestork,thatuncleanbird,evenasChristisaharbourandshelterforsinners.Asforthestork,saiththetext,thefirtreeisherhouse;andChristsaithtothesinnersthatseetheirwantofshelter,'Comeuntome,andIwillgiveyou rest.'He is a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in time of trouble.Deut.xiv.18;Lev.xi.19;Ps.civ.17;lxxiv.2,3;Matt.xi.27,28;Heb.vi.17-20."Inhis"HouseoftheForestofLebanon"heisstillmorepuzzled,butworks hisway out as no otherman could have done.He finds thethreerowsofpillarsof fifteeneach tobeanenigmarather toodeep forhim,andgivesitup,butnotuntilhehasmadesomebraveattemptsuponit.Mr.Bunyanisthechief,andhead,andlordofallallegorists,andisnotto be followed by us into the deep places of typical and symbolicalutterance.Hewasaswimmer,wearebutmerewaders,andmustnotgobeyondourdepth.

I am tempted before I close this address to give a sketch or two ofspiritualizingswhichwerefamiliartomeinmyearliestdays.Ishallneverforget a sermon preached by an uneducated but remarkableman,who

wasmynearneighbour in thecountry. Ihad thenotesof thediscoursefrom his own lips, and I trust they will remain as notes, and never bepreached from again in thisworld. The text was, "The night-hawk, theowl,andthecuckoo."Thatmightnotstrikeyouasbeingexceedinglyrichinmatter; it did not so strikeme, and therefore I innocently enquired,"Andwhatweretheheads?"Herepliedmostarchly,"Heads?why,wringthe bird's necks, and there are three directly, 'the night-hawk, the owl,andthecuckoo.'"Heshowedthatthesebirdswerealluncleanunderthelaw,andwereplaintypesofuncleansinners.Night-hawkswerepersonswho pilfered on the sly, also people who adulterated their goods, andcheated theirneighbours inanunderhandwaywithoutbeingsuspectedto be rogues. As for the owls, they typified drunkards, who are alwaysliveliestatnight,whilebydaytheywillalmostknocktheirheadsagainstapostbecausetheyaresosleepy.Therewereowlsalsoamongprofessors.Theowlisaverysmallbirdwhenheisplucked;heonlylooksbigbecausehewears somany feathers; so,many professors are all feathers, and ifyoucouldtakeawaytheirboastfulprofessionstherewouldbeverylittleleftofthem.Thenthecuckooswerethechurchclergy,whoalwaysutterthesamenotewhenevertheyopentheirmouths in thechurch,and liveonotherbirds'eggswiththeirchurch-ratesandtithes.Thecuckooswerealso, I think, the free-willers, who were always saying, "Do-do-do-do."Was not this rather toomuch of a good thing? Yet from themanwhodelivered it the sermon would not seem at all remarkable or odd. Thesamevenerablebrotherdeliveredasermonequallysingularbutfarmoreoriginal and useful; thosewho heard itwill remember it to their dyingday.Itwasfromthistext:"Theslothfulmanroastethnotthatwhichhetook inhunting."The good oldman leaned upon the top of the pulpit,and said, "Then, my brethren, he was a lazy fellow!" That was theexordium;andthenhewentontosay,"Hewentoutahunting,andaftermuchtroublehecaughthishare,andthenwastooidletoroastit.Hewasalazyfellowindeed!"Thegoodmanmadeusallfeelhowridiculoussuchidleness was, and then he said, "But then you are very likely quite asmuch to blame as this man, for you do just the same. You hear of apopularminister coming down fromLondon, and you put the horse inthecart,anddrivetenor twentymiles tohearhim;andthenwhenyouhaveheardthesermonyouforgettoprofitbyit.Youcatchthehareanddonotroastit;yougohuntingafterthetruth,andthenyoudonotreceive

it."Thenhewentontoshow,thatjustasmeatneedscookingtoprepareitforassimilationinthebodilysystem--Idonotthinkheusedthatwordthough--so the truth needs to go through a process before it can bereceivedintothemindsothatwemayfeedthereonandgrow.Hesaidheshouldshowhowtocookasermon,andhedidsomostinstructively.Hebegan as the cookery books do--"First catch your hare." "So," he said,"firstgetagospelsermon."Thenhedeclaredthatagreatmanysermonswere not worth hunting for, and that good sermons were mournfullyscarce, and it was worth while to go any distance to hear a solid, old-fashioned,Calvinisticdiscourse.Thenafterthesermonhadbeencaught,there was much about it which might be necessary because of thepreacher's infirmity, which was not profitable, and must be put away.Herehe enlargedupondiscerningand judgingwhatweheard, andnotbelievingeverywordofanyman.Thenfolloweddirectionsastoroastinga sermon; run the spit ofmemory through it from end to end, turn itround upon the roasting-jack of meditation, before the fire of a reallywarm and earnest heart, and in thatway the sermonwould be cookedand ready to yield real spiritual nourishment. I do but give you theoutline, and though it may look somewhat laughable, it was not soesteemedbythehearers.Itwasfullofallegory,andkeptuptheattentionofthepeoplefromthebeginningtotheend."Well,mydearsir,howareyou?"wasmysalutationtohimonemorning,"I'mpleasedtoseeyousowellatyourage.""Yes,Iaminfineorderforanoldman,andhardlyfeelmyselffailingatall.""Ihopeyourgoodhealthwillcontinueforyearstocome,andthatlikeMosesyouwillgodowntoyourgravewithyoureyeundimmedandyournaturalforceunabated.""Allveryfine,"saidtheoldgentleman,"butinthefirstplace,Mosesneverwentdowntohisgraveatall,hewentuptoit;andinthenextplace,whatisthemeaningofallyouhave been talking about?Why did not the eye of Moses wax dim?" "Isuppose,sir,"saidI,verymeekly,"thathisnaturalmodeoflifeandquietspirithadhelped topreservehis facultiesandmakehimavigorousoldman.""Verylikely,"saidhe,"butthat'snotwhatIamdrivingat:what'sthemeaning,thespiritualteachingofthewholematter?Isitnotjustthis:Mosesisthelaw,andwhatagloriousendofthelawtheLordgaveitonthemount of His finished work; how sweetly its terrors are all laid tosleepwithakiss fromGod'smouth!and,markyou,thereasonwhythelawnomorecondemnsusisnotbecauseitseyeisdim,sothatitcannot

see our sins, or because its force is abated with which to curse andpunish;butChristhastakenituptothemount,andgloriouslymadeanendofit."Suchwashisusualtalkandsuchwashisministry.Peacetohisashes.Hefedsheepthefirstyearsofhislife,andwasashepherdofmenthenext,and,asheusedtotellme,"foundmenbyfarthemoresheepishofthetwo."Theconvertswhofoundtheroadtoheavenunderhimweresomany that,whenwe remember them,weare like thosewhosawthelame man leaping through the word of Peter and John; they weredisposed to criticise, but "beholding theman that was healed standingwithPeterandJohn,theycouldsaynothingagainstit."

WiththisIclose,re-assertingtheopinion,thatguidedbydiscretionandjudgment,wemayoccasionallyemployspiritualizingwithgoodeffecttoourpeople;certainlyweshallinterestthemandkeepthemawake.

LECTUREVIIIONTHEVOICE

OUR FIRST rule with regard to the voice would be--do not think toomuch about it, for recollect the sweetest voice is nothing withoutsomethingtosay,andhoweverwell itmaybemanaged, itwillbe likeawell-drivencartwithnothinginit,unlessyouconveybyitimportantandseasonable truths to your people. Demosthenes was doubtless right ingivingafirst,second,andthirdplacetoagooddelivery;butofwhatvaluewill thatbe ifamanhasnothing todeliver?Amanwithasurpassinglyexcellentvoicewho isdestituteofawell-informedhead,andanearnestheart, will be "a voice crying in the wilderness;" or, to use Plutarch'sexpression,"Voxetpraetereanihil."Suchamanmayshineinthechoir,butheisuselessinthepulpit.Whitfield's.voice,withouthisheart-power,wouldhaveleftnomorelastingeffectsuponhishearersthanPaganini'sfiddle.Youarenot singersbutpreachers: yourvoice isbuta secondarymatter;donotbefopswithit,orpulinginvalidsoverit,assomanyare.Atrumpetneednotbemadeofsilver,aram's-hornwillsuffice;butitmustbeabletoendureroughusage,fortrumpetsareforwar'sconflicts,notforthedrawing-roomsoffashion.

Ontheotherhand,donotthinktoolittleofyourvoice,foritsexcellencemaygreatly conduce to the resultwhich youhope toproduce.Plato, inconfessingthepowerofeloquence,mentionsthetoneofthespeaker."Sostrongly,"sayshe,"doesthespeechandthetoneoftheoratorringinmyears, that scarcely in the third or fourth day do I recollectmyself, andperceivewhereontheearthIam;andforawhileIamwillingtobelievemyselflivingintheislesoftheblessed."Exceedinglyprecioustruthsmaybegreatlymarredbybeingdeliveredinmonotonoustones.Ionceheardamost esteemedminister, who mumbled sadly, compared to "a humblebeeinapitcher,"avulgarmetaphornodoubt,butsoexactlydescriptive,that it brings to my mind the droning sound at this instant mostdistinctly,andremindsmeoftheparodyuponGray'sElegy:

"Nowfadestheglimmeringsubjectfromthesight,Andalltheairasleepystillnessholds,Savewheretheparsonhumshisdroningflight,Anddrowsytinklingslulltheslumb'ringfolds."

What a pity that a man who from his heart delivered doctrines ofundoubted value, in language the most appropriate, should commitministerial suicide by harping on one string, when the Lord had givenhim an instrument of many strings to play upon! Alas! alas! for thatdreary voice, it hummed and hummed like a mill-wheel to the sameunmusicaltune,whetheritsownerspakeofheavenorhell,eternallifeoreverlasting wrath. It might be, by accident, a little louder or softer,accordingtothelengthofthesentence,butitstonewasstillthesame,adrearywasteofsound,ahowlingwildernessofspeechinwhichtherewasnopossiblerelief,novariety,nomusic,nothingbuthorriblesameness.

WhenthewindblowsthroughtheÆolianharp,itswellsthroughallthechords,buttheheavenlywind,passingthroughsomemen,spendsitselfupononestring,andthat,forthemostpart,themostoutoftuneof thewhole.Gracealonecouldenablehearerstoedifyunderthedrum--drum--drumofsomedivines.Ithinkanimpartialjurywouldbringinaverdictofjustifiable slumbering inmany cases where the sound emanating fromthepreacher lulls to sleep by its reiterated note.Dr.Guthrie charitablytracestheslumbersofacertainScotchcongregationtobadventilationinthemeeting-house;thishassomethingtodowithit,butabadconditionofthevalvesofthepreacher'sthroatmightbeastillmorepotentcause.Brethren,inthenameofeverythingthatissacred,ringthewholechimein your steeple, anddonotdun yourpeoplewith theding-dongof onepoorcrackedbell.

When you do pay attention to the voice, take care not to fall into thehabitualandcommonaffectationsofthepresentday.Scarcelyonemaninadozeninthepulpittalkslikeaman.Thisaffectationisnotconfinedto Protestants, for the Abbé Mullois remarks, "Everywhere else, menspeak:theyspeakatthebarandthetribune;buttheynolongerspeakinthepulpit,forthereweonlymeetwithafactitiousandartificiallanguage,and a false tone. This style of speaking is only tolerated in the church,because,unfortunately, it is sogeneral there;elsewhere itwouldnotbeendured. What would be thought of a man who should converse in asimilar way in a drawing-room? He would certainly provoke many asmile.SometimeagotherewasawarderatthePantheon--agoodsortoffellow in hisway--who, in enumerating the beauties of themonument,

adopted precisely the tone of many of our preachers, and never failedthereby to excite thehilarity of the visitors,whowere asmuchamusedwithhisstyleofaddressaswiththeobjectsofinterestwhichhepointedouttothem.Amanwhohasnotanaturalandtruedelivery,shouldnotbeallowedtooccupythepulpit;fromthence,atleast,everythingthatisfalseshouldbesummarilybanished. . . . Inthesedaysofmistrusteverythingthatisfalseshouldbesetaside:andthebestwayofcorrectingone'sselfin that respect, as regards preaching, is frequently to listen to certainmonotonous and vehement preachers. We shall come away in suchdisgust, and with such a horror of their delivery, that we shall prefercondemning ourselves to silence rather than imitate them. The instantyouabandonthenaturalandthetrue,youforegotherighttobebelieved,aswellastherightofbeinglistenedto."Youmaygoallround,tochurchandchapelalike,andyouwill findthatbyfarthelargermajorityofourpreachers have a holy tone for Sundays. They have one voice for theparlourandthebedroom,andquiteanothertoneforthepulpit;sothat,ifnotdouble-tonguedsinfully, they certainlyare so literally.Themomentsomemenshutthepulpitdoor,they leavetheirownpersonalmanhoodbehind them, and become as official as the parish beadle. There theymightalmostboastwiththePharisee,thattheyarenotasothermenare,althoughitwouldbeblasphemytothankGodfor it.No longerare theycarnal and speak as men, but a whine, a broken hum-haw, an orerotundo,or some other gracelessmode of noise-making, is adopted, topreventallsuspicionofbeingnaturalandspeakingoutoftheabundanceoftheheart.Whenthatgownisonceon,howoftendoesitprovetobetheshroudoftheman'strueself,andtheeffeminateemblemofofficialism!

There are two or three modes of speech which I dare say you willrecogniseashaving frequentlyheard.Thatdignified,doctorial, inflated,bombasticstyle,whichI justnowcalledtheorerotundo,isnotquitesocommon now as it used to be, but it is still admired by some.[Unfortunately, the Lecturer could not here be reported by any knownformofletter-press,asheproceededtoreadahymnwitharound,rollingswellingvoice.]Whenareverendgentlemanwasonceblowingoffsteamin this way, a man in the aisle said he thought the preacher "hadswallowed a dumpling," but another whispered, "No, Jack, he ain'tswaller'd un; he's got un in his mouth a-wobblin." I can imagine Dr.

JohnsontalkinginthatfashionatBoltCourt;andfrommentowhomitisnatural it rollswithOlympiangrandeur,but in thepulpitaway foreverwithallimitationofit;ifitcomesnaturally,wellandgood,buttomimicitistreasontocommondecency:indeed,allmimicryisinthepulpitnearakintoanunpardonablesin.

There is another style, at which I beseech you not to laugh. [Givinganother illustration], amethod of enunciation said to be very ladylike,mincing,delicate, servant-girlified,dawdling,Dundrearyish, I knownothowelse todescribe it.Wehave,mostofus,had the felicityofhearingthese,orsomeothers,oftheextensivegenusoffalsettos,high-stilts,andaffectations.Ihaveheardmanydifferentvarieties,fromthefulnessoftheJohnsoniantothethinnessofthelittlegenteelwhisper;fromtheroaringoftheBullsofBashanuptothechip,chip,chipofachaffinch.Ihavebeenable to trace some of our brethren to their forefathers--I mean theirministerial forefathers, from whom they first of all gathered theseheavenly, melodious, sanctified, in every way beautiful, but I musthonestlyadddetestablemodesof speech.Theundoubtedorderof theiroratoricalpedigreeisasfollows:Chip,whichwasthesonofLisp,whichwasthesonofSimper,whichwasthesonofDandy,whichwasthesonofAffectation;orWobbler,whichwasthesonofGrandiose,whichwastheson of Pomposity, the samewas the father ofmany sons. Understand,thatwhere even these horrors of sound are natural, I do not condemnthem--leteverycreaturespeakin itsowntongue;butthefact is, that innine cases out of ten, these sacred brogues, which I hope will soon bedead languages, areunnatural and strained. I ampersuaded that thesetonesandsemitonesandmonotonesareBabylonian,thattheyarenotatall the Jerusalem dialect; for the Jerusalem dialect has this onedistinguishingmark, that it is aman's ownmode of speech, and is thesameoutofthepulpitasitisinit.Ourfriendoftheaffectedorerotundoschoolwasneverknowntotalkoutofthepulpitashedoesin,ortosayintheparlourinthesametonewhichheusesinthepulpit:"Willyoubesogood as to giveme another cup of tea; I take sugar, if you please."Hewouldmakehimselfludicrousifhedidso,butthepulpitistobefavouredwith the scum of his voice, which the parlour would not tolerate. Imaintainthatthebestnotesaman'svoiceiscapableofshouldbegiventotheproclamationofthegospel,andthesearesuchasnatureteacheshim

touse in earnest conversation.Ezekiel servedhisMasterwithhismostmusical and melodious powers, so that the Lord said, "Thou art untothemasaverylovelysongofonethathathapleasantvoice,andcanplaywellonaninstrument."Althoughthis,alas!wasofnousetoIsrael'shardheart, as nothing will be but the Spirit of God, yet it well became theprophet to deliver the word of the Lord in the best style of voice andmanner.

In the next place, if you have any idiosyncrasies of speech,which aredisagreeabletotheear,correctthem,ifpossible.1Itisadmittedthatthisismuchmoreeasy for the teacher to inculcate than for you topractise.Yet to youngmen in themorningof theirministry, thedifficulty isnotinsuperable.Brethrenfromthecountryhaveaflavouroftheirrusticdietintheirmouths,remindingusirresistiblyofthecalvesofEssex,theswineofBerkshire,or the runtsofSuffolk.Whocanmistake theYorkshireorSomersetshiredialects,whicharenotmerelyprovincialpronunciations,buttonesalso?Itwouldbedifficulttodiscoverthecause,butthefactisclearenough,thatinsomecountiesofEnglandmen'sthreatsseemtobefurred up, like long-used teakettles, and in others, they ring like brassmusic,withaviciousmetallicsound.Beautifulthesevariationsofnaturemay be in their season and place, butmy taste has never been able toappreciatethem.Asharpdiscordantsqueak,likearustypairofscissors,istobegotridofatallhazards;soalsoisathick,inarticulateutteranceinwhich noword is complete, but nouns, adjectives, and verbs aremadeintoakindofhash.Equallyobjectionableisthatghostlyspeechinwhicha man talks without using his lips, ventriloquising most horribly:sepulchral tonesmay fit aman tobe anundertaker, butLazarus isnotcalled out of his grave by hollowmoans.One of the surestways to killyourselfistospeakfromthethroatinsteadofthemouth.Thismisuseofnaturewillbeterriblyavengedbyher;escapethepenaltybyavoidingtheoffence. Itmay bewell in this place to urge you as soon as you detectyourself interposing hum-haw pretty plentifully in your discourse, topurgeyourselfof the insinuatingbut ruinoushabitatonce.There isnoneedwhatever for it, and although those who are now its victimsmayneverbeabletobreakthechain,you,whoarebeginnersinoratory,mustscorntowearthegallingyoke.Itisevenneedfultosay,openyourmouthswhen you speak, for much of inarticulate mumbling is the result of

keepingthemouthhalfclosed.ItisnotinvainthattheevangelistshavewrittenofourLord,"HeopenedHismouthandtaughtthem."Openwidethe doors from which such goodly truth is to march forth. Moreover,brethren, avoid the use of the nose as an organ of speech, for the bestauthoritiesareagreedthat it is intendedtosmellwith.Timewas,whenthenasaltwangwasthecorrectthing,butinthisdegenerateageyouhadbetterobeytheevidentsuggestionofnature,andletthemouthkeeptoitswork without the interference of the olfactory instrument. Should anAmerican student be present he must excuse my pressing this remarkuponhisattention.Abhor thepracticeofsomemen,whowillnotbringout the letter "r;" such a habit is "vewywuinous andwediculous, vewywetchedandwepwehensible."Nowandthenabrotherhasthefelicitytopossess a most winning and delicious lisp. This is perhaps among theleastofevils,wherethebrotherhimselfislittleandwinning,butitwouldruinanybeingwhoaimedatmanlinessandforce.Icanscarcelyconceiveof Elijah lisping to Ahab, or Paul prettily chipping his words on Mars'Hill.Theremaybeapeculiarpathosaboutaweakandwateryeye,andafaltering style; we will go further, and admit that where these are theresult of intense passion, they are sublime; but some possess them bybirth,anduse themrather too freely: it is, tosay the least,unnecessaryforyou to imitate them.Speakas educatednature suggests toyou, andyouwilldowell;but let itbeeducated,andnot raw, rude,uncultivatednature.Demosthenestook,asyouknow,unboundedpainswithhisvoice,andCicero,whowasnaturallyweak,madealongjourneyintoGreecetocorrecthismannerofspeaking.Withfarnoblerthemes,letusnotbelessambitious to excel. "Deprive me of everything else," says Gregory, ofNazianzen,"butleavemeeloquence,andIshallneverregretthevoyageswhichIhavemadeinordertostudyit."

Alwaysspeaksoastobeheard.Iknowamanwhoweighssixteenstone,and ought to be able to be heard half-a-mile, who is so gracelesslyindolent,thatinhissmallplaceofworshipyoucanscarcelyhearhiminthefrontofthegallery.Whatistheuseofapreacherwhommencannothear?ModestyshouldleadavoicelessmantogiveplacetootherswhoaremorefittedfortheworkofproclaimingthemessagesoftheKing.Somemenareloudenough,buttheyarenotdistinct;theirwordsoverlapeachother, play at leap-frog, or trip each other up. Distinct utterance is far

more important thanwind-power.Dogiveaworda fair chance,donotbreakitsbackinyourvehemence,orrunitoffitslegsinyourhaste.Itishatefultohearabigfellowmutterandwhisperwhenhislungsarequitestrong enough for the loudest speech; but at the same time, let amanshouteversolustily,hewillnotbewellheardunlesshelearnstopushhiswordsforwardwithduespacebetween.Tospeaktooslowlyismiserablework, and subjects active-minded hearers to the disease called, the"horrors."It is impossible tohearamanwhocrawlsalongatamileanhour.Oneword to-day andone to-morrow is a kind of slow-firewhichmartyrsonlycouldenjoy.Excessivelyrapidspeaking,tearingandravinginto utter rant, is quite as inexcusable; it is not, and never can bepowerful,exceptwithidiots,foritturnswhatshouldbeanarmyofwordsinto amob, andmost effectually drowns the sense in floods of sound.Occasionally, one hears an infuriated orator of indistinct utterance,whoseimpetuosityhurrieshimontosuchaconfusionofsounds,thatatalittledistanceoneisremindedofLucan'slines:

"Hergabblingtongueamutteringtoneconfounds,Discordantandunliketohumansounds;Itseem'dofdogsthebark,ofwolvesthehowl,Thedolefulscreechingofthemidnightowl;Thehissofsnakes,thehungrylion'sroar,Theboundofbillowsbeatingontheshore;Thegroanofwindsamongtheleafywood,Andburstofthunderfromtherendingcloud!'Twasthese,alltheseinone."

Itisaninflictionnottobeenduredtwice,tohearabrotherwhomistakesperspirationforinspiration,tearalonglikeawildhorsewithahornetinitseartillhehasnomorewind,andmustneedspausetopumphislungsfullagain;arepetitionofthisindecencyseveraltimesinasermonisnotuncommon, but is most painful. Pause soon enough to prevent that"hough,hough,"whichrathercreatespity forthebreathlessoratorthansympathywiththesubjectinhand.Youraudienceoughtnottoknowthatyoubreatheatall--theprocessofrespirationshouldbeasunobservedasthecirculationoftheblood.Itisindecenttoletthemereanimalfunctionofbreathingcauseanyhiatusinyourdiscourse.

Donotasaruleexertyourvoice to theutmost inordinarypreaching.Twoorthreeearnestmen,nowpresent,aretearingthemselvestopiecesby needless bawling; their poor lungs are irritated, and their larynxinflamedbyboisterousshouting,fromwhichtheyseemunabletorefrain.Now it is all verywell to "Cryaloudand sparenot,"but "Do thyselfnoharm" is apostolical advice. When persons can hear you with half theamountofvoice,itisaswelltosavethesuperfluousforcefortimeswhenit may be wanted. "Waste not, want not" may apply here as well aselsewhere.Be a little economicalwith that enormous volume of sound.Donotgiveyourhearershead-acheswhenyoumeantogivethemheart-aches:youaimtokeepthemfromsleepingintheirpews,butrememberthatitisnotneedfultoburstthedrumsoftheirears."TheLordisnotinthewind."Thunderisnotlightning:Mendonothearinproportiontothenoise created; in fact, too much noise stuns the ear, createsreverberations and echoes, and effectually injures the power of yoursermons.Adaptyourvoicetoyouraudience;whentwentythousandarebeforeyou,drawout thestopsandgive the fullpeal,butnot inaroomwhichwillonlyholdascoreortwo.WheneverIenteraplacetopreach,Iunconsciouslycalculatehowmuchsound isneededto fill it,andafterafewsentencesmykeyispitched.Ifyoucanmakethemanattheendofthechapelhear,ifyoucanseethatheiscatchingyourthought,youmaybe sure that those nearer can hear you, and nomore force is needed,perhapsalittlelesswilldo--watchandsee.WhyspeaksoastobeheardintheStreetwhenthereisnobodytherewhoislisteningtoyou?Whetherindoorsorout,seethatthemostremotehearerscanfollowyou,andthatwillbesufficient.Bytheway,Imayobserve,thatbrethrenshould,outofmercytotheweak,alwaysattendcarefullytotheforceoftheirvoicesinsick rooms, and in congregations where some are known to be veryinfirm.Itisacruelthingtositdownbyasickman'sbedside,andshoutout "THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD." If you act so thoughtlessly, thepoormanwillsayassoonasyouaredownstairs,"Dearme!howmyheadaches. I am glad the good man is gone, Mary; that is a very preciousPsalmandsoquietlike,buthereaditoutlikethunderandlightning,andalmost stunnedme!" Recollect, you younger and unmarried men, thatsoftwhisperswillsuittheinvalidbetterthanrollofdrumandculverin.

Observe carefully the rule tovary the forceof yourvoice.Theold rule

was,tobeginverysoftly,graduallyrisehigher,andbringoutyourloudestnotes at the end. Let all such regulations be blown to pieces at thecannon's mouth; they are impertinent and misleading. Speak softly orloudly, as the emotion of the moment may suggest, and observe noartificialand fanciful rules.Artificial rulesareanutterabomination.AsM.deCormorinsatiricallyputsit,"Beimpassioned,thunder,rage,weep,uptothefifthword,ofthethirdsentence,ofthetenthparagraph,ofthetenth leaf. How easy that would be! Above all, how very natural!" Inimitation of a popular preacher, towhom itwas unavoidable, a certainministerwasaccustomedinthecommencementofhissermontospeakinso low a key, that no one could possibly hear him. Everybody leanedforward,fearingthatsomethinggoodwasbeinglostintheair,buttheirstrainingwas in vain; a holy mutter was all they could discern. If thebrothercouldnothavespokenoutnoneshouldhaveblamedhim,butitwasamostabsurd thing todo thiswhen ina short timeheproved thepowerofhislungsbyfillingthewholestructurebysonoroussentences.Ifthefirsthalfofhisdiscoursewasofnoimportance,whynotomitit?andifofanyvalueatall,whynotdeliveritdistinctly?Effect,gentlemen,thatwasthepointaimedat;heknewthatonewhospakeinthatfashionhadproduced great effects, and he hoped to rival him. If any of you darecommitsuchafollyforsuchadetestableobject,Iheartilywishyouhadnever entered this Institution. I tell youmost seriously, that the thingcalled "effect," is hateful, because it is untrue, artificial, tricky, andtherefore despicable. Never do anything for effect, but scorn thestratagemsof littleminds,huntingaftertheapprovalofconnoisseursinpreaching,whoarearaceasobnoxioustoatrueministeraslocuststotheEasternhusbandman.ButIdigress:beclearanddistinctattheveryfirst.Your exordia are too good to be whispered to space. Speak them outboldly, andcommandattentionat theveryoutsetbyyourmanly tones.Donotstartatthehighestpitchasarule,forthenyouwillnotbeabletorisewhenyouwarmwiththework;butstillbeoutspokenfromthefirst.Lower the voice when suitable even to a whisper; for soft, deliberate,solemn utterances are not only a relief to the ear, but have a greataptitudeto reach theheart.Donotbeafraidof the lowkeys, for if youthrowforceintothemtheyareaswellheardastheshouts.Youneednotspeakinaloudvoiceinordertobeheardwell.MacaulaysaysofWilliamPitt,"Hisvoice,evenwhenitsanktoawhisper,washeardtotheremotest

benchesoftheHouseofCommons."Ithasbeenwellsaidthatthemostnoisygunisnottheonewhichcarriesaball thefurthest: thecrackofarifle is anythingbutnoisy. It isnot the loudnessof your voice, it is theforce which you put into it that is effective. I am certain that I couldwhisper so as to be heard throughout every corner of our greatTabernacle,andIamequallycertainthatIcouldholloaandshoutsothatnobodycouldunderstandme.Thethingcouldbedonehere,butperhapstheexampleisneedless,asIfearsomeofyouperformthebusinesswithremarkablesuccess.Waves of airmay dash upon the ear in such rapidsuccession that they create no translatable impression on the auditorynerve.Inkisnecessarytowritewith,butifyouupsettheinkbottleoverthe sheetofpaperyou conveynomeaning thereby; so is itwith sound.Soundistheink,butmanagementisneeded,notquantity,toproduceanintelligible writing upon the ear. If your sole ambition be to competewith--

Stentorthestrong,enduedwithbrazenlungs,Whosethroatsurpass'dtheforceoffiftytongues,"

thenbawlyourselvesintoElysiumasrapidlyaspossible,butifyouwishto be understood, and so to be of service, shun the reproach of being"impotentandloud."Youareawarethatshrillsoundstravelthefarthest:thesingularcrywhichisusedbytravellersinthewildsofAustralia,owesitsremarkablepowerto itsshrillness.Abellwillbeheardmuchfartheroff than a drum; and, very singularly, themoremusical a sound is thefartherittravels.Itisnotthethumpingofthepianowhichisneeded,butthejudicioussoundingofthebestkeys.Youwillthereforefeelatlibertyto ease the strain very frequently in the direction of loudness, and youwillbegreatlyrelievingboththeearsoftheaudienceandyourownlungs.Tryallmethods,fromthesledge-hammertothepuff-ball.Beasgentleasa zephyr and as furious as a tornado. Be, indeed, just what everycommon-sense person is in his speech when he talks naturally, pleadsvehemently, whispers confidentially, appeals plaintively, or publishesdistinctly.

Next to themoderationof lung-force, I shouldplace therule,modulateyour tones.Alter the key frequently and vary the strain constantly. Letthebass,thetreble,andthetenor,taketheirturn.Ibeseechyoutodothis

outofpitytoyourselfandtothosewhohearyou.Godhasmercyuponusandarrangesallthingstomeetourcravingsforvariety;letushavemercyupon our fellow creatures, and not persecute themwith the tedium ofsameness.Itisamostbarbarousthingtoinflictuponthetympanumofapoorfellow-creature'seartheanguishofbeingboredandgimbletedwiththe same sound for half an hour.What swifter mode of rendering themindidioticorlunaticcouldbeconceivedthantheperpetualdroningofabeetle, or buzzing of a blue-bottle, in the organ of hearing? Whatdispensationhaveyoubywhichyouaretobetoleratedinsuchcrueltytothehelplessvictimswhositunderyourdrum-drumministrations?Kindnaturefrequentlysparesthedrone'sunhappyvictimsthefulleffectofhistortures by steeping them in sweet repose. This, however, you do notdesire; thenspeakwithvariedvoice.How fewministers remember thatmonotony causes sleep. I fear the charge brought by a writer in theImperialReviewistruetotheletterofnumbersofmybrethren."Weallknowhowthenoiseof runningwater,or themurmurof thesea,or thesighing of the south wind among the pines, or the moaning of wood-doves,inducesadeliciousdreamylanguor.Farbe it fromustosaythatthe voice of amodern divine resembles, in the slightest degree, any ofthese sweet sounds, yet the effect is the same, and few can resist thedrowsy influences of a lengthy dissertation, delivered without theslightest variation of tone or alteration of expression. Indeed, the veryexceptional use of the phrase 'an awakening discourse,' even by thosemost familiarwith suchmatters, conveys the implication that the greatmajorityofpulpitharanguesareofadecidedlysoporifictendency.Itisanillcasewhenthepreacher

"Leaveshishearersperplex'd--Twixtthetwotodetermine:'Watchandpray,'saysthetext,'Gotosleep,'saysthesermon."

Howevermusicalyourvoicemaybeinitself,ifyoucontinuetosoundthesamechordperpetually, yourhearerswillperceive that itsnotes arebydistancemademore sweet.Do in thenameofhumanity cease intoningand take to rational speaking.Should this argument fail tomoveyou, Iamsoearnestaboutthispoint,thatifyouwillnotfollowmyadviceoutof

mercytoyourhearers,yetdoitoutofmercytoyourselves;forasGodinHisinfinitewisdomhasbeenpleasedalwaystoappendapenaltytoeverysinagainstHisnaturalaswellasmoral laws,sotheevilofmonotonyisfrequently avenged by that dangerous disease called dysphoniaclericorum,or,"Clergyman'ssorethroat."Whencertainofourbrethrenaresobelovedbytheirhearersthattheydonotobjecttopayahandsomesumtogetridofthemforafewmonths,whenajourneytoJerusalemisrecommended and provided for, bronchitis of a modified order is soremarkablyoverruledforgood,thatmypresentargumentwillnotdisturbtheir equanimity. But such is not our lot; to us bronchitis means realmisery, and therefore, to avoid it, we would follow any sensiblesuggestion.Ifyouwishtoruinyourthroatsyoucanspeedilydoso,butifyouwishtopreservethem,notewhatisnowlaidbeforeyou.Ihaveofteninthisroomcomparedthevoicetoadrum.Ifthedrummershouldalwaysstrikeinoneplaceontheheadofhisdrum,theskinwouldsoonwearintoahole;buthowmuchlongeritwouldhavelastedhimifhehadvariedhisthumpingandhadusedtheentiresurfaceofthedrum-head!Soitiswithaman'svoice.Ifheusesalwaysthesametone,hewillwearaholeinthatpartof the throatwhich ismost exercised inproducing thatmonotony,and very soon he will suffer from bronchitis. I have heard surgeonsaffirm, that Dissenting bronchitis differs from the Church of Englandarticle. There is an ecclesiastical twang which is much admired in theEstablishment, a sort of steeple-in-the-throat grandeur, an aristocratic,theologic,parsonic,supernatural,infra-humanmouthingoflanguageandrolling over of words. Itmay be illustrated by the following specimen:"He that hath yaws to yaw let him yaw,"which is a remarkable, if notimpressive, rendering of a Scripture text. Who does not know thehallowed way of pronouncing-"Dearly beloved brethren, the Scripturemovethusindiversplaces"?ItrollsinmyearsnowlikeBigBen--coupledwithboyishmemoriesofmonotonouspealsof"ThePrinceAlbert,AlbertPrinceofWales,andalltheRoyalFamily....Amen."Now,ifamanwhotalkssounnaturallydoesnotgetbronchitis,orsomeotherdisease,Icanonlysaythatthroatdiseasesmustbeverysovereignlydispensed.AttheNonconformisthobbiesofutteranceIhavealreadystruckablow,andIbelieveitisbythemthatlarynxandlungsbecomedelicate,andgoodmensuccumbtosilenceandthegrave.Shouldyoudesiremyauthorityforthethreatwhich Ihaveheldout toyou, I shallgiveyou theopinionofMr.

Macready,theeminenttragedian,who,sincehelooksatthematterfroman impartial but experimental standpoint, is worthy of a respectfulhearing."Relaxedthroatisusuallycaused,notsomuchbyexercisingtheorgan, as by the kind of exercise; that is, not somuch by long or loudspeaking,asbyspeakinginafeignedvoice.IamnotsurethatIshallbeunderstood inthisstatement,but there isnotoneperson in, Imaysay,tenthousand,whoinaddressingabodyofpeople,doessoinhisnaturalvoice;andthishabitismoreespeciallyobservableinthepulpit.Ibelievethatrelaxationofthethroatresultsfromviolenteffortsintheseaffectedtones,andthatsevereirritation,andoftenulceration,istheconsequence.Thelabourofawholeday'sdutyinachurchisnothing,inpointoflabour,compared with the performance of one of Shakespeare's leadingcharacters,norIshouldsuppose,withanyoftheverygreatdisplaysmadeby our leading statesmen in theHouses of Parliament; and I feel verycertain that the disorder, which you designate as 'Clergyman's sorethroat,'isattributablegenerallytothemodeofspeaking,andnottothelengthoftimeorviolenceofeffortthatmaybeemployed.Ihaveknownseveralofmyformercontemporariesonthestagesufferfromsorethroat,but I do not think, among those eminent in their art, that it could beregarded as a prevalent disease." Actors and barristers have muchoccasiontostraintheirvocalpowers,andyetthereisnosuchthingasacounsel's sore throat, or a tragedian's bronchitis; simply because thesemendarenotservethepublicinsoslovenlyamannerassomepreachersservetheirGod.SamuelFenwick,Esq.,M.D., inapopulartreatiseupon"Diseases of the Throat and Lungs," hasmostwisely said, "Fromwhatwasstatedrespectingthephysiologyofthevocalchords,itwillbeevidentthatcontinuedspeakinginonetoneismuchmorefatiguingthanfrequentalterationsinthepitchofthevoice;becausebytheformer,onemuscleorsetormusclesaloneisstrained,whilstbythelatter,differentmusclesarebroughtintoaction,andthusrelieveoneanother.Inthesameway,amanraisinghisarmatrightanglestohisbody,becomesfatiguedinfiveortenminutes, because only one set of muscles has to bear the weight; butthesesamemusclescanwork thewholeday if theiraction isalternatedwith that of others.Whenever, therefore,we hear a clergyman droningthrough the church service, and in the samemanner and tone of voicereading,praying,andexhorting,wemaybeperfectlysurethatheisgivingtentimesmorelabourtohisvocalchordsthanisabsolutelynecessary."

This may be the place to reiterate an opinion which I have oftenexpressedin this place, ofwhich I am remindedby the authorwhom Ihave quoted. If ministers would speak oftener, their throats and lungswould be less liable to disease. Of this I am quite sure; it ismatter ofpersonalexperienceandwideobservation,andIamconfidentthatIamnotmistaken.Gentlemen,twiceaweekpreachingisverydangerous,butIhave found five or six times healthy, and even twelve or fourteen notexcessive.Acostermongersettocrycauliflowersandpotatoesonedayinthe week would find the effort most laborious, but when he for sixsuccessivedaysfillsstreetsandlanesandalleyswithhissonorousdin,hefindsnodysphoniapomariorum,or"Costermonger'ssorethroat,"layinghimasidefromhishumble toils. Iwaspleased to findmyopinion, thatinfrequentpreachingis therootofmanydiseases, thusplainlydeclaredbyDr.Fenwick:"Allthedirectionswhichhavebeenherelaiddownwill,Ibelieve,beineffectualwithoutregulardailypracticeofthevoice.Nothingseemstohavesuchatendencytoproducethisdiseaseastheoccasionalprolonged speaking, alternating with long intervals of rest, to whichclergymen are more particularly subject. Anyone giving the subject amoment's consideration will readily understand this. If a man, or anyother animal, be intended for any unusual muscular exertion, he isregularly exercised in it, day by day, and labour is thus rendered easywhich otherwise it would be almost impossible to execute. But thegeneralityoftheclericalprofessionundergoagreatamountofmuscularexertioninthewayofspeakingonlyononedayoftheweek,whilstintheremaining six days they scarcely ever raise their voice above the usualpitch. Were a smith or a carpenter thus occasionally to undergo thefatigue connected with the exercise of his trade, he would not only bequite unfitted for it, but he would lose the skill he had acquired. Theexample of the most celebrated orators the world has seen proves theadvantagesofregularandconstantpracticeofspeaking;andIwouldonthis account most strongly recommend all persons subject to thiscomplainttoreadaloudonceortwiceaday,usingthesamepitchofvoiceasinthepulpit,andpayingespecialattentiontothepositionofthechestand throat, and to clear and proper articulation of the words." Mr.Beecher is of the same opinion, for he remarks, "Newsboys showwhatout-of-doorpracticewilldoforaman's lungs.Whatwouldthepaleandfeeble-speakingministerdowho can scarcelymakehis voice reach two

hundred auditors if he were set to cry newspapers? Those New Yorknewsboys stand at the head of a street, and send down their voicesthroughit,asanathletewouldrollaballdownanalley.Weadvisementrainingforspeakingprofessionstopeddlewaresinthestreetsforalittletime.Youngministersmightgo intopartnershipwithnewsboysawhile,tilltheygottheirmouthsopenandtheirlarynxnervedandtoughened."

Gentlemen,aneedfulruleis--alwayssuityourvoicetoyourmatter.Donotbejubilantoveradolefulsubject,andontheotherhand,donotdragheavilywherethetonesoughttotripalongmerrily,asthoughtheyweredancingtothetuneoftheangelsinheaven.ThisruleIshallnotenlargeupon,but restassured it isof theutmost importance, and ifobedientlyfollowed,will always secureattention,providedyourmatter isworth it.Suit your voice to yourmatter always, and, above all, in everything benatural.Awayforeverwithslavishattentiontorulesandmodels.Donotimitateotherpeople'svoices,or,iffromanunconquerablepropensityyoumustfollowthem,emulateeveryorator'sexcellencies,andtheevilwillbelessened.Iammyself,byakindofirresistibleinfluence,drawntobeanimitator, so that a journey to Scotland orWaleswill for aweek or twomaterially affectmypronunciationand tone.Strive against it. I do, butthereitis,andtheonlycureIknowofistoletthemischiefdieanaturaldeath.Gentlemen,Ireturntomyrule--useyourownnaturalvoices.Donotbemonkeys,butmen;notparrots,butmenoforiginalityinallthings.Itissaidthatthemostbecomingwayforamantowearhisbeardisthatinwhich itgrows, forboth incolourandformitwill suithis face.Yourown modes of speech will be most in harmony with your methods ofthought and your ownpersonality. Themimic is for the playhouse, theculturedman in his sanctified personality is for the sanctuary. Iwouldrepeat this rule till I wearied you if I thought you would forget it; benatural, be natural, be natural evermore. An affectation of voice, or animitationofthemannerofDr.Silvertongue,theeminentdivine,orevenofawell-belovedtutororpresidentwillinevitablyruinyou.Ichargeyouthrow away the servility of imitation and rise to the manliness oforiginality.

Weareboundtoadd--endeavourtoeducateyourvoice.Grudgenopainsor labour in achieving this, for as it has beenwell observed, "However

prodigious may be the gifts of nature to her elect, they can only bedevelopedandbroughttotheirextremeperfectionbylabourandstudy."Think of Michael Angelo working for a week without taking off hisclothes, andHandel hollowing out every key of his harpsichord, like aspoon,byincessantpractice.Gentlemen,afterthis,nevertalkofdifficultyorweariness. It isalmost impossible tosee theutilityofDermosthenes'methodof speakingwithstones inhismouth,butanyonecanperceivetheusefulnessofhispleadingwiththeboisterousbillows,thathemightknowhowtocommandahearingamidsttheuproariousassembliesofhiscountrymen; and inhis speakingashe ranuphill thathis lungsmightgatherforcefromlaborioususethereasonisasobviousastheself-denialiscommendable.WeareboundtouseeverypossiblemeanstoperfectthevoicebywhichwearetotellforththegloriousgospeloftheblessedGod.Takegreat careof the consonants, enunciateeveryoneof themclearly;theyarethefeaturesandexpressionofthewords.Practiseindefatigablytillyougiveeveryoneoftheconsonantsitsdue;thevowelshaveavoiceof their own, and therefore they can speak for themselves. In all othermatters exercise a rigid discipline until you havemastered your voice,and have it in hand like a well-trained steed. Gentlemen with narrowchests are advised to use the dumb-bells everymorning, or better still,those clubs which the College has provided for you. You need broadchests,andmustdoyourbesttogetthem.Donotspeakwithyourhandsin your waistcoat pockets so as to contract your lungs, but throw theshoulders back, as public singers do. Do not lean over a desk whilespeaking,andneverhold theheaddownonthebreastwhilepreaching.Upward rather than downward let the body bend. Off with all tightcravats and button-up waistcoats; leave room for the full play of thebellows and the pipes. Observe the statues of the Roman or Greekorators, look at Raphael's picture of Paul, and, without affectation, fallnaturally into the graceful andappropriate attitudes theredepicted, forthesearebestforthevoice.Getafriendtotellyouyourfaults,orbetterstill, welcome an enemy who will watch you keenly and sting yousavagely.Whatablessingsuchanirritatingcriticwillbetoawiseman,what an intolerable nuisance to a fool! Correct yourself diligently andfrequently,oryouwillfallintoerrorsunawares,falsetoneswillgrow,andslovenly habits will form insensibly; therefore criticise yourself withunceasing care. Think nothing little by which youmay be even a little

moreuseful.But,gentlemen,neverdegenerateinthisbusinessintopulpitfops, who think gesture and voice to be everything. I am sick at heartwhenIhearofmentakingawholeweektogetupasermon,muchofthegetting up consisting in repeating their precious productions before aglass!Alas!forthisage,ifgracelessheartsaretobeforgivenforthesakeofgracefulmanners.Giveusallthevulgaritiesofthewildestback-woods'itinerantratherthantheperfumedprettinessesofeffeminategentility.IwouldnomoreadviseyoutobefastidiouswithyourvoicesthanIwouldrecommendyoutoimitateRowlandHill'sMr.Taplashwithhisdiamondring,hisrichly-scentedpockethandkerchief,andhiseyeglass.Exquisitesareoutofplaceinthepulpit,theyshouldbesetupinatailor'swindow,withaticket,"Thisstylecomplete,includingMSS.,£10l0s."

Perhapsheremaybetheplacetoobservethatitwerewell ifallparentsweremoreattentivetotheteethoftheirchildren,sincefaultyteethmaycauseseriousdamagetoaspeaker.Therearemen,whosearticulationisfaulty, who should at once consult the dentist (I mean, of course, athoroughlyscientificandexperiencedone);forafewfalseteethorsomeother simple arrangementwould be a permanent blessing to them.Myowndentistverysensiblyremarksinhiscircular,"Whenaportionorthewholeof the teethare lost,acontractionof themusclesof the faceandthroatfollows,theotherorgansofthevoicewhichhavebeenaccustomedtotheteethareimpaired,andputoutoftheircommonplay,producingabreak, languor, or depression, as in a musical instrument which isdeficient in a note. It is vain to expect perfect symphony, andproportional and consistent accent on the key, tone, and pitch of thevoice, with deficiencies in its organs, and of course the articulationbecomesdefective; suchdefectaddsmuch to the labourof speaking, tosaytheleast,andinmostcaseslisping,atoohastyorsuddendrop,orafaintdelivery, is the result; frommore serious deficiencies amumblingandclattering isalmost sure to follow."Where this is themischief,andthe cure is within reach, we are bound for our works' sake to availourselvesofit.Teethmayseemunimportant,butbeitremembered,thatnothingislittleinsogreatacallingasours.Ishallinsucceedingremarksmention even smaller matters, but it is with the deep impression thathintsupon insignificant thingsmaybeofunknownvalue in saving youfromseriousneglectsorgrosserrors.

Lastly,Iwouldsaywithregardtoyourthroats--takecareofthem.Takecarealwaystoclearthemwellwhenyouareabouttospeak,butdonotbeconstantly clearing them while you are preaching. A very esteemedbrotherofmyacquaintancealwaystalksinthisway--"Mydearfriends--hem--hem--this is amost--hem--important subject which I have now--hem--hem--tobringbeforeyou,and--hem--hem--Ihavetocalluponyouto giveme--hem--hem--yourmost serious--hem--attention." Avoid thismostzealously.Others, fromwantof clearing the throat, talk as if theywerechokedup,andwerejustabouttoexpectorate;itwerefarbettertodosoatonce than tosicken thehearerby repeatedunpleasant sounds.Snufflingandsniffingareexcusableenoughwhenamanhasacold,butthey are extremely unpleasant, and when they become habitual, theyought tobe indictedunder the"NuisancesAct."Prayexcuseme, itmayappearvulgartomentionsuchthings,butyourattentiontotheplainandfreeobservationsmade in this lecture roommaysavemany remarksatyourexpensehereafter.

When you have done preaching take care of your throat by neverwrapping it up tightly.Frompersonal experience I venturewith somediffidenceto give thispieceof advice. If anyof youpossessdelightfullywarmwoollencomforters,withwhichtheremaybeassociatedthemosttenderremembrancesofmotherorsister, treasurethem--treasuretheminthebottomofyourtrunk,butdonotexposethemtoanyvulgarusebywrappingthemroundyournecks.Ifanybrotherwantstodieofinfluenzalethimwearawarmscarfroundhisneck,andthenoneofthesenightshewillforgetit,andcatchsuchacoldaswilllasthimtherestofhisnaturallife.Youseldomseeasailorwraphisneckup.No,healwayskeepsitbareandexposed,andhasaturn-downcollar,andifhehasatieatall,itisbutasmallonelooselytied,sothatthewindcanblowallroundhisneck.Inthis philosophy I am a firm believer, having never deviated from it forthese fourteen years, and having before that time been frequentlytroubled with colds, but very seldom since. If you feel that you wantsomething else, why, then grow your beards! A habit most natural,scriptural,manly,andbeneficial.Oneofourbrethren,nowpresent,hasforyearsfoundthisofgreatservice.HewascompelledtoleaveEnglandon account of the loss of his voice, but he has become as strong asSamsonnowthathislocksareunshorn.Ifyourthroatsbecomeaffected

consultagoodphysician,orifyoucannotdothis,givewhatattentionyouplease to the following hint. Never purchase "Marsh-mallow Rock,""Cough-no-more Lozenges," "Pulmonic Wafers," Horehound,Ipecacuanha,oranyofthetenthousandemollientcompounds.Theymayserveyourturnforatimebyremovingpresentuneasiness,buttheyruinthethroatbytheir laxativequalities.Ifyouwishto improveyourthroattakeagoodshareofpepper--goodCayennepepper,andotherastringentsubstances,asmuchas your stomach canbear.Donot gobeyond that,becauseyoumustrecollectthatyouhavetotakecareofyourstomachaswellasyourthroat,andifthedigestingapparatusbeoutoforder,nothingcanberight.Commonsenseteachesyouthatastringentsmustbeuseful.Didyoueverhearofatannermakingapieceofhideintoleatherbylayingittosoakinsugar?Neitherwouldtolu,ipecacuanha,ortreacleservehispurpose,buttheveryreverse; ifhewants tohardenandstrengthen theskin,heplacesitinasolutionofoak-bark,orsomeastringentsubstancewhichdraws thematerial togetherand strengthens it.When Ibegan topreachatExeterHallmyvoicewasweakforsuchaplace--asweakastheusual runof voices, and it had frequently failedme altogether in streetpreaching, but in Exeter Hall (which is an unusually difficult place topreachin, fromitsexcessivewidthinproportionto its length),IalwayshadalittleglassofChilivinegarandwaterjustinfrontofme,adraughtofwhich appeared to give a fresh force to the throatwhenever it grewweary and the voice appeared likely to break down. When my throatbecomesa little relaxedIusuallyask thecook topreparemeabasinofbeef-tea, as strong with pepper as can be borne, and hitherto this hasbeena sovereign remedy.However, as I amnot qualified topractise inmedicine, you will probably pay no more attention to me in medicalmatters than to any other quack. My belief is that half the difficultiesconnectedwith thevoice inourearlydayswill vanishasweadvance inyears, and find in use a second nature. I would encourage the trulyearnest topersevere; if they feel theWordof theLord like fire in theirbones, even stammering may be overcome, and fear, with all itsparalysing results, may be banished. Take heart, young brother,persevere,andGod,andnature,andpractice,willhelpyou.

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1"Take care of anything awkward or affected either in your gesture,phrase,orpronunciation."--JohnWesley.

LECTUREIXATTENTION!

Oursubject isonewhichI findscarcelyevernoticedinanybooksuponhomiletics--a very curious fact, for it is a most important matter, andworthy of more than one chapter. I suppose the homiletical savansconsiderthattheirentirevolumesareseasonedwiththissubject,andthattheyneednotgiveittousinlumps,because,likesugarintea,itflavoursthewhole.Thatoverlookedtopicis,HowTOOBTAINANDRETAINTHEATTENTION OF OUR HEARERS. Their attention must be gained, ornothingcanbedonewiththem:anditmustberetained,orwemaygoonword-spinning,butnogoodwillcomeofit.

Over the head of military announcements our English officers alwaysplacetheword"ATTENTION!"inlargecapitals,andweneedsomesuchword over all our sermons. We need the earnest, candid, wakeful,continued attention of all those who are in the congregation. If men'sminds are wandering far away they cannot receive the truth, and it ismuch thesame if they are inactive. Sin cannotbe takenout ofmen, asEvewastakenoutof thesideofAdam,while theyare fastasleep.Theymustbeawake,understandingwhatwearesaying,andfeelingitsforce,orelsewemayaswellgotosleeptoo.Therearepreacherswhocareverylittlewhether they are attended to or not; so long as they can hold onthroughtheallottedtimeitisofverysmallimportancetothemwhethertheirpeoplehearforeternity,orhearinvain:thesoonersuchministerssleepinthechurchyardandpreachbytheverseontheirgravestonesthebetter. Some brethren speak up the ventilator, as if they sought theattentionoftheangels;andotherslookdownupontheirbookasiftheywere absorbed in thought, or had themselves for an audience, and feltmuchhonouredthereby.Whydonotsuchbrethrenpreachontheprairieandedify thestars? If theirpreachinghasno reference to theirhearerstheymightdosowithevidentpropriety; ifasermonbeasoliloquy, themorelonelytheperformerthebetter.Toarationalpreacher(andallare

notrational)itmustseemessentialtointerestallhisaudience,fromtheeldesttotheyoungest.Weoughtnot tomakeevenchildren inattentive."Make them inattentive," say you, "who does that?" I say that mostpreachersdo;andwhenchildrenarenotquietinameetingitisoftenasmuchour faultas theirs.Canyounotput ina little storyorparableonpurpose for the littleones?Canyounot catch theeyeof theboy in thegallery,andthelittlegirldownstairs,whohavebeguntofidget,andsmilethemintoorder?Ioftentalkwithmyeyestotheorphanboysatthefootofmypulpit.Wewantalleyesfixeduponusandallearsopentous.Tomeit isanannoyance ifevenablindmandoesnot lookatmewithhisface.IfIseeanybodyturninground,whispering,nodding,or lookingathiswatch,IjudgethatIamnotuptothemark,andmustbysomemeanswin theseminds. Very seldom have I to complain, andwhen I do,mygeneral plan is to complain ofmyself, and own that I have no right toattentionunlessIknowhowtocommandit.

Now, there are some congregationswhose attention you do not readilygain; theydonot care tobe interested. It isuseless to scold them; thatwillbelikethrowingabushatabirdtocatchit.Thefactis,thatinmostcases there is another person whom you should scold, and that isyourself.Itmaybe their duty to attend, but it is farmore yourduty tomakethemdoso.Youmustattractthefishtoyourhook,andiftheydonotcomeyoushouldblamethefishermanandnotthefish.Compelthemtostandstill awhile andhearwhatGod theLordwould speak to theirsouls.Theministerwhorecommendedtheoldladytotakesnuffinordertokeep fromdozingwasveryproperly rebukedbyherreply,--that ifhewouldputmoresnuff into thesermonshewouldbeawakeenough.Wemust plentifully cast snuff into the sermon, or something yet moreawakening.Recollect that to some of our people it is not so easy to beattentive;manyof themarenot interested in thematter,andtheyhavenot feltenoughofanygraciousoperationon theirhearts tomake themconfess that the gospel is of any special value to them. Concerning theSaviourwhomyoupreachyoumaysaytothem,

"Isitnothingtoyou,allyethatpassby,IsitnothingtoyouthatJesusshoulddie?"

Manyof themhave through theweekbeenbornedownby thepressof

businesscares.Theyought toroll theirburdenontheLord;butdoyoualwaysdoso?Doyoualways find it easy to escape fromanxieties?Areyouabletoforgetthesickwifeandtheailingchildrenathome?ThereisnodoubtwhateverthatmanycomeintothehouseofGodloadedheavilywith the thoughts of their daily avocations. The farmer recollects thefieldsthataretobeploughedortobesown;itisawetSunday,andheisreflectingupontheyellowlookof theyoungwheats.Themerchantseesthatdishonouredbillflutteringbeforehiseyes,andthetradesmancountsover his bad debts. I should not wonder if the colours of the ladies'ribbonsandthecreakof thegentlemen'sbootsdisturbmany.Therearetroublesomefliesabout,youknow:Beelzebub,thegodofflies,takescarethatwherever there is a gospel feast the guests should beworriedwithpettyannoyances.Oftenmentalmosquitoesstingthemanwhileyouarepreachingtohim,andheisthinkingmoreoftriflingdistractionsthanofyourdiscourse;isitsoverywonderfulthathedoes?Youmustdrivethemosquitoes away, and secure your people's undistracted thoughts,turningthemoutofthechannelinwhichtheyhavebeenrunningsixdaysinto one suitable for the Sabbath. Youmust have sufficient leverage inyour discourse and its subject to lift them right up from the earth towhichtheycleave,andtoelevatethemalittlenearerheaven.

Frequentlyitisverydifficultforcongregationstoattend,becauseoftheplaceandtheatmosphere.For instance, if theplace is likethisroomatpresent,sealedagainstthepureair,witheverywindowclosed,theyhaveenoughtodotobreathe,andcannotthinkofanythingelse:whenpeoplehaveinhaledoverandoveragaintheairwhichhasbeeninotherpeople'slungs, the wholemachinery of life gets out of gear, and they aremorelikelytofeelanachingheadthanabrokenheart.Thenextbestthingtothe grace of God for a preacher is oxygen. Pray that the windows ofheaven may be opened, but begin by opening the windows of yourmeeting-house.Lookatmanyofourcountryplaces,andIamafraidourcitychapelstoo,andyouwillfindthatthewindowsarenotmadetoopen.Themodernbarbarousstyleofbuildinggivesusnomoreceilingthanabarn, andnomore openings for ventilation thanwould be found in anorientaldungeon,wherethetyrantexpectedhisprisonertodiebyinches.Whatwouldwethinkofahousewherethewindowscouldnotbeopened?Wouldanyofyouhiresuchadwelling?YetGothicarchitectureandsilly

pridemakemanypersonsrenouncethewholesomesashwindowforlittleholesintheceiling,orbirdtrapsinthewindows,andsoplacesaremadefar less comfortable than Nebuchadnezzar's furnace was to Shadrach,Meshach, and Abednego. Provided all such chapels were properlyinsured,Icouldnotprayfortheirpreservationfromfire.Evenwherethewindowswillopentheyareoftenkeptclosedbythemonthtogether,andfromSundaytoSundaytheimpureatmosphereisunchanged.Thisoughtnottobeendured.Iknowsomepeopledonotnoticesuchthings,andIhavehearditremarkedthatfoxesarenotkilledbythestenchoftheirownholes;butIamnotafox,andbadairmakesmedull,andmyhearersdulltoo.Agustof freshair through thebuildingmightbe to thepeople thenextbest thing to the gospel itself; at least itwouldput them intoa fitframeofmindtoreceivethetruth.Taketroubleonweekdaystoremovethehindrancearisingfromfoulair.InmyformerchapelinParkStreetImentionedtomydeaconsseveraltimesmyopinionthattheupperpanesoftheiron-framedwindowshadbetterbetakenout,asthewindowswerenotmadetoopen.Imentionedthisseveraltimes,andnothingcameofit;butitprovidentiallyhappenedoneMondaythatsomebodyremovedmostofthosepanes inamasterlymanner,almostaswellas if theyhadbeentakenoutbyaglazier.Therewasconsiderableconsternation,andmuchconjecture as to who had committed the crime, and I proposed that arewardoffivepoundsshouldbeofferedforthediscoveryoftheoffender,whowhenfoundshouldreceivetheamountasapresent.Therewardwasnotforthcoming,andthereforeIhavenotfeltittobemydutytoinformagainsttheindividual.Itrustnoneofyouwillsuspectme,forifyoudoIshall have to confess that I have walked with the stick which let theoxygenintothatstiflingstructure.

Sometimesthemannersofourpeopleareinimicaltoattention;theyarenotinthehabitofattending;theyattendthechapelbutdonotattendtothepreacher.Theyareaccustomedtolookroundateveryonewhoenterstheplace,andtheycomeinatalltimes,sometimeswithmuchstamping,squeaking of boots, and banging of doors. I was preaching once to apeople who continually looked round, and I adopted the expedient ofsaying, "Now, friends, as it is so very interesting to you to know whocomesin,anditdisturbsmesoverymuchforyoutolookround,Iwill,ifyoulike,describeeachoneashecomesin,sothatyoumaysitandlookat

me,andkeepupat leastashowofdecency."Idescribedonegentlemanwhocamein,whohappenedtobeafriendwhomIcoulddepictwithoutoffence,as"averyrespectablegentlemanwhohadjusttakenhishatoff,"and so on; and after that one attempt I found it was not necessary todescribeanymore,becausetheyfeltshockedatwhatIwasdoing,andIassuredthemthat Iwasmuchmoreshocked that theyshould render itnecessaryforme to reduce their conduct to suchanabsurdity. It curedthemforthetimebeing,andIhopeforever,muchtotheirpastor'sjoy.

Wewillnowsupposethatthisissetright.Youhaveletthefoulairoutoftheplace,andreformedthemannersofthepeople.Whatnext?Inorderto get attention, the first golden rule is, always say somethingworthhearing.Mostpersonspossessaninstinctwhichleadsthemtodesiretohearagoodthing.Theyhaveasimilarinstinct,also,whichyouhadbettertake note of, namely, that which prevents their seeing the good ofattentivelylisteningtomerewords.Itisnotaseverecriticismtosaythatthereareministerswhosewordsstandinaverylargeproportiontotheirthoughts.Infact,theirwordshidetheirthoughts,iftheyhaveany.Theypouroutheapsofchaff,and,perhaps,theremaybesomewhereorotheranoatortwo,butitwouldbehardtosaywhere.Congregationswillnotlong attend towords,words,words,words, and nothing else. AmongstthecommandmentsIamnotawareofonewhichrunsthus:"Thoushaltnotbeverbose,"butitmaybecomprehendedunderthecommand,"Thoushalt not steal;" for it is a fraudupon yourhearers to give themwordsinstead of spiritual food. "In themultitude ofwords therewanteth notsin,"eveninthebestpreacher.Giveyourhearerssomethingwhichtheycantreasureupandremember;somethinglikelytobeusefultothem,thebestmatterfromthebestofplaces,soliddoctrinefromthedivineWord.Givethemmannafreshfromtheskies;notthesamethingoverandoveragain,inthesameformadnauseam, likeworkhousebreadcut intothesameshapealltheyearround.Givethemsomethingstriking,somethingthatamanmightgetupinthemiddleofthenighttohear,andwhichisworthhiswalkingfiftymilesto listento.Youarequitecapableofdoingthat.Doit,brethren.Doitcontinually,andyouwillhavealltheattentionyoucandesire.

Let the good matter which you give them be very clearly arranged.

Thereisagreatdealinthat.Itispossibletoheapupavastmassofgoodthingsallinamuddle.EversincethedayIwassenttoshopwithabasket,and purchased a pound of tea, a quarter-of-a-pound of mustard, andthreepoundsofrice,andonmywayhomesawapackofhoundsandfeltitnecessarytofollowthemoverhedgeandditch(asIalwaysdidwhenIwas a boy), and found when I reached home that all the goods wereamalgamated--tea, mustard, and rice--into one awful mess, I haveunderstoodthenecessityofpackingupmysubjectsingoodstoutparcels,boundroundwiththethreadofmydiscourse;andthismakesmekeeptofirstly, secondly, and thirdly, however unfashionable that method maynow be. People will not drink your mustardy tea, nor will they enjoymuddled-up sermons, inwhich you cannot tell head from tail, becausetheyhaveneither,butarelikeMr.Bright'sSkyeterrier,whoseheadandtailwerebothalike.Putthetruthbeforemeninalogical,orderlymanner,sothattheycaneasilyrememberit,andtheywillthemorereadilyreceiveit.

Be sure, moreover, to speak plainly; because, however excellent yourmatter,ifamandoesnotcomprehendit,itcanbeofnousetohim;youmightaswellhavespokentohiminthelanguageofKamskatkaasinyourowntongue,ifyouusephrasesthatarequiteoutofhisline,andmodesofexpressionwhicharenotsuitabletohismind.Gouptohislevelifheisapoorman;godowntohisunderstandingifheisaneducatedperson.Yousmileatmycontortingthetermsinthatmanner,butIthinkthereismoregoingupinbeingplaintotheilliterate,thanthereisinbeingrefinedforthepolite;atanyrate,itisthemoredifficultofthetwo,andmostliketheSaviour'smodeofspeech.Itiswisetowalkinapathwhereyourauditorscanaccompanyyou,andnottomountthehighhorseandrideovertheirheads.OurLordandMasterwastheKingofpreachers,andyetHeneverwasaboveanybody'scomprehension,except so faras thegrandeur andgloryofHismatterwereconcerned;HiswordsandutterancesweresuchthatHe spake like "theholy childJesus."Let yourhearts indite a goodmatter,clearlyarrangedandplainlyput,andyouareprettysuretogaintheear,andsotheheart.

Attendalsotoyourmannerofaddress;aiminthatatthepromotionofattention. And here I should say, as a rule do not read your sermons.

Therehave been a few readerswhohave exercised great power, as, forinstance, Dr. Chalmers, who could not have had a more attentiveaudiencehadhebeenextemporising;butthenIdonotsupposethatweareequaltoDr.Chalmers:menofsucheminencemayreadiftheypreferit,butforusthereis"amoreexcellentway."ThebestreadingIhaveeverheardhastastedofpaper,andhasstuckinmythroat.Ihavenotrelishedit,formydigestionisnotgoodenoughtodissolvefoolscap.Itisbettertodowithoutthemanuscript,evenifyouaredriventorecite.Itisbestofallifyouneedneithertorecitenortoread.Ifyoumustread,mindthatyoudoittoperfection.Betheverybestofreaders,andyouhadneedtobeifyouwouldsecureattention.

Here letmesay, if youwouldbe listened to,donot extemporise intheemphaticsense,forthatisasbadasreading,orperhapsworse,unlessthemanuscript was written extemporaneously; I mean without previousstudy. Do not go into the pulpit and say the first thing that comes tohand,fortheuppermostthingwithmostmenismerefroth.Yourpeopleneeddiscourseswhichhavebeenprayedoverandlaboriouslyprepared.Peopledonotwantrawfood;itmustbecookedandmadereadyforthem.Wemustgiveoutofourverysouls,inthewordswhichnaturallysuggestthemselves,thematterwhichhasbeenasthoroughlypreparedbyusasitpossibly couldhavebeenbya sermon-writer; indeed, it shouldbe evenbetter prepared, if we would speak well. The best method is, in myjudgment, that inwhich themandoes not extemporise thematter, butextemporisesthewords;thelanguagecomestohimatthemoment,butthethemehasbeenwellthoughtout,andlikeamasterinIsraelhespeaksofthatwhichheknows,andtestifiesofwhathehasseen.

Inordertogetattention,makeyourmanneraspleasingasitcanpossiblybe. Do not, for instance, indulge in monotones. Vary your voicecontinually.Varyyourspeedaswell--dashasrapidlyasalightningflash,andanon,travel forward inquietmajesty.Shiftyouraccent,moveyouremphasis,and avoid sing-song.Vary the tone; use the bass sometimes,andletthethundersrollwithin;atothertimesspeakasyououghttodogenerally--fromthelips,andletyourspeechbeconversational.Anythingfor a change. Human nature craves for variety, and God grants it innature,providenceandgrace; letushaveit insermonsalso.Ishallnot,

however,dwellmuchupon this,becausepreachershavebeenknown toarouseandsustainattentionby theirmatteralone,when theirmodeofspeechhasbeenveryimperfect.IfRichardSibbes,thePuritan,wereherethisafternoon,Iwouldguaranteehimfixedattentiontoanythingthatheusedtosay,andyethestammereddreadfully.OneofhiscontemporariessaysheSib-ilated,helispedandhissedsomuch.Weneednotlookfarforinstancesinmodernpulpits,fortherearetoomanyofthem;butwemayrememberthatMoseswasslowofspeech,andyeteveryearwasattenttohiswords;probablyPaulalsolabouredunderasimilarinfirmity,forhisspeechwassaidtobecontemptible;ofthis,however,wearenotsure,foritwasonlythecriticismofhisenemies.Paul'spowerinthechurcheswasverygreat,andyethewasnotalwaysabletomaintainattentionwhenhissermonwas long, for at least one hearerwent to sleep under himwithseriousresult.Mannerisnoteverything.Still,ifyouhavegatheredgoodmatter,itisapitytoconveyitmeanly;akingshouldnotrideinadust-cart; the glorious doctrines of grace should not be slovenly delivered.Rightroyaltruthsshouldrideinachariotofgold.Bringforththenoblestof your milk-white steeds, and let the music sound forth melodiouslyfromthesilvertrumpets,astruthridesthroughthestreets.Ifpeopledonot attend, do not let them find excuses in our faulty utterance. If,however,we cannotmend in this respect let us be themorediligent tomakeupforitbytherichnessofourmatter,andonalloccasionsletusdoourverybest.

As a rule,donotmake the introduction too long. It is always a pity tobuildagreatporchtoalittlehouse.AnexcellentChristianwomanonceheard John Howe, and, as he took up an hour in his preface, herobservationwas,thatthedeargoodmanwassolongatimeinlayingthecloth, that she lost her appetite: she did not think there would be anydinnerafterall.Spreadyourtablequickly,andhavedonewiththeclatterof the knives and the plates. You may have seen a certain edition ofDoddridge's Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul, with anintroductory essay by John Foster. The essay is both bigger and betterthanthebookanddeprivesDoddridgeofthechanceofbeingread.Isnotthispreposterous?Avoidthiserror inyourownproductions.Iprefer tomaketheintroductionofmysermonverylikethatofthetown-crier,whoringshisbellandcries,"Oh,yes!Oh,yes!Thisistogivenotice,"merelyto

letpeopleknowthathehasnewsforthem,andwantsthemtolisten.Todothat,theintroductionshouldhavesomethingstrikinginit.Itiswelltofireastartlingshotasthesignalguntoclearthedecksforaction.Donotstartatthefullpitchandtensionofyourmind,butyetinsuchwaythatall will be led to expect a good time. Do not make your exordium apompous introduction intonothing,butasteptosomethingbetterstill.Bealiveattheverycommencement.

Inpreaching,donotrepeatyourselves.Iusedtohearadivinewhohadahabit,afterhehadutteredaboutadozensentences,ofsaying,"AsIhavealreadyobserved,"or,"IrepeatwhatIbeforeremarked."Well,goodsoul,as therewasnothingparticular inwhathehadsaid, therepetitiononlyrevealedthemoreclearlythenakednessoftheland.If itwasverygood,andyousaiditforcibly,whygooveritagain?Andifitwasafeebleaffair,whyexhibititasecondtime?Occasionally,ofcourse,therepetitionofafew sentencesmay be very telling; anythingmay be good occasionally,andyetbeveryviciousasahabit.Whowondersthatpeopledonotlistenthefirsttimewhentheyknowitisalltocomeoveragain?

Yet further, do not repeat the same idea over and over again in otherwords. Let there be something fresh in each sentence. Be not for everhammering away at the same nail: yours is a large Bible; permit thepeople to enjoy its length and breadth. And, brethren, do not think itnecessary or important every time you preach to give a completesummaryoftheology,oraformaldigestofdoctrines,afterthemannerofDr.Gill--notthatIwoulddiscreditorspeakawordagainstDr.Gill--hismethod is admirable for a body of divinity, or a commentary, but notsuitableforpreaching.Iknowadivinewhosesermonswhenevertheyareprintedreadliketheologicalsummaries,morefittedforaclassroomthanforapulpit--theyfallflatonthepublicear.Ourhearersdonotwantthebarebonesoftechnicaldefinition,butmeatandflavour.Definitionsanddifferencesareallverywell;butwhentheyarethestapleofasermontheyremind us of the youngmanwhose discourse wasmade up of variousimportant distinctions.Upon this performance an old deacon observedthat there was one distinction which he had omitted, namely, thedistinction between meat and bones. If preachers do not make thatdistinction, all their other distinctions will not bring them much

distinction.

In order tomaintain attention, avoid being too long.An old preacherusedtosaytoayoungmanwhopreachedanhour,--"Mydearfriend,Idonotcarewhatelseyoupreachabout,butIwishyouwouldalwayspreachabout fortyminutes."We ought seldom to gomuch beyond that--fortyminutes,or,say, three-quartersofanhour. Ifa fellowcannotsayallhehastosayinthattime,whenwillhesayit?Butsomebodysaidhe liked"todo justice tohissubject."Well,butoughthenot todo justice tohispeople,or,atleast,havealittlemercyuponthem,andnotkeepthemtoolong?Thesubjectwillnotcomplainofyou,butthepeoplewill.Insomecountryplaces,intheafternoonespecially,thefarmershavetomilktheircows, and one farmer bitterly complained tome about a youngman--IthinkfromthisCollege--"Sir,heoughttohavegivenoveratfouro'clock,but he kept on till half-past, and therewere allmy cowswaiting to bemilked!Howwouldhehavelikeditifhehadbeenacow?"Therewasagreat deal of sense in that question. The Society for the Prevention ofCrueltytoAnimalsoughttohaveprosecutedthatyoungsinner.Howcanfarmers hear to profit when they have cows-on the-brain? Themotherfeelsmorally certainduring thatextra tenminutesof your sermon thatthebabyiscrying,orthefireisout,andshecannotandwillnotgiveherhearttoyourministrations.Youarekeepinghertenminuteslongerthanshebargained for,andshe looksupon it as apieceof injusticeonyourpart. There is a kind of moral compact between you and yourcongregationthatyouwillnotwearythemmorethananhour-and-a-half,andifyoukeepthemlonger,itamountstoaninfractionofatreatyandapieceofpracticaldishonestyofwhichyououghtnottobeguilty.Brevityisavirtuewithinthereachofallofus;donotletuslosetheopportunityofgainingthecreditwhichitbrings.Ifyouaskmehowyoumayshortenyoursermons, I shouldsay,studythembetter.Spendmore time in thestudythatyoumayneedlessinthepulpit.Wearegenerallylongestwhenwehaveleasttosay.Amanwithagreatdealofwell-preparedmatterwillprobablynotexceedfortyminutes;whenhehaslesstosayhewillgoonfor fiftyminutes, and when he has absolutely nothing he will need anhourtosayitin.Attendtotheseminorthingsandtheywillhelptoretainattention.

If youwant to have the attention of your people--to have it thoroughlyandalways,itcanonlybeaccomplishedbytheirbeingledbytheSpiritof God into an elevated and devout state of mind. If your people areteachable, prayerful, active, earnest, devout, they will come up to thehouse of God on purpose to get a blessing. They will take their seatsprayerfully,askingGod to speak to themthroughyou; theywill remainon the watch for every word, and will not weary. They will have anappetite for the gospel, for they know the sweetness of the heavenlymanna,andtheywillbeeagertogathertheirappointedportions.Nomanwilleverhaveacongregationtopreachtowhichsurpassesmyowninthisrespect. Indeed, those with whom the preacher is most at home areusuallythebesthearersforhim.Itiscomparativelyeasytometopreachat theTabernacle;mypeople comeonpurpose to hear something, andtheirexpectationhelpstofulfilitself.Iftheywouldhearanotherpreacherwith the same expectancy, I believe they would generally be satisfied;thoughthereareexceptions.

When the preacher first settles, he cannot expect that his congregationwillgivehimthatsolemnearnestattentionwhichthoseobtainwhostandup like fathersamongtheirownchildren,endearedto theirpeoplebyathousandmemories,andesteemedforageandexperience.Ourwholelifemustbesuchastoaddweighttoourwords,sothatinafteryearsweshallbe able towield the invincible eloquence of a long-sustained character,andobtain, notmerely the attention, but the affectionate veneration ofour flock. If by our prayers and tears and labours our people becomespirituallyhealthy,weneednotfearthatweshall losetheirattention.Apeople hungering after righteousness, and a minister anxious to feedtheir souls, will act in sweetest harmony with each other when theircommonthemeistheWordoftheLord.

If you need another direction for winning attention, I should say, beinterestedyourself,andyouwill interestothers.There ismore in thosewordsthanthereseemstobe,andsoIwillfollowacustomwhichI justnow condemned, and repeat the sentence--be interested yourself, andyouwill interest other people. Your subjectmust weigh somuch uponyour ownmind that you dedicate all your faculties at their best to thedeliveranceof your soul concerning it; and thenwhenyourhearers see

thatthetopichasengrossedyou,itwillbydegreesengrossthem.

Doyouwonderthatpeopledonotattendtoamanwhodoesnotfeelthathehasanythingimportanttosay?Doyouwonderthattheydonotlistenwithalltheirearswhenamandoesnotspeakwithallhisheart?Doyoumarvel that their thoughts ramble to subjects which are real to themwhenthey findthat thepreacher iswastingtimeovermatterswhichhetreats as if they were fiction? Romaine used to say it was well tounderstandtheartofpreaching,butinfinitelybettertoknowtheheartofpreaching; and in that saying there is no little weight. The heart ofpreaching,thethrowingofthesoulintoit,theearnestnesswhichpleadsasforlifeitself,ishalfthebattleastogainingattention.Atthesametime,youcannotholdmen'smindsinraptattentionbymereearnestnessifyouhavenothingtosay.Peoplewillnotstandattheirdoorsforevertohearafellowbeatadrum;theywillcomeouttoseewhatheisat,butwhentheyfindthatitismuchadoaboutnothing,theywillslamthedoorandgoinagain, asmuchas to say, "Youhave takenus in andwedonot like it."Havesomethingtosay,andsayitearnestly,andthecongregationwillbeatyourfeet.

Itmaybesuperfluoustoremarkthatforthemassofourpeopleitiswellthatthereshouldbeagoodlynumberofillustrationsinourdiscourses.We have the example of our Lord for that: and most of the greatestpreachers have abounded in similes, metaphors, allegories, andanecdotes.Butbewareofoverdoingthisbusiness.IreadtheotherdaythediaryofaGermanladywhohasbeenconvertedfromLutheranismtoourfaith, and she speaks of a certain village where she lives: "There is amission-stationhere,andyoungmencomedowntopreachtous.Idonotwish to find fault with these young gentlemen, but they tell us a greatmanyverypretty little stories, and Idonot think there ismuchelse inwhat they say. Also I have heard some of their little stories before,thereforetheydonotsomuchinterestme,astheywoulddoiftheywouldtellussomegooddoctrineoutoftheScriptures."Thesamethinghasnodoubtcrossedmanyotherminds."Prettystories"areallverywell,butitwill never do to rely upon them as the great attraction of a sermon.Moreover,takewarningconcerningcertainofthese"prettylittlestories,"fortheirdayisoverandgone;thepoorthingsarewornthreadbareand

oughttogointotherag-bag.Ihaveheardsomeofthemsomanytimes,thatIcouldtellthemmyself,butthereisnoneed.Fromstockanecdotesmaybothourselvesandourhearersbemercifullydelivered.Ancientjestssickenuswhenwitlingsretailthemastheirownideas,andanecdotestowhich our great-grandfathers listened havemuch the same effect uponthemind.Bewareofthoseextremelypopularcompilationsofillustrationswhichare ineverySunday-school teacher'shand, fornobodywill thankyou for repeating what everybody already knows by heart: if you tellanecdotes let themhave somedegreeof freshness andoriginality; keepyour eyes open, and gather flowers from the garden and the fieldwithyour hands; they will be farmore acceptable than withered specimensborrowedfromothermen'sbouquets,howeverbeautifulthosemayoncehave been. Illustrate richly and aptly, but not so much with parablesimported from foreign sources as with apt similes growing out of thesubjectitself.Donot,however,thinktheillustrationeverything;itisthewindow,butofwhatuseisthelightwhichitadmitsifyouhavenothingforthelighttoreveal?Garnishyourdishes,butrememberthatthejointisthemainpointtoconsider,notthegarnishing.Realinstructionmustbegivenandsoliddoctrinetaught,oryouwill findyour imagerypalluponyourhearers,andtheywillpineforspiritualmeat.

InyoursermonscultivatewhatFatherTaylorcalls"thesurprisepower."There is a great deal of force in that forwinning attention.Do not saywhateverybodyexpectedyouwouldsay.Keepyoursentencesoutofruts.If you have already said, "Salvation is all of grace" do not always add,"andnotbyhumanmerit,"butvaryitandsay,"Salvationisallofgrace;self-righteousness hasnot a corner to hide its head in." I fear I cannotrecall one of Mr. Taylor's sentences so as to do it justice, but it wassomething like this: "Some of youmake no advance in the divine life,because you go forward a littleway and then you floatback again: justlike a vessel on a tidal river which goes downwith the stream just farenough to be carried back again on the return tide. So youmake goodprogress for awhile, and then all of a sudden--what did he say?--"youhitchupinsomemuddycreek."Didhenotalsorepeatusaspeechtothiseffect,--"He felt sure that if they were converted they would walkuprightly and keep their bullocks out of their neighbour's corn."?Occasional resorts to this systemof surprisewill keepanaudience in a

stateofproperexpectancy.IsatlastyearaboutthistimeonthebeachatMentone by theMediterranean Sea. Thewaves were very gently risingandfalling,forthereislittleornotide,andthewindwasstill.

Thewavescreptuplanguidlyoneafteranother,andItooklittleheedofthem,thoughtheywerejustatmyfeet.Suddenly,asifseizedwithanewpassion, the sea sent up one far-reaching billow, which drenched methoroughly. Quiet as I had been before, you can readily conceive howquickly Iwas onmy feet, and how speedilymy day-dreaming ended. Iobserved to a ministering brother at my side, "This shows us how topreach, towakepeopleupwemustastonish themwith something theywere not looking for." Brethren, take them at unawares. Let yourthunderboltdropoutofa clear sky.Whenall is calmandbright let thetempest rush up, and by contrast make its terrors all the greater.Remember, however, that nothingwill avail if you go to sleep yourselfwhileyouarepreaching. Is thatpossible?Oh,possible! It isdoneeverySunday. Many ministers are more than half-asleep all through thesermon;indeed,theyneverwereawakeatanytime,andprobablyneverwillbeunlessacannonshouldbefiredoffneartheirear:tamephrases,hackneyed expressions, anddrearymonotonesmake the staple of theirdiscourses,andtheywonderthatthepeoplearesodrowsy:IconfessIdonot.

A veryuseful help in securing attention is apause.Pull up short everynowandthen,andthepassengersonyourcoachwillwakeup.Themillergoestosleepwhilethemillwheelsrevolve;butifbysomemeansorotherthe grinding ceases, the goodman starts and cries, "What now?"On asultrysummer'sday, ifnothingwillkeepoff thedrowsyfeeling,beveryshort, sing more than usual, or call on a brother or two to pray. Aministerwhosawthatthepeoplewouldsleep,satdownandobserved,"Isawyouwereallresting,andIthoughtIwouldresttoo."AndrewFullerhadbarelycommencedasermonwhenhesawthepeoplegoingtosleep.He said, "Friends, friends, friends, this won't do. I have thoughtsometimeswhenyouwereasleep that itwasmy fault,butnowyouareasleepbeforeIbegin,anditmustbeyourfault.Praywakeupandgivemean opportunity of doing you some good." Just so. Knowhow to pause.Makeapointofinterjectingarousingparenthesesofquietude.Speechis

silver,butsilenceisgoldenwhenhearersareinattentive.Keepon,on,on,on, on, with commonplace matter and monotonous tone, and you arerockingthecradle,anddeeperslumberswillresult;givethecradleajerk,andsleepwillflee.

I suggestagain that inorder to secureattentionall throughadiscoursewemustmakethepeoplefeelthattheyhaveaninterestinwhatwearesaying to them.This is, in fact, amost essentialpoint,becausenobodysleepswhileheexpectstohearsomethingtohisadvantage.Ihaveheardof some very strange things, but I never did hear of a person going tosleepwhileawillwasbeingread inwhichheexpecteda legacy,neitherhave Iheardof aprisonergoing to sleepwhile the judgewas summingup,andhislifewashanginginjeopardy.Self-interestquickensattention.Preach upon practical themes, pressing, present, personalmatters, andyouwillsecureanearnesthearing.

Itwillbewelltopreventattendantstraversingtheaislestomeddlewithgasorcandles,ortodistributeplatesforcollections,ortoopenwindows.Deacons and sextons trotting over the place are a torture never to bepatiently endured, and should be kindly, but decidedly, requested tosuspendtheirperambulations.

Lateattendance,also,needsremedying,andourgentlestreasoningsandexpostulationsmustbebroughttobearuponit.Ifeelsurethatthedevilhasahandinmanydisturbancesinthecongregation,whichjaruponournerves,anddistractour thoughts: thebangingofapewdoor, thesharpfallofastickonthefloor,orthecryofachild,areallconvenientmeansinthehandsoftheeviloneforhinderingusinourwork;wemay,therefore,veryjustifiablybegourpeopletopreserveourusefulnessfromthisclassofassaults.

I gave you a golden rule for securing attention at the commencement,namely, always say something worth hearing; I will now give you adiamondrule,andconclude.BeyourselfclothedwiththeSpiritofGod,andthennoquestion about attentionornon-attentionwill arise.ComefreshfromtheclosetandfromcommunionwithGod,tospeaktomenforGodwithall yourheartandsoul, andyoumusthavepowerover them.Youhavegoldenchainsinyourmouthwhichwillholdthemfast.When

Godspeaksmenmust listen;andthoughHemayspeakthroughapoorfeeblemanlikethemselves,themajestyofthetruthwillcompelthemtoregardHisvoice.Supernaturalpowermust be your reliance.We say toyou, perfect yourselves in oratory, cultivate all the fields of knowledge,makeyoursermonmentallyandrhetoricallyallitoughttobe(yououghttodonolessinsuchaservice),butatthesametimeremember,"itisnotbymight,norbypower,"thatmenareregeneratedorsanctified,but"bymySpirit,saiththeLord."Areyounotconscioussometimesofbeingcladwithzealaswithacloak,andfilledtothefullwiththeSpiritofGod?Atsuch times you have had a hearing people, and, ere long, a believingpeople;butifyouarenotthusendowedwithpowerfromonhigh,youaretothemnomorethanamusicianwhoplaysuponagoodlyinstrument,orsingsasweetsongwithaclearvoice,reachingtheearbutnottheheart.Ifyoudonottouchtheheartyouwillsoonwearytheear.Clotheyourself,then,withthepoweroftheSpiritofGod,andpreachtomenasthosewhomustsoongiveanaccount,andwhodesirethattheiraccountmaynotbepainfultotheirpeopleandgrievoustothemselves,butthatitmaybetothegloryofGod.

Brethren,maytheLordbewithyou,whileyougoforthinHisnameandcry,"Hethathathearstohear,lethimhear."

LECTUREXTHEFACULTYOFIMPROMPTUSPEECH

Wearenotabout todiscuss thequestionas towhethersermonsshouldbewrittenandread,orwritten,committedtomemoryandrepeated,orwhethercopiousnotesshouldbeemployed,ornonotesatall.Neitherofthese is the subject now under consideration, although we mayincidentally allude to each of them, but we are now to speak ofextemporaneous speech in its truest and most thorough form--speechimpromptu, without special preparation, without notes or immediateforethought.

Ourfirstobservationshallbethatwewouldnotrecommendanymantoattemptpreachinginthisstyleasageneralrule.Ifhedidso,hewould

succeed,wethink,mostcertainly,inproducingavacuuminhismeeting-house; his gifts of dispersion would be clearly manifested. Unstudiedthoughts coming from themindwithoutprevious research,without thesubjectsinhandhavingbeeninvestigatedatall,mustbeofaveryinferiorquality,evenfromthemostsuperiormen;andasnoneofuswouldhavethe effrontery to glorify ourselves as men of genius or wonders oferudition, I fear that our unpremeditated thoughts uponmost subjectswouldnotberemarkablyworthyofattention.Churchesarenottobeheldtogetherexceptbyaninstructiveministry;amerefillingupoftimewithoratorywillnotsuffice.Everywheremenasktobefed,reallyfed.Thosenew-fangledreligionists,whosepublicworshipconsistsoftheprelectionsofanybrotherwhochooses to jumpupand talk,notwithstanding theirflattering inducements to the ignorant and garrulous, usually dwindleaway, anddie out; because evenmenwith themost violently crotchetyviews,whoconceiveittobethemindoftheSpiritthateverymemberofthe body should be a mouth, soon grow impatient of hearing otherpeople's nonsense, though delighted to dispense their own; while themassofthegoodpeoplegrowwearyofprosyignorance,andreturntothechurchesfromwhichtheywereledaside,orwouldreturniftheirpulpitswere well supplied with solid teaching. Even Quakerism, with all itsexcellences,hasscarcelybeenabletosurvivethepovertyofthoughtanddoctrinedisplayedinmanyofitsassembliesbyimpromptuorators.Themethod of unprepared ministrations is practically a failure, andtheoretically unsound. TheHoly Spirit hasmade no promise to supplyspiritual foodto thesaintsbyan impromptuministry.Hewillneverdoforuswhatwecandoforourselves,ifwecanstudyanddonot,ifwecanhaveastudiousministryandwillnot,wehavenorighttocallinadivineagent tomakeupthedeficitsofour idlenessoreccentricity.Thegodofprovidencehaspromisedtofeedhispeoplewithtemporalfood;butifwecame together to a banquet, and no one had prepared a single dish,becauseallhadfaithintheLordthatfoodwouldbegivenintheselfsamehour,thefestivalwouldnotbeeminentlysatisfactory,butfollywouldberebukedbyhunger;as,indeed,itisinthecaseofspiritualbanquetsoftheimpromptu kind, only men's spiritual receptacles are hardly suchpowerfuloratorsastheirstomachs.Gentlemen,donotattempt,asarule,to follow a systemof thingswhich is so generally unprofitable that thefew exceptions only prove the rule. All sermons ought to be well

consideredandpreparedbythepreacher;and,asmuchaspossible,everyministershould,withmuchprayerforheavenlyguidance,enterfullyintohissubject,exertallhismentalfacultiesinoriginalthinking,andgathertogetherall the informationwithinhis reach.Viewing thewholematterfromallquarters,thepreachershouldthinkitout,getitwellmasticatedand digested; and having first fed upon the word himself should thenpreparethelikenutrimentforothers.Oursermonsshouldbeourmentallife-blood--the out-flow of our intellectual and spiritual vigour; or, tochange the figure, they should be diamonds well cut and well set--precious, intrinsically,andbearingthemarksof labour.GodforbidthatweshouldoffertotheLordthatwhichcostsusnothing.

Very strongly do Iwarn all of you against reading your sermons, but Irecommend, as a most healthful exercise, and as a great aid towardsattainingextemporisingpower,thefrequentwritingofthem.Thoseofuswhowriteagreatdealinotherforms,forthepress,etc.,maynotsomuchrequirethatexercise;butifyoudonotusethepeninotherways,youwillbewisetowriteatleastsomeofyoursermons,andrevisethemwithgreatcare.Leave themathomeafterwards,but stillwrite themout, that youmaybepreservedfromaslipshodstyle.M.Bautaininhisadmirableworkonextemporespeaking,remarks,"Youwillneverbecapableofspeakingproperlyinpublicunlessyouacquiresuchmasteryofyourownthoughtastobeabletodecomposeitintoitsparts,toanalyseitintoitselements,andthen,atneed,tore-compose,re-gather,andconcentrateitagainbyasyntheticalprocess.Nowthisanalysisoftheidea,whichdisplaysit,asitwere,before theeyesof themind, iswellexecutedonlybywriting.Thepen is the scalpelwhich dissects the thoughts, and never, exceptwhenyouwrite downwhat you behold internally, can you succeed in clearlydiscerningall that iscontainedinaconception,or inobtaining itswell-marked scope. You then understand yourself, and make othersunderstandyou."

We do not recommend the plan of learning sermons by heart, andrepeating them frommemory; that is both a wearisome exercise of aninferiorpowerofthemindandanindolentneglectofotherandsuperiorfaculties.Themostarduousandcommendableplanistostoreyourmindwithmatter upon the subject of discourse, and then to deliver yourself

withappropriatewordswhichsuggestthemselvesatthetime.Thisisnotextemporaneous preaching; the words are extemporal, as I think theyalwaysshouldbe,but thethoughtsare theresultofresearchandstudy.Only thoughtless persons think this to be easy; it is at once the mostlaboriousandthemostefficientmodeofpreaching,andithasvirtuesofitsownofwhichIcannotnowspeakparticularly,since itwould leadusawayfromthepointinhand.

Our subject is the faculty of pure, unmixed, genuinely extemporaneousspeaking,andtothisletusreturn.Thispowerisextremelyuseful,andinmost cases is, with a little diligence, to be acquired. It is possessed bymany,yetnotbysomanythatIshallbeincorrectifIsaythatthegift israre. The improvisatori of Italy possessed the power of impromptuspeechtosuchanextent,thattheirextemporaneousversesuponsubjectssuggested on the spot by the spectators, frequently amounted tohundreds and even thousands of lines. They would produce wholetragediesas spontaneouslyas springsbubbleupwithwater,andrhymeawaybythehalf-hourandthehourtogether,onthespurofthemoment,andperhapsalsoonthespurofalittleItalianwine.Theirprintedworksseldomriseabovemediocrity, and yet oneof them,Perfetti, gained thelaurelcrownwhichhadbeenawardedonlytoPetrarchandTasso.Manyof them at this hour produce off-hand verses which are equal to thecapacities of their hearers, and secure their breathless attention. Whycannotwe acquire just such a power in prose?We shall not be able, Isuppose,toproduceverses,norneedwedesirethefaculty.Manyofyouhavenodoubtversifiedalittle(aswhichofusinsomeweakmomenthasnot?)butwehaveputawaychildish thingsnowthat thesoberproseoflifeanddeath,andheavenandhell,andperishingsinners,demandsallourthought.1

Many lawyers possess the gift of extemporaneous speech in a highdegree.Theyshouldhavesomevirtues!Someweeksagoawretchedbeingwasindictedforthehorriblecrimeoflibellingalawyer;itiswellforhimthatIwasnothisjudge,forhadsuchadifficultandatrociouscrimebeenfairlybroughthometohim,Iwouldhavedeliveredhimovertobecross-examinedduringthetermofhisnaturallife,hopingformercy'ssakethatitmightbeabriefone.But thegentlemenof thebararemanyof them

most ready speakers, and as you will clearly see, they must to aconsiderable degree be extemporaneous speakers too, because it wouldbeimpossibleforthemalwaystoforeseethelineofargumentwhichtheevidence,or the temperof the judge,or thepleadingson theothersidewould require.Howeverwell a casemay be prepared, pointsmust andwillariserequiringanactivemindandafluenttonguetodealwiththem.Indeed,Ihavebeenastonishedtoobservethewitty,sharp,andineverywayappropriatereplieswhichcounselwillthrowoffwithoutforethoughtinourcourtsof law.Whatabarristercando inadvocatingthecauseofhisclient,youandIshouldsurelybeabletodointhecauseofGod.Thebar must not be allowed to excel the pulpit. We will be as expert inintellectualarmsasanymen,betheywhotheymay,Godhelpingus.

CertainMembersoftheHouseofCommonshaveexercisedthefacultyofextemporaneous speaking with great results. Usually, of all tasks ofhearing, themostmiserable is that of listening to one of the commonruck of speakers from the House of Lords and Commons. Let it beproposedthatwhencapitalpunishmentisabolished,thosewhoarefoundguiltyofmurdershallbecompelledtolistentoaselectionofthedreariestparliamentaryorators.ThemembersoftheRoyalHumaneSocietyforbid.Yet in the House some of the Members are able to speakextemporaneously,andtospeakwell.Ishouldimaginethatsomeofthefinest thingswhichhave been said by JohnBright, andGladstone, andDisraeli, were altogether what Southey would call jets from the greatGeyserwhenthespringisinfullplay.Ofcourse,theirlongorationsupontheBudget, theReformBill, and so on, were elaborated to the highestdegree by previous manipulation; but many of their briefer speecheshave,nodoubt,beentheoffspringofthehour,andyethaveanamazingamount of power about them. Shall the representatives of the nationattainanexpertnessofspeechbeyondtherepresentativesofthecourtofheaven?Brethren,covetearnestlythisgoodgift,andgoabouttowinit.

Youareallconvincedthattheabilitywhichweareconsideringmustbeapricelesspossessionforaminister.Didwehearasingleheartwhisper,"IwishIhadit,forthenIshouldhavenoneedtostudysoarduously"?Ah!thenyoumustnothaveit,youareunworthyoftheboon,andunfittobetrustedwithit.Ifyouseekthisgiftasapillowforanidlehead,youwillbe

muchmistaken;forthepossessionofthisnoblepowerwillinvolveyouinavastamountoflabourinordertoincreaseandeventoretainit.Itislikethemagic lamp in the fable, whichwould not shine except it was wellrubbed, and became amere dim globe as soon as the rubbing ceased.Whatthesluggarddesiresforthesakeofease,wemay,however,covetforthebestofreasons.

Occasionallyonehasheardorreadofmenagreeing,bywayofbravado,topreachupontextsgiventhematthetimeinthepulpit,orinthevestry:such vainglorious displays are disgusting, and border on profanity. Aswell might we have exhibitions of juggling on the Sabbath as suchmountebankismof oratory.Our talents are given us for far other ends.SuchaprostitutionofgiftItrustyouwillneverbeallowedtoperpetrate.Feats of speech arewell enough in adebating club, but in theministrytheyareabominableevenwhenaBossuetlendshimselftothem.

Thepowerofimpromptuspeechisinvaluable,becauseitenablesamanon the spur of the moment, in an emergency, to deliver himself withpropriety.Theseemergencieswillarise.Accidentswilloccur in thebestregulatedassemblies.Singulareventsmayturnthepremeditatedcurrentofyourthoughtsquiteaside.Youwillseeclearlythatthesubjectselectedwouldbe inopportune,andyouwill asawisemandrift into somethingelsewithoutdemur.Whentheoldroadisclosed,andthereisnohelpforitbuttomakeanewwayforthechariot,unlessyouarequalifiedtodrivethehorsesoveraploughedfieldaswellasalongthemacadamisedroadonwhich you hoped to travel, youwill find yourself off the coach-box,andmischiefwillbefallthecompany.Itisagreatacquisitiontobeableata publicmeeting, when you have heard the speeches of your brethren,andbelievethattheyhavebeentoofrivolous,oritmaybe,ontheotherhand, toodull,without any allusions to them,quietly to counteract themischief, and lead the assembly into amore profitable line of thought.Thisgiftmaybeoftheutmostimportanceinthechurch-meeting,wherebusinessmayarisewhichitwouldbedifficulttoforesee.Allthetroublersof Israel are not yet dead. Achan was stoned, and his wife, and hischildren, but others of his family must have escaped, for the race hascertainly been perpetuated, and needs to be dealt with discreetly andvigorously.Insomechurchescertainnoisymenwillriseandspeak,and

whentheyhavedoneso,itisofgreatimportancethatthepastorshouldreadily and convincingly reply, lest bad impressions should remain. Apastorwhogoestothechurch-meetinginthespiritofhisMaster,feelingsurethatinrelianceupontheHolySpiritheisquiteabletoansweranyuntoward spirit, sits at ease, keeps his temper, rises in esteem on eachoccasion,andsecuresaquietchurch;buttheunreadybrotherisflurried,probably gets into a passion, commits himself, and inherits a world ofsorrow.Besidesthis,amanmaybecalledupontopreachatamoment'snotice, through the non-arrival of the expectedminister, or his suddensickness;atapublicmeetingonemayfeelstirredtospeakwheresilencehad been resolved upon; and at any form of religious exerciseemergenciesmayarisewhichwillrenderimpromptuspeechaspreciousasthegoldofOphir.

The gift is valuable--how is it to be obtained?The question leads us toremark that some men will never obtain it. There must be a naturaladaptednessforextemporaneousspeech;evenasforthepoeticart:apoetisborn,notmade."Artmaydevelopandperfectthetalentofaspeaker,but cannot produce it."All the rules of rhetoric, and all the artifices oforatorycannotmakeamaneloquent;itisagiftfromheaven,andwhereitiswithhelditcannotbeobtained.This"giftofutterance,"aswecallit,isbornwithsomepeople,inheritedprobablyfromthemother'sside.2Toothers the gift is denied; their confirmation of jaw, and yetmore theirconfirmationofbrain,neverwillallowoftheirbecomingfluentandreadyspeakers. They may, perhaps, make moderate stutterers and slowdeliverers of sober truth, but they can never be impromptu orators;unless they should rival Methuselah in age, and then perhaps on theDarwinian theory, which educes an Archbishop of Canterbury from anoyster,theymightdevelopintospeakers.Iftherebenotanaturalgiftoforatoryabrothermayattaintoarespectablepostinotherdepartments,but he is not likely to shine as a bright particular star in extemporaryspeech.

Ifamanwouldspeakwithoutanypresentstudy,hemustusuallystudymuch. This is a paradox perhaps, but its explanation lies upon thesurface.IfIamamiller,andIhaveasackbroughttomydoor,andamasked to fill thatsackwithgood fine flourwithin thenext fiveminutes,

theonlywayinwhichIcandoit, isbykeepingtheflour-binofmymillalwaysfull,sothatIcanatonceopenthemouthof thesack, fill it,anddeliver it. I do not happen to be grinding at that time, and so far thedeliveryisextemporary;butIhavebeengrindingbefore,andsohavetheflour to serve out to the customer. So, brethren, you must have beengrinding, or you will not have the flour. You will not be able toextemporisegoodthinkingunlessyouhavebeeninthehabitofthinkingandfeedingyourmindwithabundantandnourishingfood.Workhardatevery available moment. Store your minds very richly, and then, likemerchantswithcrowdedwarehouses,youwillhavegoodsreadyforyourcustomers, and having arranged your good things upon the shelves ofyourmind,youwillbeabletohandthemdownatanytimewithoutthelaboriousprocessofgoingtomarket,sorting,folding,andpreparing.Idonotbelieve thatanymancanbesuccessful in continuouslymaintainingthe gift of extemporaneous speech, except by ordinarily using farmorelabourthanisusualwiththosewhowriteandcommittheirdiscoursestomemory.Takeitasarulewithoutexception,thattobeabletooverflowspontaneouslyyoumustbefull.

Thecollectionofafundofideasandexpressionsisexceedinglyhelpful.There is awealth and a poverty in each of these respects.Hewho hasmuchinformation,wellarranged,andthoroughlyunderstood,withwhichheisintimatelyfamiliar,willbeablelikesomeprinceoffabulouswealthto scatter gold right and left among the crowd. To you, gentlemen, anintimate acquaintancewith theWord ofGod,with the inward spirituallife,with thegreatproblemsof timeandeternitywill be indispensable.Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Accustomyourselves to heavenly meditations, search the Scriptures, delightyourselvesinthelawoftheLord,andyouneednotfeartospeakofthingswhichyouhave tastedandhandledof thegoodwordofGod.Menmaywell be slow of speech in discussing themes beyond the range of theirexperience; but you,warmedwith love towards theKing, and enjoyingfellowship with him, will find your hearts inditing a good matter, andyour tongues will be as the pens of ready writers. Get at the roots ofspiritualtruthsbyanexperimentalacquaintancewiththem,soshallyouwithreadinessexpoundthemtoothers.Ignoranceoftheologyisnorarethinginourpulpits,andthewonderisnotthatsofewmenareextempore

speakers,butthatsomanyare,whentheologiansaresoscarce.Weshallneverhavegreatpreacherstillwehavegreatdivines.Youcannotbuildaman-of-waroutofacurrantbush,norcangreatsoul-movingpreachersbeformedoutofsuperficialstudents.Ifyouwouldbefluent,thatistosayflowing,befilledwithallknowledge,andespeciallywiththeknowledgeofChrist Jesus your Lord. But we remarked that a fund of expressionswouldbealsoofmuchhelptotheextemporespeaker;and,truly,secondonly to a store of ideas is a rich vocabulary. Beauties of language,eleganciesofspeech,andaboveall forciblesentencesaretobeselected,remembered, and imitated. You are not to carry that gold pencil-casewithyou,and jotdowneverypolysyllabicwordwhichyoumeetwith inyour reading, so as to put it in yournext sermon, but you are to knowwhatwordsmean,tobeabletoestimatethepowerofasynonym,tojudgetherhythmofasentence,andtoweightheforceofanexpletive.Youmustbe masters of words; they must be your genii, your angels, yourthunderbolts,oryourdropsofhoney.Mereword-gatherersarehoardersof oyster shells, bean husks, and apple-parings; but to amanwho haswideinformationanddeepthought,wordsarebasketsofsilverinwhichto serve up his apples of gold. See to it that you have a good team ofwordstodrawthewagonofyourthoughts.

I think, too, thatamanwhowouldspeakwell,extemporaneously,mustbecarefultoselectatopicwhichheunderstands.Thisisthemainpoint.Ever since I have been in London, in order to get into the habit ofspeaking extemporaneously, I have never studied or prepared anythingfor the Monday evening prayer-meeting. I have all along selected thatoccasionastheopportunitytoroff-handexhortation;butyouwillobservethat I do not on such occasions select difficult expository topics orabstruse themes, but restrict myself to simple homely talk about theelementsofour faith.Whenstandinguponsuchoccasions,one'smindmakes a review, and enquires, "What subject has already taken upmythoughtduringtheday?WhathaveImetwithinmyreadingduringthepast week? What is most laid upon my heart at this hour? What issuggestedbythehymnsortheprayers?"Itisofnousetorisebeforeanassembly, and hope to be inspired upon subjects of which you knownothing:ifyouaresounwise,theresultwillbethatasyouknownothingyouwillprobablysayit,andthepeoplewillnotbeedified.ButIdonot

seewhyamancannotspeakextemporaneouslyuponasubjectwhichhefully understands. Any tradesman, well versed in his line of business,could explain it to you without needing to retire for meditation; andsurelyweought tobeequallyas familiarwith the firstprinciplesofourholyfaith;weoughtnottofeelatalosswhencalledupontospeakupontopicswhich constitute the daily bread of our souls. I do not see whatbenefit is gained in such a case, by themeremanual labour of writingbefore speaking; because in so doing, a man would writeextemporaneously, and extemporaneous writing is likely to be evenfeebler thanextemporaneous speech.Thegainof thewriting lies in theopportunity of careful revision; but as able writers are able to expresstheir thoughts correctly at the first, so also may able speakers. Thethoughtofamanwhofindshimselfuponhislegs,dilatinguponathemewithwhichheisfamiliar,maybeveryfarfrombeinghisfirstthought;itmaybethecreamofhismeditationswarmedbytheglowofhisheart.He,havingstudiedthesubjectwellbefore, thoughnotat thatmoment,maydeliver himselfmost powerfully;whereas anotherman, sitting down towrite,mayonlybepenninghisfirstideas,whichmaybevagueandvapid.Donotattempttobe impromptuthen,unlessyouhavewellstudiedthetheme--thisparadoxisacounselofprudence.Iremembertohavebeentried rather sharply upon one occasion, and had I not been versed inimpromptuaddress,Iknownothowitwouldhavespedwithme.Iwasexpected to preach in a certain chapel, and there was a crowdedcongregation, but I was not in time, being delayed by some blockadeupon the railroad; so another minister went on with the service, andwhen I reached the place, all breathless with running, he was alreadypreachingasermon.Seeingmeappearatthefrontdoorandpassuptheaisle,hestoppedandsaid,"Thereheis,"andlookingatme,headded,"I'llmakewayforyou;comeupandfinishthesermon."Iaskedhimwhatwasthetextandhowfarhehadgonewithit.Hetoldmewhatthetextwas,andsaidhehad justpassed throughthe firsthead;withouthesitation Itookupthediscourseatthatpointandfinishedthesermon,andIshouldbe ashamed of any man here who could not have done the same, thecircumstancesbeingsuchastomakethetaskaremarkablyeasyone.Inthefirstplacetheministerwasmygrandfather,and,inthesecondplace,the text was-"By grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not ofyourselves,itisthegiftofGod."Hemusthavebeenamorefoolishanimal

thanthatwhichBalaamrode, if,atsucha juncture,hehadnot foundatongue. "By grace are ye saved," had been spoken of as indicating thesourceofsalvation;whocouldnotfollowbydescribingthenextclause--"throughfaith,"asthechannel?Onedidnotneedtostudymuchtoshowthatsalvationisreceivedbyusthroughfaith.Yet,onthatoccasion,Ihadafurthertrial;forwhenIhadproceededalittle,andwaswarmingtomywork,ahandpattedmybackapprovingly,andavoicesaid,"That'sright--that's right; tell them that again, for fear they should forget it."Thereupon I repeated the truth, and a little further on, when I wasbecomingratherdeeplyexperimentalIwasgentlypulledbymycoat-tail,andtheoldgentlemanstoodupinfrontandsaid,"Now,mygrandsoncantellyouthisasatheory,butIamheretobearwitnesstoitasamatterofpractical experience: I am older than he is, and I must give you mytestimony as an old man." Then after having given us his personalexperience,he said, "There,now,mygrandson canpreach the gospel agreat deal better than I can, but he cannot preach a better gospel, canhe?"Well, gentlemen, I can easily imagine that if I had not possessedsomelittlepowerofextemporaneousspeechuponthatoccasion,Imighthavebeensomewhatruffled;butasitwas,itcameasnaturallyasifithadbeenprearranged.

The acquisition of another language affords a fine drilling for thepracticeofextemporespeech.Broughtintoconnectionwiththerootsofwords, and the rules of speech, and being compelled to note thedifferentiaof thetwo languages,amangrowsbydegreestobemuchathome with parts of speech, moods, tenses, and inflections; like aworkman he becomes familiar with his tools, and handles them aseverydaycompanions.IknowofnobetterexercisethantotranslatewithasmuchrapidityaspossibleaportionofVirgilorTacitus,andthenwithdeliberationtoamendone'smistakes.Personswhoknownobetterthinkalltimethrownawaywhichisspentupontheclassics,butifitwereonlyfortheusefulnessof suchstudies to thesacredorator, theyought toberetained in all our collegiate institutions. Who does not see that theperpetualcomparisonofthetermsandidiomsoftwolanguagesmustaidfacilityofexpression?Whodoesnotsee,moreover,thatbythisexercisethe mind becomes able to appreciate refinements and subtleties ofmeaning,andsoacquiresthepowerofdistinguishingbetweenthingsthat

differ--a power essential to an expositor of the Word of God, and anextemporedeclarerofHistruth.Learn,gentlemen, toput together,andunscrewall themachineryof language,markeverycog,andwheel, andbolt,androd,andyouwillfeelthemorefreetodrivetheengine,evenatanexpressspeedshouldemergenciesdemandit.

Everymanwhowishes to acquire this artmust practise it. It was byslowdegrees,asBurkesays, thatCharlesFoxbecamethemostbrilliantand powerful debater that ever lived. He attributed his success to theresolutionwhichhe formedwhenveryyoung,of speakingwellor ill,atleast once every night. "During five whole sessions," he used to say, "Ispokeeverynightbutone,andIregretonlythatIdidnotspeakonthatnight too."At firsthemaydosowithnootherauditory than thechairsandbooksofhisstudy,imitatingtheexampleofagentlemanwho,uponapplying for admission to this college, assuredme that he had for twoyears practised himself in extempore preaching in his own room.Students living together might be of great mutual assistance byalternatelyactingthepartofaudienceandspeaker,witha littlefriendlycriticism at the close of each attempt. Conversation, too, may be ofessential service, if it be a matter of principle to make it solid andedifying.Thoughtistobelinkedwithspeech;thatistheproblem;anditmayassistamaninitssolution,ifheendeavoursinhisprivatemusingsto think aloud. So has this become habitual to me that I find it veryhelpful to be able, in private devotion, to pray withmy voice; readingaloud ismore beneficial tome than the silent process; andwhen I ammentallyworkingoutasermon,it isarelieftometospeaktomyselfasthe thoughts flow forth. Of course this onlymasters half the difficulty,and youmust practise in public, in order to overcome the trepidationoccasionedbythesightofanaudience;buthalfway isagreatpartofajourney. Good impromptu speech is just the utterance of a practisedthinker--amanof information,meditatingonhis legs, andallowinghisthoughts tomarch throughhismouth into theopenair.Thinkaloudasmuchasyoucanwhenyouarealone,andyouwill soonbeon thehighroad to success in thismatter.Thediscussionanddebates in the class-roomareofvitalimportanceasafurtherstep,andIwouldurgethemoreretiringbrethrentotakeapartinthem.Thepracticeofcallinguponyouto speak upon a topic drawn at random from a bowl out of a wide

selectionhasbeenintroducedamongyou,andwemustmorefrequentlyresort to it.What I condemned as a part of religiousworship, wemayfreelyuseasascholasticexerciseamongourselves.Itiscalculatedtotryaman'sreadinessandself-command,andthosewhofailinitareprobablyasmuch benefited as thosewho succeed, for self-knowledgemay be asusefultooneaspracticetoanother.Ifthediscoverythatyouareasyetabungler inoratory shoulddrive you to severer studyandmore resoluteendeavours,itmaybethetruepathtoultimateeminence.

In addition to the practice commended, I must urge upon you thenecessityofbeingcoolandconfident.AsSydneySmithsays,"Agreatdealoftalentislosttotheworldforwantofalittlecourage."Thisisnottobeeasily acquired by the young speaker. Cannot you young speakerssympathise with Blondin, the rope walker? Do you not sometimes feelwhenyouarepreachingasthoughyouwerewalkingonaropehighintheair,anddoyounottrembleandwonderwhetheryouwillreachtheotherendinsafety?Sometimeswhenyouhavebeenflourishingthatbeautifulbalancing pole, and watching the metaphorical spangles which flashpoetryuponyouraudience,haveyounotbeenhalfregretfulthatyoueverexposedyourself tosuchrisksofsuddendescent,or, todropthe figure,have you not wondered whether you would be able to conclude thesentence,orfindaverbforthenominative,oranaccusativefortheverb?Everythingdependsuponyourbeingcoolandunflurried.Forebodingsoffailure,andfearofman,willruinyou.Goon,trustinginGod,andallwillbewell.Ifyouhavemadeablunderingrammar,andyouarehalfinclinedtogobacktocorrectit,youwillsoonmakeanother,andyourhesitationwillinvolveyouasinanet.Letmewhisper--forit ismeantforyourearalone--itisalwaysabadthingtogoback.Ifyoumakeaverbalblunder,goon,anddonotnotice it.My fathergavemeaverygoodrulewhenIwaslearningtowrite,whichIthinkofequalutilityinlearningtospeak.He used to say: "When you are writing, if you make a mistake bymisspellingaword,orbywritingawrongword,donotcross itoutandmakeamessofit,butseehowyoucaninthereadiestwayalterwhatyouweregoingtosaysoas tobring inwhatyouhavewritten,and leavenotraceofmistake."Soinspeaking,ifthesentencewillnotfinishinthebestway,concludeitinanother.Itisofverylittleusetogobacktoamend,foryou thus call attention to the flawwhich perhaps fewhadnoticed, and

youdrawoff themindfromyoursubject toyour language,which is thelastthingwhichthepreachershoulddo.If,however,yourlapsuslinguaeshouldbenoticed,allpersonsofsensewillforgiveayoungbeginner,andthey will rather admire you than otherwise for attaching smallimportancetosuchslips,andpressingonwithyourwholehearttowardsyourmaindesign.Anovice at public speaking is like a rider unused tohorseback;ifhishorsestumbleshefearshewillbedownandthrowhimover his head, or if it be a little fresh, he feels assured that it will runaway;andtheeyeofafriend,ortheremarkofalittleboy,willmakehimaswretchedasifhewerelashedtothebackofthegreatreddragon.Butwhenaman iswellused tomountheknowsnodangers, andhemeetswithnone,becausehiscourageprevents them.Whenaspeaker feels, "Iammaster of the situation," he usually is so.His confidence averts thedisasterswhichtremblingwouldbecertaintocreate.Mybrethren,iftheLordhasindeedordainedyoutotheministry,youhavethebestreasonsforbeingboldandcalm,forwhomhaveyoutofear?Youhavetodeliveryour Lord's errand as he enables you, and if this be done, you areresponsibletonoonebutyourheavenlyMaster,whoisnoharshjudge.You do not enter the pulpit to shine as an orator, or to gratify thepredilectionsofyouraudience;youarethemessengerofheavenandnottheservantofmen.3RememberthewordsoftheLordtoJeremiah,andbeafraid tobeafraid. "Thou thereforegirdup thy loins, andarise, andspeakuntothemallthatIcommandthee:benotdismayedattheirfaces,lest I confound thee before them." Jer. i. 17. Trust in theHoly Spirit'spresenthelp,andthefearofmanwhichbringethasnarewilldepartfromyou.Whenyouareabletofeelathomeinthepulpit,andcanlookroundandspeaktothepeopleasabrothertalkingtobrethren,thenyouwillbeabletoextemporise,butnottillthen.Bashfulnessandtimiditywhichareso beautiful in our younger brethren, will be succeeded by that truemodestywhichforgetsself,andisnotcarefulastoitsownreputationsolongasChristispreachedinthemostforciblemanneratcommand.

ToattaintheholyandusefulexerciseofextemporalspeechtheChristianminister must cultivate a childlike reliance upon the immediateassistance of the Holy Spirit. "I believe in the Holy Ghost," says theCreed.Itistobefearedthatmanydonotmakethisarealarticleofbelief.Togoupanddownalltheweekwastingtime,andthentocastourselves

upontheSpirit'said,iswickedpresumption,anattempttomaketheLordministertoourslothandself-indulgence;butinanemergencythecaseiswidelydifferent.Whenaman findshimself unavoidably calledupon tospeakwithoutanypreparation,thenhemaywithfullestconfidencecasthimselfupontheSpiritofGod.TheDivinemindbeyondadoubtcomesinto contact with the human intellect, lifts it out of its weakness anddistraction, makes it soaring and strong, and enables it both tounderstand and to express divine truth in a manner far beyond itsunaided powers. Such inter-positions, like miracles, are not meant tosupersede our efforts or slacken our diligence, but are the Lord'sassistancewhichwemaycountuponatanemergency.HisSpiritwillbeeverwithus,butespeciallyunderseverestressofservice.EarnestlyasIadvise you not to try purely impromptu speaking more than you areobligedtodo,tillyouhavebecomesomewhatmaturedinyourministry,Iyet exhort you to speak in that manner whenever compelled to do so,believing that in the selfsamehour it shall be given youwhat you shallspeak.

If you are happy enough to acquire the power of extemporary speech,prayrecollectthatyoumayveryreadilyloseit.Ihavebeenstruckwiththis in my own experience, and I refer to that because it is the bestevidence that I can give you. If for two successive Sundays Imakemynotesalittlelongerandfullerthanusual,IfindonthethirdoccasionthatIrequirethemlongerstill;andIalsoobservethatifonoccasionsIleanalittle more to my recollection of my thoughts, and am not soextemporaneous as I have been accustomed to be, there is a directcraving and even an increased necessity for pre-composition. If amanbegins to walk with a stick merely for a whim, he will soon come torequireastick;ifyouindulgeyoureyeswithspectaclestheywillspeedilydemand themasapermanentappendage;and ifyouwere towalkwithcrutches for a month, at the end of the time they would be almostnecessarytoyourmovements,althoughnaturallyyourlimbsmightbeassoundandhealthyasanyman's. Illuses createan illnature.Youmustcontinuallypractise extemporising, and if togain suitableopportunitiesyoushouldfrequentlyspeakthewordincottages,intheschool-roomsofour hamlets, or to two or three by thewayside, your profiting shall beknownuntoallmen.

Itmaysaveyoumuchsurpriseandgriefifyouareforewarnedthattherewillbegreat variations in yourpowerofutterance.To-dayyour tonguemay be the pen of a readywriter, to-morrow your thoughts andwordsmaybealikefrost-bound.Livingthingsaresensitive,andareaffectedbya variety of forces; only the merely mechanical can be reckoned uponwithabsolutecertainty.Thinkitnotstrangeifyoushouldfrequentlyfeelyourselftohavefailed,norwonderifitshouldturnoutthatatsuchtimesyouhavebestsucceeded.Youmustnotexpecttobecomesufficientasofyourself; no habit or exercise can render you independent of divineassistance; and if you have preachedwell forty-nine timeswhen calleduponwithoutnotice, this isnoexcuse forself-confidenceon the fiftiethoccasion, for if the Lord should leave you youwill be at a dead stand.YourvariablemoodsoffluencyanddifficultywillbyGod'sgracetendtokeepyouhumblylookinguptothestrongforstrength.

Aboveallthingsbewareoflettingyourtongueoutrunyourbrains.Guardagainst a feeble fluency, a garrulous prosiness, a facility of sayingnothing.What a pleasure it is to hear of a brother breaking downwhopresumeduponhispowerstokeeponwhenhereallyhadnothingtosay!May such a consummation come to all who err in that direction. Mybrethren, it is a hideous gift to possess, to be able to say nothing atextremelength.Elongatednonsense,paraphrasticplatitude,wire-drawncommon-place, or sacred rhodomontade, are common enough, and arethe scandal and shame of extemporising. Even when sentiments of novalue are beautifully expressed, and neatly worded, what is the use ofthem?Outofnothingcomesnothing.Extemporaryspeechwithoutstudyisacloudwithoutrain,awellwithoutwater,afatalgift,injuriousequallyto its possessor and his flock. Men have applied to me whom I havedeniedadmissiontothisCollege,becausebeingutterlydestitutebothofeducationandofasenseoftheirownignorance,theirboundlessconceitand enormous volubility made them dangerous subjects for training.Some have even remindedme of the serpent in the Apocalypse, whichcastoutofhismouthwaterasafloodsoplenteouslythatthewomanwaslikelytohavebeencarriedawaywithit.Wounduplikeclocks,theykeepon,andon,andon, till they rundown,andblessed ishewhohas leastacquaintancewiththem.ThesermonsofsuchpreachersarelikeSnugthejoiner'spartwhenheactedthe lion."Youmaydo itextempore, for it is

nothingbutroaring."Bettertolose,orrathernevertopossess,thegiftofreadyutterance, than todegradeourselves intomerenoisemakers, thelivingrepresentationsofPaul'ssoundingbrassandtinklingcymbal.

Imight have saidmuchmore if I had extended the subject to what isusuallycalledextemporepreaching,thatistosay,thepreparationofthesermonsofarasthoughtsgo,andleavingthewordstobefoundduringdelivery;butthisisquiteanothermatter,andalthoughlookeduponasagreatattainmentbysome,itis,asIbelieve,anindispensablerequisiteforthepulpit,andbynomeansamere luxuryof talent;butof thiswewillspeakonanotheroccasion.

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1Mr. Wesley thought it needful to say, "Sing no hymns of your owncomposing."Thehabitofgivingoutrhymesoftheirownconcoctionwasrifeamongthedivinesofhisday:itistobehopeditisnowutterlyextinct.

2Therearemenorganisedtospeakwell,astherearebirdsorganisedtosingwell,beestomakehoney,andbeaverstobuild."--M.Bautain

3"AtfirstmychiefsolicitudeusedtobewhatIshouldfindtosay;IhopeitisnowratherthatImaynotspeakinvain.FortheLordhathnotsentmeheretoacquirethecharacterofareadyspeaker,buttowinsoulstoChristandtoedifyHispeople.OftenwhenIbeginIamata losshowIshallproceed,butonethinginsnsiblyoffersafteranother,andingeneralthebestandmostusefulpartsofmysermonoccurdenovo,whileIampreaching."--JohnNewton.LetterstoaStudentinDivinity.

LECTUREXITHEMINISTER'SFAINTINGFITS

AsitisrecordedthatDavid,intheheatofbattle,waxedfaint,somayitbewrittenofall theservantsof theLord.Fitsofdepressioncomeoverthemostofus.Usuallycheerfulaswemaybe,wemustat intervalsbe cast

down.Thestrongarenotalwaysvigorous,thewisenotalwaysready,thebrave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy. Theremay be here and there men of iron, to whom wear and tear work noperceptible detriment, but surely the rust frets even these; and as forordinarymen, theLordknows, andmakes them toknow, that theyarebutdust.Knowingbymostpainful experiencewhatdeepdepressionofspiritmeans,beingvisited therewithat seasonsbynomeans fewor farbetween, I thought itmight be consolatory to someofmybrethren if Igavemythoughtsthereon,thatyoungermenmightnotfancythatsomestrange thing had happened to them when they became for a seasonpossessed by melancholy; and that sadder men might know that oneuponwhomthesunhasshonerightjoyouslydidnotalwayswalkinthelight.

It is not necessary by quotations from the biographies of eminentministerstoprovethatseasonsoffearfulprostrationhavefallentothelotof most, if not all of them. The life of Luther might suffice to give athousandinstances,andhewasbynomeansoftheweakersort.Hisgreatspiritwasoftenintheseventhheavenofexultation,andasfrequentlyontheborders of despair.His verydeath-bedwasnot free from tempests,and he sobbed himself into his last sleep like a great wearied child.Instead of multiplying cases, let us dwell upon the reasons why thesethingsarepermitted;whyitisthatthechildrenoflightsometimeswalkinthethickdarkness;whytheheraldsofthedaybreakfindthemselvesattimesintenfoldnight.

Is it not first that they aremen?Beingmen, they are compassed withinfirmity,andheirsofsorrow.WellsaidthewisemanintheApocrypha,Ecclusxl.1,2,3,4,5-8,"Greattravailiscreatedforallmen,andaheavyyokeonthesonsofAdam,fromthedaythattheygooutoftheirmother'swombuntothatdaythattheyreturntothemotherofallthings--namely,their thoughts and fear of their hearts, and their imagination of thingsthat they wail for, and the day of death. From him that sitteth in thegloriousthrone,tohimthatsittethbeneathintheearthandashes;fromhim that is clothed in blue silk, and weareth a crown, to him that isclothedinsimple linen--wrath,envy, trouble,andunquietness,andfearof death and rigour, and such things come to bothman and beast, but

sevenfold to the ungodly." Grace guards us from much of this, butbecause we have not more of grace we still suffer even from illspreventible.Evenundertheeconomyofredemptionitismostclearthatwe are to endure infirmities, otherwise there were no need of thepromisedSpirittohelpusinthem.Itisofneedbethatwearesometimesin heaviness. Good men are promised tribulation in this world, andministers may expect a larger share than others, that they may learnsympathy with the Lord's suffering people, and so may be fittingshepherdsofanailingflock.Disembodiedspiritsmighthavebeensenttoproclaim theword,but they couldnothave entered into the feelingsofthosewho, being in this body, do groan, being burdened;angelsmighthavebeenordainedevangelists,buttheircelestialattributeswouldhavedisqualified them from having compassion on the ignorant; men ofmarble might have been fashioned, but their impassive natures wouldhavebeena sarcasmuponour feebleness,andamockeryofourwants.Men,andmensubjecttohumanpassions,theall-wiseGodhaschosentobe his vessels of grace; hence these tears, hence these perplexities andcastingsdown.

Moreover,mostofusareinsomewayorotherunsoundphysically.Hereandtherewemeetwithanoldmanwhocouldnotrememberthateverhewaslaidasideforaday;butthegreatmassofuslabourundersomeformor other of infirmity, either in body or mind. Certain bodily maladies,especially those connectedwith the digestive organs, the liver, and thespleen,arethefruitfulfountainsofdespondency;and,letamanstriveashemayagainsttheirinfluence,therewillbehoursandcircumstancesinwhich theywill forawhileovercomehim.As tomentalmaladies, isanymanaltogethersane?Arewenotallalittleoffthebalance?Somemindsappear to have a gloomy tinge essential to their very individuality; ofthemitmaybesaid,"Melancholymarkedthemforherown;"finemindswithal,andruledbynoblestprinciples,butyetmostpronetoforgetthesilver lining,and to rememberonly thecloud.Suchmenmaysingwiththeoldpoet:

"Ourheartsarebroke,ourharpsunstringèdbe,Ouronlymusic'ssighsandgroans,Oursongsaretothetuneoflachrymae,

We'refrettedalltoskinandbones."

THOMASWASHBOURNE.

These infirmities may be no detriment to a man's career of specialusefulness; they may even have been imposed upon him by divinewisdom as necessary qualifications for his peculiar course of service.Some plants owe their medicinal qualities to the marsh in which theygrow; others to the shades in which alone they flourish. There areprecious fruitsput forthby themoonaswell asby the sun.Boatsneedballastaswellassail;adragonthecarriage-wheelisnohindrancewhenthe road runs downhill. Pain has probably in some cases developedgenius;huntingoutthesoulwhichotherwisemighthavesleptlikealionin its den.Had it not been for the brokenwing, somemight have lostthemselvesintheclouds,someevenofthosechoicedoveswhonowbeartheolive-branchintheirmouthsandshowthewaytotheark.Butwhereinbodyandmindtherearepredisposingcausestolownessofspirit,itisnomarvelifindarkmomentstheheartsuccumbstothem;thewonderinmanycasesis--andifinnerlivescouldbewritten,menwouldseeitso--howsomeministerskeepattheirworkatall,andstillwearasmileupontheir countenances. Grace has its triumphs still, and patience has itsmartyrs;martyrsnonethelesstobehonouredbecausetheflameskindleabouttheirspiritsratherthantheirbodies,andtheirburningisunseenofhuman eyes. Theministries of Jeremiahs are as acceptable as those ofIsaiahs, and even the sullen Jonah is a true prophet of the Lord, asNinevehfeltfullwell.Despisenotthelame,foritiswrittenthattheytaketheprey;buthonourthosewho,beingfaint,areyetpursuing.Thetender-eyedLeahwasmorefruitful thanthebeautifulRachel,andthegriefsofHannahweremoredivine than theboastingsofPeninnah."Blessedarethey thatmourn," said theManofSorrows, and letnoneaccount themotherwisewhentheirtearsaresaltedwithgrace.Wehavethetreasureofthegospelinearthenvessels,andiftherebeaflawinthevesselhereandthere,letnonewonder.

Ourwork, when earnestly undertaken, lays us open to attacks in thedirection of depression. Who can bear the weight of souls withoutsometimes sinking to the dust? Passionate longings after men'sconversion,ifnotfullysatisfied(andwhenarethey?),consumethesoul

withanxietyanddisappointment.Toseethehopefulturnaside,thegodlygrowcold,professorsabusingtheirprivileges,andsinnerswaxingmorebold in sin--are not these sights enough to crush us to the earth? Thekingdomcomesnotaswewould, the reverendname isnothallowedaswe desire, and for this wemust weep. How can we be otherwise thansorrowful,whilemen believe not our report, and the divine arm is notrevealed?Allmentalworktendstowearyandtodepress,formuchstudyisawearinessoftheflesh;butoursismorethanmentalwork--itisheartwork,thelabourofourinmostsoul.Howoften,onLord's-dayevenings,dowefeelasiflifewerecompletelywashedoutofus!Afterpouringoutour souls over our congregations, we feel like empty earthen pitcherswhich a child might break. Probably, if we were more like Paul, andwatchedforsoulsatanoblerrate,weshouldknowmoreofwhatitistobe eaten up by the zeal of the Lord's house. It is our duty and ourprivilegetoexhaustourlivesforJesus.Wearenottobelivingspecimensof men in fine preservation, but living sacrifices, whose lot is to beconsumed;we are to spend and to be spent, not to lay ourselves up inlavender, and nurse our flesh. Such soul-travail as that of a faithfulministerwillbringonoccasionalseasonsofexhaustion,whenheartandfleshwill fail.Moses' hands grewheavy in intercession, and Paul criedout,"Whoissufficientforthesethings?"EvenJohntheBaptististhoughttohavehadhisfaintingfits,andtheapostleswereonceamazed,andweresoreafraid.

Our position in the church will also conduce to this. A minister fullyequippedforhisworkwillusuallybeaspiritbyhimself,above,beyond,andapartfromothers.Themostlovingofhispeoplecannotenterintohispeculiar thoughts, cares, and temptations. In the ranks, men walkshoulder to shoulder, with many comrades, but as the officer rises inrank,menofhisstandingarefewerinnumber.Therearemanysoldiers,fewcaptains,fewercolonels,butonlyonecommander-in-chief.So,inourchurches,themanwhomtheLordraisesasaleaderbecomes,inthesamedegreeinwhichheisasuperiorman,asolitaryman.Themountain-topsstand solemnlyapart, and talk onlywithGodasHe visits their terriblesolitudes. Men of God who rise above their fellows into nearercommunionwithheavenlythings,intheirweakermomentsfeelthelackofhumansympathy.LiketheirLordinGethsemane,theylookinvainfor

comfort to the disciples sleeping around them; they are shocked at theapathyof their little bandof brethren, and return to their secret agonywithalltheheavierburdenpressinguponthem,becausetheyhavefoundtheir dearest companions slumbering. No one knows, but he who hasenduredit,thesolitudeofasoulwhichhasoutstrippeditsfellowsinzealfortheLordofhosts: itdaresnotrevealitself, lestmencount itmad; itcannot conceal itself, for a fire burns within its bones: only before theLorddoesitfindrest.OurLord'ssendingouthisdisciplesbytwoandtwomanifestedthatheknewwhatwasinmen;butforsuchamanasPaul,itseems tome that no helpmeetwas found; Barnabas, or Silas, or Luke,werehillstoolowtoholdhighconversewithsuchaHimalayansummitastheapostleoftheGentiles.Thisloneliness,whichifImistakenotisfeltby many of my brethren, is a fertile source of depression; and ourministers'fraternalmeetings,andthecultivationofholyintercoursewithkindred minds will, with God's blessing, help us greatly to escape thesnare.

Therecanbelittledoubtthatsedentaryhabitshaveatendencytocreatedespondency in some constitutions. Burton, in his Anatomy ofMelancholy,hasachapteruponthiscauseofsadness;and,quotingfromone of the myriad authors whom he lays under contribution, he says-"Studentsarenegligentof theirbodies.Othermen look to their tools;apainter will wash his pencils; a smith will look to his hammer, anvil,forge;ahusbandmanwillmendhisplough-irons,andgrindhishatchetifitbedull;afalconerorhuntsmanwillhaveanespecialcareofhishawks,hounds,horses, dogs, etc.; amusicianwill string andunstringhis lute;only scholars neglect that instrument (their brain and spirits I mean)whichthey daily use.Well saith Lucan, 'See thou twist not the rope sohard that it break.'" To sit long in one posture, poring over a book, ordriving a quill, is in itself a taxing of nature; but add to this a badlyventilated chamber, a body which has long been without muscularexercise, and a heart burdened with many cares, and we have all theelements forpreparing a seething cauldronof despair, especially in thedimmonthsoffog:

"Whenablanketwrapstheday,Whentherottenwoodlanddrips,

Andtheleafisstampedinclay."

Letamanbenaturallyasblitheasabird,hewillhardlybeabletobearupyearafteryearagainstsuchasuicidalprocess;hewillmake his study a prison and his books the warders of a gaol,whilenature liesoutsidehiswindowcallinghim tohealthandbeckoninghimtojoy.Hewhoforgetsthehummingofthebeesamongtheheather,thecooingofthewood-pigeonsintheforest,the songof birds in thewoods, the rippling of rills among therushes,andthesighingofthewindamongthepines,needsnotwonder ifhisheart forgets tosingandhissoulgrowsheavy.Aday'sbreathingoffreshairuponthehills,orafewhours'ramblein the beech woods' umbrageous calm, would sweep thecobwebsoutof thebrainofscoresofourtoilingministerswhoarenowbuthalfalive.Amouthfulofseaair,orastiffwalkinthewind'sface,wouldnotgivegracetothesoul,butitwouldyieldoxygentothebody,whichisnextbest.

"Heaviesttheheartisinaheavyair,Ev'rywindthatrisesblowsawaydespair."

Thefernsandtherabbits,thestreamsandthetrouts,thefirtreesandthesquirrels, the primroses and the violets, the farm-yard, the new-mownhay, and the fragrant hops--these are the best medicine forhypochondriacs,thesuresttonicsforthedeclining,thebestrefreshmentsfor the weary. For lack of opportunity, or inclination, these greatremedies are neglected, and the student becomes a self-immolatedvictim.

The times most favourable to fits of depression, so far as I haveexperienced,maybesummedupinabriefcatalogue.FirstamongthemImustmention thehourofgreat success.Whenat last a long-cherisheddesireisfulfilled,whenGodhasbeenglorifiedgreatlybyourmeans,andagreattriumphachieved,thenweareapttofaint.Itmightbeimaginedthatamidspecial favoursoursoulwouldsoar toheightsofecstacy,andrejoice with joy unspeakable, but it is generally the reverse. The LordseldomexposesHiswarriors to the perils of exultation over victory; heknowsthatfewofthemcanenduresuchatest,andthereforedashestheir

cupwithbitterness.SeeEliasafterthefirehasfallenfromheaven,afterBaal'spriestshavebeenslaughteredandtherainhasdelugedthebarrenland! For him no notes of self-complacent music, no strutting like aconqueror in robes of triumph; he flees from Jezebel, and feeling therevulsion of his intense excitement, he prays that hemay die. He whomustneverseedeath,yearnsaftertherestof thegrave,evenasCaesar,theworld'smonarch, inhismomentsofpaincried likeasickgirl.Poorhumannaturecannotbearsuchstrainsasheavenlytriumphsbringtoit;theremustcomeareaction.Excessofjoyorexcitementmustbepaidforbysubsequentdepressions.Whilethetrial lasts,thestrengthisequaltotheemergency;butwhenitisover,naturalweaknessclaimstherighttoshow itself.Secretly sustained,Jacobcanwrestleallnight,buthemustlimp in the morning when the contest is over, lest he boast himselfbeyondmeasure.Paulmay be caught up to the third heaven, and hearunspeakable things, but a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan tobuffet him, must be the inevitable sequel. Men cannot bear unalloyedhappiness;evengoodmenarenotyetfittohave"theirbrowswithlaureland with myrtle bound," without enduring secret humiliation to keepthemintheirproperplace.Whirledfromoffourfeetbyarevival,carriedaloftbypopularity,exaltedby success in soul-winning,we shouldbeasthe chaff which the wind driveth away, were it not that the graciousdisciplineofmercybreakstheshipsofourvainglorywithastrongeastwind, and casts us shipwrecked, naked and forlorn, upon the Rock ofAges.

Beforeanygreatachievement,somemeasureofthesamedepressionisveryusual.Surveyingthedifficultiesbeforeus,ourheartssinkwithinus.ThesonsofAnakstalkbeforeus,andweareasgrasshoppersinourownsightintheirpresence.ThecitiesofCanaanarewalleduptoheaven,andwhoarewe thatweshouldhope tocapture them?Weareready tocastdownourweaponsandtaketoourheels.Ninevehisagreatcity,andwewouldfleeuntoTarshishsoonerthanencounteritsnoisycrowds.Alreadywelookforashipwhichmaybearusquietlyawayfromtheterriblescene,and only a dread of tempest restrains our recreant footsteps. Suchwasmy experience when I first became a pastor in London. My successappalledme;andthethoughtofthecareerwhichitseemedtoopenup,sofarfromelatingme,castmeintothelowestdepth,outofwhichIuttered

mymiserereandfoundnoroomforagloriainexcelsis.WhowasIthatIshouldcontinue to leadsogreatamultitude? Iwouldbetakeme tomyvillageobscurity,oremigrate toAmerica,andfindasolitarynest in thebackwoods, where I might be sufficient for the things which would bedemanded ofme. Itwas just then that the curtainwas rising uponmylife-work,andIdreadedwhatitmightreveal.IhopeIwasnotfaithless,butIwastimorousandfilledwithasenseofmyownunfitness.Idreadedtheworkwhichagraciousprovidencehadpreparedforme.Ifeltmyselfamere child, and trembled as I heard the voice which said, "Arise, andthreshthemountains,andmake themaschaff."ThisdepressioncomesovermewhenevertheLordispreparingalargerblessingformyministry;the cloud is blackbefore it breaks, andovershadowsbefore it yields itsdelugeofmercy.Depressionhasnowbecometomeasaprophetinroughclothing,a John theBaptist, heralding the nearer coming ofmy Lord'sricherbenison.Sohavefarbettermenfoundit.ThescouringofthevesselhasfitteditfortheMaster'suse.ImmersioninsufferinghasprecededthebaptismoftheHolyGhost.Fastinggivesanappetiteforthebanquet.TheLordisrevealedinthebacksideofthedesert,whileHisservantkeepeththesheepandwaitsinsolitaryawe.ThewildernessisthewaytoCanaan.The low valley leads to the towering mountain. Defeat prepares forvictory.Theravenissentforthbeforethedove.Thedarkesthourofthenightprecedes theday-dawn.Themariners godown to thedepths, butthe next wave makes them mount to the heaven; their soul is meltedbecauseoftroublebeforehebringeththemtotheirdesiredhaven.

In themidst of a long stretch of unbroken labour, the same afflictionmay be looked for. The bow cannot be always bent without fear ofbreaking. Repose is as needful to the mind as sleep to the body. OurSabbathsareourdaysoftoil,andifwedonotrestuponsomeotherdaywe shall break down. Even the earth must lie fallow and have herSabbaths, and so must we. Hence the wisdom and compassion of ourLord,whenHesaid toHisdisciples, "Letusgo into thedesertandrestawhile."What!when the people are fainting?When themultitudes arelike sheepupon themountainswithout a shepherd?Does Jesus talk ofrest?WhenScribesandPharisees, likegrievouswolves,are rending theflock, does He take His followers on an excursion into a quiet restingplace?Doessomered-hotzealotdenouncesuchatrociousforgetfulnessof

present and pressing demands? Let him rave in his folly. The MasterknowsbetterthantoexhaustHisservantsandquenchthelightofIsrael.Resttimeisnotwastetime.Itiseconomytogatherfreshstrength.Lookatthemowerinthesummer'sday,withsomuchtocutdownerethesunsets.Hepauses in his labour--is he a sluggard?He looks for his stone,andbeginstodrawitupanddownhisscythe,with"rink-a-tink--rink-a-tink--rink-a-tink." Is that idlemusic--is he wasting preciousmoments?Howmuch he might have mown while he has been ringing out thosenotesonhisscythe!Butheissharpeninghistool,andhewilldofarmorewhenonceagainhegiveshisstrengthtothoselongsweepswhichlaythegrassprostrateinrowsbeforehim.Eventhusalittlepausepreparesthemind forgreaterservice in thegoodcause.Fishermenmustmend theirnets,andwemusteverynowand thenrepairourmentalwasteandsetourmachineryinorderforfutureservice.Totugtheoarfromdaytoday,like a galley-slave who knows no holidays, suits notmortalmen.Mill-streams go on and on for ever, but wemust have our pauses and ourintervals.Whocanhelpbeingoutofbreathwhen the race is continuedwithoutintermission?Evenbeastsofburdenmustbeturnedouttograssoccasionally; the very sea pauses at ebb and flood; earth keeps theSabbathof thewintrymonths;andman,evenwhenexaltedtobeGod'sambassador,must rest or faint;must trim his lamp or let it burn low;must recruit his vigour or grow prematurely old. It is wisdom to takeoccasional furlough. In the long run, we shall do more by sometimesdoing less. On, on, on for ever, without recreation, may suit spiritsemancipatedfromthis"heavyclay,"butwhileweare inthistabernacle,wemusteverynowandthencryhalt,andservetheLordbyholyinactionandconsecratedleisure.Letnotenderconsciencedoubtthelawfulnessofgoingoutofharnessforawhile,butlearnfromtheexperienceofothersthenecessityanddutyoftakingtimelyrest.

One crushing stroke has sometimes laid the minister very low. Thebrothermostrelieduponbecomesatraitor.Judasliftsuphisheelagainstthemanwhotrustedhim,andthepreacher'sheartforthemomentfailshim. We are all too apt to look to an arm of flesh, and from thatpropensitymanyofoursorrowsarise.Equallyoverwhelmingistheblowwhen an honoured and beloved member yields to temptation, anddisgraces the holy name with which he was named. Anything is better

than this. This makes the preacher long for a lodge in some vastwilderness,wherehemayhidehishead forever,andhearnomore theblasphemousjeersoftheungodly.TenyearsoftoildonottakesomuchlifeoutofusasweloseinafewhoursbyAhithophelthetraitor,orDemastheapostate.Strife,also,anddivision,andslander,andfoolishcensures,haveoftenlaidholymenprostrate,andmadethemgo"aswithaswordintheirbones."Hardwordswoundsomedelicatemindsverykeenly.Manyofthebestofministers,fromtheveryspiritualityof theircharacter,areexceedinglysensitive--toosensitiveforsuchaworldasthis."Akickthatscarcewouldmoveahorsewouldkillasounddivine."Byexperiencethesoulishardenedtotheroughblowswhichareinevitableinourwarfare;but at first these things utterly stagger us, and send us to our homeswrapped inahorrorof greatdarkness.The trialsof a trueminister arenot few, and such as are caused by ungrateful professors are harder tobearthanthecoarsestattacksofavowedenemies.Letnomanwholooksforeaseofmindandseeks thequietudeof life enter theministry; ifhedoessohewillfleefromitindisgust.

To the lot of the fewdoes it fall topass through suchahorrorof greatdarknessasthatwhichfelluponmeafterthedeplorableaccidentat theSurreyMusicHall.Iwaspressedbeyondmeasureandoutofboundswithanenormousweight ofmisery.The tumult, thepanic, thedeaths,wereday and night before me, and made life a burden. Then I sang in mysorrow:

"ThetumultofmythoughtsDothbutincreasemywoe,Myspiritlanguisheth,myheartIsdesolateandlow."

FromthatdreamofhorrorIwasawakenedinamomentbythegraciousapplication tomy soul of the text, "Him hathGod the Father exalted."The fact that Jesus is still great, let His servants suffer as they may,pilotedmebacktocalmreasonandpeace.Shouldsoterribleacalamityovertake any ofmy brethren, let them both patiently hope and quietlywaitforthesalvationofGod.

Whentroublesmultiply,anddiscouragementsfolloweachother in long

succession, like Job's messengers, then, too, amid the perturbation ofsouloccasionedbyevil tidings,despondencydespoils theheartofall itspeace.Constantdroppingwearsawaystones,andthebravestmindsfeelthefretofrepeatedafflictions.Ifascantycupboardisrenderedaseverertrial by the sickness of awife or the loss of a child, and if ungenerousremarks of hearers are followed by the opposition of deacons and thecoolnessofmembers,then,likeJacob,weareapttocry,"Allthesethingsare against me." When David returned to Ziklag and found the cityburned,goodsstolen,wivescarriedoff,andhistroopsreadytostonehim,weread,"heencouragedhimselfinhisGod";andwellwasitforhimthathecoulddoso, forhewouldthenhavefaintedifhehadnotbelievedtosee the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Accumulateddistressesincreaseeachother'sweight;theyplayintoeachother'shands,and, like bands of robbers, ruthlessly destroy our comfort.Wave uponwaveissevereworkforthestrongestswimmer.Theplacewheretwoseasmeet strains the most seaworthy keel. If there were a regulated pausebetweenthebuffetingsofadversity,thespiritwouldstandprepared;butwhen they come suddenly and heavily, like the battering of greathailstones, the pilgrimmay well be amazed. The last ounce breaks thecamel'sback,andwhenthatlastounceislaiduponus,whatwonderifweforawhilearereadytogiveuptheghost!

Thisevilwillalsocomeuponus,weknownotwhy,andthenitisallthemoredifficulttodriveitaway.Causelessdepressionisnottobereasonedwith,norcanDavid'sharpcharmitawaybysweetdiscoursings.Aswellfightwiththemistaswiththisshapeless,undefinable,yetall-becloudinghopelessness.One affords himself no pitywhen in this case, because itseemssounreasonable,andevensinful,tobetroubledwithoutmanifestcause;andyettroubledthemanis,evenintheverydepthsofhisspirit.Ifthosewho laugh at suchmelancholy did but feel the grief of it for onehour, their laughter would be sobered into compassion. Resolutionmight,perhaps,shakeitoff,butwherearewetofindtheresolutionwhenthewholemanisunstrung?Thephysicianandthedivinemayunitetheirskillinsuchcases,andbothfindtheirhandsfull,andmorethanfull.Theironboltwhich somysteriously fastens thedoorofhopeandholdsourspiritsingloomyprison,needsaheavenlyhandtopushitback;andwhenthat hand is seen we cry with the apostle, "Blessed be God, even the

FatherofourLordJesusChrist,theFatherofmercies,andtheGodofallcomfort;whocomfortethusinallourtribulation,thatwemaybeabletocomfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith weourselves are comforted of God" 2Cor. i. 3, 4. It is the God of allconsolationwhocan:

"WithsweetobliviousantidoteCleanseourpoorbosomsofthatperilousstuffWhichweighsupontheheart."

SimonsinkstillJesustakeshimbythehand.Thedevilwithinrendsandtearsthepoorchildtillthewordofauthoritycommandshimtocomeoutofhim.Whenweareriddenwithhorriblefears,andweigheddownwithanintolerableincubus,weneedbuttheSunofRighteousnesstorise,andtheevilsgeneratedofourdarknessaredrivenaway;butnothingshortofthis will chase away the nightmare of the soul. Timothy Rogers, theauthor of a treatise on Melancholy, and Simon Browne, the writer ofsomeremarkablysweethymns,provedintheirowncaseshowunavailingisthehelpofmaniftheLordwithdrawthelightfromthesoul.

IfitbeenquiredwhytheValleyoftheShadowofDeathmustsooftenbetraversedbytheservantsofKingJesus,theanswerisnotfartofind.AllthisispromotiveoftheLord'smodeofworking,whichissummedupinthese words: "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith theLord." Instruments shall be used, but their intrinsic weakness shall beclearlymanifested;thereshallbenodivisionoftheglory,nodiminishingthehonourdue to theGreatWorker.Themanshallbe emptiedofself,andthenfilledwiththeHolyGhost.Inhisownapprehensionheshallbelikeasereleafdrivenofthetempest,andthenshallbestrengthenedintoabrazenwallagainsttheenemiesoftruth.Tohidepridefromtheworkeristhegreatdifficulty.Uninterruptedsuccessandunfadingjoyinitwouldbemorethanourweakheadscouldbear.Ourwinemustneedsbemixedwith water, lest it turn our brains. My witness is, that those who arehonoured of their Lord in public have usually to endure a secretchastening, or to carry a peculiar cross, lest by any means they exaltthemselves,andfallintothesnareofthedevil.HowconstantlytheLordcalls Ezekiel "Son of man"! Amid his soarings into the superlativesplendours,justwhenwitheyeundimmedheisstrengthenedtogazeinto

theexcellentglory,theword"Sonofman"fallsonhisears,soberingtheheartwhichelsemighthavebeenintoxicatedwiththehonourconferreduponit.Suchhumblingbutsalutarymessagesourdepressionswhisperinourears;theytellusinamannernottobemistakenthatwearebutmen,frail,feeble,apttofaint.

ByallthecastingsdownofHisservantsGodisglorified,fortheyareledto magnify Him when He sets them on their feet, and even whileprostrate in the dust their faith yields Him praise. They speak all themoresweetlyofHis faithfulness,andarethemorefirmlyestablishedinHislove.Suchmaturemenassomeelderlypreachersare,couldscarcelyhavebeenproduced if theyhadnotbeenemptied fromvessel tovessel,andmadetoseetheirownemptinessandthevanityofall thingsroundabout them.Glorybe toGod for the furnace, thehammer,and the file.Heaven shall be all the fuller of bliss becausewe have been filledwithanguish here below, and earth shall be better tilled because of ourtrainingintheschoolofadversity.

The lesson ofwisdom is,benot dismayedby soul-trouble.Count it nostrange thing, but apart of ordinaryministerial experience. Should thepowerofdepressionbemorethanordinary,thinknotthatallisoverwithyour usefulness. Cast not away your confidence, for it hath greatrecompenseofreward.Eveniftheenemy'sfootbeonyourneck,expecttoriseandoverthrowhim.Casttheburdenofthepresent,alongwiththesinof thepastandthe fearof the future,upontheLord,whoforsakethnotHis saints.Liveby theday--ay,by thehour.Putno trust in framesandfeelings.Caremoreforagrainoffaiththanatonofexcitement.TrustinGodalone,andleannotontheneedsofhumanhelp.Benotsurprisedwhenfriendsfailyou:itisafailingworld.Nevercountuponimmutabilityin man: inconstancy you may reckon upon without fear ofdisappointment. The disciples of Jesus forsook Him; be not amazed ifyouradherentswanderawaytootherteachers:astheywerenotyourallwhenwithyou,allisnotgonefromyouwiththeirdeparture.ServeGodwithallyourmightwhilethecandleisburning,andthenwhenitgoesoutforaseason,youwillhavethelesstoregret.Becontenttobenothing,forthatiswhatyouare.Whenyourownemptinessispainfullyforceduponyour consciousness, chide yourself that you ever dreamed of being full,

except in the Lord. Set small store by present rewards; be grateful forearnests by the way, but look for the recompensing joy hereafter.Continue with double earnestness to serve your Lord when no visibleresult is before you. Any simpleton can follow the narrow path in thelight: faith's rare wisdom enables us to march on in the dark withinfallibleaccuracy,sincesheplacesherhandinthatofherGreatGuide.Betweenthisandheaventheremayberougherweatheryet,but it isallprovided for by our covenant Head. In nothing let us be turned asidefromthepathwhichthedivinecallhasurgedustopursue.Comefairorcomefoul,thepulpitisourwatch-tower,andtheministryourwarfare;beit ours, when we cannot see the face of our God, to trust under THESHADOWOFHISWINGS.

LECTUREXIITHEMINISTER'SORDINARYCONVERSATION

Oursubjectistobetheminister'scommonconversationwhenhemingleswithmeningeneral,andissupposedtobequiteathisease.Howshallheorderhisspeechamonghis fellow-men?Firstandforemost, letmesay,let him give himself noministerial airs,but avoid everything which isstilted,official,fussy,andpretentious."TheSonofMan"isanobletitle;itwasgiventoEzekiel,andtoagreaterthanhe:letnottheambassadorofheavenbeother thana sonofman. In fact, let him remember that themoresimpleandunaffectedheis,themorecloselywillheresemblethatchild-man,theholychildJesus.Thereissuchathingastryingtobetoomuch aminister, and becoming too little aman; though themore of atruemanyouare,themoretrulywillyoubewhataservantof theLordshould be. Schoolmasters and ministers have generally an appearancepeculiarlytheirown;inthewrongsense,they"arenotasothermenare."They are too often speckled birds, looking as if theywere not at homeamong theother inhabitantsof the country,but awkwardandpeculiar.When Ihave seena flamingogravely stalkingalong, anowlblinking intheshade,orastorkdemurelylostinthought,Ihavebeenirresistiblyledto remember some of my dignified brethren of the teaching andpreachingfraternity,whoaresomarvellouslyproperatalltimesthattheyare just a shade amusing. Their very respectable, stilted, dignified,

important, self-restrained manner is easily acquired; but is it worthacquiring?

TheodoreHook once steppedup to a gentlemanwhowas parading thestreetwithgreatpomposity,andsaidtohim,"Sir,areyounotapersonofgreat importance?" and one has felt half inclined to do the same withcertainbrethrenofthecloth.Iknowbrethrenwho,fromheadtofoot,ingarb, tone,manner, necktie, and boots, are so utterlyparsonic that noparticleofmanhoodisvisible.Oneyoungsprigofdivinitymustneedsgothroughthestreetsinagown,andanotheroftheHighChurchorderhasrecordeditinthenewspaperswithmuchcomplacencythathetraversedSwitzerland and Italy,wearing in all places his biretta; few boyswouldhavebeensoproudofafool'scap.Noneofusarelikelytogoasfarasthatin our apparel; but wemay do the like by ourmannerism. Somemenappeartohaveawhitecravattwistedroundtheirsouls,theirmanhoodisthrottled with that starched rag. Certain brethren maintain an air ofsuperiority which they think impressive, but which is simply offensive,and eminently opposed to their pretensions as followers of the lowlyJesus. The proud Duke of Somerset intimated his commands to hisservants by signs, not condescending to speak to such base beings; hischildren never sat down in his presence, and when he slept in theafternoon one of his daughters stood on each side of him during hisaugustslumbers.WhenproudSomersetsgetintotheministry,theyaffectdignityinotherwaysalmostequallyabsurd."Standby,Iamholierthanthou,"iswrittenacrosstheirforeheads.

A well-knownminister was once rebuked by a sublime brother for hisindulgence in a certain luxury, and the expense was made a greatargument."Well,well,"hereplied,"theremaybesomethinginthat;butremember,Idonotspendhalfsomuchuponmyweaknessasyoudoinstarch." That is the article I am deprecating, that dreadful ministerialstarch.Ifyouhaveindulgedinit,Iwouldearnestlyadviseyouto"goandwashinJordanseventimes,"andgetitoutofyou,everyparticleof it. Iampersuadedthatonereasonwhyourworking-mensouniversallykeepclearofministersisbecausetheyabhortheirartificialandunmanlyways.If they saw us, in the pulpit and out of it, acting like real men, andspeakingnaturally,likehonestmen,theywouldcomearoundus.Baxter's

remarkstillholdsgood:"Thewantofafamiliartoneandexpressionisagreat fault inmost of our deliveries, and thatwhichwe should be verycareful to amend." The vice of the ministry is that ministers willparsonificatethegospel.Wemusthavehumanityalongwithourdivinityifwewouldwinthemasses.Everybodycanseethroughaffectations,andpeople are not likely to be taken in by them. Fling away your stilts,brethren, and walk on your feet; doff your ecclesiasticism, and arrayyourselvesintruth.

Still,aminister,whereverheis,isaminister,andshouldrecollectthathe isonduty.Apolicemanora soldiermaybeoffduty,butaministerneveris.Eveninourrecreationsweshouldstillpursuethegreatobjectofour lives; forwearecalled tobediligent "inseasonandoutof season."ThereisnopositioninwhichwemaybeplacedbuttheLordmaycomewith the question, "What doest thou here, Elijah?" andwe ought to beableatoncetoanswer,"Ihavesomethingtodofortheeevenhere,andIamtryingtodoit."Thebow,ofcourse,mustbeattimesunstrung,orelseit will lose its elasticity; but there is no need to cut the string. I amspeakingatthistimeoftheministerintimesofrelaxation;andIsaythateventhenheshouldconducthimselfastheambassadorofGod,andseizeopportunitiesofdoinggood:thiswillnotmarhisrest,butsanctify it.AministershouldbelikeacertainchamberwhichIsawatBeaulieu,intheNewForest,inwhichacobwebisneverseen,Itisalargelumber-room,and is never swept; yet no spider ever defiles it with the emblems ofneglect.Itisroofedwithchestnut,andforsomereason,Iknownotwhat,spiders will not come near that wood by the year together. The samethingwasmentionedtomeinthecorridorsofWinchesterSchool:Iwastold,"Nospidersevercomehere."Ourmindsshouldbeequallyclearofidlehabits.

Onourpublic rests forporters in theCityofLondonyoumay read thewords, "Rest, butdonot loiter"; and they contain adviceworthy of ourattention.Idonotcallthedolcefarnientelaziness;thereisasweetdoingofnothingwhichisjustthefinestmedicineintheworldforajadedmind.When the mind gets fatigued and out of order, to rest it is no moreidlenessthansleepisidleness;andnomaniscalledlazyforsleepingthepropertime.It is farbettertobeindustriouslyasleepthanlazilyawake.

Bereadytodogoodeveninyourrestingtimesandinyourleisurehours;andsobereallyaminister,andtherewillbenoneedforyoutoproclaimthatyouareso.

TheChristianministeroutofthepulpitshouldbeasociableman.Heisnotsentintotheworldtobeahermit,oramonkofLaTrappe.Itisnothisvocation to standonapillarallday,abovehis fellowmen, likethathare-brainedSimonStylitesofoldentime.Youarenottowarblefromthetopofa tree, likean invisiblenightingale;but tobeamanamongmen,sayingtothem,"Ialsoamasyouareinallthatrelatestoman."Saltisofno use in the box; it must be rubbed into themeat; and our personalinfluencemustpenetrateandseasonsociety.Keepalooffromothers,andhowcanyoubenefitthem?OurMasterwenttoawedding,andatebreadwith publicans and sinners, and yet was far more pure than thosesanctimoniousPharisees,whoseglorywas that theywereseparate fromtheir fellow-men. Some ministers need to be told that they are of thesamespeciesastheirhearers.Itisaremarkablefact,butwemayaswellstate it, that bishops, canons, archdeacons, prebendaries, rural deans,rectors,vicarsandevenarchbishops,areonlymenafterall;andGodhasnotrailedoffaholycorneroftheearthtoserveasachancelforthem,toabidethereinbythemselves.

It would not be amiss if there could be a revival of holy talk in thechurchyardandthemeeting-yard.I liketoseethebigyew-treesoutsideour ancient churcheswith seats all round them.They seem to say: "Sitdownhere,neighbour,andtalkuponthesermon;herecomesthepastor;hewill joinus, andwe shallhaveapleasant,holy chat." It isnot everypreacherwewouldcaretotalkwith;buttherearesomewhomonewouldgiveafortunetoconversewithforanhour.Iloveaministerwhosefaceinvitesmetomakehimmyfriend--amanuponwhosedoorstepyouread,"Salve," "Welcome"; and feel that there is no need of that Pompeianwarning,"CaveCanem,"

"Bewareofthedog."Givemethemanaroundwhomthechildrencome,like fliesaroundahoney-pot: theyare first-class judgesof agoodman.WhenSolomonwas triedby theQueenofSheba,as tohiswisdom, therabbistellusthatshebroughtsomeartificialflowerswithher,beautifullymade and delicately scented, so as to be facsimiles of real flowers. She

askedSolomontodiscoverwhichwereartificialandwhichwerereal.Thewisemanbadehisservantsopenthewindow,andwhenthebeescameinthey flew at once to the natural flowers, and cared nothing for theartificial.Soyouwillfindthatchildrenhavetheirinstincts,anddiscoververyspeedilywhoistheirfriend,anddependuponitthechildren'sfriendisonewhowillbeworthknowing.Haveagoodwordtosaytoeachandeverymemberofthefamily--thebigboys,andtheyoungladies,andthelittle girls, and everybody. No one knows what a smile and a heartysentencemaydo.Amanwho is todomuchwithmenmust love them,and feel at homewith them. An individual who has no geniality abouthim had better be an undertaker, and bury the dead, for hewill neversucceed in influencing the living. I have met somewhere with theobservation that tobeapopularpreacheronemusthavebowels. I fearthattheobservationwasmeantasamildcriticismuponthebulktowhichcertainbrethrenhaveattained:butthereistruthinit.Amanmusthaveagreatheartifhewouldhaveagreatcongregation.Hisheartshouldbeascapacious as those noble harbours along our coast, which contain sea-roomforafleet.Whenamanhasalarge,lovingheart,mengotohimasshipstoahaven,andfeelatpeacewhentheyhaveanchoredundertheleeofhisfriendship.Suchamanisheartyinprivateaswellasinpublic;hisbloodisnotcoldandfishy,butheiswarmasyourownfireside.Noprideandselfishness chill youwhen you. approachhim; he has his doors allopentoreceiveyou,andyouareathomewithhimatonce.SuchmenIwouldpersuadeyoutobe,everyoneofyou.

The Christianminister should also be very cheerful. I don't believe ingoing about like certainmonkswhom I saw inRome,who salute eachotherinsepulchraltones,andconveythepleasantinformation,"Brother,wemustdie:" towhich lively salutationeach livelybrotherof theorderreplies,"Yes,brother,wemustdie."Iwasgladtobeassureduponsuchgoodauthoritythatalltheselazyfellowsareabouttodie;uponthewhole,itisaboutthebestthingtheycando;buttillthateventoccurs,theymightusesomemorecomfortableformofsalutation.

No doubt there are some people who will be impressed by the verysolemnappearanceofministers.Ihaveheardofonewhofeltconvincedthat theremustbe something in theRomanCatholic religion, from the

extremely starved and pinched appearance of a certain ecclesiastic."Look,"saidhe,"howthemanisworntoaskeletonbyhisdailyfastingsandnightlyvigils!Howhemustmortityhisflesh!"Now,theprobabilitiesarethattheemaciatedpriestwaslabouringundersomeinternaldisease,which he would have been heartily glad to be rid of, and it was notconquestofappetite,butfailureindigestion,whichhadsoreducedhim;orpossiblyatroubledconscience,whichmadehimfrethimselfdowntothelightweights.Certainly,Ihavenevermetwithatextwhichmentionsprominenceofboneasanevidenceofgrace.Ifso,"TheLivingSkeleton"shouldhavebeenexhibited,notmerelyasanaturalcuriosity,butasthestandardofvirtue.Someofthebiggestroguesintheworldhavebeenasmortifiedinappearanceasiftheyhadlivedonlocustsandwildhoney.Itis a very vulgar error to suppose that amelancholy countenance is theindexofagraciousheart.Icommendcheerfulnesstoallwhowouldwinsouls;notlevityandfrothiness,butagenialhappyspirit.Therearemorefliescaughtwithhoney thanwithvinegar, and therewillbemore soulsled toheavenbyamanwhowearsheaven inhis face thanbyonewhobearsTartarusinhislooks.

Young ministers, and, indeed, all others, when they are in company,should take care not to engross all the conversation. They are quitequalifiedtodoso,nodoubt;Imeanfromtheircapacitytoinstruct,andreadinessofutterance;buttheymustrememberthatpeopledonotcaretobeperpetually instructed;they liketotakeaturnintheconversationthemselves.Nothingpleasessomepeoplesomuchastoletthemtalk,andit may be for their good to let them be pleased. I spent an hour oneeveningwithapersonwhodidmethehonourtosaythathefoundmeaverycharmingcompanion,andmostinstructiveinconversation,yetIdonothesitatetoconfessthatIsaidscarcelyanythingatall,butallowedhimto have the talk to himself. By exercising patience I gained his goodopinion,andanopportunity to addresshimonotheroccasions.Amanhasnomorerightattabletotalkallthantoeatall.WearenottothinkourselvesSirOracle,beforewhomnodogmustopenhismouth.No; letall the company contribute of their stores, and they will think all thebetterofthegodlywordswithwhichyoutrytoseasonthediscourse.

There are some companies intowhich youwill go, especiallywhen you

are first settled, where everybody will be awed by the majesty of yourpresence, and people will be invited because the newminister is to bethere.SuchapositionremindsmeofthechoiceststatuaryintheVatican.Alittleroomisscreenedoff,acurtainisdrawn,andlo!beforeyoustandsthegreatApollo!IfitbeyourtryinglottobetheApolloofthelittleparty,putanendtothenonsense.IfIweretheApollo,Ishouldliketosteprightoff the pedestal and shake hands all round, and you had better do thesame; for sooneror later the fuss theymakeaboutyouwill come toanend,andthewisestcourseistoendityourself.Hero-worshipisakindofidolatry,andmustnotbeencouraged.Heroesdowellwhenthey,liketheapostlesatLystra,arehorrifiedatthehonoursdonetothem,andruninamongthepeoplecrying,"Sirs,whydoyethesethings?Wealsoaremenoflikepassionswithyou."Ministerswillnothavetodoitlong;fortheirfoolishadmirersareveryapttoturnrounduponthem,andiftheydonotstonethemnearlytodeath,theywillgoasfarastheydareinunkindnessandcontempt.

While I say, "Donot talk all, andassumean importancewhich ismereimosture;" still,donotbeadummy.Peoplewill form their estimate ofyou and yourministry bywhat they see of you in private aswell as byyourpublicdeliverances.Manyyoungmenhaveruinedthemselvesinthepulpitbybeingindiscreetintheparlour,andhavelostallhopeofdoinggoodbytheirstupidityorfrivolityincompany.Don'tbeaninanimatelog.At Antwerp Fair, amongmany curiosities advertised by huge paintingsand big drums, I observed a booth containing "a great wonder," to beseen for a penny a head; it wasa petrifiedman. I did not expend theamountrequiredforadmission,forIhadseensomanypetrifiedmenfornothing, both in and out of the pulpit--lifeless, careless, destitute ofcommonsense,andaltogetherinert,thoughoccupiedwiththeweightiestbusinesswhichmancouldundertake.

Trytoturntheconversationtoprofitableuse.Besociableandcheerfuland all that, but labour to accomplish something.Why should you sowthe wind, or plough a rock? Consider yourself, after all, as being verymuchresponsiblefortheconversationwhichgoesonwhereyouare;forsuchistheesteeminwhichyouwillusuallybeheld,thatyouwillbethehelmsmanoftheconversation.Therefore,steeritintoagoodchannel.Do

thiswithoutroughnessorforce.Keepthepointsofthelineingoodorder,and the trainwill runon to your railswithout a jerk.Be ready to seizeopportunitiesadroitly,andleadonimperceptiblyinthedesiredtrack.Ifyour heart is in it and your wits are awake, this will be easy enough,especiallyifyoubreatheaprayerforguidance.

Ishallneverforgetthemannerinwhichathirstyindividualoncebeggedof me upon Clapham Common. I saw him with a very large truck, inwhichhewascarryinganextremelysmallparcel,andIwonderedwhyhehadnotput theparcel intohispocket, and left themachineathome. Isaid, "It looks odd to see so large a truck for such a small load." Hestopped,andlookingmeseriouslyintheface,hesaid,"Yes,sir,itisaveryodd thing;but,doyouknow, Ihavemetwithanodder thing than thatthisveryday.I'vebeenabout,workingandsweatingallthis 'ereblessedday,andtillnowIhaven'tmetasinglegentlemanthat lookedasifhe'dgive me a pint of beer, till I saw you." I considered that turn of theconversationveryneatlymanaged,andwe,withafarbettersubjectuponourminds,oughttobeequallyabletointroducethetopicuponwhichourheartisset.Therewasaneaseintheman'smannerwhichIenvied,forIdidnotfinditquitesosimpleamattertointroducemyowntopictohisnotice;yetifIhadbeenthinkingasmuchabouthowIcoulddohimgoodashehaduponhowtoobtainadrink,IfeelsureIshouldhavesucceededinreachingmypoint.Ifbyanymeanswemaysavesome,wemust, likeour Lord, talk at table to good purpose--yes, and on themargin of thewell,andbytheroad,andonthesea-shore,andinthehouse,andinthefield.TobeaholytalkerforJesusmightbealmostasfruitfulanofficeastobea faithfulpreacher.Aimatexcellence inbothexercises,andif theHolySpirit'saidbecalledin,youwillattainyourdesire.

Here,perhaps, Imay insert a canon,whichnevertheless Ibelieve tobequiteneedless,inreferencetoeachoneofthehonourablebrethrenwhomI am now addressing.Do not frequent rich men's tables to gain theircountenance, and nevermake yourself a sort of general hanger-on attea-partiesandentertainments.Whoareyouthatyoushouldbedancingattendanceuponthiswealthymanandtheother,whentheLord'spoor,his sick people, and his wandering sheep require you? To sacrifice thestudytotheparlouriscriminal.Tobeatoutforyourchurch,andwaylay

peopleattheirhomestodrawthemtofillyourpews,isadegradationtowhichnomanshouldsubmit.Toseeministersofdifferentsectsflutteringround a wealthy man, like vultures round a dead camel, is sickening.Deliciously sarcastic was that famous letter "from an old and belovedminister to his dear son" upon his entrance into the ministry, thefollowingextractfromwhichhitsourpresentpoint.Itissaidtohavebeencopied from the Smellfungus Gazette, but I suspect our friend PaxtonHood knows all about its authorship: "Keep also a watchful eye on alllikely persons, especiallywealthy or influential,whomay come to yourtown;calluponthem,andattempttowinthemoverbythedevotionsofthedrawing-roomtoyourcause.ThusyoumaymostefficientlyservetheMaster's interests. People need looking after, and the result of a longexperiencegoestoconfirmmyconviction,longcherished,thatthepowerofthepulpitistriflingcomparedwiththepoweroftheparlour.Wemustimitateandsanctify,bythewordofGodandprayer,theexercisesof theJesuits.Theysucceedednotbythepulpitsomuchasbytheparlour.Inthe parlour you can whisper--you can meet people on all their littlepersonalprivateideas.Thepulpitisaveryunpleasantplace;ofcourseitisthegreatpowerofGod,andsoon,butitistheparlourthattells,andaministerhasnotthesamechanceofsuccessifhebeagoodpreacherasifhe is a perfect gentleman; nor in cultivated society has any man alegitimate prospect of success if he is not, whatever he may be, agentleman. I have always admired Lord Shaftesbury's character of St.Paul inhis 'Characteristics'--thathewasa finegentleman.And Iwouldsaytoyou,beagentleman.NotthatIneedtosayso,butampersuadedthat only in this way can we hope for the conversion of our growingwealthymiddleclasses.Wemustshowthatourreligionisthereligionofgoodsenseandgoodtaste;thatwedisapproveofstrongexcitementsandstrongstimulants;andoh,mydearboy,ifyouwouldbeuseful,ofteninyourclosetmakeitamatterofearnestprayerthatyoumaybeproper.IfIwere asked what is your first duty, be proper; and your second, beproper; and your third, be proper." Those who remember a class ofpreacherswhoflourishedfiftyyearsagowillseethekeennessofthesatireinthisextract.Theevilisgreatlymitigatednow;infact,Ifearwemaybedriftingintoanotherextreme.

In all probability, sensible conversation will sometimes drift into

controversy,andheremanyagoodmanrunsuponasnag.Thesensibleminister will be particularly gentle in argument.He, above all men,should notmake themistake of fancying that there is force in temper,and power in speaking angrily. A heathen who stood in a crowd inCalcutta, listening to a missionary disputing with a Brahmin, said heknewwhich was right though he did not understand the language--heknew that hewas in thewrongwho lost his temper first. For themostpart, that is a very accurateway of judging.Try to avoiddebatingwithpeople.Stateyouropinionandletthemstatetheirs.Ifyouseethatastickiscrooked,andyouwantpeople to seehowcrooked it is, laya straightroddownbesideit; thatwillbequiteenough.But ifyouaredrawnintocontroversy, use very hard arguments and very soft words. Frequentlyyou cannot convince a man by tugging at his reason, but you canpersuadehimbywinninghisaffections.TheotherdayIhadthemiserytoneed a pair of new boots, and though I bade the fellowmake them aslargeascanoes, Ihad to labour fearfully toget themon.Withapairofboot-hooksItoiledlikethemenonboardthevesselwithJonah,butallinvain. Just thenmy friend put inmyway a little French chalk, and theworkwasdoneinamoment.WonderfullycoaxingwasthatFrenchchalk.Gentlemen,alwayscarryalittleFrenchchalkwithyouintosociety,aneatpacketofChristianpersuasiveness,andyouwillsoondiscoverthevirtuesofit.

And lastly, with all his amiability, the minister should be firm for hisprinciples,andboldtoavowanddefendtheminallcompanies.Whenafairopportunityoccurs,orhehasmanagedtocreateone,lethimnotbeslowtomakeuseof it.Strong inhisprinciples,earnest inhistone,andaffectionateinheart,lethimspeakoutlikeamanandthankGodfortheprivilege.Thereneedbenoreticence--thereshouldbenone.Themaddestromancesof Spiritualists, thewildestdreamsofUtopian reformers, thesilliest chit-chat of the town, and the vainest nonsense of the frivolousworld,demandahearingandgetit.AndshallnotChristbeheard?ShallHismessageof love remainuntold, for fearwe shouldbe chargedwithintrusion or accused of cant? Is religion to be tabooed--the best andnoblestofallthemesforbidden?Ifthisbetheruleofanysociety,wewillnotcomplywithit.Ifwecannotbreakitdown,wewillleavethesocietytoitself,asmendesertahousesmittenwithleprosy.Wecannotconsentto

begagged.Thereisnoreasonwhyweshouldbe.WewillgotonoplacewherewecannottakeourMasterwithus.Whileotherstakelibertytosin,weshallnotrenounceourlibertytorebukeandwarnthem.

Wiselyused,ourcommonconversationmaybeapotentmeansforgood.Trainsofthoughtmaybestartedbyasinglesentencewhichmayleadtothe conversion of personswhomour sermons have never reached. Themethod of button-holing people, or bringing the truth before themindividually,hasbeengreatlysuccessful:thisisanothersubject,andcanhardlycomeundertheheadofCommonConversation;butwewillclosebysayingthatitistobehopedthatweshallnever,inourordinarytalk,any more than in the pulpit, be looked upon as nice sort of persons,whosebusinessitistomakethingsagreeableallround,andwhoneverbyanypossibilitycauseuneasinesstoanyone,howeverungodlytheir livesmaybe.Suchpersonsgoinandoutamongthefamiliesoftheirhearers,andmakemerrywiththem,whentheyoughttobemourningoverthem.Theysitdownattheirtablesandfeastattheirease,whentheyoughttobe warning them to flee from the wrath to come. They are like thatAmericanalarumIhaveheardof,whichwaswarrantednottowakeyouifyoudidnotwishittodoso.

Beitourstosow,notonlyonthehonestandgoodsoil,butontherockandonthehighway,andatthelastgreatdaytoreapagladharvest.Maythe bread which we cast upon the waters in odd times and strangeoccasionsbefoundagainaftermanydays.

LECTUREXIII

TOWORKERSWITHSLENDERAPPARATUS

What are those ministers to do who have a slender apparatus? By aslenderapparatusImeanthattheyhavefewbooks,andlittleornomeanswherewithtopurchasemore.Thisisastateofthingswhichoughtnottoexist in any case; the churches ought to take care that it should berendered impossible. Up to the highest measure of their ability theyshouldfurnishtheirminister,notonlywiththefoodwhichisneedfultosustain the lifeofhisbody,butwithmentalnutriment, so thathis soulmay not be starved. A good library should be looked upon as anindispensablepartofchurchfurniture;andthedeacons,whosebusinessit is "toserve tables,"willbewise if,withoutneglecting the tableof theLord, or of the poor, and without diminishing the supplies of theminister's dinner-table, they give an eye to his study-table, and keep itsuppliedwithnewworksandstandardbooksinfairabundance.Itwouldbemoneywelllaidout,andwouldbeproductivefarbeyondexpectation.Instead of waxing eloquent upon the declining power of the pulpit,leadingmeninthechurchshouldusethelegitimatemeansforimprovingitspower,bysupplyingthepreacherwithfoodforthought.Putthewhipintothemangerismyadvicetoallgrumblers.

SomeyearsagoItriedto.induceourchurchestohaveministers'librariesasamatterofcourse,andsome few thoughtfulpeoplesaw thevalueofthe suggestion, and commenced carrying it out.Withmuch pleasure Ihaveseenhereandtheretheshelvesprovidedandafewvolumesplacedupon them. I earnestly wish that such a beginning had been madeeverywhere;but,alas!Ifearthatalongsuccessionofstarvelingministerswill alone arouse the miserly to the conviction that parsimony with aminister is falseeconomy.Thosechurcheswhichcannotafforda liberalstipendshouldmakesomeamendsbyfoundingalibraryasapermanentpartof theirestablishment;and,bymakingadditions to it fromyear toyear, it would soon become very valuable. My venerable grandfather'smansehad in itacollectionofveryvaluableancientPuritanicvolumes,which had descended from minister to minister: well do I remembercertainponderoustomes,whosechief interesttomelayintheircuriousinitial letters, adorned with pelicans, griffins, little boys at play, orpatriarchs at work. It may be objected that the books would be lost

throughchangeofusers,but Iwould run the riskof that; and trustees,withalittlecareoverthecatalogue,couldkeepthelibrariesassecurelyastheykeepthepewsandpulpit.

Ifthisschemebenotadopted,letanotherandsimpleronebetried;letallthesubscriberstowardsthepreacher'ssupportaddtenpercentormoretotheirsubscriptions,expresslytoprovidefoodfortheminister'sbrain.Theywouldgetbackwhattheygaveintheimprovedsermonstheywouldhear.Ifsomelittleannualincomecouldbesecuredtopoorministers,tobe sacredly spent in books, it would be a God-send to them, and anincalculableblessingtothecommunity.Sensiblepersonsdonotexpectagardentoyieldthemherbsfromyeartoyearunlesstheyenrichthesoil;theydonotexpectalocomotivetoworkwithoutfuel,orevenanoxoranass to labour without food; let them, therefore, give over expecting toreceiveinstructivesermonsfrommenwhoareshutoutofthestorehouseofknowledgebytheirinabilitytopurchasebooks.

Butthesubjectis,whatarementodowhohavenostores,whohavenochurch library, and no allowancemade them to provide books? Let usremarkatoncethat,ifthesemensucceed,greaterhonourisduetothemthantothosewhohavelargeappliances.

QuintinMatsys is said tohavehadallhis toolsexcepthishammerandfile taken from him by his fellow workmen, and to have produced hisfamouswell-coverwithoutthem;somuchthemorehonourtohim!GreatcreditisduetothoseworkersforGodwhohavedonegreatthingswithouthelpfultools.Theirlabourwouldhavebeengreatlylightenediftheyhadpossessedthem;butwhattheyhavedoneis themorewonderful.AtthepresentInternationalExhibitionatKensington,Mr.Buckmaster'sSchoolofCookery ismainlyadmiredbecauseheproduces such savourydishesfromunpromisingmaterial;fromahandfulofbonesandalittlemacaroniheservesuproyaldainties.IfhehadallthematerialsemployedinFrenchcookery,andusedthemall,everypersonwouldsay,"Well,anybodycoulddothat;"butwhenheshowsyouscrapsofmeatandbones,andtellsyouthat he bought them at the butcher's for a few pence, and that be canmakeoutof themadinnerfora familyof fiveorsix,all thegoodwivesopentheireyes,andwonderhowonearth itcanbedone;andwhenhepassesroundhisdish,andtheytastehowdelicious it is, theyarefullof

admiration.Workaway, then,poorbrother, foryoumayyet succeed indoing great things in your ministry, and your welcome of "Well done,good and faithful servant," will be all the more emphatic because youlabouredunderseriousdifficulties.

Ifamancanpurchasebutveryfewbooks,myfirstadvicetohimwouldbe, let him purchase the very best. If he cannot spend much, let himspendwell. The best will always be the cheapest. Leavemere dilutionsandattenuationstothosewhocanaffordsuchluxuries.Donotbuymilkand water, but get condensed milk, and put what water you like to ityourself. This age is full of word-spinners--professional book-makers,whohammeragrainofmattersothinthatitwillcoverafive-acresheetofpaper;thesemenhavetheiruses,asgold-beatershave,buttheyareofnousetoyou.Farmersonourcoastusedtocartwagon-loadsofseaweedandputthemupontheirland;theheaviestpartwasthewater:nowtheydry theweeds, and save aworld of labour and expense.Don't buy thinsoup; purchase the essence of meat. Get much in little. Prefer bookswhich abound in what James Hamilton used to call "Bibline," or theessence of books. You require accurate, condensed, reliable, standardbooks,andshouldmakesurethatyougetthem.InpreparinghisHoraeBiblicaeQuotidianae,which is an admirable comment upon the Bible,Dr. Chalmers used only the Concordance, the Pictorial Bible, Poole'sSynopsis,MatthewHenry'sCommentary,andRobinson'sResearchesinPalestine. "These are the books I use," said he to a friend; "all that isBiblicalisthere;IhavetodowithnothingbesidesinmyBiblicalstudy."Thisshowsthat thosewhohaveunlimitedstoresat theircommand,yetfindafewstandardbookssufficient.IfDr.Chalmerswerenowalive,hewouldprobablytakeThomson'sLandandtheBookinsteadofRobinson'sResearches, and give up the Pictorial Bible for Kitto's Daily BibleIllustrations;at least I should recommend the alteration tomostmen.Thisisclearevidencethatsomemosteminentpreachershavefoundthattheycoulddobetterwith fewbooks thanwithmanywhenstudying theScriptures,andthis,Itakeit,isourmainbusiness.

Forgo, then, without regret, the many books which, like poor Hodge'srazors,offamousmemory,"aremadetosell,"anddosellthosewhobuythem,aswellasthemselves.MatthewHenry'sCommentaryhavingbeen

mentioned, I venture to say thatnobetter investment canbemade, byanyminister,thanthatpeerlessexposition.Getit,ifyousellyourcoattobuyit.

The next rule I shall lay down is,master those books you have.Readthemthoroughly.Batheinthemuntiltheysaturateyou.Readandre-readthem,masticatethem,anddigestthem.Letthemgointoyourveryself.Peruseagoodbookseveral times,andmakenotesandanalysesof it.Astudentwillfindthathismentalconstitutionismoreaffectedbyonebookthoroughly mastered than by twenty books which he has merelyskimmed, lapping at them, as the classic proverb puts it "As the dogsdrink of Nilus." Little learning andmuch pride come of hasty reading.Books may be piled on the brain till it cannot work. Some men aredisabledfromthinkingby theirputtingmeditationaway for thesakeofmuch reading. They gorge themselves with book-matter, and becomementallydyspeptic.

Booksonthebrain causedisease.Get thebook intothebrain, and youwillgrow.InD'Israeli'sCuriositiesofLiterature there isan invectiveofLucian upon thosemen who boast of possessing large libraries, whichtheyeitherneverreadorneverprofitby.Hebeginsbycomparingsuchapersontoapilotwhoneverlearnedtheartofnavigation,oracripplewhowears embroidered slippersbut cannot standupright in them. Then heexclaims, "Whydoyoubuy somanybooks?Youhavenohair, andyoupurchase a comb; you are blind, and youmustneedbuy a finemirror;you are deaf, and you will have the best musical instrument!"--a verywell-deservedrebuketothosewhothinkthatthepossessionofbookswillsecurethemlearning.Ameasureofthattemptationhappenstousall;fordowenotfeelwiserafterwehavespentanhourortwoinabookseller'sshop?AmanmightaswellthinkhimselfricherforhavinginspectedthevaultsoftheBankofEngland.Inreadingbooksletyourmottobe,"Much,not many." Think as well as read, and keep the thinking alwaysproportionateto the reading, and your small librarywill not be a greatmisfortune.

ThereisverymuchsoundsenseintheremarkofawriterintheQuarterlyReviewmany years back. "Give us the one dear book, cheaply pickedfromthestallbythepriceofthedinner,thumbedanddog-eared,cracked

inthebackandbrokeninthecorner,notedonthefly-leafandscrawledon the margin, sullied and scorched, torn and worn, smoothed in thepocketandgrimedonthehearth,dampedbythegrassanddustedamongthecinders,overwhichyouhavedreamedinthegroveanddozedbeforetheembers,butreadagain,again,andagain,fromcovertocover.Itisbythis one book, and its three or four single successors, that more realcultivationhasbeen imparted thanbyall themyriadswhichbeardownthemile-long,bulging,bendingshelvesoftheBodleian."

But if you feel youmusthavemorebooks, I recommend toyoua littlejudicious borrowing.Youwillmost likely have some friendswho havebooks,andwhowillbekindenoughtoletyouusethemforatime;andIspecially advise you, in order to borrow again, to return whatsoever islent,promptly,andingoodcondition.IhopethereisnotsomuchneedthatIshouldsaymuchaboutreturningbooks,astherewouldhavebeenafewmonthsago, for Ihave latelymetwithastatementbyaclergyman,whichhasverymuchraisedmyopinionofhumannature;forhedeclaresthat he has a personal acquaintance with three gentlemen who haveactuallyreturnedborrowedumbrellas!Iamsorrytosaythathemovesinamorefavouredcircle thanIdo, for Ihavepersonalacquaintancewithseveralyoungmenwhohaveborrowedbooksandneverreturnedthem.Theotherday, a certainminister,whohad lentme fivebooks,which Ihaveusedfortwoyearsormore,wrotetomeanotetorequestthereturnofthreeofthem.Tohissurprise,hehadthembackbythenext"Parcels'Delivery,"andtwootherswhichhehadforgotten.Ihadcarefullykeptalistofbooksborrowed,and, therefore,couldmakeacompletereturntotheowner.Iamsurehedidnotexpecttheirpromptarrival,forhewrotemea letterofmingledastonishmentandgratitude,andwhenIvisithisstudyagain,IfeelsureIshallbewelcometoanotherloan.Youknowtherhymewhichhasbeenwritteninmanyaman'sbook--

"Ifthouartborrowedbyafriend,RightwelcomeshallhebeToread,tostudy,nottolend,Buttoreturntome.NotthatimpartedknowledgedothDiminishlearning'sstore,

ButbooksIfindwhenoncethey'relent,Returntomenomore."

SirWalter Scott used to say that his friends might be very indifferentaccountants,buthewassuretheyweregood"book-keepers."Somehaveevenhadtogothelengthofthescholarwho,whenaskedtolendabook,sent word by the servant that he would not let the book go out of hischamber,butthatthegentlemanwhosoughttheloanmightcomeandsitthere and read as long as he liked. The rejoinder was unexpected butcomplete,when,hisfirebeingslowtoburn,hesenttothesamepersontoborrowapairofbellows,andreceivedforanswerthat theownerwouldnot lend thebellows out of his own chamber, but the gentlemanmightcome and blow there as long as he liked. Judicious borrowing mayfurnishyouwithmuchreading,butremembertheman'saxe-headintheScriptures, and be careful of what you borrow. "The wicked borrowethandpayethnotagain."

Incasethefamineofbooksshouldbesoreintheland,thereisonebookwhichyouallhave,andthatisyourBible;andaministerwithhisBibleislikeDavidwithhisslingandstone,fullyequippedforthefray.NomanmaysaythathehasnowelltodrawfromwhiletheScripturesarewithinreach. In the Bible we have a perfect library, and he who studies itthoroughly will be a better scholar than if he had devoured theAlexandrian Library entire. To understand the Bible should be ourambition;weshouldbefamiliarwithit,asfamiliarasthehousewifewithherneedle,themerchantwithhis ledger, themarinerwithhisship.Weoughttoknowitsgeneralrun,thecontentsofeachbook,thedetailsofitshistories, its doctrines, its precepts, and everything about it. Erasmus,speakingofJerome,asks, "Whobutheever learnedbyheart thewholeScripture?orimbibed,ormeditatedonitashedid?"ItissaidofWitsius,alearnedDutchman,authorofthefamousworkon"TheCovenants,"thathe also was able, not merely to repeat every word of Scripture in theoriginal tongues, but to give the context, and the criticisms of the bestauthors;andIhaveheardofanoldministerinLancashire,thathewas"awalkingConcordance," and could either give you chapter and verse foranypassagequoted,or,viceversa,couldcorrectlygive thewordswhentheplacewasmentioned.Thatmayhavebeenafeatofmemory,butthe

studyneedfultoitmusthavebeenhighlyprofitable.Idonotsaythatyoumustaspiretothat;butifyoucould,itwouldbewellworththegaining.Itwasoneofthefortesofthatsingulargenius,WilliamHuntington(whomI will not now either condemn or commend), that in preaching heincessantlyquotedHolyScripture,andwasaccustomed,wheneverbedidso, to give the chapter and the verse; and in order to show hisindependenceof theprintedbook, itwashisuncomelyhabit to removetheBiblefromthefrontofthepulpit.

Amanwhohas learnednotmerely the letterof theBible,but its innerspirit,willbenomeanman,whateverdeficiencieshemaylabourunder.Youknowtheoldproverb,"Caveabhomineuniuslibri"--Bewareof themanofonebook.Heisaterribleantagonist.AmanwhohashisBibleathisfingers'endsandinhisheart'scoreisachampioninourIsrael;youcannotcompetewithhim:youmayhaveanarmouryofweapons,buthisScriptural knowledge will overcome you; for it is a sword like that ofGoliath,ofwhichDavidsaid,"Thereisnonelikeit."ThegraciousWilliamRomaine,Ibelieve,inthelatterpartofhislife,putawayallhisbooksandread nothing at all but his Bible. He was a scholarly man, yet he wasmonopolised by the one Book, and was made mighty by it. If we aredriventodothesamebynecessity,letusrecollectthatsomehavedoneitby choice, and let us not bemoan our lot, for the Scriptures will besweeter than honey to our taste, and will make us "wiser than theancients."We shall never be short of holymatter if we are continuallystudyingtheinspiredvolume;nay,itisnotonlymatterthatweshallfindthere,butillustrationtoo;fortheBibleis itsownbestillustrator.Ifyouwant anecdote, simile, allegory, or parable, turn to the sacred page.Scriptural truthnever looksmore lovely thanwhenshe isadornedwithjewelsfromherowntreasury.IhavelatelybeenreadingtheBooksoftheKingsand theChronicles, and Ihavebecomeenamouredof them; theyare as full of divine instruction as thePsalms orProphets, if readwithopenedeyes.IthinkitwasAmbrosewhousedtosay,"Iadoretheinfinityof Scripture." I hear that same voice which sounded in the ears ofAugustine,concerningtheBookofGod,"Tolle,lege"--Take,read.Itmaybeyouwilldwellinretirementinsomevillage,whereyouwillfindnoonetoconversewithwho isaboveyourown level,andwhereyouwillmeetwithvery fewbooksworthyour reading; thenreadandmeditate in the

lawoftheLordbothday,andnight,andyoushallbe"asatreeplantedbythe rivers of water." Make the Bible the man of your right hand, thecompanionofeveryhour,andyouwillhavelittlereasonto lamentyourslenderequipmentininferiorthings.

Iwouldearnestlyimpressuponyouthetruth,thatamanwhoisshortofapparatuscanmakeupfor itbymuchthought.Thinking isbetter thanpossessingbooks.Thinkingisanexerciseofthesoulwhichbothdevelopsits powers and educates them.A little girlwas once askedwhether sheknewwhathersoulwas,and,tothesurpriseofall,shesaid,"Sir,mysoulis my think." If this be correct, some persons have very little soul.Withoutthinking,readingcannotbenefitthemind,butitmaydeludethemanintotheideathatheisgrowingwise.Booksareasortofidoltosomemen. As the image with the Roman Catholic is intended to make himthink of Christ, and in effect keeps him from Christ, so books areintendedtomakementhink,butareoftenahindrancetothought.WhenGeorgeFox took a sharpknife and cut out forhimself apair of leatherbreeches,and,havingdonewiththefashionsofsociety,hidhimselfinahollowtree,tothinkbythemonthtogether,hewasgrowingintoamanofthoughtbeforewhommenofbooksspeedilybeataretreat.Whataflutterhemade,notonlyamongthePoperies,andPrelacies,andPresbyteriesofhisday,butalsoamongthewell-readproprietiesofDissent.Hesweptnoendofcobwebsoutofthesky,andgavethebookwormsahardtimeofit.Thought is the backbone of study, and if more ministers would think,whatablessingitwouldbe!Only,wewantmenwhowillthinkabouttherevealedtruthofGod,andnotdreamerswhoevolvereligionsoutoftheirownconsciousness.Nowadayswearepesteredwithasetoffellowswhomustneedsstandontheirheadsandthinkwiththeirfeet.Romancingistheir notion of meditation. Instead of considering revealed truth, theyexcogitateamessoftheirown,inwhicherror,andnonsense,andconceitappear inaboutequalparts;andtheycall thisbroth"modernthought."Wewantmenwhowilltrytothinkstraight,andyetthinkdeep,becausethey thinkGod's thoughts.Farbe it fromme tourgeyou to imitate theboastfulthinkersofthisage,whoemptytheirmeeting-houses,andthenglory that theypreach to the cultivated and intellectual. It ismiserablecant. Earnest thought upon the things which are assuredly believedamongusisquiteanothermatter,andtothatIurgeyou.PersonallyIowe

muchtomanyhours,andevendays,spentalone,underanoldoak-tree,bytheriverMedway.HappeningtobesomewhatindisposedatthetimewhenIwasleavingschool,Iwasallowedconsiderableleisure,and,armedwith an excellent fishing-rod, I caught a few small fishes, and enjoyedmany day-dreams, intermingled with searchings of heart, and muchruminatingofknowledgeacquired.Ifboyswouldthink,itwouldbewelltogivethemlessclassworkandmoreopportunityforthought.Allcramandnodigestionmakesfleshdestituteofmuscle,andthis isevenmoredeplorable mentally than physically. if your people are not numerousenough to supply youwith a library, theywillmake fewer demands onyourtime,and,inhavingtimeformeditation,youwillbeevenbetteroffthan your brethren with many books and little space for quietcontemplation.

Withoutbooksamanmaylearnmuchbykeepinghiseyesopen.Currenthistory,incidentswhichtranspireunderhisownnose,eventsrecordedinthenewspaper,mattersofcommontalk--hemaylearnfromthemall.Thedifferencebetweeneyesandnoeyesiswonderful.Ifyouhavenobookstotry your eyes, keep them open where-ever you go, and you will findsomethingworthlookingat.Canyounotlearnfromnature?Everyfloweriswaiting to teach you. "Consider the lilies," and learn from the roses.Notonlymayyougototheant,buteverylivingthingoffersitselfforyourinstruction.Thereisavoiceineverygale,andalessonineverygrainofdustitbears.Sermonsglisteninthemorningoneverybladeofgrass,andhomilies fly by you as the sere leaves fall from the trees. A forest is alibrary,a cornfield isavolumeofphilosophy, the rock isahistory,andthe river at itsbaseapoem.Go, thouwhohast thine eyesopened, andfind lessons of wisdom everywhere, in heaven above, in the earthbeneath, and in the waters under the earth. Books are poor thingscomparedwiththese.

Moreover,howeverscantyourlibraries,youcanstudyyourself.Thisisamysterious volume, themajor part of which you have not read. If anymanthinkthatheknowshimselfthoroughly,hedeceiveshimself;forthemost difficult book you will ever read is your own heart. I said to adoubter the other day, who seemed to be wandering in amaze, "Well,really I cannot understand you; but I am not vexed, for I never could

understandmyself;"andIcertainlymeantwhatIsaid.Watchthetwistsand turns and singularities of your own mind, and the strangeness ofyourownexperience;thedepravityofyourheart,andtheworkofdivinegrace;yourtendencytosin,andyourcapacityforholiness;howakinyouare toadevil, andyethowallied toGodHimself!Notehowwisely youcanactwhen taughtofGod,andhow foolishlyyoubehavewhen left toyourself. You will find the study of your heart to be of immenseimportance to you as a watcher over the souls of others. Aman's ownexperience should be to him the laboratory in which he tests themedicines which he prescribes for others. Even your own faults andfailureswillinstructyouifyoubringthemtotheLord.Absolutelysinlessmen would be unable to sympathise with imperfect men and women.StudytheLord'sdealingswithyourownsouls,andyouwillknowmoreofHiswayswithothers

Readothermen; theyareas instructiveasbooks.Supposethereshouldcomeup to one of our great hospitals a young student so poor that hecouldnotpurchasesurgicalbooks;itwouldcertainlybeagreatdetrimentto him; but if he had the run of the hospital, if he saw operationsperformed,andwatchedcasesfromdaytoday,Ishouldnotwonderbutwhat he might turn out as skilful a surgeon as his more favouredcompanions.His observationwould show himwhat books alone couldnot;andashestoodbytoseetheremovalofalimb,thebindingupofawound,orthetyingupofanartery,hemight,atanyrate,pickupenoughpractical surgery to be of immense service to him. Now, much that aminister needs to know he must learn by actual observation. All wisepastors have walked the hospitals spiritually, and dealt with inquirers,hypocrites, backsliders, the despairing, and the presumptuous. A manwhohashadasoundpracticalexperience inthethingsofGodHimself,andwatchedtheheartsofhisfellows,otherthingsbeingequal,willbeafarmoreusefulman thanhewhoknowsonlywhathehas read. It is agreatpityforamantobeacollegeJack-a-dandy,whocomesoutof theclassroomasoutofaband-box,intoaworldhehasneverseenbefore,todealwithmenhehasneverobserved,andhandlefactswithwhichhehasnevercomeintopersonalcontact."Notanovice,"saystheapostle;anditispossibletobeanoviceandyetaveryaccomplishedscholar,aclassic,amathematician, and a theoretical theologian.We should have practical

familiaritywithmen'ssouls;andifwehavemuchofit,thefewnessofourbookswillbealightaffliction."But,"saysaninquiringbrother,"howcanyoureadaman?"Ihaveheardofagentlemanofwhomitwassaidthatyoucouldneverstopfiveminutesunderanarchwaywithhimbutwhathewouldteachyousomething.Thatwasawiseman;buthewouldbeawiser man still who would never stop five minutes under an archwaywithout learning somewhat from other people.Wise men can learn asmuchfromafoolasfromaphilosopher.Afoolisasplendidbooktoreadfrom,becauseeveryleafisopenbeforeyou;thereisadashofthecomicinthestyle,whichenticesyoutoreadon,andifyougathernothingelse,youarewarnednottopublishyourownfolly.

Learnfromexperiencedsaints.Whatdeepthingssomeofthemcanteachtousyoungermen!WhatinstancesGod'spoorpeoplecannarrateoftheLord's providential appearances for them; how they glory in Hisupholding grace andHis faithfulness toHis covenant!What fresh lighttheyoftensheduponthepromises,revealingmeaningshiddenfromthecarnallywise,butmadecleartosimplehearts!Knowyounotthatmanyofthepromisesarewrittenwithinvisibleink,andmustbeheldtothefireof affliction before the letters will show themselves? Tried spirits aregrandinstructorsforministers.

Asfor the inquirer,howmuch is tobegathered fromhim! Ihave seenverymuchofmyownstupiditywhileinconversationwithseekingsouls.IhavebeenbaffledbyapoorladwhiletryingtobringhimtotheSaviour;Ithought I had him fast, but he has eluded me again and again withperverse ingenuity of unbelief. Sometimes inquirers who are reallyanxious surprise me with their singular skill in battling against hope;theirargumentsareendlessandtheirdifficultiescountless.Theyputustoanonplusagainandagain.ThegraceofGodatlastenablesustobringthemtothelight,butnotuntilwehaveseenourowninefficiency.Inthestrange perversities of unbelief, the singular constructions andmisconstructionswhichthedespondingputupontheirfeelingsanduponscripturalstatements,youwilloftenfindaworldofinstruction.Iwouldsooner give a young man an hour with inquirers and the mentallydepressed than a week in the best of our classes, so far as practicaltrainingforthepastorateisconcerned.

Oncemore,bemuch at death-beds; they are illuminated books. Thereshall you read the very poetry of our religion, and learn the secretsthereof. What splendid gems are washed up by the waves of Jordan!What fair flowers grow on its banks! The everlasting fountains in theglory-landthrowtheirsprayaloft,andthedew-dropsfallonthissidethenarrowstream!Ihaveheardhumblemenandwomen,intheirdepartinghours, talkas though theywere inspired,uttering strangewords, aglowwithsupernalglory.Thesetheylearnedfromnolipsbeneaththemoon;they must have heard them while sitting in the suburbs of the NewJerusalem. God whispers them in their ears amid their pain andweakness;andthentheytellusalittleofwhattheSpirithasrevealed.Iwill partwith allmybooks, if Imay see theLord'sElijahsmount theirchariotsoffire.

LECTUREXIVTHEHOLYSPIRITINCONNECTIONWITHOURMINISTRY

Ihave selecteda topicuponwhich itwouldbedifficult to sayanythingwhichhasnotbeenoftensaidbefore;butasthethemeisofthehighestimportance it is good to dwell upon it frequently, and even ifwe bringforth only old things and nothing more, it may be wise to put you inremembrance of them. Our subject is "THE HOLY SPIRIT INCONNECTIONWITHOURMINISTRY,"or--theworkoftheHolyGhostinrelationtoourselvesasministersofthegospelofJesusChrist.

"IBELIEVEINTHEHOLYGHOST."Havingpronouncedthatsentenceas amatterof creed, Ihopewe canalso repeat it as adevout soliloquyforcedtoourlipsbypersonalexperience.TousthepresenceandworkoftheHoly Spirit are the groundof our confidence as to thewisdomandhopefulnessofourlifework.IfwehadnotbelievedintheHolyGhostweshouldhavelaiddownourministrylongerethis,for"whoissufficientforthese things?"Ourhopeofsuccess,andourstrength forcontinuingtheservice,lieinourbeliefthattheSpiritoftheLordrestethuponus.

IwillforthetimebeingtakeitforgrantedthatweareallofusconsciousoftheexistenceoftheHolySpirit.WehavesaidwebelieveinHim;butinverydeedwehaveadvancedbeyondfaithinthismatter,andhavecomeintotheregionofconsciousness.Timewaswhenmostofusbelievedinthe existence of our present friends, for we had heard of them by thehearing of the ear, butwehavenow seen eachother, and returned thefraternal grip, and felt the influence of happy companionship, andthereforewedonotnowsomuchbelieveasknow.Evensowehavefeltthe Spirit of God operating upon our hearts, we have known andperceivedthepowerwhichHewieldsoverhumanspirits, andweknowHimbyfrequent,conscious,personalcontact.BythesensitivenessofourspiritweareasmuchmadeconsciousofthepresenceoftheSpiritofGodaswearemadecognizantoftheexistenceofthesoulsofourfellow-menbytheiractionuponoursouls,oraswearecertifiedof theexistenceofmatterbyitsactionuponoursenses.Wehavebeenraisedfromthedullsphereofmeremindandmatterintotheheavenlyradianceofthespirit-world;andnow,asspiritualmen,wediscernspiritualthings,wefeeltheforceswhichareparamountinthespirit-realm,andweknowthatthereisaHolyGhost,forwefeelHimoperatinguponourspirits.Ifitwerenotso,weshouldcertainlyhavenorighttobeintheministryofChrist'schurch.Shouldweevendaretoremaininhermembership?But,mybrethren,wehavebeenspirituallyquickened.Wearedistinctlyconsciousofanewlife,withall that comesoutof it:wearenewcreatures inChrist Jesus, anddwellinanewworld.Wehavebeenilluminated,andmadetobeholdthethingswhicheyehathnotseen;wehavebeenguidedintotruthsuchasfleshandblood could never have revealed.Wehave been comforted oftheSpirit: fulloftenhavewebeenliftedupfromthedeepsofsorrowtotheheightsof joy by the sacred Paraclete.We have also, in ameasure,been sanctified by Him; and we are conscious that the operation ofsanctification is going on in us in different forms andways. Therefore,becauseofall thesepersonalexperiences,weknow that there is aHolyGhost,assurelyasweknowthatweourselvesexist.

I am tempted to linger here, for the point is worthy of longer notice.Unbelieversaskforphenomena.TheoldbusinessdoctrineofGrad-grindhas entered into religion, and the sceptic cries, "What I want is facts."Theseareourfacts:letusnotforgettousethem.Ascepticchallengesme

withtheremark,"Icannotpinmyfaithtoabookorahistory;Iwanttoseepresentfacts."Myreplyis,"Youcannotseethem,becauseyoureyesareblinded;butthefactsaretherenonethe less.Thoseofuswhohaveeyes see marvellous things, though you do not." If he ridicules myassertion,Iamnotatallastonished.Iexpectedhimtodoso,andshouldhave been very much surprised if he had not done so; but I demandrespect to my own position as a witness to facts, and I turn upon theobjectorwiththeenquiry--"Whatrighthaveyoutodenymyevidence?IfIwere a blindman, andwere told by you that you possessed a facultycalled sight, I should be unreasonable if I railed at you as a conceitedenthusiast.Allyouhavearighttosayis--thatyouknownothingaboutit,butyouarenotauthorizedtocallusallliarsordupes.Youmayjoinwithrevilersofoldanddeclarethatthespiritualmanismad,butthatdoesnotdisprove his statements." Brethren, to me the phenomena which areproduced by the Spirit of God demonstrate the truth of the Christianreligionasclearlyasever thedestructionofPharaohat theRedSea,orthefallofmannainthewilderness,orthewaterleapingfromthesmittenrock,couldhaveprovedtoIsraelthepresenceofGodinthemidstofhertribes.

Wewillnowcometothecoreofoursubject.Tous,asministers,theHolySpiritisabsolutelyessential.WithoutHimourofficeisamerename.WeclaimnopriesthoodoverandabovethatwhichbelongstoeverychildofGod;butwearethesuccessorsofthosewho,inoldentimes,weremovedofGod todeclareHisword, to testifyagainst transgression,and to leadHiscause.Unlesswehavethespiritoftheprophetsrestinguponus,themantle which we wear is nothing but a rough garment to deceive.WeoughttobedrivenforthwithabhorrencefromthesocietyofhonestmenfordaringtospeakinthenameoftheLordiftheSpiritofGodrestsnotupon us. We believe ourselves to be spokesmen for Jesus Christ,appointed to continueHis witness upon earth; but uponHim andHistestimonytheSpiritofGodalwaysrested,andifitdoesnotrestuponus,weareevidentlynotsentforthintotheworldasHewas.AtPentecostthecommencement of the great work of converting the world was withflamingtonguesandarushingmightywind,symbolsof thepresenceofthespirit;if,therefore,wethinktosucceedwithouttheSpirit,wearenotafter the Pentecostal order. If we have not the Spirit which Jesus

promised,wecannotperformthecommissionwhichJesusgave.

I need scarcelywarn any brother here against falling into the delusionthatwemayhavetheSpiritsoastobecomeinspired.Yetthemembersofacertainlitigiousmodernsectneedtobewarnedagainstthisfolly.Theyhold that theirmeetings are under "the presidency of theHoly Spirit":concerning which notion I can only say that I have been unable todiscoverinholyScriptureeitherthetermortheidea.IdofindintheNewTestamentabodyofCorinthianseminentlygifted,fondofspeaking,andgiventopartystrifes--truerepresentativesofthosetowhomIallude,butasPaulsaidofthem,"IthankGodIbaptizednoneofyou,"soalsodoIthanktheLordthatfewofthatschoolhaveeverbeenfoundinourmidst.Itwouldseemthattheirassembliespossessapeculiargiftofinspiration,not quite perhaps amounting to infallibility, but nearly approximatingthereto. If you have mingled in their gatherings, I greatly questionwhetheryouhavebeenmoreedifiedby theprelectionsproducedundercelestialpresidency,thanyouhavebeenbythoseofordinarypreachersoftheWord,whoonlyconsiderthemselvestobeundertheinfluenceoftheHolySpirit,asonespirit isundertheinfluenceofanotherspirit,oronemind under the influence of another mind. We are not the passivecommunicatorsof infallibility,but thehonest teachersofsuchthingsaswehavelearned,sofaraswehavebeenabletograspthem.Asourmindsareactive,andhaveapersonalexistencewhile themindof theSpirit isacting upon them,our infirmities are apparent as well asHiswisdom;andwhilewerevealwhatHehasmadeustoknow,wearegreatlyabasedbythefearthatourownignoranceanderrorareinameasuremanifestedatthesametime,becausewehavenotbeenmoreperfectlysubjecttothedivinepower. Idonot suspect thatyouwill goastray in thedirection Ihavehintedat:certainlytheresultsofpreviousexperimentsarenotlikelytotemptwisementothatfolly.

This isourfirstquestion.Whereinmaywe lookfor theaidof theHolySpirit?When we have spoken on this point, we will, very solemnly,considerasecond--Howmaywe lose thatassistance?Letuspraythat,byGod'sblessing,thisconsiderationmayhelpustoretainit.

Whereinmaywe look for theaidof theHolySpirit? I should reply,--insevenoreightways.

1.First,HeistheSpiritofknowledge,--"Heshallguideyouintoalltruth."InthischaracterweneedHisteaching.

Wehaveurgentneedtostudy,fortheteacherofothersmusthimselfbeinstructed. Habitually to come into the pulpit unprepared isunpardonablepresumption:nothingcanmoreeffectuallylowerourselvesandouroffice.AfteravisitationdiscoursebytheBishopofLichfielduponthe necessity of earnestly studying the Word, a certain vicar told hislordshipthathecouldnotbelievehisdoctrine,"for,"saidhe,"oftenwhenIaminthevestryIdonotknowwhatIamgoingtotalkabout;butIgointothepulpitandpreach,andthinknothingofit."Hislordshipreplied,"Andyouarequiterightinthinkingnothingofit,foryourchurchwardenshavetoldmethattheyshareyouropinion."Ifwearenotinstructed,howcan we instruct? If we have not thought, how shall we lead others tothink?It is inourstudy-work,inthatblessedlabourwhenwearealonewith the Book before us, that we need the help of the Holy Spirit. Heholds the key of the heavenly treasury, and can enrich us beyondconception;Hehas the clue of themost labyrinthinedoctrine, and canleadusinthewayoftruth.Hecanbreakinpiecesthegatesofbrass,andcut insunder thebarsof iron,andgive tous the treasuresofdarkness,andhiddenrichesofsecretplaces.Ifyoustudytheoriginal,consult thecommentaries, and meditate deeply, yet if you neglect to cry mightilyuntotheSpiritofGodyourstudywillnotprofityou;butevenifyouaredebarredtheuseofhelps(whichItrustyouwillnotbe),ifyouwaitupontheHolyGhostinsimpledependenceuponHisteaching,youwilllayholdofverymuchofthedivinemeaning.

The Spirit of God is peculiarly precious to us, because He especiallyinstructsusastothepersonandworkofourLordJesusChrist;andthatisthemainpointofourpreaching.HetakesofthethingsofChrist,andshowsthemuntous.IfHehadtakenofthethingsofdoctrineorprecept,we should have been glad of such gracious assistance; but since Heespeciallydelights in the thingsofChrist, and focussesHis sacred lightuponthecross,werejoicetoseethecentreofourtestimonysodivinelyilluminated,andwearesurethatthelightwillbediffusedoveralltherestofourministry.LetuswaitupontheSpiritofGodwiththiscry--"OHolySpirit,revealtoustheSonofGod,andthusshowustheFather."

AstheSpiritofknowledge,Henotonlyinstructsusastothegospel,butHeleadsustoseetheLordinallothermatters.WearenottoshutoureyestoGodinnature,ortoGodingeneralhistory,ortoGodinthedailyoccurrences of providence, or to God in our own experience; and theblessedSpiritistheinterpretertousofthemindofGodinallthese.Ifwecry,"Teachmewhatthouwouldsthavemetodo;or,showmewhereforethou contendestwithme; or, tellmewhat is thymind in this preciousprovidenceofmercy,or inthatotherdispensationofmingledjudgmentandgrace,"--weshallineachcasebewellinstructed;fortheSpiritistheseven-branchedcandlestickof thesanctuary,andbyHis lightall thingsare rightly seen. As Goodwin well observes, "There must be light toaccompanythetruthifwearetoknowit.Theexperienceofallgraciousmenprovesthis.What is thereasonthatyoushallseesomethings inachapteratonetime,andnotatanother;somegraceinyourheartsatonetime,andnotatanother;haveasightofspiritualthingsatonetime,andnotatanother?Theeyeisthesame,butitistheHolyGhostthatopenethandshutteththisdarklantern,asImaysocallit;asHeopenethitwider,or contracts it, or shutteth it narrower, so dowe seemore or less: andsometimesHeshuttethitwholly,andthenthesoulisindarkness,thoughithaveneversogoodaneye."

Beloved brethren, wait upon Him for this light, or you will abide indarknessandbecomeblindleadersoftheblind.

2. In thesecondplace, theSpirit iscalled theSpiritofwisdom,andwegreatly needHim in that capacity; for knowledgemay be dangerous ifunaccompaniedwithwisdom,which is the art of rightly usingwhatweknow. Rightly to divide the Word of God is as important as fully tounderstand it, for some who have evidently understood a part of thegospelhavegivenundueprominencetothatoneportionof it,andhavetherefore exhibited a distorted Christianity, to the injury of those whohave received it, since they in their turn have exhibited a distortedcharacterinconsequencethereof.Aman'snoseisaprominentfeatureinhis face, but it is possible tomake it so large that eyes andmouth andeverything else are thrown into insignificance, and the drawing is acaricatureandnotaportrait:socertainimportantdoctrinesofthegospelcanbesoproclaimedinexcessastothrowtherestoftruthintotheshade,

and the preaching is no longer the gospel in its natural beauty, but acaricature of the truth, of which caricature, however, let me say, somepeopleseemtobemightilyfond.TheSpiritofGodwillteachyoutheuseofthesacrificialknifetodividetheofferings;andHewillshowyouhowto use the balances of the sanctuary so as to weigh out and mix theprecious spices in their proper quantities. Every experienced preacherfeelsthistobeoftheutmostmoment,anditiswellifheisabletoresistall temptation to neglect it. Alas, some of our hearers do not desire tohearthewholecounselofGod.Theyhavetheir favouritedoctrines,andwouldhaveussilentonallbesides.ManyareliketheScotchwoman,who,after hearing a sermon, said, "It was verywell if it hadna been for thetrashofdutiesatthehinnerend."Therearebrethrenof thatkind;theyenjoythecomfortingpart--thepromisesandthedoctrines,butpracticalholinessmustscarcelybetouchedupon.Faithfulnessrequiresustogivethemafour-squaregospel,fromwhichnothingisomitted,andinwhichnothingisexaggerated,andforthismuchwisdomisrequisite.Igravelyquestionwhetheranyofushavesomuchofthiswisdomasweneed.Weare probably afflicted by some inexcusable partialitiesandunjustifiableleanings; let us search themout andhavedonewith them.Wemaybeconscious of having passed by certain texts, not because we do notunderstand them (which might be justifiable), but because we dounderstand them, and hardly like to say what they have taught us, orbecausetheremaybesomeimperfectioninourselves,orsomeprejudiceamong our hearers which those texts would reveal too clearly for ourcomfort. Such sinful silence must be ended forthwith. To be wisestewards and bring forth the right portions of meat for our Master'shouseholdweneedThyteaching,OSpiritoftheLord!

Noristhisall,forevenifweknowhowrightlytodividetheWordofGod,wewantwisdomintheselectionof theparticularpartof truthwhichismost applicable to the season and to the people assembled; and equaldiscretion in the tone and manner in which the doctrine shall bepresented.Ibelievethatmanybrethrenwhopreachhumanresponsibilitydeliver themselves inso legalamanneras todisgustall thosewho lovethedoctrinesofgrace.Ontheotherhand,IfearthatmanyhavepreachedthesovereigntyofGodinsuchawayastodriveallpersonswhobelieveinman'sfreeagencyentirelyawayfromtheCalvinisticside.Weshouldnot

hidetruthforamoment,butweshouldhavewisdomsotopreachitthatthere shall be no needless jarring or offending, but a gradualenlightenmentofthosewhocannotseeitatall,andaleadingofweakerbrethrenintothefullcircleofgospeldoctrine.

Brethren,wealsoneedwisdominthewayofputtingthingstodifferentpeople.Youcancastamandownwiththeverytruthwhichwasintendedtobuildhimup.You can sicken amanwith thehoneywithwhich youmeanttosweetenhismouth.ThegreatmercyofGodhasbeenpreachedunguardedly,andhasledhundredsintolicentiousness;and,ontheotherhand,theterrorsoftheLordhavebeenoccasionallyfulminatedwithsuchviolence that they have drivenmen into despair, and so into a settleddefiance of theMostHigh.Wisdom is profitable todirect, andHewhohath it brings forth each truth in its season, dressed in its mostappropriate garments. Who can give us this wisdom but the blessedSpirit?O,mybrethren, see to it, that in lowliest reverenceyouwait forHisdirection.

3.Thirdly,weneedtheSpiritinanothermanner,namely,asthelivecoalfromoffthealtar,touchingourlips,sothatwhenwehaveknowledgeandwisdom to select the fitting portion of truth, wemay enjoy freedomofutterancewhenwe come to deliver it. "Lo, this hath touched thy lips."Oh,howgloriouslyamanspeakswhenhislipsareblisteredwiththelivecoalfromthealtar--feelingtheburningpowerofthetruth,notonlyinhisinmostsoul,butontheverylipwithwhichheisspeaking!Markatsuchtimeshowhisveryutterancequivers.Didyounotnotice in theprayer-meetingjustnow,intwoofthesuppliantbrethren,howtheirtonesweretremulous,andtheirbodilyframeswerequivering,becausenotonlyweretheir hearts touched, as I hope all our hearts were, but their lips weretouched, and their speechwas thereby affected. Brethren, we need theSpiritofGodtoopenourmouthsthatwemayshowforththepraisesoftheLord,orelseweshallnotspeakwithpower.

Weneed thedivine influence tokeepusback fromsayingmany thingswhich,iftheyactuallyleftourtongue,wouldmarourmessage.Thoseofus who are endowed with the dangerous gift of humour have need,sometimes,tostopandtakethewordoutofourmouthandlookatit,andseewhetheritisquitetoedification;andthosewhosepreviousliveshave

borne themamong the coarse and the roughhadneedwatchwith lynxeyes against indelicacy. Brethren, far be it from, us to utter a syllablewhichwouldsuggestanimpurethought,orraiseaquestionablememory.WeneedtheSpiritofGodtoputbitandbridleuponustokeepusfromsayingthatwhichwouldtakethemindsofourhearersawayfromChristandeternalrealities,andsetthemthinkinguponthegrovellingthingsofearth.

Brethren,werequiretheHolySpiritalsoto inciteus inourutterance.Idoubtnotyouareallconsciousofdifferentstatesofmindinpreaching.Someofthosestatesarisefromyourbodybeingindifferentconditions.Abadcoldwillnotonlyspoiltheclearnessofthevoice,butfreezetheflowofthethoughts.FormyownpartifIcannotspeakclearlyIamunabletothink clearly, and thematter becomes hoarse as well as the voice. Thestomach,also,andalltheotherorgansofthebody,affectthemind;butitis not to these things that I allude. Are you not conscious of changesaltogether independent of the body?When you are in robust health doyounot findyourselvesonedayasheavyasPharaoh'schariotswiththewheelstaken off, and at another time asmuch at liberty as "a hind letloose"? To-day your branch glitters with the dew, yesterday it wasparchedwithdrought.Whoknowethnot that theSpirit ofGod is inallthis? The divine Spirit will sometimes work upon us so as to bear uscompletelyoutofourselves.Fromthebeginningofthesermontotheendwemight at such times say, "Whether in the body or out of the body Icannottell:Godknoweth."Everythinghasbeenforgottenbuttheoneall-engrossingsubjectinhand.IfIwereforbiddentoenterheaven,butwerepermitted to selectmy state for all eternity, I should choose to be as Isometimesfeelinpreachingthegospel.Heavenisforeshadowedinsuchastate: the mind shut out from all disturbing influences, adoring themajesticandconsciouslypresentGod,everyfacultyarousedandjoyouslyexcited to itsutmost capability, all the thoughtsandpowersof the souljoyouslyoccupiedincontemplatingthegloryoftheLord,andextollingtolistening crowds the Beloved of our soul; and all the while the purestconceivablebenevolencetowardsone's fellowcreaturesurgingtheheartto pleadwith themonGod's behalf--what state ofmind can rival this?Alas,wehavereachedthisideal,butwecannotalwaysmaintainit,forweknow also what it is to preach in chains, or beat the air.Wemay not

attributeholy andhappy changes in ourministry to anything less thantheactionoftheHolySpirituponoursouls.IamsuretheSpiritdoessowork.Oftenandoften,whenIhavehaddoubtssuggestedbytheinfidel,Ihavebeenabletoflingthemtothewindswithutterscorn,becauseIamdistinctlyconsciousofapowerworkinguponmewhenIamspeakinginthe name of the Lord, infinitely transcending any personal power offluency,andfarsurpassinganyenergyderivedfromexcitementsuchasIhavefeltwhendeliveringasecularlectureormakingaspeech--soutterlydistinct from such power that I am quite certain it is not of the sameorderorclassastheenthusiasmofthepoliticianortheglowoftheorator.Maywefulloftenfeelthedivineenergy,andspeakwithpower.

4.Butthen,fourthly,theSpiritofGodactsalsoasananointingoil,andthis relates to the entire delivery-not to the utterancemerely from themouth,buttothewholedeliveryofthediscourse.Hecanmakeyoufeelyoursubjecttillitthrillsyou,andyoubecomedepressedbyitsoastobecrushedintotheearth,orelevatedbyitsoastobeborneuponitseaglewings;makingyou feel,besidesyoursubject,yourobject, till youyearnfor the conversion of men, and for the uplifting of Christians tosomethingnoblerthantheyhaveknownasyet.Atthesametime,anotherfeeling iswithyou,namely,an intensedesire thatGodmaybe glorifiedthroughthetruthwhichyouaredelivering.Youareconsciousofadeepsympathywiththepeopletowhomyouarespeaking,makingyoumournoversomeof thembecausetheyknowso little,andoverothersbecausetheyhave knownmuch, but have rejected it. You look into some faces,andyourheartsilentlysays,"Thedewisdroppingthere;"and,turningtoothers, you sorrowfully perceive that they are as Gilboa's dewlessmountain.All thiswillbegoingonduringthediscourse.Wecannottellhowmanythoughtscantraversethemindatonce.Ioncecountedeightsetsof thoughtswhichweregoingon inmybrainsimultaneously,oratleastwithinthespaceofthesamesecond.Iwaspreachingthegospelwithall mymight, but could not help feeling for a lady who was evidentlyabout to faint, and also looking out for our brother who opens thewindowsthathemightgiveusmoreair.IwasthinkingofthatillustrationwhichIhadomittedunderthefirsthead,castingtheformoftheseconddivision, wondering if A felt my rebuke, and praying that B might getcomfort from the consoling observation, and at the same time praising

GodformyownpersonalenjoymentofthetruthIwasproclaiming.Someinterpretersconsiderthecherubimwiththeirfourfacestobeemblemsofministers,andassuredlyIseenodifficultyinthequadrupleform,forthesacredSpiritcanmultiplyourmentalstates,andmakeusmanytimesthemenwearebynature.HowmuchHecanmakeofus,andhowgrandlyHe can elevate us, I will not dare to surmise: certainly, He can doexceedingabundantlyabovewhatweaskoreventhink.

EspeciallyisittheHolySpirit'sworktomaintaininusadevotionalframeof mind whilst we are discoursing. This is a condition to be greatlycoveted--to continueprayingwhile you areoccupiedwithpreaching; todotheLord'scommandments,hearkeninguntothevoiceofHisword;tokeeptheeyeonthethrone,andthewinginperpetualmotion.Ihopeweknowwhat thismeans;Iamsureweknow,ormaysoonexperience, itsopposite,namely, theevilofpreaching inanun-devotionalspirit.Whatcanbeworsethantospeakundertheinfluenceofaproudorangryspirit?Whatmoreweakeningthantopreachinanunbelievingspirit?But,oh,toburninoursecretheartwhileweblazebeforetheeyesofothers!ThisistheworkoftheSpiritofGod.Workitinus,OadorableComforter!

Inourpulpitsweneedthespiritofdependencetobemixedwiththatofdevotion,sothatallalong,fromthefirstwordtothelastsyllable,wemaybelookinguptothestrongforstrength.Itiswelltofeelthatthoughyouhavecontinueduptothepresentpoint,yetiftheHolySpiritweretoleaveyou,youwouldplaythefoolerethesermonclosed.Lookingtothehillswhence cometh your help all the sermon through, with absolutedependenceuponGod,youwillpreachinabraveconfidentspiritallthewhile.PerhapsIwaswrong tosay"brave," for it isnotabrave thingtotrustGod:totruebelieversitisasimplematterofsweetnecessity--howcan they help trusting Him? Wherefore should they doubt their everfaithful Friend? I told my people the other morning, when preachingfromthetext,"Mygrace is sufficient for thee," that for the first time inmylifeIexperiencedwhatAbrahamfeltwhenhefelluponhis faceandlaughed. Iwas ridinghome, verywearywith a longweek'swork,whentherecametomymindthistext:"Mygraceissufficientforthee";but itcamewiththeemphasislaidupontwowords."Mygraceissufficient forthee."Mysoulsaid,"Doubtlessitis.SurelythegraceoftheinfiniteGodis

morethansufficientforsuchamereinsectasIam,"andIlaughed,andlaughed again, to think how far the supply exceeded all my needs. ItseemedtomeasthoughIwerealittlefishinthesea,andinmythirstIsaid, "Alas, I shall drink up the ocean." Then the Father of the waterslifted up His head sublimed and smilingly replied, "Little fish, theboundlessmainissufficientforthee."Thethoughtmadeunbeliefappearsupremely ridiculous, as indeed it is. Oh, brethren we ought to preachfeelingthatGodmeanstoblesstheword,forwehaveHispromiseforit;andwhenwehavedonepreachingweshouldlookoutforthepeoplewhohave received a blessing. Do you ever say, "I am overwhelmed withastonishmenttofindthattheLordhasconvertedsoulsthroughmypoorministry"? Mock humility! Your ministry is poor enough. Everybodyknowsthat,andyououghttoknowitmostofall:but,atthesametime,isit any wonder that God, who said "My word shall not return untomevoid,"haskeptHispromise?Isthemeattoloseitsnourishmentbecausethedishisapoorplatter?Isdivinegracetobeovercomebyourinfirmity?No,butwehavethistreasureinearthenvessels,thattheexcellencyofthepowermaybeofGodandnotofus.

We need the Spirit of God, then, all through the sermon to keep ourheartsandmindsinapropercondition,forifwehavenottherightspiritweshalllosethetonewhichpersuadesandprevails,andourpeoplewilldiscover that Samson's strength has departed from him. Some speakscoldingly,andsobetraytheirbadtemper;otherspreachthemselves,andsorevealtheirpride.Somediscourseasthoughitwereacondescensionon their part to occupy the pulpit, while others preach as though theyapologisedfor theirexistence.Toavoiderrorsofmannersand tone,wemustbeledoftheHolySpirit,whoaloneteachethustoprofit.

5.Fifthly,wedependentirelyupon theSpirit ofGod toproduce actualeffectfromthegospel,andatthiseffectwemustalwaysaim.Wedonotstandupinourpulpitstodisplayourskillinspiritualswordplay,butwecome to actual fighting: our object is to drive the sword of the Spiritthroughmen'shearts.Ifpreachingcaneverinanysensebeviewedasapublicexhibition, it shouldbe like theexhibitionof aploughingmatch,which consists in actual ploughing.The competitiondoesnot lie in theappearance of the ploughs, but in the work done; so let ministers be

judged by the way in which they drive the gospel plough, and cut thefurrowfromendtoendofthefield.Alwaysaimateffect."Oh,"saysone,"Ithoughtyouwouldhavesaid,'Neverdothat.'"Idoalsosay,neveraimat effect, in the unhappy sense of that expression. Never aim at effectafter the manner of the climax makers, poetry quoters, handkerchiefmanipulators, and bombast blowers. Far better for a man that he hadneverbeenbornthanthatheshoulddegradeapulpitintoashowboxtoexhibithimselfin.Aimattherightsortofeffect;theinspiringofsaintstonobler things, the leading of Christians closer to their Master, thecomfortingofdoubterstilltheyriseoutoftheirterrors,therepentanceofsinners, and their exercise of immediate faith in Christ.Without thesesignsfollowing,whatistheuseofoursermons?Itwouldbeamiserablething to have to saywith a certain archbishop, "I have passed throughmanyplaces ofhonour and trust, both inChurch andState,more thananyofmyorderinEngland,forseventyyearsbefore;butwereIassuredthat by my preaching I had but converted one soul to God, I shouldhereintakemorecomfortthaninallthehonouredofficesthathavebeenbestoweduponme."Miraclesofgracemustbethesealsofourministry;whocanbestowthembut theSpiritofGod?ConvertasoulwithouttheSpiritofGod!Why,youcannotevenmakeafly,muchlesscreateanewheartandarightspirit.LeadthechildrenofGodtoahigherlifewithouttheHolyGhost!Youare inexpressiblymore likely toconduct themintocarnal security, if you attempt their elevation, by any method of yourown. Our ends can never be gained if wemiss the co-operation of theSpiritoftheLord.Therefore,withstrongcryingandtears,waituponHimfromdaytoday.

ThelackofdistinctlyrecognizingthepoweroftheHolyGhostliesat therootofmanyuselessministries.TheforciblewordsofRobertHallareastrue now aswhenhe poured them forth likemolten lava upon a semi-sociniangeneration."Ontheonehanditdeservesattention,thatthemosteminentandsuccessfulpreachersofthegospelindifferentcommunities;aBrainerd,aBaxter,andaSchwartz,havebeenthemostconspicuousforsimple dependence on spiritual aid; and on the other that no successwhateverhasattendedtheministrationsofthosebywhomthisdoctrinehasbeeneitherneglectedordenied.Theyhavemetwithsucharebukeoftheir presumption, in the total failure of their efforts, that none will

contend for the reality of Divine interposition, as far as they areconcerned; for when has the arm of the Lord been revealed to thosepretendedteachersofChristianity,whobelievethereisnosucharm?Wemust leave them to labour in a field respecting which God hascommandedthecloudsnottorainuponit.Asifconsciousofthis,oflatetheyhaveturnedtheirefforts intoanewchannel,anddespairingof theconversionof sinners,haveconfined themselves to theseductionof thefaithful; in which, it must be confessed, they have acted in a mannerperfectly consistent with their principles; the propagation of heresyrequiring,atleast,nodivineassistance."

6. Next we need the Spirit of God as the Spirit of supplications,whomaketh intercession for the saints according to thewill of God. A veryimportantpartofourlivesconsistsinprayingintheHolyGhost,andthatminister who does not think so had better escape from his ministry.Abundantprayermustgowithearnestpreaching.Wecannotbealwaysonthekneesofthebody,butthesoulshouldnever leavethepostureofdevotion.Thehabit of prayer is good, but the spirit of prayer is better.Regularretirement is tobemaintained,butcontinuedcommunionwithGod is to be our aim. As a rule, weministers ought never to bemanyminuteswithoutactuallyliftingupourheartsinprayer.SomeofuscouldhonestlysaythatweareseldomaquarterofanhourwithoutspeakingtoGod,andthatnotasadutybutasaninstinct,ahabitofthenewnatureforwhichweclaimnomore credit thanababedoes for cryingafter itsmother.Howcouldwedootherwise?Now, ifweare tobemuch in thespiritofprayer,weneedsecretoil tobepouredupon the sacred fireofourheart'sdevotion;wewanttobeagainandagainvisitedbytheSpiritofgraceandofsupplications.

As to our prayers in public, let it never be truthfully said that they areofficial,formal,andcold;yettheywillbesoifthesupplyoftheSpiritbescant. Those who use a liturgy I judge not; but to those who areaccustomed to free prayer I say,--you cannot pray acceptably in publicyear after year without the Spirit of God; dead praying will becomeoffensiveto thepeople longbefore that time.What then?Whence shallour help come? Certain weaklings have said, "Let us have a liturgy!"RatherthanseekdivineaidtheywillgodowntoEgypt forhelp.Rather

thanbedependentupontheSpiritofGod,theywillpraybyabook!Formypart,ifIcannotpray,Iwouldratherknowit,andgroanovermysoul'sbarrennesstilltheLordshallagainvisitmewithfruitfulnessofdevotion.If youare filledwith theSpirit, youwill be glad to throwoff all formalfetters,thatyoumaycommityourselftothesacredcurrent,tobebornealong till you find waters to swim in. Sometimes you will enjoy closerfellowship with God in prayer in the pulpit than you have knownanywhere else. Tomemy greatest secrecy in prayer has often been inpublic;mytruestlonelinesswithGodhasoccurredtomewhilepleadinginthemidstofthousands.Ihaveopenedmyeyesatthecloseofaprayerandcomeback to theassemblywitha sortofa shockat findingmyselfupon earth and among men. Such seasons are not at our command,neithercanweraiseourselves intosuchconditionsbyanypreparationsorefforts.Howblessed theyareboth to theministerandhispeoplenotongue can tell! How full of power and blessing habitual prayerfulnessmustalsobeIcannotherepausetodeclare,butforitallwemustlooktotheHoly Spirit, and blessed beGodwe shall not look in vain, for it isespeciallysaidofHimthatHehelpedourinfirmitiesinprayer.

7.Furthermore,itisimportantthatwebeundertheinfluenceoftheHolyGhost, as He is the Spirit of Holiness; for a very considerable andessentialpartofChristianministryliesinexample.Ourpeopletakemuchnoteofwhatwesayoutofthepulpit,andwhatwedointhesocialcircleand elsewhere. Do you find it easy, my brethren, to be saints?--suchsaints that others may regard you as examples? We ought to be suchhusbandsthateveryhusbandintheparishmaysafelybesuchasweare.Isitso?Weoughttobethebestoffathers.Alas!someministers,tomyknowledge,are far fromthis, foras to their families, theyhavekept thevineyards of others, but their own vineyards they have not kept. Theirchildrenareneglected,anddonotgrowupasagodlyseed.Isitsowithyours? In our converse with our fellow men are we blameless andharmless,thesonsofGodwithoutrebuke?Suchweoughttobe.IadmireMr.Whitfield's reasons for always having his linen scrupulously clean."No,no,"hewouldsay,"thesearenottrifles;aministermustbewithoutspot,eveninhisgarments,ifhecan."Puritycannotbecarriedtoofarinaminister.Youhaveknownanunhappybrotherbespatterhimself,andyouhaveaffectionatelyaidedinremovingthespots,butyouhavefeltthat it

wouldhavebeenbetterhad thegarmentsbeenalwayswhite.O tokeepourselvesunspottedfromtheworld!Howcanthisbeinsuchasceneoftemptation, and with such besetting sins unless we are preserved bysuperiorpower?Ifyouaretowalkinallholinessandpurity,asbecomethministersofthegospel,youmustbedailybaptizedintotheSpiritofGod.

8.Onceagain,weneedtheSpiritasaSpiritofdiscernment,forHeknowsthemindsofmenasHeknowsthemindofGod,andweneedthisverymuch in dealingwithdifficult characters. There are in thisworld somepersonswhomightpossiblybeallowedtopreach,buttheyshouldneverbe suffered to become pastors. They have a mental or spiritualdisqualification.InthechurchofSanZeno,atVerona,Isawthestatueofthatsaintinasittingposture,andtheartisthasgivenhimkneessoshortthat he has no lapwhatever, so that he could not have been a nursingfather.Ifeartherearemanyotherswholabourunderasimilardisability:they cannot bring their minds to enter heartily into the pastoral care.Theycandogmatizeuponadoctrine,andcontrovertuponanordinance,but as to sympathizing with an experience, it is far from them. Coldcomfort can such render to afflicted consciences; their advice will beequallyvaluablewiththatofthehighlanderwhoisreportedtohaveseenanEnglishmansinkinginabogonBenNevis."Iamsinking!"criedthetraveller. "Can you tell me how to get out?" The highlander calmlyreplied, "I think it is likely you neverwill," andwalked away.We haveknownministersofthatkind,puzzled,andalmostannoyedwithsinnersstruggling in the slough of despond. If you and I untrained in theshepherd'sart,wereplacedamongtheewesandyounglambsintheearlyspring,whatshouldwedowiththem?InsomesuchperplexityarethosefoundwhohaveneverbeentaughtoftheHolySpirithowtocareforthesouls of men. May His instructions save us from such wretchedincompetence.

Moreover,brethren,whateverourtendernessofheart,orlovinganxiety,we shallnotknowhow todealwith the vast varietyof casesunless theSpiritofGodshalldirectus,fornotwoindividualsarealike;andeventhesame case will require different treatment at different times. At oneperiod itmay be best to console, at another to rebuke; and the personwith whom you sympathized even to tears to-day may need that you

confront himwith a frown to-morrow, for triflingwith the consolationwhichyoupresented.Thosewhobindupthebroken-hearted,andsetfreethecaptives,musthavetheSpiritoftheLorduponthem.

In theoversight andguidanceof a church theSpirit's aid isneeded.Atbottom the chief reason for secession fromourdenominationhas beenthedifficultyarisingoutofourchurchgovernment.Itissaidto"tendtotheunrestoftheministry."Doubtless,itisverytryingtothosewhocraveforthedignityofofficialism,andmustneedbeSirOracles,beforewhomnotadogmustbark.Thosewhoarenomorecapableofrulingthanmerebabesaretheverypersonswhohavethegreatestthirstforauthority,and,findinglittleofitawardedtothemintheseparts,theyseekotherregions.Ifyoucannotruleyourself,ifyouarenotmanlyandindependent,ifyouare not superior in moral weight, if you have not more gift and moregracethanyourordinarybearers,youmayputonagownandclaimtobethe ruling person in the church; but it will not be in a church of theBaptist orNewTestamentorder.Formypart I should loathe tobe thepastor of a people who have nothing to say, or who, if they do sayanything,mightaswellbequiet, for thepastor isLordParamount,andtheyaremere laymenandnobodies.Iwouldsoonerbethe leaderofsixfreemen,whoseenthusiasticloveismyonlypoweroverthem,thanplaythedictatortoascoreofenslavednations.Whatpositionisnoblerthanthat of a spiritual fatherwho claimsno authority and yet is universallyesteemed,whoseword is given only as tender advice, but is allowed tooperatewith the force of law?Consulting thewishes of others he findsthattheyfirstdesire toknowwhathewouldrecommend,anddeferringalwaystothedesiresofothers,hefindsthattheyaregladtodefertohim.Lovinglyfirmandgraciouslygentle,heisthechiefofallbecauseheistheservantofall.Doesnotthisneedwisdomfromabove?Whatcanrequireit more? David when established on the throne said, "It is He thatsubduethmypeopleunderme,"andsomayeveryhappypastorsaywhenheseessomanybrethrenofdifferingtemperamentsallhappilywillingtobeunderdiscipline,andtoaccepthisleadershipintheworkoftheLord.If the Lord were not among us how soon there would be confusion.Ministers, deacons, and eldersmay all be wise, but if the sacred Dovedeparts,andthespiritofstrifeenters,itisalloverwithus.Brethren,oursystemwillnotworkwithouttheSpiritofGod,andIamgladitwillnot,

for its stoppages and breakages call our attention to the fact of Hisabsence.Oursystemwasnever intendedtopromotethegloryofpriestsandpastors,butitiscalculatedtoeducatemanlyChristians,whowillnottake their faith at second-hand.What am I, andwhat are you, thatweshouldbelordsoverGod'sheritage?DareanyofussaywiththeFrenchking,"L'état,c'estmoi"--"thestate ismyself,"--!amthemost importantperson in the church? If so, the Holy Spirit is not likely to use suchunsuitable instruments; but if we know our places and desire to keepthemwith all humility, He will help us, and the churches will flourishbeneathourcare.

I have given you a lengthened catalogue of matters wherein the HolySpirit is absolutely necessary to us, and yet the list is very far fromcomplete.Ihaveintentionallyleftitimperfect,becauseifIattempteditscompletion all our time would have expired before we were able toanswer the question, HOW MAY WE LOSE THIS NEEDFULASSISTANCE?Let none of us ever try the experiment, but it is certainthatministersmay lose theaidof theHolyGhost.Eachmanheremayloseit.Youshallnotperishasbelievers,foreverlastinglifeisinyou;butyoumayperishasministers,andbenomoreheardofaswitnessesfortheLord.Shouldthishappenitwillnotbewithoutacause.TheSpiritclaimsasovereigntylikethatofthewindwhichblowethwhereitlisteth;butletusneverdreamthatsovereigntyandcapriciousnessare thesamething.TheblessedSpiritactsasHewills,butHealwaysactsjustly,wisely,andwithmotiveandreason.AttimesHegivesorwithholdsHisblessing,forreasons connected with ourselves. Mark the course of a river like theThames;howitwindsandtwistsaccordingtoitsownsweetwill:yetthereisareasonforeverybendandcurve:thegeologiststudyingthesoilandmarkingtheconformationoftherock,seesareasonwhytheriver'sbeddivergestotherightortotheleft:andso,thoughtheSpiritofGodblessesonepreachermorethananother,andthereasoncannotbesuchthatanyman could congratulate himself upon his own goodness, yet there arecertain thingsaboutChristianministerswhichGodblesses, andcertainotherthingswhichhindersuccess.TheSpiritofGodfallslikethedew,inmystery and power, but it is in the spiritual world as in the natural:certain substances are wet with the celestial moisture while others arealwaysdry.Istherenotacause?Thewindblowswhereitlists;butifwe

desiretofeelastiffbreezewemustgoouttosea,orclimbthehills.TheSpirit of God has His favoured places for displaying His might. He istypified by a dove, and thedovehas its chosenhaunts: to the rivers ofwaters,tothepeacefulandquietplaces,thedoveresorts;wemeetitnotupon the battlefield, neither does it alight on carrion. There are thingscongruous to the Spirit and things contrary toHismind. The Spirit ofGod is compared to light, and light can shine where it wills, but somebodies are opaque,while others are transparent; and so there arementhrough whom God the Holy Ghost can shine, and there are othersthroughwhomHisbrightnessneverappears.Thus,then,itcanbeshownthattheHolyGhost,thoughHebethe"freeSpirit"ofGod,isbynomeanscapriciousinHisoperations.

But,dearbrethren,theSpiritofGodmaybegrievedandvexed,andevenresisted: to deny this is to oppose the constant testimony of Scripture.Worstofall,wemaydodespite toHim,andso insultHimthatHewillspeaknomorebyus,butleaveusasHeleftKingSaulofold.Alas,thatthere should be men in the Christian ministry to whom this hashappened;butIamafraidthereare.

Brethren, what are those evils which will grieve the Spirit? I answer,anything thatwould have disqualified you as an ordinary Christian forcommunionwithGodalsodisqualifiesyou for feeling theextraordinarypower of the Holy Spirit as aminister: but, apart from that, there arespecialhindrances.

Among the first we must mention a want of sensitiveness, or thatunfeelingconditionwhicharises fromdisobeyingtheSpirit's influences.WeshouldbedelicatelysensitivetoHisfaintestmovement,andthenwemayexpectHis abidingpresence, but ifwe are as thehorse andas themule,whichhavenounderstanding,weshallfeelthewhip,butweshallnotenjoythetenderinfluencesoftheComforter.

Anothergrieving fault isawantof truthfulness.Whenagreatmusiciantakes a guitar, or touches a harp, and finds that the notes are false, hestayshishand.Somemen'ssoulsarenothonest;theyaresophisticalanddouble-minded.Christ'sSpiritwillnotbeanaccomplicewithmeninthewretchedbusinessofshufflinganddeceiving.Doesitreallycometothis--

that you preach certain doctrines, not because you believe them, butbecauseyourcongregationexpectsyoutodoso?Areyoubidingyourtimetillyoucan,withoutrisk,renounceyourpresentcreedandtelloutwhatyourdastardlymindreallyholdstobetrue?Thenareyoufallenindeed,andarebaserthanthemeanestslaves.Goddeliverusfromtreacherousmen,andiftheyenterourranks,maytheyspeedilybedrummedouttothe tune of the Rogue'sMarch. If we feel an abhorrence of them, howmuchmoremusttheSpiritoftruthdetestthem!

You can greatly grieve theHoly Spirit by a general scantiness of grace.Thephrase isawkward,but itdescribescertainpersonsbetter thananyotherwhich occurs tome. The Scanty-grace family usually have one ofthebrothers in theministry. I know theman.He is not dishonest, norimmoral, he is not bad tempered, nor self-indulgent, but there is asomethingwanting:itwouldnotbeeasytoproveitsabsencebyanyovertoffence, but it is wanting in the whole man, and its absence spoilseverything.Hewantstheonethingneedful.Heisnotspiritual,hehasnosavourofChrist,hisheartneverburnswithinhim,hissoulisnotalive,hewantsgrace.WecannotexpecttheSpiritofGodtoblessaministrywhichneveroughttohavebeenexercised,andcertainlyagracelessministryisofthatcharacter.

AnotherevilwhichdrivesawaythedivineSpirit ispride.Thewaytobeverygreatistobeverylittle.TobeverynoteworthyinyourownesteemistobeunnoticedofGod.Ifyoumustneedsdwelluponthehighplacesoftheearth,youshallfindthemountainsummitscoldandbarren:theLorddwellswiththelowly,butHeknowstheproudafaroff.

The Holy Ghost is also vexed by laziness. I cannot imagine the Spiritwaitingatthedoorofasluggard,andsupplyingthedeficienciescreatedby indolence.Sloth in thecauseof theRedeemer isavice forwhichnoexcusecanbeinvented.Weourselvesfeelourfleshcreepwhenweseethedilatory movements of sluggards, and we may be sure that the activeSpiritisequallyvexedwiththosewhotrifleintheworkoftheLord.

Neglect of private prayer and many other evils will produce the sameunhappyresult,butthereisnoneedtoenlarge,foryourownconscienceswilltellyou,brethren,whatitisthatgrievestheHolyOneofIsrael.

Andnow,letmeentreatyou,listentothisword:DoyouknowwhatmayhappeniftheSpiritofGodbegreatlygrievedanddepartfromus?Therearetwosuppositions.ThefirstisthatweneverwereGod'strueservantsatall,butwereonly temporarilyusedbyhim,asBalaamwas,andeventhe ass on which he rode. Suppose, brethren, that you and I go oncomfortably preaching a while, and are neither suspected by ourselvesnorotherstobedestituteoftheSpiritofGod:ourministrymayallcometoanendonasudden,andwemaycometoanendwith it;wemaybesmittendowninourprime,aswereNadabandAbidu,nomoretobeseenministeringbeforetheLord,orremovedinriperyears, likeHophniandPhineas, no longer to serve in the tabernacle of the congregation. Wehave no inspired annalist to record for us the sudden cutting off ofpromisingmen,but ifwehad, itmaybeweshouldreadwith terror--ofzeal sustained by strong drink, of public Phariseeism associated withsecretdefilement,ofavowedorthodoxyconcealingabsoluteinfidelity,orofsomeotherformofstrangefirepresenteduponthealtartill theLordwouldendureitnomore,andcutofftheoffenderswithasuddenstroke.Shallthisterribledoomhappentoanyoneofus?

Alas, I have seen some deserted by the Holy Spirit, as Saul was. It iswrittenthattheSpiritofGodcameuponSaul,buthewasfaithlesstothedivineinfluence,anditdeparted,andanevilspiritoccupieditsplace.Seehow thedesertedpreachermoodilyplays the cynic, criticisesall others,andhurlsthejavelinofdetractionatabettermanthanhimself.Saulwasonce among the prophets, but he was more at home among thepersecutors. The disappointed preacher worries the true evangelist,resorts to the witchcraft of philosophy, and seeks help from deadheresies; but his power is gone, and the Philistines will soon find himamong the slain. "Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets ofAskelon!yedaughtersofIsraelweepoverSaul!Howarethemightyfalleninthemidstofthebattle!"

Some,too,desertedbytheSpiritofGod,havebecomelikethesonsofoneSceva, a Jew. These pretenders tried to cast out devils in the name ofJesus, whom Paul preached, but the devils leaped upon them andovercamethem;thuswhilecertainpreachershavedeclaimedagainstsin,theveryviceswhichtheydenouncedhaveoverthrownthem.TheSonsof

Scevahavebeen among us inEngland: the devils of drunkenness haveprevailedovertheverymanwhodenouncedthebewitchingcup,andthedemonofunchastityhasleapeduponthepreacherwhoapplaudedpurity.If theHolyGhost be absent, ours is of all positions themost perilous;thereforeletusbeware.

Alas,someministersbecomelikeBalaam.Hewasaprophet,washenot?Did he not speak in the name of the Lord? Is he not called "the manwhose eyes are opened, which saw the vision of the Almighty?" YetBalaamfoughtagainstIsrael,andcunninglydevisedaschemebywhichthe chosen people might be overthrown. Ministers of the gospel havebecomePapists,infidels,andfreethinkers,andplottedthedestructionofwhat they once professed to prize. We may be apostles, and yet, likeJudas,turnouttobesonsofperdition.Woeuntousifthisbethecase!

Brethren,IwillassumethatwereallyarethechildrenofGod,andwhatthen?Why, even then, if the Spirit of God depart from us, wemay betakenawayonasuddenasthedeceivedprophetwaswhofailedtoobeythe commandof theLord in thedaysof Jeroboam.Hewasnodoubt amanofGod,andthedeathofhisbodywasnoevidenceofthelossofhissoul,buthebrokeaway fromwhatheknewtobe thecommandofGodgiven specially tohimself, andhisministry ended there and then, for alionmethimbythewayandslewhim.MaytheHolySpiritpreserveusfromdeceivers,andkeepustruetothevoiceofGod.

Worsestill,wemayreproducethelifeofSamson,uponwhomtheSpiritofGodcameinthecampsofDan;butinDelilah'slaphelosthisstrength,and in the dungeon he lost his eyes.He bravely finished his life-work,blindashewas,butwhoamonguswishestotemptsuchafate?

Or--and this last has saddenedme beyond all expression, because it ismuchmore likely than any of the rest--wemay be left by the Spirit ofGod,inapainfuldegree,tomarthecloseofourlife-workasMosesdid.Nottoloseoursouls,nay,noteventoloseourcrownsinheaven,orevenourreputationsonearth;but, still, tobeunderacloud inour lastdaysthroughoncespeakingunadvisedlywithourlips.Ihavelatelystudiedthelater days of the great prophet ofHoreb, and I have not yet recoveredfromthedeepgloomofspiritwhichitcastoverme.Whatwasthesinof

Moses?Youneednotenquire.Itwasnotgross likethetransgressionofDavid,norstartlinglikethefailureofPeter,norweakandfoolishlikethegravefaultofhisbrotherAaron;indeed,itseemsaninfinitesimaloffenceasweighedinthebalancesofordinaryjudgment.Butthen,yousee,itwasthesinofMoses,ofamanfavouredofGodbeyondallothers,ofaleaderofthepeople,ofarepresentativeofthedivineKing.TheLordcouldhaveoverlookeditinanyoneelse,butnot,inMoses:Mosesmustbechastenedbybeing forbidden to lead thepeople into thepromised land.Truly,hehad a glorious view from the top of Pisgah, and everything elsewhichcould mitigate the rigour of the sentence, but it was a greatdisappointmentnever to enter the landof Israel's inheritance, and thatforoncespeakingunadvisedly.IwouldnotshunmyMaster'sservice,butItrembleinHispresence.WhocanbefaultlesswhenevenMoseserred?It is adreadful thing tobebelovedofGod. "Whoamongus shalldwellwith devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlastingburnings?Hethatwalkethrighteouslyandspeakethuprightly"--healonecanfacethatsin-consumingflameoflove.Brethren,Ibeseechyou,craveMoses's place, but tremble as you take it. Fear and tremble for all thegoodthatGodshallmaketopassbeforeyou.WhenyouarefullestofthefruitsoftheSpiritbowlowestbeforethethrone,andservetheLordwithfear."TheLordourGodisajealousGod."RememberthatGodhascomeuntous,nottoexaltus,buttoexaltHimself,andwemustseeto it thatHisgloryistheonesoleobjectofallthatwedo."Hemustincrease,andImustdecrease."Oh,mayGod bring us to this, andmake uswalk verycarefully and humbly before Him. God will search us and try us, forjudgment begins at His house, and in that house it begins with Hisministers.Willanyofusbe foundwanting?Shall thepitofhelldrawaportion of its wretched inhabitants from among our band of pastors?Terrible will be the doom of a fallen preacher: his condemnation willastonishcommontransgressors."Hellfrombeneathismovedfortheetomeet thee at thy coming." All they shall speak and say unto thee, "Artthoualsobecomeweakaswe?Artthoubecomelikeuntous?"OfortheSpiritofGodtomakeandkeepusaliveuntoGod, faithful toouroffice,andusefultoourgeneration,andclearofthebloodofmen'ssouls.Amen.

LECTUREXVTHENECESSITYOFMINISTERIALPROGRESS*

Dearfellowsoldiers!Wearefew,andwehaveadesperatefightbeforeus,therefore it isneedful that everymanshouldbemade themostof, andnerved to his highest point of strength. It is desirable that the Lord'sministers should be the picked men of the church, yea, of the entireuniverse,forsuchtheagedemands;therefore,inreferencetoyourselvesandyourpersonalqualifications,Igiveyouthemotto,"Goforward."Goforwardinpersonalattainments,forwardingiftsandingrace,forwardinfitnessforthework,andforwardinconformitytotheimageofJesus.ThepointsIshallspeakuponbeginatthebase,andascend.

1.First,dearbrethren,Ithinkitnecessarytosaytomyselfandtoyouthatwemustgoforwardinourmentalacquirements.Itwillneverdoforuscontinually topresentourselves toGodat ourworst.WearenotworthHishavingatourbest;butatanyrateletnottheofferingbemaimedandblemishedbyouridleness."ThoushaltlovetheLordthyGodwithallthyheart" is,perhaps,moreeasy tocomplywith, than to loveHimwithallourmind;yetwemustgiveHimourmindaswellasouraffections,andthatmindshouldbewellfurnished,thatwemaynotofferHimanemptycasket. Our ministry demands mind. I shall not insist upon "theenlightenment of the age"; still it is quite certain that there is a greateducational advance amongall classes, and that therewill yet bemuchmoreofit.Thetimeispassedwhenungrammaticalspeechwillsufficefora preacher. Even in a country village, where, according to tradition,"nobody knowsnothing," the schoolmaster is now abroad, andwant ofeducation will hinder usefulness more than it once did; for, when thespeakerwisheshis audience to remember the gospel, theyon theotherhandwillrememberhisungrammaticalexpressions,andwillrepeatthemas themes for jest,whenwe could havewished they had rehearsed thedivine doctrines to one another in solemn earnest. Dear brethren, wemustcultivateourselvestothehighestpossiblepoint,andweshoulddothis, first,bygathering inknowledge thatwemay fill thebarn, thenbyacquiringdiscrimination thatwemaywinnow theheap, and lastlybyafirmretentivenessofmind,bywhichwemaylayupthewinnowedgrain

inthestorehouse.Thesethreepointsmaynotbeequallyimportant,buttheyareallnecessarytoacompleteman.

Wemust,Isay,makegreateffortstoacquireinformation,especiallyofaBiblicalkind.Wemustnotconfineourselvestoonetopicofstudy,orweshall not exercise ourwholementalmanhood.Godmade theworld forman,andHemademanwithamindintendedtooccupyandusealltheworld;heisthetenant,andnatureisforawhilehishouse,whyshouldheshut himself out of any of its rooms? Why refuse to taste any of thecleansedmeats thegreatFatherhasputupon the table?Still,ourmainbusinessistostudytheScriptures.Thesmith'smainbusinessistoshoehorses; lethimseethatheknowshowtodo it, forshouldhebeable tobeltanangelwithagirdleofgoldhewillfailasasmithifhecannotmakeandfixahorse-shoe.Itisasmallmatterthatyoushouldbeabletowritethemostbrilliantpoetry,aspossiblyyoucould,unlessyoucanpreachagoodandtellingsermon,whichwillhavetheeffectofcomfortingsaintsand convincing sinners. Study the Bible, dear brethren, through andthrough,withallhelps thatyoucanpossiblyobtain:remember that theappliances nowwithin the reach of ordinaryChristians aremuchmoreextensivethantheywereinourfathers'days,andthereforeyoumustbegreater Biblical scholars if you would keep in front of your hearers.Intermeddlewith all knowledge, but above all thingsmeditate day andnightinthelawoftheLord.

Bewellinstructedintheology,anddonotregardthesneersofthosewhorail at it because they are ignorant of it. Many preachers are nottheologians,andhence themistakeswhichtheymake. Itcannotdoanyhurt to themost lively evangelist to be also a sound theologian, and itmayoftenbethemeansofsavinghimfromgrossblunders.NowadayswehearmentearasinglesentenceofScripturefromitsconnection,andcry"Eureka!Eureka!"asiftheyhadfoundanewtruth;andyettheyhavenotdiscoveredadiamond,butapieceofbrokenglass.Hadtheybeenabletocomparespiritualthingswithspiritual,hadtheyunderstoodtheanalogyofthefaith,andhadtheybeenacquaintedwiththeholy learningof thegreatBiblestudentsofagespast,theywouldnothavebeenquitesofastin vaunting their marvellous knowledge. Let us be throughly wellacquaintedwith the great doctrines of theWord of God, and let us be

mighty expounding Scripture. I am sure that no preaching will last solong, or build up a church so well, as the expository. To renouncealtogetherthehortatorydiscoursefortheexpositorywouldberunningtoapreposterousextreme;butIcannottooearnestlyassureyouthatifyourministriesaretobelastinglyusefulyoumustbeexpositors.ForthisyoumustunderstandtheWordyourselves,andbeablesotocommentuponitthatthepeoplemaybebuiltupbythisWord.BemastersofyourBibles,brethren:whateverotherworksyouhavenotsearched,beathomewiththewritingsoftheprophetsandapostles."LetthewordofGoddwell inyourichly."

Having given precedence to the inspired writings, neglect no field ofknowledge.ThepresenceofJesusontheearthhassanctifiedtherealmsofnature,andwhatHehascleansedcallnotyoucommon.AllthatyourFatherhasmadeisyours,andyoushouldlearnfromit.Youmayreadanaturalist'sjournal,oratraveller'svoyage,andfindprofitinit.Yes,andevenanoldherbal,oramanualofalchemymay,likeSamson'sdeadlion,yield you honey. There are pearls in oyster shells, and fruits on thornyboughs.Thepathsoftruescience,especiallynaturalhistoryandbotany,drop fatness. Geology, so far as it is fact, and not fiction, is full oftreasures.

History--wonderfularethevisionswhichitmakestopassbeforeyou--iseminentlyinstructive;indeed,everyportionofGod'sdominioninnatureteemswithpreciousteachings.Followthetrailsofknowledge,accordingas youhave the time, theopportunity, and thepeculiar faculty; anddonothesitate todosobecauseofanyapprehensionthatyouwilleducateyourselvesuptotoohighapoint.Whengraceabounds,learningwillnotpuffyouup,orinjureyoursimplicityinthegospel.ServeGodwithsucheducationasyouhave,andthankHimforblowingthroughyouifyouarea ram's horn, but if there be a possibility of your becoming a silvertrumpet,chooseitrather.

Ihavesaidthatwemustalsolearntodiscriminate,andatthisparticulartime that point needs insisting on. Many run after novelties, charmedwith every invention: learn to judge between truth and its counterfeits,andyouwillnotbeledastray.Othersadherelikelimpetstooldteachings,andyetthesemayonlybeancienterrors:proveallthings,andholdfast

thatwhichisgood.Theuseofthesieve,andthewinnowingfan,ismuchtobe commended.Dearbrethren, amanwhohas askedof theLord togive him clear eyes by which he shall see the truth and discern itsbearings,andwho,byreasonoftheconstantexerciseofhisfaculties,hasobtainedanaccuratejudgment,isonefittobealeaderoftheLord'shost;butallarenotsuch.Itispainfultoobservehowmanyembraceanythingifitbebutearnestlybroughtbeforethem.Theyswallowthemedicineofeveryspiritualquackwhohasenoughofbrazenassurancetoappeartobesincere. Be ye not such children in understanding, but test carefullybefore you accept. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the faculty ofdiscerning,soshallyouconductyourflocksfarfrompoisonousmeadows,andleadthemintosafepasturage.

When in due time you have gained the power of acquiring knowledge,andthefacultyofdiscrimination,seeknextforabilitytoretainandholdfirmlywhatyouhavelearned.Inthesetimescertainmengloryinbeingweathercocks; they hold fast nothing, they have, in fact, nothingworththeholding.Theybelievedyesterday,butnotthatwhichtheybelieveto-day, nor that which they will believe to-morrow; and he would be agreater prophet than Isaiah who should be able to tell what they willbelievewhennext themoondoth fill herhorns, for theyare constantlyaltering,andseemtobebornunderthatsaidmoon,andtopartakeofherchangingmoods.Thesemenmaybeashonestastheyclaimtobe,butofwhatusearethey?Likegoodtreesoftentimestransplanted,theymaybeofanoblenature,buttheybringforthnothing;theirstrengthgoesoutinrootingandre-rooting, theyhaveno sap to spare for fruit.Be sure youhavethetruth,andthenbesureyouholdit.Bereadyforfreshtruth,ifitbetruth,butbeverycharyhowyousubscribetothebelief thatabetterlight has been found than that of the sun. Those who hawk new truthabouttheStreet,astheboysdoasecondeditionoftheeveningpaper,areusually no better than they should be. The fairmaid of truth does notpaint her cheeks and tire her head like Jezebel, following every newphilosophicfashion;she iscontentwithherownnativebeauty,andheraspectisinthemainthesameyesterday,to-day,andforever.Whenmenchange often they generally need to be changed in the most emphaticsense. Our "modern thought" gentry are doing incalculablemischief tothesoulsofmen,andresembleNerofiddlinguponthetopofatowerwith

Romeburningathisfeet.Soulsarebeingdamned,andyetthesemenarespinningtheories.Hellgapeswide,andwithheropenmouthswallowsupmyriads, and those who should spread the tidings of salvation are"pursuing fresh lines of thought." Highly cultured soul-murderers willfindtheirboasted"culture"tobenoexcuse inthedayof judgment.ForGod'ssake,letusknowhowmenaretobesaved,andgettothework:tobe foreverdeliberatingas to thepropermodeofmakingbreadwhileanation dies of famine is detestable trifling. It is timewe knewwhat toteach,orelserenouncedouroffice."Foreverlearningandnevercomingtothetruth"isthemottooftheworstratherthanthebestofmen.IsawinRomeastatueofaboyextractingathornfromhisfoot;Iwentmyway,andreturnedinayear'stime,andtheresattheselfsameboy,extractingtheintruderstill.Isthistobeourmodel?"Ishapemycreedeveryweek,"wastheconfessionofoneofthesedivinestome.WhereuntoshallIlikensuch unsettled ones? Are they not like those birds which frequent theGoldenHorn,andaretobeseenfromConstantinople,ofwhichitissaidthattheyarealwaysonthewing,andneverrest?Nooneeversawthemalightonthewaterorontheland,theyareforeverpoisedinmid-air.Thenativescall them"lost souls," seeking restand findingnone.Assuredly,men who have no personal rest in the truth, if they are not savedthemselves, are, at least, very unlikely to save others. He who has noassured truth to tell must not wonder if his hearers set small store byhim.Wemustknowthetruth,understandit,andholditwithfirmgrip,orwecannothopetoleadotherstobelieveit.Brethren,Ichargeyou,seektoknowandtodiscriminate;andthen,havingdiscriminated,labourtoberootedandgroundedinthetruth.Keepinfulloperationtheprocessesoffillingthebarn,winnowingthegrain,andstoringitingranaries,soshallyoumentally"Goforward."

2.Weneedtogoforwardinoratoricalqualifications.Iambeginningatthebottom,buteventhisisimportant,foritisapitythateventhefeetofthis image should be of clay. Nothing is trifling which can be of anyservicetoourgranddesign.Onlyforwantofanailthehorselosthisshoe,andsobecameunfitforthebattle;thatshoewasonlyatriflingrimofironwhichsmotetheground,andyettheneckclothedwiththunderwasofnoavail when the shoe was gone. A man may be irretrievably ruined forspiritualusefulness,notbecausehefailseitherincharacterorspirit,but

because he breaks down mentally or oratically, and, therefore, I havebegun with these points, and again remark that we must improve inutterance. It isnot everyoneofuswhocan speakas somecando, andeven these men cannot speak up to their own ideal. If there be anybrother here who thinks he can preach as well as he should, I wouldadvise him to leave off altogether. If he did so he would be acting aswiselyasthegreatpainterwhobrokehispalette,and,turningtohiswife,said,"Mypaintingdaysareover,forIhavesatisfiedmyself,andthereforeI am sure my power is gone." Whatever other perfection may bereachable, I am certain that hewho thinks he has gained perfection inoratory mistakes volubility for eloquence, and verbiage for argument.Whateveryoumayknow,youcannotbetrulyefficientministersifyouarenot"apttoteach."Youknowministerswhohavemistakentheircalling,andevidentlyhavenogiftsforit:makesurethatnonethinkthesameofyou. There are brethren in the ministry whose speech is intolerable;eithertheyrouseyoutowrath,orelsetheysendyoutosleep.Nochloralcan ever equal some discourses in sleep-giving properties; no humanbeing,unlessgiftedwithinfinitepatience,couldlongenduretolistentothem,andnaturedoeswelltogivethevictimdeliverancethroughsleep.Iheardonesaytheotherdaythatacertainpreacherhadnomoregiftsfortheministrythananoyster,andinmyownjudgmentthiswasaslanderon the oyster, for that worthy bivalve shows great discretion in hisopenings,andknowswhentoclose.Ifsomemenweresentencedtoheartheirownsermonsitwouldbearighteousjudgmentuponthem,andtheywould soon cry out with Cain, "My punishment is greater than I canbear."Letusnotfallunderthesamecondemnation.

Brethren,weshouldcultivateaclearstyle.Whenamandoesnotmakemeunderstandwhathemeans, it is becausehedoesnothimself knowwhathemeans.Anaveragehearer,whoisunabletofollowthecourseofthought of the preacher, ought not to worry himself, but to blame thepreacher,whosebusinessitistomakethematterplain.Ifyoulookdownintoawell, if itbeempty itwill appear tobeverydeep,but if therebewater in it you will see its brightness. I believe that many "deep"preachers are simply so because they are like dry wells with nothingwhatever in them, except decaying leaves, a few stones, and perhaps adeadcatortwo.Iftherebelivingwaterinyourpreachingitmaybevery

deep,butthelightoftruthwillgiveclearnesstoit.Itisnotenoughtobesoplainthatyoucanbeunderstood,youmustspeaksothatyoucannotbemisunderstood.

Wemustcultivateacogentaswell as a clear style; our speechmustbeforceful. Some imagine that this consists in speaking loudly, but I canassure them they are in error. Nonsense does not improve by beingbellowed.Goddoesnotrequireustoshoutasifwewerespeakingtotenthousandwhenweareonlyaddressingthreehundred.Letusbeforciblebyreasonoftheexcellenceofourmatter,andtheenergyofspiritwhichwe throw into thedeliveryof it. Inaword, let our speakingbenaturaland living. I hopewehave foresworn the tricks of professional orators,the strain for effect, the studied climax, the pre-arranged pause, thetheatricstrut,themouthingofwords,andIknownotwhatbesides,whichyoumayseeincertainpompousdivineswhostillsurviveuponthefaceoftheearth.Maysuchbecomeextinctanimalsere long,andmaya living,natural,simplewayoftalkingoutthegospelbelearnedbyusall;forIampersuadedthatsuchastyleisonewhichGodislikelytobless.

Amongmany other things, wemust cultivate persuasiveness. Some ofourbrethrenhavegreatinfluenceovermen,andyetotherswithgreatergiftsaredevoidof it; these lastdonotappeartogetneartothepeople,theycannotgrip themandmake themfeel.Therearepreacherswho intheirsermonsseemtotaketheirhearersonebyonebythebutton-hole,anddrivethetruthrightintotheirsouls,whileothersgeneralisesomuch,and are so cold withal, that one would think they were speaking ofdwellers in some remote planet, whose affairs did not much concernthem. Learn the art of pleading withmen. Youwill do this well if youoftenseetheLord.IfIrememberrightly,theoldclassicstorytellsusthat,when a soldier was about to kill Darius, his son, who had been dumbfromhischildhood,suddenlycriedoutinsurprise,"Knowyounotthatheistheking?"Hissilenttonguewasunloosedbylovetohisfather,andwellmayours findearnest speechwhen theLord is seenbyus crucified forsin.Iftherebeanyspeechinus,thiswillrouseit.TheknowledgeoftheterrorsoftheLordshouldalsobestirustopersuademen.WecannotdootherthanpleadwiththemtobereconciledtoGod.Brethren,markthosewhowoo sinners to Jesus, find out their secret, and never rest till you

obtainthesamepower. Ifyou find themverysimpleandhomely,yet ifyouseethemreallyuseful,saytoyourself,"Thatismyfashion";butifonthe other hand you listen to a preacher who ismuch admired, and oninquiryfindthatnosoulsaresavinglyconverted,saytoyourself,"Thisisnot the thing forme, for I amnot seeking to be great, but to be reallyuseful."

Let your oratory, therefore, constantly improve in clearness, cogency,naturalness,andpersuasiveness.Try,dearbrethren,togetsuchastyleofspeaking that you suityourselves toyouraudiences.Much lies in that.The preacher who should address an educated congregation in thelanguagewhichhewoulduseinspeakingtoacompanyofcostermongerswould prove himself a fool: and on the other hand, hewho goes downamongst miners and colliers with technical theological terms anddrawing-room phrases acts like an idiot. The confusion of tongues atBabel was more thorough than we imagine. It did not merely givedifferentlauguagestogreatnations,butitmadethespeechofeachclasstovaryfromthatofothers.AfellowofBillingsgatecannotunderstandaFellowofBrasenose.Nowasthecostermongercannotlearnthelanguageofthecollege,letthecollegelearnthelanguageofthecostermonger."Weusethelanguageofthemarket,"saidWhitfield,andthiswasmuchtohishonour; yet when he stood in the drawing-room of the Countess ofHuntingdon, andhis speech entranced the infidel noblemenwhom shebroughttohearhim,headoptedanotherstyle.Hislanguagewasequallyplainineachcase,becauseitwasequallyfamiliartotheaudience:hedidnotusetheipsissimaverba,orhislanguagewouldhavelostitsplainnessin the one case or the other, and would either have been slang to thenobility,orGreektothecrowd.Inourmodesofspeechweshouldaimatbeing"allthingstoallmen."Heisthegreatestmasteroforatorywhoisable to address any class of people in a manner suitable to theircondition,andlikelytotouchtheirhearts.

Brethren,letnoneexcelusinpowerofspeech:letnonesurpassusinthemasteryof ourmother tongue.Beloved fellow-soldiers, our tongues aretheswordswhichGodhasgivenustouseforHim,evenasitissaidofourLord,"OutofHismouthwentatwo-edgedsword."Lettheseswords besharp.Cultivateyourpowersofspeech,andbeamongsttheforemostin

the land for utterance. I do not exhort you to this because you areremarkablydeficient;farfromit,foreverybodysaystome,"Weknowthecollegemenbytheirplain,boldspeech."Thisleadsmetobelievethatyouhavethegiftlargelyinyou,andIbeseechyoutotakepainstoperfectit.

3. Brethren, we must be even more earnest to go forward in moralqualities.Let the points I shallmention here come home to thosewhoshallrequirethem,butIassureyouIhavenospecialpersonsamongyouinmymind'seye.Wedesiretorisetothehigheststyleofministry,andifso, even if we obtain themental and oratorical qualifications, we shallfail,unlesswealsopossesshighmoralqualities.

Thereareevilswhichwemustshakeoff,asPaulshooktheviperfromhishand,andtherearevirtueswhichwemustgainatanycost.

Self-indulgencehasslain its thousands; letus tremble lestweperishbythehandsofthatDelilah.Letushaveeverypassionandhabitunderduerestraint:ifwearenotmastersofourselveswearenotfittobeleadersinthechurch.

Wemustput awayall notionof self-importance.Godwill notbless themanwhothinkshimselfgreat.TogloryevenintheworkofGodtheHolySpirit in yourself is to tread dangerously near to self-adulation. "Letanotherpraisethee,andnotthineownlips,"andbeverygladwhenthatotherhassenseenoughtoholdhistongue.

Wemustalsohaveourtemperswellunderrestraint.Avigoroustemperisnotaltogetheranevil.Menwhoareaseasyasanoldshoearegenerallyofas littleworth. Iwouldnot say to you, "Dearbrethren,havea temper,"butIdosay,"Ifyouhaveit,controlitcarefully."IthankGodwhenIseeaministerhavetemperenoughtobeindignantatwrong,andtobefirmforthe right; still, temper is an edged tool, and often cuts the man whohandles it. "Gentle, easy to be entreated," preferring to bear evil ratherthan inflict it, this is tobeourspirit. Ifanybrotherherenaturallyboilsovertoosoon,lethimmindthatwhenhedoesdosohescaldsnobodybutthedevil,andthenlethimboilaway.

Wemustconquer--someofusespecially--ourtendencytolevity.Agreat

distinctionexistsbetweenholy cheerfulness,which is a virtue, and thatgeneral levity, which is a vice. There is a levity which has not enoughhearttolaugh,buttrifleswitheverything;itisflippant,hollow,unreal.Aheartylaughisnomorelevitythanaheartycry.Ispeakofthatreligiousveneeringwhichispretentious,butthin,superficial,andinsincereabouttheweightiestmatters.Godlinessisnojest,norisitamereform.Bewareofbeingactors.Nevergiveearnestmen the impression thatyoudonotmeanwhatyousay,andaremereprofessionals.Tobeburningatthelipand freezing at the soul is amark of reprobation. God deliver us frombeing superfine and superficial:maywe never be the butterflies of thegardenofGod.

Atthesametime,weshouldavoideverythingliketheferocityofbigotry.Iknow a class of religious people who, I have no doubt, were born of awoman,buttheyappeartohavebeensuckledbyawolf.Ihavedonethemnodishonour:werenotRomulusandRemus, the foundersofRome,soreared?Somewarlikemenofthisorderhavehadsufficientmentalpowerto found dynasties of thought; but human kindness and brotherly loveconsort betterwith the kingdom of Christ.We are not to go about theworldsearchingoutheresies,liketerrierdogssniffingforrats;norarewetobesoconfidentofourowninfallibilityastoerectecclesiasticalstakesatwhichtoroastallwhodifferfromus,not,'tistrue,withfagotsofwood,but with those coals of juniper, which consist of strong prejudice andcruelsuspicion.

Inadditiontoallthis,therearemannerisms,andmoods,andwayswhichI cannot now describe, againstwhichwemust struggle, for little faultsmay often be the source of failure, and to get rid of themmay be thesecret of success. Count nothing little which even in a small degreehindersyourusefulness;castoutfromthetempleofyoursoultheseatsofthemthatselldovesaswellasthetraffickersinsheepandoxen.

And,dearbrethren,wemustacquirecertainmoral facultiesandhabits,aswellasputasidetheiropposites.HewillneverdomuchforGodwhohasnotintegrityofspirit.Ifwebeguidedbypolicy,iftherebeanymodeof action for us but that which is straightforward, we shall makeshipwreckbeforelong.Resolve,dearbrethren,thatyoucanbepoor,thatyoucanbedespised,thatyoucanloselifeitself,butthatyoucannotdoa

crookedthing.Foryou,let,theonlypolicybehonesty.

Mayyoualsopossess thegrandmoralcharacteristicofcourage.By thiswe do not mean impertinence, impudence, or self-conceit; but realcouragetodoandsaycalmlytherightthing,andtogostraightonatallhazards, though there should be none to give you a good word. I amastonishedatthenumberofChristianswhoareafraidtospeakthetruthtotheirbrethren.I thankGodIcansay this, there isnomemberofmychurch,noofficerofthechurch,andnomanintheworldtowhomIamafraidtosaybeforehisfacewhatIwouldsaybehindhisback.UnderGodIowemypositioninmyownchurchtotheabsenceofallpolicy,andthehabitofsayingwhatImean.Theplanofmakingthingspleasantallroundisaperilousaswellasawickedone.Ifyousayonethingtooneman,andanother to another, theywill one day compare notes and find you out,andthenyouwillbedespised.Themanoftwofaceswillsoonerorlaterbetheobjectofcontempt,andjustlyso.Aboveallthingsavoidcowardice,foritmakesmenliars.Ifyouhaveanythingthatyoufeelyououghttosayaboutaman,letthemeasureofwhatyousaybethis--"HowmuchdareIsaytohisface?"Youmustnotallowyourselvesawordmoreincensureofanyman living. If that be your rule, your couragewill save you fromathousanddifficulties,andwinyoulastingrespect.

Having the integrity and the courage, dear brethren,may yoube giftedwith an indomitable zeal. Zeal--what is it? How shall I describe it?Possessit,andyouwillknowwhatitis.BeconsumedwithloveforChrist,andlet the flameburn continuously, not flamingup at publicmeetingsand dying out in the routine work of every day.We need indomitableperseverance,doggedresolution,andacombinationofsacredobstinacy,self-denial,holygentleness,andinvinciblecourage.

Excel also in one power, which is bothmental andmoral, namely, thepower of concentrating all your forces upon thework towhich you arecalled.Collectyourthoughts,rallyallyourfaculties,massyourenergies,focusyourcapacities.Turnallthespringsofyoursoulintoonechannel,causing it to flow onward in an undivided stream. Somemen lack thisquality.Theyscatterthemselvesandfail.Massyourbattalions,andhurlthemupontheenemy.Donottrytobegreatatthisandgreatatthat--tobe"everythingbyturns,andnothinglong";butsufferyourentirenature

tobeledincaptivitybyJesusChrist,andlayeverythingatHisdearfeetwhobledanddiedforyou.

4.Aboveallthese,weneedspiritualqualifications,graceswhichmustbewrought inusby theLordHimself.This is themainmatter, I amsure.Otherthingsareprecious,butthisispriceless;wemustberichtowardsGod.

Weneedtoknowourselves.Thepreachershouldbegreatinthescienceoftheheart,thephilosophyofinwardexperience.Therearetwoschoolsof experience, and neither is content to learn from the other; let us becontent,however,tolearnfromboth.Theoneschoolspeaksofthechildof God as one who knows the deep depravity of his heart, whounderstandsthe loathsomenessofhisnature,anddaily feels that inhisfleshtheredwellethnogoodthing."ThatmanhasnotthelifeofGodinhissoul,"saythey,"whodoesnotknowandfeelthis,andfeelitbybitterand painful experience from day to day." It is in vain to talk to themaboutliberty,andjoyintheHolyGhost;theywillnothaveit.Letuslearnfromtheseone-sidedbrethren.Theyknowmuchthatshouldbeknown,andwoe to thatministerwho ignores their setof truths.MartinLutherused to say that temptation is the best teacher for aminister. There istruthonthatsideofthequestion.AnotherschoolofbelieversdwellmuchuponthegloriousworkoftheSpiritofGod,andrightlyandblessedlyso.They believe in the Spirit of God as a cleansing power, sweeping theAugean stable of the soul, and making it into a temple for God. Butfrequently they talk as if they had ceased to sin, or to be annoyed bytemptation;theygloryasifthebattlewerealreadyfought,andthevictorywon.Letuslearnfromthesebrethren.Allthetruththeycanteachusletus know. Let us become familiar with the hill-tops and the glory thatshines thereon, the Hermons and the Tabors, where we may betransfiguredwithourLord.Donotbeafraidofbecomingtooholy.DonotbeafraidofbeingtoofulloftheHolySpirit.Iwouldhaveyouwiseonallsides,andabletodealwithmanbothinhisconflictsandinhis joys,asonefamiliarwithboth.KnowwhereAdamleftyou;knowwheretheSpiritofGodhasplacedyou.Donotknoweitherof thesesoexclusivelyas toforget theother. Ibelieve that ifanymenare likely tocry. "OwretchedmanthatIam!Whoshalldelivermefromthebodyofthisdeath?"itwill

alwaysbetheministers,becauseweneedtobetemptedinallpoints,sothatwemaybeable tocomfortothers. Inarailwaycarriage lastweekIsawapoormanwithhislegplacedupontheseat.Anofficialhappeningtoseehiminthisposture,remarked,"Thosecushionswerenotmadeforyoutoputyourdirtybootson."Assoonastheguardwasgonethemanputuphislegagain,andsaidtome,"Hehasneverbrokenhislegintwoplaces, I am sure, or hewouldnot be so sharpwithme."When I haveheard brethren who have lived at ease, enjoying good incomes,condemningotherswhoaremuchtried,becausetheycouldnotrejoiceintheir fashion, I have felt that they knew nothing of the broken boneswhichothershavetocarrythroughoutthewholeoftheirpilgrimage.

Brethren,knowman inChrist,andoutofChrist.Studyhimathisbest,and study him at his worst; know his anatomy, his secrets, and hispassions.Youcannotdothisbybooks;youmusthavepersonalspiritualexperience;Godalonecangiveyouthat.

Among spiritual acquirements, it is beyond all other things needful toknowhimwhoisthesureremedyforallhumandiseases.KnowJesus.Sitat His feet. Consider His nature, His work, His sufferings, His glory.Rejoice inHispresence:communewithHimfromday today.ToknowChrististounderstandthemostexcellentofsciences.Youcannotfailtobewiseifyoucommunewithwisdom;youcannotmissofstrengthifyouhavefellowshipwith themighty Son ofGod. I saw the other day in anItalian grotto a little fern, which grew where its leaves continuallyglistenedanddancedinthesprayofafountain.Itwasalwaysgreen,andneithersummer'sdroughtnorwinter'scoldaffectedit.SoletusforeverabideunderthesweetinfluenceofJesus'love.DwellinGod,brethren;donotoccasionallyvisitHim,butabideinHim.TheysayinItalythatwherethesundoesnotenter thephysicianmust.WhereJesusdoesnot shinethe soul is sick. Bask in His beams and you shall be vigorous in theserviceof theLord.LastSundaynight Ihada textwhichmasteredme:"Noman knoweth the Son but the Father." I told the people that poorsinnerswhohadgonetoJesusandtrustedHimthoughttheyknewHim,butthattheyknewonlyalittleofHim.Saintsofsixtyyears'experience,whohavewalkedwithHimeveryday,thinktheyknowHim;buttheyareonlybeginnersyet.Theperfectspiritsbeforethethrone,whohavebeen

for five thousand years perpetually adoring Him, perhaps think theyknowHim,buttheydonottothefull."NomanknoweththeSonbuttheFather."Heissoglorious,thatonlytheinfiniteGodhasfullknowledgeofHim,thereforetherewillbeno limit toourstudy,ornarrowness inourline of thought, if we make our Lord the great object of all ourmeditations.

Brethren,astheoutcomeofthis,ifwearetobestrongmen,wemustbeconformed to our Lord. Oh, to be like Him! Blessed be that cross onwhich we shall suffer, if we suffer for being made like unto the LordJesus. If we obtain conformity to Christ, we shall have a wondrousunctionuponourministry,andwithoutthat,whatisministryworth?

Inaword,wemustlabourforholinessofcharacter.Whatisholiness?Isit not wholeness of character? a balanced condition in which there isneither lack nor redundance? It is not morality: that is a cold lifelessstatue;holinessislife.Youmusthaveholiness;anddearbrethren,ifyoushould fail inmental qualifications (as I hope youwill not), and if youshouldhaveaslendermeasureoftheoratoricalfaculty(asItrustyouwillnot),yet,dependuponit,holylifeis,initself,awonderfulpower,andwillmakeupformanydeficiencies;itis,infact,thebestsermonthebestmancandeliver. Let us resolve that all the puritywhich can be hadwewillhave,thatallthesanctitywhichcanbereachedwewillobtain,andthatallthelikenesstoChristthatispossibleinthisworldofsinshallcertainlybe inus through theworkof theSpiritofGod.TheLord liftusall asacollegerightuptoahigherplatform,andHeshallhavetheglory!

5.StillIhavenotdone,dearbrethren.Ihavetosaytoyou,goforwardinactualwork,for,afterall,weshallbeknownbywhatwehavedone.Weoughttobemighty indeedaswellasword.Therearegoodbrethren intheworldwhoareimpractical.Thegranddoctrineofthesecondadventmakesthemstandwithopenmouthspeeringintotheskies,sothatIamready to say, "Ye men of Plymouth why stand ye here gazing up intoheaven?" The fact that Jesus Chris is to come is not a reason for star-gazing,butforworkinginthepoweroftheHolyGhost.Benotsotakenupwithspeculationsas topreferaBiblereadingoveradarkpassage intheRevelationtoteachinginaragged-schoolordiscoursingtothepoorconcerningJesus.Wemusthavedonewithday-dreams,andgettowork.

I believe in eggs, butwemust get chickensout of them. I donotmindhowbigyoureggis; itmaybeanostrich'seggifyoulike,butifthereisnothing in it, pray clear away the shells. If something comes of it Godblessyourspeculations,andevenifyoushouldgoa little furtherthanIthinkitwisetoventure,still,ifyouaremoreuseful,Godbepraisedforit.Wewantfacts--deedsdone,soulssaved.Itisallverywelltowriteessays,butwhat soulshaveyousaved fromgoingdown tohell?Yourexcellentmanagement of your school interestsme, but howmany children havebeenbroughtintothechurchbyit?Wearegladtohearofthosespecialmeetings,buthowmanyhavereallybeenborntoGodinthem?Aresaintsedified?Aresinnersconverted?Toswingtoandfroonafive-barredgateis not progress, yet some seem to think so. I see them in perpetualElysium, humming over to themselves and their friends, "We are verycomfortable." God save us from living in comfort while sinners aresinking intohell. In travellingalong themountain roads inSwitzerlandyouwillcontinuallyseemarksoftheboring-rod;andineveryminister'slife there should be traces of stern labour. Brethren, do something; dosomething; do something. While committees waste their time overresolutions, do something. While Societies and Unions are makingconstitutions, let us win souls. Too often we discuss, and discuss, anddiscuss,andSatanlaughs inhissleeve.It is timewehaddoneplanningandsoughtsomethingtoplan.Iprayyou,bemenofactionallofyou.Gettoworkandquityourselveslikemen.OldSuvarov'sideaofwarismine:"Forwardandstrike!Notheory!Attack!Formcolumn!Chargebayonets!Plungeintothecentreoftheenemy."Ouroneaimistosavesinners,andthiswearenottotalkabout,buttodointhepowerofGod.

6.Lastly, andhere I amgoing todeliver amessagewhichweighsuponme,--Go forward in thematterof the choiceofyour sphereofaction. Iplead this day for those who cannot plead for themselves, namely, thegreat outlying masses of the heathen world. Our existing pulpits aretolerably well supplied, but we need men who will build on newfoundations.Who will do this? Are we, as a company of faithful men,clear in our consciences about the heathen?Millions have never heardthe name of Jesus. Hundreds of millions have seen a missionary onlyonce in their lives, and know nothing of our King. Shall we let themperish?CanwegotoourbedsandsleepwhileChina,India,Japan,and

othernationsarebeingdamned?Areweclearoftheirblood?Havetheynoclaimuponus?Weought toput iton this footing--not "CanIprovethatIoughttogo?"but"CanIprovethatIoughtnottogo?"Whenamancanprovehonestlythatheoughtnottogothenheisclear,butnotelse.Whatanswerdoyougive,mybrethren?Iputittoyoumanbyman.IamnotraisingaquestionamongyouwhichIhavenothonestlyputtomyself.Ihavefelt that ifsomeofour leadingministerswouldgoforth itwouldhaveagrandeffectinstimulatingthechurches,andIhavehonestlyaskedmyselfwhetherIoughttogo.AfterbalancingthewholethingIfeelboundtokeepmyplace,andIthinkthejudgmentofmostChristianswouldbethe same;but Ihope Iwould cheerfully go if itweremyduty todo so.Brethren, put yourselves through the same process.Wemust have theheathenconverted;GodhasmyriadsofHiselectamongthem,wemustgo and search for them till we find them. Many difficulties are nowremoved, all landsareopen tous, anddistance is annihilated.Truewehavenot thePentecostal gift of tongues, but languages are now readilyacquired,whiletheartofprintingisafullequivalentforthelostgift.Thedangersincidenttomissionsoughtnottokeepanytruemanback,eveniftheywereverygreat,buttheyarenowreducedtoaminimum.TherearehundredsofplaceswherethecrossofChristisunknown,towhichwecango without risk. Who will go? The men who ought to go are youngbrethrenofgoodabilitieswhohavenotyettakenuponthemselvesfamilycares.

Each student entering the college should consider this matter, andsurrenderhimselftotheworkunlessthereareconclusivereasonsforhisnotdoingso.Itisafactthatevenforthecoloniesitisverydifficulttofindmen, for Ihavehadopenings inAustraliawhich Ihavebeenobliged todecline.Itoughtnottobeso.Surelythereissomeself-sacrificeamongusyet, and someamongusarewilling tobeexiled forJesus.TheMissionlanguishesforwantofmen.Ifthemenwereforthcomingtheliberalityofthe church would supply their needs, and, in fact, the liberality of thechurchhadmadethesupply,andyettherearenotthementogo.Ishallneverfeel,brethren,thatwe,asabandofmen,havedoneourdutyuntilweseeourcomradesfightingforJesusineverylandinthevanofconflict.I believe that if God moves you to go, you will be among the best ofmissionaries,becauseyouwillmakethepreachingofthegospelthegreat

featureofyourwork,andthatisGod'ssurewayofpower.Iwishthatourchurcheswould imitate thatofPastorHarms, inGermany,whereeverymemberwasconsecratedtoGodindeedandofatruth.Thefarmersgavetheproduceoftheirlands,theworking-mentheirlabour;onegavealargehouse to be used as a missionary college, and Pastor Harms obtainedmoneyforashipwhichhefittedout,tomakevoyagestoAfrica,andthenhe sent missionaries, and little companies of his people with them, toform Christian communities among the Bushmen. When will ourchurchesbeequallyself-denyingandenergetic?Lookat theMoravians!howeverymanandwomanbecomesamissionary,andhowmuch theydoinconsequence.Letuscatchtheirspirit.Isitarightspirit?Thenitisrightforustohaveit.Itisnotenoughforustosay,"ThoseMoraviansareverywonderfulpeople!"Weoughttobewonderfulpeopletoo.Christdidnot purchase theMoravians anymore thanHe purchased us; they areundernomoreobligationtomakesacrificesthanweare.Whythenthisbackwardness?WhenwereadofheroicmenwhogaveupallforJesus,weare not merely to admire, but to imitate them.Who will imitate themnow? Come to the point. Are there not some among you willing toconsecrate yourselves to the Lord? "Forward" is thewatchword to-day!Aretherenoboldspiritstoleadthevan?PrayallofyouthatduringthisPentecost the Spirit may say, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for thework."

Forward!InGod'sname,FORWARD!!

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*This lecturewas delivered toministerswho had been educated at thePastors' College as well as to students, hence certain differences ofexpression.

LECTUREXVI

THENEEDOFDECISIONSFORTHETRUTH

Somethingsaretrueandsomethingsarefalse:Iregardthatasanaxiom;buttherearemanypersonswhoevidentlydonotbelieveit.Thecurrentprincipleofthepresentageseemstobe,"Somethingsareeithertrueorfalse,accordingtothepointofviewfromwhichyoulookatthem.Blackiswhite, and white is black according to circumstances; and it does notparticularlymatterwhichyoucallit.Truthofcourseistrue,butitwouldbe rude to say that the opposite is a lie; we must not be bigoted, butremember themotto, 'Somanymen, somanyminds,'"Our forefatherswere particular aboutmaintaining landmarks; they had strong notionsaboutfixedpointsofrevealeddoctrine,andwereverytenaciousofwhattheybelievedtobescriptural; their fieldswereprotectedbyhedgesandditches,buttheirsonshavegrubbedupthehedges,filleduptheditches,laid all level, and played at leap-frog with the boundary stones. Theschool of modern thought laughs at the ridiculous positiveness ofReformersandPuritans;itisadvancingingloriousliberality,andbeforelongwillpublishagrandalliancebetweenheavenandhell,or,rather,anamalgamation of the two establishments upon terms of mutualconcession,allowingfalsehoodandtruthtoliesidebyside,likethelionwiththelamb.Still,forallthat,myfirmold-fashionedbeliefisthatsomedoctrinesaretrue,andthatstatementswhicharediametricallyoppositetothemarenottrue,--thatwhen"No"isthefact,"Yes"isoutofcourt,andthatwhen"Yes"canbejustified,"No"mustbeabandoned.Ibelievethatthegentlemanwhohasforsolongatimeperplexedourcourts iseitherSirRogerTichborneorsomebodyelse;Iamnotyetabletoconceiveofhisbeing the true heir and an impostor at the same time. Yet in religiousmattersthefashionablestandpointissomewhatinthatlatitude.

Wehaveafixedfaithtopreach,mybrethren,andwearesentforthwithadefinitemessagefromGod.Wearenotlettofabricatethemessageaswegoalong.WearenotsentforthbyourMasterwithageneralcommissionarrangedonthisfashion:"Asyoushallthinkinyourheartandinventinyour head, so preach. Keep abreast of the times.Whatever the peoplewanttohear,tellthemthat,andtheyshallbesaved."Verily,wereadnotso.ThereissomethingdefiniteintheBible.Itisnotquitealumpofwaxto be shaped at our will, or a roll or cloth to be cut according to the

prevailingfashion.YourgreatthinkersevidentlylookupontheScripturesasaboxoflettersforthemtoplaywith,andmakewhattheylikeof,orawizard'sbottle,outofwhich theymaypouranything theychoose, fromatheism up to spiritualism. I am too old-fashioned to fall down andworshipthistheory.ThereissomethingtoldmeintheBible--toldmeforcertain--notputbeforemewitha"but"anda"perhaps,"andan"if,"anda"maybe,"andfiftythousandsuspicionsbehindit,sothatreallythelongandtheshortof it is, that itmaynotbesoatall;butrevealedtomeasinfallible fact, whichmust be believed, the opposite of which is deadlyerror,andcomesfromthefatheroflies.

Believing,therefore,thatthereissuchathingastruth,andsuchathingas falsehood, that there are truths in the Bible, and that the gospelconsistsinsomethingdefinitewhichistobebelievedbymen,itbecomesustobedecidedastowhatweteach,andtoteachitinadecidedmanner.We have to deal with men who will be either lost or saved, and theycertainlywillnotbe savedbyerroneousdoctrine.Wehave todealwithGod, whose servants we are, and He will not be honoured by ourdelivering falsehoods; neither will He give us a reward, and say, "Welldone, good and faithful servant, thou hast mangled the, gospel asjudiciouslyas anyman that ever livedbefore thee."We stand in a verysolemnposition,andoursshouldbethespiritofoldMicaiah,whosaid,"AstheLordmyGod liveth,beforewhomI stand,whatsoever theLordsaithuntomethatwillIspeak."Neither lessnormorethanGod'swordarewecalled tostate,but thatwordweareboundtodeclare inaspiritwhichconvincesthesonsofmenthat,whatevertheymaythinkofit,webelieveGod,andarenottobeshakeninourconfidenceinHim.

Brethren, in what ought we to be positive?Well, there are gentlemenalivewhoimaginethattherearenofixedprinciplestogoupon."Perhapsa few doctrines," said one to me, "perhaps a few doctrines may beconsideredasestablished.Itis,perhaps,ascertainedthatthereisaGod;butoneoughtnottodogmatiseuponHispersonality:agreatdealmaybesaid for pantheism." Such men creep into the ministry, but they aregenerallycunningenoughtoconcealthebreadthoftheirmindsbeneathChristianphraseology,thusactinginconsistencywiththeirprinciples,fortheirfundamentalruleisthattruthisofnoconsequence.

Asforus--asforme,atanyrate--IamcertainthatthereisaGod,andImeantopreachitasamandoeswhoisabsolutelysure.HeistheMakerofheavenandearth,theMasterofprovidence,andtheLordofgrace:letHis namebe blessed for ever and ever!Wewill haveno questions anddebatesastoHim.

We are equally certain that the bookwhich is called "the Bible" isHisword, and is inspired: not inspired in the sense inwhich Shakespeare,and Milton, and Dryden may be inspired, but in an infinitely highersense; so that, provided we have the exact text, we regard the wordsthemselves as infallible. We believe that everything stated in the bookthatcomestousfromGodistobeacceptedbyusasHissuretestimony,andnothing less than that.God forbidwe shouldbeensnaredby thosevarious interpretations of themodus of inspiration, which amount tolittlemorethanfrittering itaway.Thebook isadivineproduction; it isperfect,andisthelastcourtofappeal--"thejudgewhichendsthestrife."Iwould as soon dream of blasphemingmyMaker as of questioning theinfallibilityofHisword.

We are also sure concerning the doctrine of the blessed Trinity. WecannotexplainhowtheFather,Son,andSpiritcanbeeachonedistinctandperfect inhimself,andyet that these threeareone,so that there isbut one God; yet we do verily believe it, and mean to preach it,notwithstandingUnitarian, Socinian, Sabellian, or any other error.WeshallholdfastevermorethedoctrineoftheTrinityinUnity.

And, brethren, there will be no uncertain sound from us as to theatonementofourLordJesusChrist.Wecannotleavethebloodoutofourministry,orthelifeofitwillbegone;forwemaysayofthegospel,"Thebloodisthelifethereof."ThepropersubstitutionofChrist,thevicarioussacrifice of Christ, on the behalf of His people, that they might livethroughHim,--thiswemustpublishtillwedie.

Neithercanwewaverinourmindforamomentconcerningthegreatandglorious Spirit of God--the fact of His existence, His personality, thepowerofHisworking, thenecessityofHis influences, thecertaintythatnomanisregeneratedexceptbyHim;thatwearebornagainbytheSpiritof God, and that the Spirit dwells in believers, and is the author of all

good inthem,theirsanctifierandpreserver,withoutwhomtheycandono good thing whatsoever: we shall not at all hesitate as to preachingthesetruths.

Theabsolutenecessityofthenewbirthisalsoacertainty.Wecomedownwithdemonstrationwhenwetouchthatpoint.Weshallneverpoisonourpeoplewiththenotionthatamoralreformationwillsuffice,butwewilloverandoveragainsaytothem,"Yemustbebornagain."Wehavenotgot into the condition of the Scotch minister who, when old JohnMacdonaldpreachedtohiscongregationasermontosinners,remarked,"Well, Mr. Macdonald, that was a very good sermon which you havepreached,but it isverymuchoutofplace, forIdonotknowonesingleunregenerate person in my congregation." Poor soul, he was in allprobability unregenerated himself. No, we dare not flatter our hearers,butwemustcontinuetotellthemthattheyarebornsinners,andmustbebornsaints,ortheywillneverseethefaceofGodwithacceptance.

The tremendous evil of sin--we shall not hesitate about that.We shallspeakonthatmatterbothsorrowfullyandpositively;and,thoughsomevery wise men raise difficult questions about hell, we shall not fail todeclaretheterrorsoftheLord,andthefactthattheLordhassaid,"Theseshall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into lifeeternal."

Neitherwillweevergiveanuncertainsoundastotheglorioustruththatsalvation is all of grace. If ever we ourselves are saved, we know thatsovereigngracealonehasdone it,andwefeel itmustbethesamewithothers.Wewillpublish,"Grace!grace!grace!"withallourmight, livinganddying.

Weshallbeverydecided,also,astojustificationbyfaith;forsalvationis"Notofworks,lestanymanshouldboast.""LifeinalookattheCrucifiedOne"willbeOurmessage.TrustintheRedeemerwillbethatsavinggracewhichwewillpraytheLordtoimplantinallourhearers'hearts.

AndeverythingelsewhichwebelievetobetrueintheScripturesweshallpreach with decision. If there be questions which may be regarded asmoot,orcomparativelyunimportant,weshallspeakwithsuchameasure

of decision about them asmay be comely. But points which cannot bemoot, which are essential and fundamental, will be declared by uswithout any stammering, without any enquiring of the people, "Whatwouldyouwishustosay?"Yes,andwithouttheapology,"Thosearemyviews,butotherpeople'sviewsmaybecorrect."Weoughttopreachthegospel,notasourviewsatall,butasthemindofGod--thetestimonyofJehovah concerningHisownSon, and in reference to salvation for lostmen.Ifwehadbeenentrustedwiththemakingof thegospel,wemighthavealteredit tosuitthetasteofthismodestcentury,butneverhavingbeen employed to originate the good news, butmerely to repeat it, wedare not stir beyond the record.Whatwe have been taught of Godweteach. Ifwe do not do this, we are not fit for our position. If I have aservant inmyhousesandIsendamessagebyher to thedoor,andsheamendsitonherownauthority,shemaytakeawaytheverysoulofthemessagebysodoing,andshewillberesponsibleforwhatshehasdone.Shewill not remain long in my employ, for I need a servant who willrepeatwhatIsay,asnearlyaspossible,wordforword;andifshedoesso,Iamresponsibleforthemessage,sheisnot.Ifanyoneshouldbeangrywith her on account ofwhat she said, theywould be very unjust; theirquarrel lieswithme, andnotwith thepersonwhomI employ toact asmouthforme.HethathathGod'sWord, lethimspeakit faithfully,andhewillhavenoneedtoanswergainsayers,exceptwitha"ThussaiththeLord."This,then,isthematterconcerningwhichwearedecided.

Howarewetoshowthisdecision?Weneednotbecarefultoanswerthisquestion;ourdecisionwillshowitselfinitsownway.Ifwereallybelievea truth,we shall be decided about it. Certainlywe are not to show ourdecision by that obstinate, furious,wolfish bigotrywhich cuts off everyotherbodyfromthechanceandhopeofsalvationandthepossibilityofbeingregenerateorevendecentlyhonestiftheyhappentodifferfromusaboutthecolourofascaleofthegreatleviathan.Someindividualsappeartobenaturallycutonthecross;theyaremanufacturedtoberasps,andrasp they will. Sooner than not quarrel with you they would raise aquestionupon the colour of invisibility, or theweight of a non-existentsubstance.Theyareupinarmswithyou,notbecauseofthe importanceof the question under discussion, but because of the far greaterimportanceoftheirbeingalwaysthePopeoftheparty.Don'tgoaboutthe

world with your fist doubled up for fighting, carrying a theologicalrevolver in the legofyour trousers.There isnosense inbeingasortofdoctrinalgame-cock,tobecarriedabouttoshowyourspirit,oraterrierof orthodoxy, ready to tackle heterodox rats by the score. Practise thesuaviter inmodoaswellas the fortiter inre.Beprepared to fight, andalways have your sword buckled on your thigh, but wear a scabbard;there canbeno sense inwaving yourweaponaboutbefore everybody'seyes toprovoke conflict, after themannerof ourbeloved friendsof theEmeraldIsle,whoaresaidtotaketheircoatsoffatDonnybrookFair,anddrag them along the ground, crying out, while they flourish theirshillelaghs,"Willanygentlemanbesogoodastotreadonthetailofmycoat?"Thesearetheologiansofsuchwarm,generousblood,thattheyareneveratpeacetilltheyarefullyengagedinwar.

Ifyoureallybelievethegospel,youwillbedecidedforitinmoresensibleways.Yourverytonewillbetrayyoursincerity;youwillspeaklikeamanwho has something to say, which he knows to be true. Have you everwatchedaroguewhenheisabouttotellafalsehood?Haveyounoticedthewayinwhichhehastomouthit?Ittakesalongtimetobeabletotella lie well, for the facial organs were not originally constituted andadaptedforthecomplacentdeliveryoffalsehood.Whenamanknowsheis tellingyouthetruth,everythingabouthimcorroborateshissincerity.Anyaccomplishedcrossexamininglawyerknowswithinalittlewhetherawitnessisgenuineoradeceiver.Truthhasherownairandmanner,herowntoneandemphasis.Yonderisablundering,ignorantcountryfellowin thewitness-box; the counsel tries to bamboozle and confuse him, ifpossible, but all thewhilehe feels thathe is anhonestwitness, andhesays tohimself, "I should like to shake this fellow's evidence, for itwillgreatlydamagemysideof thequestion."Thereought tobealways thatsame air of truth about the Christian minister; only as he is not onlybearingwitnesstothetruth,butwantsotherpeopletofeelthattruthandown thepowerof it,heought tohavemoredecision inhis tone thanamerewitnesswho isstating factswhichmaybebelievedornotwithoutanyseriousconsequences followingeitherway.Lutherwas theman fordecision.Nobodydoubtedthathebelievedwhathespoke.Hespokewiththunder,fortherewaslightninginhisfaith.Themanpreachedallover,forhisentirenaturebelieved.Youfelt,"Well,hemaybemad,orhemay

bealtogethermistaken,butheassuredlybelieveswhathesays.Heistheincarnationoffaith;hisheartisrunningoverathislips."

Ifwewouldshowdecisionfor thetruth,wemustnotonlydosobyourtoneandmanner, butbyourdaily actions.Aman's life is alwaysmoreforcible than his speech; whenmen take stock of him they reckon hisdeeds as pounds and his words as pence. If his life and his doctrinesdisagree, the mass of lookers-on accept his practice and reject hispreaching.Amanmayknowagreatdealabout truth,andyetbeaverydamagingwitnesson itsbehalf,becausehe isnocredit to it.Thequackwhointheclassicstorycriedupaninfalliblecureforcolds,coughingandsneezingbetweeneverysentenceofhispanegyric,mayserveastheimageand symbol of an unholy minister. The Satyr in Æsop's fable wasindignantwiththemanwhoblewhotandcoldwiththesamemouth,andwell he might be. I can conceive no surer method of prejudicing menagainstthetruththanbysoundingherpraisesthroughthelipsofmenofsuspiciouscharacter.Whenthedevil turnedpreacher inourLord'sday,theMasterbadehimholdhispeace;HedidnotcareforSatanicpraises.Itisveryridiculoustoheargoodtruthfromabadman;itislikeflourinacoal-sack.WhenIwaslastinoneofourScottishtownsIheardofanidiotattheasylum,whothoughthimselfagreathistoriccharacter.Withmuchsolemnity the poor fellow put himself into an impressive attitude andexclaimed,"I'mSirWilliamWallace!Giemeabitofbacca."ThedescentfromSirWilliamWallacetoapieceoftobaccowastooabsurdforgravity;yetitwasneithersoabsurdnorsosadastoseeaprofessedambassadorof the cross covetous, worldly, passionate, or sluggish. How strange itwouldbetohearamansay,"IamaservantoftheMostHighGod,andIwillgowhereverIcanget themostsalary.Iamcalledto labour for thegloryof Jesusonly, and Iwill gonowhereunless the church is ofmostrespectablestanding.FormetoliveisChrist,butIcannotdoitunderfivehundredpoundsperannum."

Brother,ifthetruthbeintheeitwillflowoutofthineentirebeingastheperfumestreamsfromeveryboughofthesandal-woodtree;itwilldrivetheeonwardas the trade-windspeeds the ships, fillingall their sails; itwillconsumethywholenaturewithitsenergyastheforestfireburnsupallthetreesofthewood.Truthhasnotfullygiventheeherfriendshiptill

allthydoingsaremarkedwithherseal.

Wemustshowourdecisionforthetruthbythesacrificeswearereadytomake. This is, indeed, the most efficient as well as the most tryingmethod.Wemust be ready to give up anything and everything for thesake of the principles which we have espoused, and must be ready tooffendourbestsupporters,toalienateourwarmestfriends,soonerthanbelie our consciences. We must be ready to be beggars in purse, andoffscouringsinreputation,ratherthanacttreacherously.Wecandie,butwe cannot deny the truth. The cost is already counted, and we aredeterminedtobuythetruthatanyprice,andsellitatnoprice.Toolittleofthisspiritisabroadnowadays.Menhaveasavingfaith,andsavetheirown persons from trouble; they have great discernment, and know onwhich side their bread is buttered; they are large-hearted, and are allthingstoallmen,ifbyanymeanstheymaysaveasum.Thereareplentyofcursabout,whowouldfollowattheheelofanymanwhowouldkeepthem inmeat. They are among the first to bark at decision, and call itobstinatedogmatism,andignorantbigotry.Theircondemnatoryverdictcausesusnodistress;itiswhatweexpected.

Aboveallwemustshowourzeal for the truthbycontinually, inseasonandoutofseasonendeavouringtomaintainitinthetenderestandmostlovingmanner,butstillveryearnestlyandfirmly.Wemustnottalktoourcongregations as if we were half asleep. Our preaching must not bearticulate snoring. Theremust be power, life, energy, vigour.Wemustthrowourwholeselvesintoit,andshowthatthezealofGod'shousehaseatenusup.

Howarewe tomanifest our decision?Certainly not by harping on onestring and repeating over and over again the same truths with thedeclaration that we believe them. Such a course of action could onlysuggest itself to the incompetent. The barrel-organ grinder is not apattern of decision; hemay have persistency, but that is not the samethingasconsistency.Icouldindicatecertainbrethrenwhohavelearnedfour or five doctrines, and they grind them over and over again witheverlastingmonotony. I amalways gladwhen they grind their tunes insome street far removed from my abode. To weary with perpetualrepetitionisnotthewaytomanifestourfirmnessinthefaith.

Mybrethren,youwillstrengthenyourdecisionbytherecollectionoftheimportance of these truths to your own souls. Are your sins forgiven?Have you a hope of heaven?How do the solemnities of eternity affectyou?Certainlyyouarenotsavedapart fromthese things,andthereforeyoumustholdthem,foryoufeelyouarea lostmanif theybenottrue.Youhavetodie,and,beingconsciousthatthesethingsalonecansustainyouinthelastarticle,youholdthemwithallyourmight.Youcannotgivethem up. How can a man resign a truth which he feels to be vitallyimportanttohisownsoul?Hedaily feels-"Ihaveto liveonit, Ihavetodie on it, I am wretched now, and lost for ever apart from it, andthereforebythehelpofGodIcannotrelinquishit."

Yourownexperiencefromdaytodaywillsustainyou,belovedbrethren.Ihopeyouhaverealisedalreadyandwillexperiencemuchmorethepowerofthetruthwhichyoupreach.Ibelievethedoctrineofelection,becauseIamquitesurethatifGodhadnotchosenmeIshouldneverhavechosenHim; and I am sureHe choseme before I was born, or elseHe neverwould have chosen me afterwards; and He must have elected me forreasonsunknowntome,forInevercouldfindanyreasoninmyselfwhyHe should have looked upon me with special love. So I am forced toaccept thatdoctrine. Iambound to thedoctrineof thedepravityof thehuman heart, because I find myself depraved in heart, and have dailyproofs that there dwelleth in my flesh no good thing. I cannot helpholding that there must be an atonement before there can be pardon,becausemyconsciencedemandsit,andmypeacedependsupon it.Thelittlecourtwithinmyownheart isnotsatisfiedunlesssomeretributionbeexactedfordishonourdonetoGod.Theytellussometimesthatsuchandsuchstatementsarenottrue;butwhenweareabletoreplythatwehave tried them and proved them, what answer is there to suchreasoning?Amanpropoundsthewonderfuldiscoverythathoney isnotsweet."ButIhadsomeforbreakfast,andIfounditverysweet,"sayyou,andyourreplyisconclusive.Hetellsyouthatsaltispoisonous,butyoupoint to your own health, and declare that you have eaten salt thesetwenty years.He says that to eat bread is amistake--a vulgar error, anantiquatedabsurdity;butateachmealyoumakehisprotestthesubjectforamerrylaugh.Ifyouaredailyandhabituallyexperiencedinthetruth

ofGod'sWord,Iamnotafraidofyourbeingshakeninmindinreferenceto it.Thoseyoungfellowswhoneverfeltconvictionofsin,butobtainedtheirreligionastheygettheirbathinthemorning,byjumpingintoit--thesewillasreadilyleapoutofitastheyleapedin.Thosewhofeelneitherthejoysnoryetthedepressionsofspiritwhichindicatespirituallife,aretorpid,andtheirpalsiedhandhasnofirmgripoftruth.MereskimmersoftheWord,who,likeswallows,touchthewaterwiththeirwings,arethefirst to fly from one land to another as personal considerations guidethem.Theybelievethis,andthenbelievethat,for, intruth,theybelievenothing intensely. If youhave ever beendragged through themire andclayofsoul-despair,ifyouhavebeenturnedupsidedown,andwipedoutlikeadishastoallyourownstrengthandpride,andhavethenbeenfilledwith the joy and peace of God, through Jesus Christ, I will trust youamongfiftythousandinfidels.WheneverIhearthesceptic'sstaleattacksupon the Word of God, I smile within myself and think, "Why, yousimpleton!howcanyouurgesuchtriflingobjections?Ihave felt, in thecontentionsofmyownunbelief, ten timesgreaterdifficulties."Wewhohave contendedwith horses are not to bewearied by footmen.GordonCummingandotherlion-killersarenottobescaredbywildcats,norwillthosewhohavestoodfoottofootwithSatanresignthefieldtopretentioussceptics,oranyotheroftheevilone'sinferiorservants.

If,mybrethren,wehavefellowshipwiththeLordJesusChrist,wecannotbe made to doubt the fundamentals of the gospel; neither can we beundecided.Aglimpseatthethorn-crownedheadandpiercedhandsandfeetisthesurecurefor"moderndoubt"andallitsvagaries.Getintothe"Rock of Ages, cleft for you," and you will abhor the quicksand. ThateminentAmerican preacher, the seraphic Summerfield,when he lay a-dying,turnedroundtoafriendintheroomandsaid,"Ihavetakenalookintoeternity.Oh,ifIcouldcomebackandpreachagain,howdifferentlywouldIpreachfromwhatIhavedonebefore!"Takealookintoeternity,brethren,ifyouwanttobedecided.RememberhowAtheistmetChristianandHopeful on the road to theNewJerusalem, and said, "There is nocelestial country. I have gone a longway, and could not find it." ThenChristiansaidtoHopeful,"DidwenotseeitfromthetopofMountClear,whenwewerewiththeshepherds?"Therewasananswer!Sowhenmenhave said, "There is no Christ--there is no truth in religion," we have

repliedtothem,"HavewenotsatunderHisshadowwithgreatdelight?WasnotHis fruitsweet toour taste?Gowithyourscepticismsto thosewhodonotknowwhomtheyhavebelieved.Wehavetastedandhandledthegoodwordof life.Whatwehaveseenandheard, thatwedotestify;andwhethermen receiveour testimonyornot,we cannotbut speak it,forwe,speakwhatwedoknow,andtestifywhatwehaveseen."That,mybrethren,isthesurewaytobedecided.

And now, lastly,why shouldwe at this particular age be decided andbold?Weshouldbesobecausethisageisadoubtingage.Itswarmswithdoubters as Egypt of oldwith frogs. You rub against them everywhere.Everybody isdoubtingeverything,notmerely inreligion,but inpoliticsandsocialeconomics,ineverythingindeed.Itistheeraofprogress,andIsuppose itmustbe theage, therefore, ofunloosening, inorder that thewholebodypoliticmaymoveonalittlefurther.Well,brethren,astheageisdoubting,itiswiseforustoputourfootdownandstandstillwherewearesurewehavetruthbeneathus.Perhaps, if itwereanageofbigotry,andmenwould not learn, wemight bemore inclined to listen to newteachers; but now the Conservative side must be ours, or rather theRadicalside,whichisthetrulyConservativeside.Wemustgobacktotheradix,orrootoftruth,andstandsternlybythatwhichGodhasrevealed,andsomeetthewaveringoftheage.Oureloquentneighbour,Mr.ArthurMursell,haswellhitoffthepresentage:

"Have we gone too far in saying that modern thought has grownimpatientwiththeBible,thegospel,andthecross?Letussee.Whatpartof the Bible has it not assailed? The Pentateuch it has long ago sweptfromthecanonasunauthentic.Whatwereadaboutthecreationandthefloodisbrandedasfable.Andthelawsaboutthelandmarks,fromwhichSolomonwasnotashamedtoquote,areburiedorlaidupontheshelf.

"Differentmenassaildifferentportionsofthebook,andvarioussystemslevel their batteries of prejudice at various points; until by some theScriptureistornalltopieces,andcasttothefourwindsofheaven,andbyeven the most forbearing of the cultured Vandals of what is calledmodernthought,itiscondensedintoathinpamphletofmorality,insteadof the tome of teaching through which we have eternal life. There ishardly a prophet but has been reviewedby thewiseacres of the day in

precisely the same spirit as they would review a work from Mudie'slibrary.TheTemaniteandtheShuhitenevermisconstruedthebaitedJobwithhalftheprejudiceoftheacknowledgedintellectsofourtime.Isaiah,instead of being sawn asunder, is quartered and hacked in pieces. Theweepingprophetisdrownedinhisowntears.Ezekielisgroundtoatomsamidst hiswheels.Daniel is devoured bodily by the learned lions. AndJonahisswallowedbythedeepmonsterswithamoreinexorablevoracitythanthefish,fortheynevercasthimupagain.Thehistoriesandeventsofthegreat chronicle are rudely contradicted and gainsaid, because someschoolmasterwith a slate and pencil cannot bring his sums right. AndeverymiraclewhichthemightoftheLordwroughtforthefavourofHispeople,or the frustrationof their foes, ispooh-poohedas anabsurdity,becausetheprofessorscannotdothelikewiththeirenchantments.Afewof what are calledmiraclesmay be credible, because our leaders thinkthey can do them themselves. A few natural phenomena, which somedoctor can show to a company ofmartinets in a dark room, or with atable-full of apparatus,will account for themiracle of theRed Sea. Anaeronaut goes up in a balloon, and then comes down again, and quiteexplainsawaythepillaroffireandofcloud,andtriflesofthatkind.Andsoour greatmenare satisfiedwhen they think that their toywandhasswallowed up thewand of Aaron: butwhenAaron's wand threatens toswallow up theirs, they say that part is not authentic, and thatmiracleneveroccurred.

"NordoestheNewTestamentfareanybetterthantheOldatthehandsofthese invaders. There is no toll of deference levied on their homage astheypassacrosstheline.Theyrecognisenovoiceofwarningwiththecry,'Take thy shoes from off thy feet, because the place whereon thoustandest isholyground.'Themindwhichhalts in its careerof spiritualrapineonanyreverentialpretext,isdenouncedasignorantorslavish.Tohesitatetostampthehoofuponalilyoraspringfloweristhesentimentalfollyofachild,andthevanguardofthethoughtoftheagehasonlypityand a sneer for such a feeling, as it stalks upon its boasted march ofprogress.Wearetoldthatthelegendsofournurseriesareobsolete,andthat broader views are gaining ground with thoughtful minds. We areunwilling to believe it. The truth is, that a few, a very few, thoughtfulmen,whose thinking consists in negation from first to last, andwhose

mindsaretorturedwithachronictwistorcurve,whichturnsthemintointellectual notes of interrogation, have laid the basis of this system;these few honest doubters have been joined by a larger band who aresimplyrestless;andtheseagainbymenwhoareinimicaltothespiritandthe truths of Scripture, and together they have formed a coterie, andcalled themselves the leaders of the thought of the age. They have afollowing,itistrue;butofwhomdoesitconsist?Ofthemeresatellitesoffashion. Of the wealth, the pedantry, and the stupidity of our largepopulations.Astringofcarriagesisseen'settingdown'and'takingup'atthe door where an advanced professor is to lecture, and because themillinerisadvertisedfromfloortoceilinginthelectureroom,theseviewsaresaidtobegainingground.Butinanageoffashionlikethis,whoeversuspectstheseminionsofthemodeofhavinganyviewsatall?Itbecomesrespectabletofollowacertainnameforatime,andsothevainlingsgotofollowthenameandtodisplaythedress.Butastoviews,onewouldnomoresuspectsuchpeopleofhavinganyviewsthantheywoulddreamofcharging more than a tenth part of the crowds who go to the RoyalAcademy'sexhibitionwithunderstandingthelawsofperspective.Itisthethingtodo:andsoeveryonewhohasadresstoshowandaloungetoair,goes to show it, and all who would be in the fashion (and who wouldnot?)areboundtoadvancewiththetimes.Andhencewefindthetimesadvancingover thesacredprecinctsof theNewTestament,as though itwerethe floorofSt.Alban'sorofaprofessor's lectureroom;andladiesdragtheirtrains,anddandiessettheirdress-bootsontheauthenticityofthis,ortheauthorityofthat,ortheinspirationof theother.Peoplewhoneverheardof Strauss, ofBauer, or ofTubingen, arequiteprepared tosaythatourSaviourwasbutawell-meaningman,whohadagreatmanyfaults,andmadeagreatmanymistakes;thatHismiracles,asrecordedintheNewTestament,were inpart imaginary,and inpartaccountablebynatural theories; that the raising of Lazarus never occurred, since theGospel of John is a forgery from first to last; that the atonement is adoctrinetobescoutedasbloodyandunrighteous;thatPaulwasafanaticwhowroteunthinkingly,andthatmuchofwhatbearshisnamewasneverwrittenbyhimat all.Thus is theBible rubbed through the tribulumofcriticismfromGenesistoRevelation,until,inthefaithoftheageinwhichwe live, as represented by its so-called leaders, there are but a fewinspiredfragmentshereandthereremaining."

Moreover,afterall,thisisnotanearnestlydoubtingage;weliveamongacareless,frivolousrace.Ifthedoubterswerehonesttherewouldbemoreinfidelplacesofconcoursethanthereare;but infidelityasanorganisedcommunitydoesnotprosper.InfidelityinLondon,openandavowed,hascomedowntooneoldcorrugatedironshedoppositeSt.Luke's.Ibelievethatisthepresentpositionofit."TheHallofScience"isitnotcalled?ItsliteraturewascarriedonforalongtimeinhalfashopinFleetStreet;thatwasall itcouldmanagetosupport,andIdon'tknowwhethereventhathalfshopisusednow.Itisapoor,doting,drivellingthing.InTomPaine'stimeitbulliedlikeavigorousblasphemer,butitwasoutspoken,and,initsownway,downrightandearnestinitsoutspokenness.Itcommandedinformerdayssomenameswhichonemightmentionwithameasureofrespect;Hume,towit,andBolingbroke,andVoltaireweregreatintalent,ifnot incharacter.Butwherenowwillyou findaHobbesoraGibbon?Thedoubters now are usually doubters because theydonot care abouttruthatall.Theyareindifferentaltogether.Modernscepticismisplayingand toying with truth; and it takes to "modern thought" as anamusement,asladiestaketocroquetorarchery.Thisisnothinglessthanan age of millinery and dolls and comedy. Even good people do notbelieve out and out as their fathers used to do. Some even amongNonconformists are shamefully lax in their convictions; they have fewmasterly convictions such as would lead them to the stake, or even toimprisonment.Molluscshavetakentheplaceofmen,andmenareturnedtojelly-fishes.Farfromusbethedesiretoimitatethem.

Moreover it is an agewhich is very impressible, and therefore I shouldlike to see you very decided, that you may impress it. The wonderfulprogress made in England by the High Church movement shows thatearnestnessispower.TheRitualistsbelievesomething,andthatfacthasgiven them influence. To me their distinctive creed is intolerablenonsense,andtheirproceedingsarechildishfoolery;buttheyhavedaredto go against the mob, and have turned the mob round to their side.Bravelydidtheybattle,letussayittotheirhonour;whentheirchurchesbecamethescenesofriotanddisorder,andtherewasraisedtheterriblehowlof"NoPopery"bythelowerorders,theyboldlyconfrontedthefoeand never winced. They went against the whole current of what wasthought to be the deep-seated feeling of England in favour of

Protestantism,andwithscarcelyabishoptopatronisethem,andbutfewloaves and fishes of patronage, they have increased from a handful tobecomethedominantandmostvitalpartyintheChurchofEngland,andto our intense surprise and horror they have brought people to receiveagainthePoperywhichwethoughtdeadandburied.Ifanybodyhadtoldme twenty years ago that the witch of Endor would become Queen ofEngland, I should as soonhavebelieved it as thatwe shouldnowhavesuchaHighChurchdevelopment;but the fact is, themenwereearnestand decided, and held what they believed most firmly, and did nothesitatetopushtheircause.Theage,therefore,canbeimpressed;itwillreceivewhatistaughtbyzealousmen,whetheritbetruthorfalsehood.Itmaybeobjectedthatfalsehoodwillbereceivedthemorereadily;thatisjustpossible,butanythingwillbeacceptedbymenifyouwillbutpreachitwithtremendousenergyandlivingearnestness.Iftheywillnotreceiveit into their hearts in a spiritual sense, yet at any rate there will be amentalassentandconsent,verymuch inproportion to theenergywithwhich you proclaim it; ay, andGodwill bless our decision too, so thatwhenthemindisgainedbyourearnestness,andtheattentioniswonbyourzeal,theheartitselfwillbeopenedbytheSpiritofGod.

Wemustbedecided.WhathaveDissentersbeendoingtoagreatextentlatelybuttryingtobefine?Howmanyofourministersarelabouringtobegrandoratorsorintellectualthinkers?Thatisnotthething.Ouryoungministershavebeendazzledbythat,andhavegoneofftobraylikewildasses under the notion that they would then be reputed to have comefromJerusalem,ortohavebeenrearedinGermany.Theworldhasfoundthemout.ThereisnothingnowIbelievethatgenuineChristiansdespisemorethanthefoolishaffectationofintellectualism.Youwillhearagoodold deacon say, "Mr. So-and-so, whomwe had here, was a very cleverman, and preached wonderful sermons, but the cause has gone downthroughit.Wecanhardlysupporttheminister,andwemeannexttimetohave one of the old-fashioned ministers back again who believe insomethingandpreach it.Therewillbenoaddition toour churchelse."Will you go out and tell the people that you believe you can saysomething,butyouhardlyknowwhat;youarenotquitesure thatwhatyou preach is correct, but the trust-deed requires you to say it, andthereforeyousay it?Why,youmaycause foolsand idiots tobepleased

withyou,andyouwillbesuretopropagateinfidelity,butyoucannotdomore.Whenaprophetcomes forwardhemust speakas fromtheLord,and ifhe cannotdo that, lethimgoback tohisbed. It isquite certain,dear friends, thatnoworneverwemustbedecided,because theage ismanifestlydrifting.Youcannotwatch for twelvemonthswithoutseeinghowitisgoingdownthetide;theanchorsarepulledup,andthevesselisfloatingtodestruction.Itisdriftingnow,asnearasIcantellyou,south-east, and is nearingCapeVatican, and if it drivesmuch further in thatdirectionitwillbeontherocksof theRomanreef.Wemustgetaboardher,andconnectherwiththeglorioussteam-tugofgospeltruth,anddragherback.IshouldbegladifIcouldtakeherroundbyCapeCalvin,rightupintotheBayofCalvary,andanchorherinthefairhavenwhichiscloseoverbyVeraCruz,orthecross.Godgrantusgracetodoit.Wemusthaveastronghand,andhaveoursteamwellup,anddefythecurrent;andsoby God's grace we shall both save this age and the generations yet tocome.

LECTUREXVIIOPEN-AIRPREACHING--ASKETCHOFITSHISTORY

There are some customs forwhichnothing canbe pleaded, except thattheyareveryold.Insuchcasesantiquityisofnomorevaluethantherustupona counterfeit coin. It is, however, ahappy circumstancewhen theusageofagescanbepleadedforareallygoodandscripturalpractice,forit invests itwithahaloof reverence.Now, it canbeargued,with smallfearofrefutation,thatopen-airpreachingisasoldaspreachingitself.WeareatfulllibertytobelievethatEnoch,theseventhfromAdam,whenheprophesied,askedfornobetterpulpitthanthehill-side,andthatNoah,as a preacher of righteousness, was willing to reason with hiscontemporariesintheship-yardwhereinhismarvellousarkwasbuilded.Certainly, Moses and Joshua found their most convenient place foraddressing vast assemblies beneath the unpillared arch of heaven.SamuelclosedasermoninthefieldatGilgalamidthunderandrain,bywhichtheLordrebukedthepeopleanddrovethemtotheirknees.Elijah

stoodonCarmel,andchallenged thevacillatingnation,with "How longhalt ye between two opinions?" Jonah, whose spirit was somewhatsimilar, lifteduphiscryofwarning inthestreetsofNineveh,and inallherplacesofconcoursegaveforththewarningutterance,"YetfortydaysandNinevehshallbeoverthrown!"TohearEzraandNehemiah"all thepeoplegatheredthemselvestogetherasonemanintothestreetthatwasbeforethewater gate." Indeed,we find examples of open-air preachingeverywherearoundusintherecordsoftheOldTestament.

Itmaysufficeus,however,togobackasfarastheoriginofourownholyfaith, and there we hear the forerunner of the Saviour crying in thewilderness and lifting up his voice from the river's bank. Our LordHimself,whoisyetmoreourpattern,deliveredthe largerproportionofHissermonsonthemountain'sside,orbytheseashore,orinthestreets.OurLordwas toall intentsandpurposesanopen.airpreacher.Hedidnot remain silent in the synagogue, butHewas equally at home in thefield.WehavenodiscourseofHisonrecorddeliveredinthechapelroyal,butwehave thesermonon themount,and thesermon in theplain; sothattheveryearliestandmostdivinekindofpreachingwaspractisedoutofdoorsbyHimwhospakeasnevermanspake.

There were gatherings of His disciples after His decease, within walls,especiallythatintheupperroom;butthepreachingwaseventhenmostfrequentlyinthecourtofthetemple,orinsuchotheropenspacesaswereavailable.Thenotionofholyplacesandconsecratedmeeting-houseshadnotoccurredtothemasChristians;theypreachedinthetemplebecauseitwasthechiefplaceofconcourse,butwithequalearnestness"ineveryhousetheyceasednottoteachandpreachJesusChrist."

Theapostlesand their immediate successorsdelivered theirmessageofmercynotonlyintheirownhiredhouses,andinthesynagogues,butalsoanywhereandeverywhereasoccasionservedthem.Thismaybegatheredincidentally from the following statement of Eusebius. "The divine andadmirable disciples of the apostles built up the superstructure of thechurches, the foundations whereof the apostles had laid, in all placeswhere they came; they everywhere prosecuted the preaching of thegospel, sowing the seeds of heavenly doctrine throughout the wholeworld.Many of the disciples then alive distributed their estates to the

poor;and,leavingtheirowncountry,didtheworkofevangeliststothosewho had never yet heard the Christian faith, preaching Christ, anddeliveringtheevangelicalwritings to them.Nosoonerhad theyplantedthe faith in any foreign countries, and ordained guides and pastors, towhomtheycommittedthecareofthesenewplantations,buttheywenttoother nations, assisted by the grace and powerful working of the HolySpirit. As soon as they began to preach the gospel the people flockeduniversallytothem,andcheerfullyworshippedthetrueGod,theCreatoroftheworld,piouslyandheartilybelievinginHisname."

As the dark ages lowered, the best preachers of the gradually decliningchurchwerealsopreachers in theopenair;aswerealso those itinerantfriarsandgreatfoundersofreligiousorderswhokeptalivesuchpietyasremained.WehearofBerthold,ofRatisbon,withaudiencesofsixtyorahundred thousand, in a field near Glatz in Bohemia. There were alsoBernards,andBernardines,andAnthonys,andThomasesofgreat fameas travelling preachers, of whom we cannot find time to speakparticularly. Dr. Lavington, Bishop of Exeter, being short of otherarguments,stated,asaproofthattheMethodistswereidenticalwiththePapists,thattheearlyFriarPreachersweregreatatholdingforthintheopenfields.QuotingfromRibadeneira,hementionsPeterofVerona,whohad "a divine talent in preaching; neither churches, nor streets, normarket-placescouldcontainthegreatconcoursethatresortedtohearhissermons."Thelearnedbishopmighthaveeasilymultipliedhisexamples,aswe also could do, but theywould prove nothingmore than that, forgoodorevil,fieldpreachingisagreatpower.

WhenAntichristhadcommenceditsmoreuniversalsway,theReformersbefore the Reformation were full often open-air preachers, as, forinstance,ArnoldofBrescia,whodenouncedPapalusurpationsattheverygatesoftheVatican.

Itwouldbeveryeasytoprovethatrevivalsofreligionhaveusuallybeenaccompanied,ifnotcaused,byaconsiderableamountofpreachingoutofdoors, or in unusual places. The first avowed preaching of protestantdoctrine was almost necessarily in the open air, or in buildings whichwerenotdedicatedtoworship,forthesewereinthehandsofthePapacy.True, Wycliffe for a while preached the gospel in the church at

Lutterworth; Huss, and Jerome, and Savonarola for a time deliveredsemi-gospeladdressesinconnectionwiththeecclesiasticalarrangementsaroundthem;butwhentheybeganmorefullytoknowandproclaimthegospel,theyweredriventofindotherplatforms.TheReformationwhenyet a babe was like the new-born Christ, and had not where to lay itshead,butacompanyofmencomparabletotheheavenlyhostproclaimeditunder theopenheavens,whereshepherdsandcommonpeopleheardthemgladly.ThroughoutEnglandwehaveseveraltreesremainingcalled"gospeloaks."Thereisonespotontheothersideof theThamesknownbythenameof"GospelOak,"andIhavemyselfpreachedatAddlestone,in Surrey, under the far-spreading boughs of an ancient oak, beneathwhichJohnKnoxissaidtohaveproclaimedthegospelduringhissojourninEngland.Fullmanyawildmoor,andlonehillside,andsecretspotintheforesthavebeenconsecratedinthesamefashion,andtraditionsstilllingerovercaves,anddells,andhilltops,whereofoldtimethebandsofthefaithfulmettohearthewordoftheLord.Norwasitaloneinsolitaryplaces that in days of yore the voice of the preacher was heard, forscarcely is there a market cross which has not served as a pulpit foritinerant gospellers. During the lifetime of Wycliffe his missionariestraversed the country, everywhere preaching the word. An Act ofParliamentofRichardII(1382)sets it forthasagrievanceof theclergythat a number of persons in frieze gowns went from town to town,withoutthelicenceoftheordinaries,andpreachednotonlyinchurches,but in churchyards, andmarket-places, and also at fairs. Tohear theseheraldsofthecrossthecountrypeopleflockedingreatnumbers,andthesoldiersmingledwiththecrowd,readytodefendthepreacherswiththeirswords if any offered to molest them. After Wycliffe's decease hisfollowersscruplednottousethesamemethods.ItisspeciallyrecordedofWilliamSwinderbythat"beingexcommunicated,andforbiddentopreachinanychurchorchurchyard,hemadeapulpitof twomillstones intheHigh-streetofLeicester,andtherepreached'incontemptofthebishop.''There,'saysKnighton,'youmightseethrongsofpeoplefromeverypart,aswellfromthetownasthecountry,doublethenumberthereusedtobewhentheymighthearhimlawfully.'"

InGermanyandothercontinentalcountriestheReformationwasgreatlyaidedby the sermonsdelivered to themasses out of doors.We readof

Lutheran preachers perambulating the country proclaiming the newdoctrinetocrowdsinthemarket-places,andburial-grounds,andalsoonmountainsandinmeadows.AtGoslaraWittembergstudentpreachedinameadow planted with lime-trees, which procured for his hearers thedesignation of "the Lime-tree Brethren." D'Aubigné tells us that atAppenzel, as the crowds could not be contained in the churches, thepreachingwasheldinthefieldsandpublicsquares,and,notwithstandingkeenopposition,thehills,meadows,andmountainsechoedwiththegladtidingsofsalvation.InthelifeofFarelwemeetwithincidentsconnectedwithout-of-doorsministry; for instance,when atMetz he preachedhisfirstsermoninthechurchyardoftheDominicans,hisenemiescausedallthebellstobetolled,buthisvoiceofthunderoverpoweredthesound,InNeuchâtel we are told that "the whole town became his church. Hepreached in the market-place, in the streets, at the gates, before thehouses,andinthesquares,andwithsuchpersuasionandeffect thathewonovermany to thegospel.Thepeoplecrowdedtohearhissermons,andcouldnotbekeptbackeitherbythreatsorpersuasions."

FromDr.Wylie'sHistoryofProtestantismIborrowthefollowing:"It issaid that the first field-preaching in theNetherlands took place on the14th of June, 1566, and was held in the neighbourhood of Ghent. ThepreacherwasHermanModet,whohad formerly been amonk, butwasnow the reformed pastor at Oudenard. 'This man,' says a Popishchronicler,'wasthefirstwhoventuredtopreachinpublic,andtherewere7,000personsathis firstsermon.' . . .Thesecondgreat field-preachingtookplaceonthe23rdofJulyfollowing,thepeopleassemblinginalargemeadowinthevicinityofGhent.The'Word'waspreciousinthosedays,andthepeople,eagerlythirstingtohearit,preparedtoremaintwodaysconsecutively on the ground. Their arrangements more resembled anarmy pitching their camp than a peaceful multitude assembled forworship.Aroundtheworshipperswasawallofbarricadesintheshapeofcarts and waggons. Sentinels were placed at all the entrances. A rudepulpitofplankswashastilyrunupandplacedaloftonacart.Modetwaspreacher,andaroundhimweremanythousandsofpersons,wholistenedwith their pikes, hatchets, and guns lying by their sides ready to begrasped on a sign from the sentinels who kept watch all around theassembly. In frontof theentranceswereerected stalls,whereat pedlars

offered prohibited books to all who wished to buy. Along the roadsrunning into thecountrywerestationedcertainpersons,whoseoffice itwastobidthecasualpassengerturninandheartheGospel....Whentheservices were finished, the multitude would repair to other districts,wheretheyencampedafterthesamefashion,andremainedforthesamespace of time, and so passed through the whole of West Flanders. Atthese conventicles thePsalmsofDavid,whichhadbeen translated intoLowDutchfromtheversionofClementMarot,andTheodoreBeza,werealwayssung.Theodesof theHebrewking,pealed forthby from five toten thousand voices, and borne by the breeze over the woods andmeadows,mightbeheardatgreatdistances,arrestingtheploughmanasheturnedthefurrow,orthetravellerashepursuedhisway,andmakinghim stop and wonder whence the minstrelsy proceeded." It is mostinterestingtoobservethatcongregationalsingingissuretoreviveatthesame moment as gospel-preaching. In all ages a Moody has beenattendedbyaSankey.Historyrepeatsitselfbecauselikecausesareprettysuretoproducelikeeffects.

It would be an interesting task to prepare a volume of notable factsconnectedwithopen-airpreaching,or,betterstill,aconsecutivehistoryof it. I haveno time for even a complete outline, butwould simply askyou,wherewould theReformationhavebeen if its greatpreachershadconfined themselves to churches and cathedrals? How would thecommon people have become indoctrinated with the gospel had it notbeen for those far wandering evangelists, the colporteurs, and thosedaring innovators who found a pulpit on every heap of stones, and anaudiencechamberineveryopenspaceneartheabodesofmen?

AmongexampleswithinourownhighlyfavouredislandIcannotforbearmentioning thenotable case of holyWishart. This I quote fromGillie'sHistoricalCollections:

"GeorgeWishartwas one of the early preachers of the doctrines of theReformers, and suffered martyrdom in the days of Knox. His publicexpositionof theEpistle to theRomansespeciallyexcited the fearsandhatred of the Romish ecclesiastics, who caused him to be silenced atDundee. He went to Ayr, and began to preach the gospel with greatfreedomandfaithfulness.ButDunbar, thethenArchbishopofGlasgow,

being informed of the great concourse of people who crowded to hissermons, at the instigation of Cardinal Beaton, went to Ayr, with theresolutiontoapprehendhim;but first tookpossessionof thechurch, toprevent him frompreaching in it. Thenews of this broughtAlexander,Earl of Glencairn, and some gentlemen of the neighbourhoodimmediately to town. Theywished and offered to putWishart into thechurch,buthewouldnotconsent,sayingthat'theBishop'ssermonwouldnotdomuchhurt, and that, if theypleased,hewouldgo to themarketcross,' which he accordingly did, and preached with such success, thatseveralofhishearers, formerlyenemiestothetruth,wereconvertedontheoccasion.

"Wishart continued with the gentlemen of Kyle, after the archbishop'sdeparture;andbeingdesiredtopreachnextLord's-dayat thechurchofMauchline,hewentthitherwiththatdesign,butthesheriffofAyrhad,inthenighttime,putagarrisonofsoldiersintothechurchtokeephimout.Hugh Campbell, of Kinzeancleugh, with others in the parish, wereexceedinglyoffendedatthisimpiety,andwouldhaveenteredthechurchbyforce;butWishartwouldnotsufferit,saying,'Brethren,itisthewordofpeacewhichIpreachuntoyou;thebloodofnomanshallbeshedforitthisday:JesusChristisasmightyinthefieldsasinthechurch,andHeHimself,whileHe lived in the flesh,preachedoftener in thedesertandupontheseasidethaninthetempleofJerusalem.'Uponthisthepeoplewereappeased,andwentwithhimtotheedgeofthemoor,onthesouth-west ofMauchline, where having placed himself upon a ditch-dike, hepreached to a great multitude. He continued speaking for more thanthreehours,Godworkingwondrouslyby him; insomuch that LaurenceRanken,theLairdofShield,averyprofaneperson,wasconvertedbyhismeans. About amonth after the above circumstance, he was informedthattheplaguehadbrokenoutatDundee,thefourthdayafterhehadleftit;andthatitstillcontinuedtorageinsuchamannerthatgreatnumberswere swept off daily. This affected him so much, that he resolved toreturntothem,andaccordinglytookleaveofhisfriendsinthewest,whowerefilledwithsorrowathisdeparture.Thenextday,afterhisarrivalatDundee,hecausedintimationtobemadethathewouldpreach;andforthatpurpose chosehis stationat theheadof the east gate, the infectedpersonsstandingwithout,andthosethatwerewhole,within.Histexton

thisoccasionwasPsalmcvii.20:'Hesenthiswordandhealedthem,anddelivered them from their destructions.' By this discourse he socomfortedthepeople,thattheythoughtthemselveshappyinhavingsucha preacher, and entreated him to remain with them while the plaguecontinued."Whatascenemustthishavebeen?Seldomhaspreacherhadsuch an audience, and, I may add, seldom has audience had such apreacher.Then,tousethewordsofanoldauthor,"Oldtimestoodatthepreacher'ssidewithhisscythe,sayingwithhoarsevoice,'Workwhileitiscalledtoday, foratnight Iwillmow theedown.'There, too, stoodgrimdeathhardby thepulpit,withhis sharparrows, saying, 'Do thou shootGod'sarrowsandIwillshootmine.'"Thisis,indeed,anotableinstanceofpreachingoutofdoors.

I wish it were in my power to give more particulars of that famousdiscoursebyJohnLivingstoneintheyardoftheKirkofShotts,whennotless than five hundred of his hearers found Christ, though it rained intorrentsduringaconsiderablepartofthetime.Itremainsasoneofthegreatout-doorsermonsofhistory,unsurpassedbyanywithinwalls.Hereisthegistofwhatweknowaboutit:

"Itwas not usual, it seems, in those times, to have any sermon on theMondayafterdispensingtheLord'sSupper.ButGodhadgivensomuchofHisgraciouspresence,andaffordedHispeoplesomuchcommunionwithHimself,ontheforegoingdaysofthatsolemnity,thattheyknewnothow to part without thanksgiving and praise. There had been a vastconfluence of choice Christians, with several eminent ministers, fromalmost all the corners of the land.Therehadbeenmany of them theretogether for several days before the sacrament, hearing sermons, andjoining together in larger or lesser companies, in prayer, praise, andspiritualconferences.WhiletheirheartswerewarmwiththeloveofGod,someexpressingtheirdesireofasermonontheMonday,werejoinedbyothers, and in a little the desire became very general. Mr. JohnLivingstone, chaplain to the Countess ofWigtoun (at that time only apreacher,notanordainedminister,andabouttwenty-sevenyearsofage),waswithverymuchadoprevailedonto thinkofgiving thesermon.Hehad spent the night before in prayer and conference; but when he wasaloneinthefields,abouteightornineinthemorning,therecamesucha

misgivingofheartuponhimunderasenseofunworthinessandunfitnessto speak before so many aged and worthy ministers, and so manyeminentandexperiencedChristians;thathewasthinkingtohavestolenquiteaway,andwasactuallygoneawaytosomedistance;butwhenjustabout to lose sight of the Kirk of Shotts these words, 'Have I been awildernessuntoIsrael?a landofdarkness?'werebrought intohisheartwithsuchanovercomingpower,asconstrainedhimtothinkithisdutytoreturnandcomplywiththecalltopreach;whichheaccordinglydidwithgood assistance for about an hour and a half on the points he hadmeditatedfromthattext,Ezek.xxxvi.25,26: 'ThenwillIsprinklecleanwateruponyou,andyeshallbeclean:fromallyourfilthiness,andfromallyour idols,will Icleanseyou.Anewheartalsowill Igiveyou,andanewspiritwillIputwithinyou:andIwilltakeawaythestonyheartoutofyourflesh,andIwillgiveyouanheartofflesh.'Ashewasabouttoclose,aheavyshowercomingsuddenlyon,whichmadethepeoplehastilytaketotheircloaksandmantles,hebegantospeaktothefollowingpurpose:'If a few drops of rain from the clouds so discomposed them, howdiscomposedwouldtheybe,howfullofhorroranddespair,ifGodshoulddealwiththemastheydeserved:andthusHewilldealwithallthefinallyimpenitent.ThatGodmightjustlyrainfireandbrimstoneuponthem,asuponSodomandGomorrah, and the other cities of the plain. That theSonofGod,bytabernaclinginournature,andobeyingandsufferinginit,istheonlyrefugeandcovertfromthestormofdivinewrathduetousforsin.ThatHismeritsandmediationaretheonlyscreenfromthatstorm,andnonebutpenitentbelieversshallhavethebenefitofthatshelter.'Intheseorsomeexpressionstothispurpose,andmanyothers,hewas ledon for about an hour's time (after he had done with what he hadpremeditated) in a strain of exhortation and warning, with greatenlargementandmeltingofheart."

We must not forget the regular out-of-doors ministry at Paul's Cross,undertheeavesoftheoldcathedral.Thiswasafamousinstitution,andenabledthenotablepreachersofthetimestobeheardbythecitizensingreatnumbers.Kingsandprincesdidnotdisdaintositinthegallerybuiltupon thecathedralwall,and listen to thepreacher for theday.Latimertellsusthatthegraveyardwasinsuchanunhealthyconditionthatmanydied through attending the sermons; and yet therewas never a lack of

hearers. Now that the abomination of intra-mural burial is done awaywith,thelikeevilwouldnotarise,andPaul'sCrossmightbesetupagain;perhapsachangetotheopenspacemightblowawaysomeofthePoperywhich is gradually attaching itself to the services of the cathedral. Therestorationof the systemofpublicpreachingofwhichPaul'sCrosswasthe central station is greatly to be desired. I earnestly wish that somepersonpossessedof sufficientwealthwouldpurchaseacentral space inourgreatmetropolis,erectapulpit,andacertainnumberofbenches,andthen set it apart for the use of approved ministers of the gospel, whoshould there freely declare the gospel to all corners without favour ordistinction.Itwouldbeofmorerealservicetoourever-growingcitythanall its cathedrals, abbeys, and grand Gothic edifices. Before all openspaces are utterly swept away by the ever-swelling tide of mortar andbrick, itwouldbeawisepolicy to secureGospelFields,orGod's-acres-for-the-living,orwhateverelseyoumaypleasetocallopenspacesforfreegospelpreaching.

AllthroughthePuritantimesthereweregatheringsinallsortsofout-of-the-wayplaces,forfearofpersecutors."Wetook,"saysArchbishopLaud,inaletterdatedFulham,June,1632,"anotherconventicleofseparatistsinNewingtonWoods, in theverybrakewhere theking's stagwas tobelodged, for his hunting next morning." A hollow or gravel pit onHounslowHeath sometimes servedas a conventicle, and there is adellnearHitchinwhereJohnBunyanwaswont topreach inperilous times.AlloverScotlandthestraths,anddells,andvales,andhill-sidesarefullofcovenantingmemories to this day. You will not fail to meet with rockpulpits whence the stern fathers of the Presbyterian church thunderedforth their denunciations ofErastianism, andpleaded the claimsof theKing of kings. Cargill and Cameron and their fellows found congenialscenes for their brave ministries mid the lone mountains' rents andravines.

"Longerethedawn,bydeviousways,O'erhills,throughwoods,o'erdrearywastes,theysoughtTheuplandmoors,whererivers,therebutbrooks,Disparttodifferentseas:fastbysuchbrooks,Alittleglenissometimesscoop'd,aplat

Withgreenswardgay,andflowersthatstrangersseemAmidtheheatherywild,thatallaroundFatiguestheeye:insolitudesliketheseThypersecutedchildren,Scotia,foil'dAtyrant'sandabigot'sbloodylaw.There,leaningonhisspear...ThelyartveteranheardthewordofGodByCameronthunder'd,orbyRenwickpour'dIngentlestream:thenrosethesong,theloudAcclaimofpraise;thewheelingploverceasedHerplaint;thesolitaryplacewasglad,Andonthedistantcairns,thewatcher'searCaughtdoubtfullyattimesthebreeze-bornenote.Butyearsmoregloomyfollow'd;andnomoreTheassembledpeopledared,infaceofday,ToworshipGod,orevenatthedeadOfnight,savewhenthewintrystormravedfierce,Andthunder-pealscompell'dthemenofbloodTocouchwithintheirdens;thendauntlesslyThescatter'dfewwouldmeet,insomedeepdellByrockso'er-canopied,tohearthevoice,Theirfaithfulpastor'svoice:hebythegleamOfsheetedlightningopedthesacredbook,Andwordsofcomfortspake:overtheirsoulsHisaccentssoothingcame,astoheryoungTheheathfowl'splumes,whenatthecloseofeveShegathersin,mournful,herbrooddispersedBymurderoussport,ando'ertheremnantspreadsFondlyherwings;closenestling'neathherbreastTheycherish'dcoweramidthepurpleblooms."

At the risk of being prolix I feel I must add the following touchingdescription of one of these scenes. The prose picture even excels thepoet'spainting.

"Weenteredontheadministrationof theholyordinance,committing itand ourselves to the invisible protection of theLord of hosts, inwhose

nameweweremettogether.OurtrustwasinthearmofJehovah,whichwas better thanweapons ofwar, or the strength of the hills. The placewhere we convened was every way commodious, and seemed to havebeenformedonpurpose.Itwasagreenandpleasanthaugh,fastbythewaterside(theWhittader).Oneitherhandtherewasaspaciousbrae,intheformofahalfround,coveredwithdelightfulpasture,andrisingwithagentleslopetoagoodlyheight.Aboveuswastheclearbluesky, for itwasasweetandcalmSabbathmorning,promising indeed tobe 'oneofthedaysoftheSonofman.'Therewasasolemnityintheplacebefittingtheoccasion,andelevatingthewholesoultoapureandholyframe.Thecommunion tableswere spread on the green by thewater, and aroundthem the people had arranged themselves in decent order. But the fargreatermultitude sat on the brae face,whichwas crowded from top tobottom--fullaspleasantasightaseverwasseenofthatsort.Eachdayatthe congregation's dismissing the ministers with their guards, and asmany of the people as could, retired to their quarters in three severalcountry towns, where they might be provided with necessaries. Thehorsemen drew up in a body till the people left the place, and thenmarched ingoodlyarraybehindata littledistance,untilallwere safelylodgedintheirquarters.Inthemorning,whenthepeoplereturnedtothemeeting, the horsemen accompanied them: all the three parties met amilefromthespot,andmarchedinafullbodytotheconsecratedground.The congregation being all fairly settled in their places, the guardsmentook their several stations, as formerly. These accidental volunteersseemedtohavebeen thegiftofProvidence,and theysecured thepeaceand quiet of the audience; for, fromSaturdaymorning,when theworkbegan, until Monday afternoon, we suffered not the least affront ormolestationfromenemies,whichappearedwonderful.Atfirsttherewassomeapprehension,but thepeople satundisturbed, and thewholewasclosed in as orderly a way as it had been in the time of Scotland'sbrightestnoon.Andtrulythespectacleofsomanygrave,composed,anddevoutfacesmusthavestrucktheadversarieswithawe,andbeenmoreformidablethananyoutwardabilityoffiercelooksandwarlikearray.Wedesirednot the countenance of earthly kings: therewas a spiritual anddivineMajestyshiningonthework,andsensibleevidencethatthegreatMasterofassemblieswaspresentinthemidst.Itwasindeedthedoingofthe Lord, who covered us a table in thewilderness, in presence of our

foes;andrearedapillarofglorybetweenusandtheenemy,likethefierycloudofoldthatseparatedbetweenthecampofIsraelandtheEgyptians--encouragingto theone,butdarkandterrible to theother.ThoughourvowswerenotofferedwithinthecourtsofGod'shouse,theywantednotsincerity of heart, which is better than the reverence of sanctuaries.AmidstthelonelymountainswerememberedthewordsofourLord,thattrueworshipwasnotpeculiartoJerusalemorSamaria--that thebeautyof holiness consisted not in consecrated buildings ormaterial temples.WerememberedthearkoftheIsraeliteswhichhadsojournedforyearsinthe desert, with no dwelling place but the tabernacle of the plain. WethoughtofAbrahamandtheancientpatriarchs,wholaidtheirvictimsonthe rocks for an altar, and burnt sweet incense under the shade of thegreentree.

"Theordinanceof theLastSupper, thatmemorial ofHisdying love tillHis second coming, was signally countenanced and backedwith powerandrefreshinginfluencefromabove.BlessedbeGod,forHehathvisitedandconfirmedhisheritagewhenitwasweary.InthatdayZionputonthebeauty of Sharon and Carmel; themountains broke forth into singing,andthedesertplacewasmadetobudandblossomastherose.Fewsuchdays were seen in the desolate Church of Scotland; and few will everwitnessthe like. Therewas a rich effusion of the Spirit shed abroad inmany hearts; their souls, filled with heavenly transports, seemed tobreatheadivinerelement,andtoburnupwardsaswiththefireofapureandholydevotion.Theministerswerevisiblyassistedtospeakhometotheconscienceofthehearers.ItseemedasifGodhadtouchedtheirlipswithalivecoalfromoffHisaltar: fortheywhowitnesseddeclaredtheycarriedthemselvesmorelikeambassadorsfromthecourtofheaventhanmencastinearthlymould.

"The tableswere servedby some gentlemen andpersons of the gravestdeportment. None were admitted without tokens as usual, which weredistributedontheSaturday,butonlytosuchaswereknowntosomeoftheministers or persons of trust to be free of public scandals. All theregularformsweregonethrough.Thecommunicantsenteredatoneendandretiredattheother,awaybeingkeptcleartotaketheirseatsagainonthehillside.Mr.Welshpreached the action sermonand served the two

firsttables,ashewasordinarilyputtodosoonsuchoccasions.Theotherfourministers,Mr. Blackader,Mr. Dickson,Mr. Riddell, andMr. Rae,exhortedtherestintheirturn;thetableservicewasclosedbyMr.Welshwithsolemnthanksgiving,andsolemnitwas,andsweetandedifyingtoseethegravityandcomposureofallpresent,aswellasofallpartsoftheservice.Thecommunionwaspeaceablyconcluded,allthepeopleheartilyofferinguptheirgratitude,andsingingwithajoyfulvoicetotheRockoftheir salvation. It was pleasant as the night fell to hear their melodyswellinginfullunisonalongthehill,thewholecongregationjoiningwithoneaccord,andpraisingGodwiththevoiceofpsalms,

"Thereweretwolongtablesandoneshortacrossthehead,withseatsoneachside.Aboutahundredsatateverytable.Thereweresixteentablesinall,sothataboutthreethousandtwohundredcommunicatedthatday."

Perhaps themost remarkableplaceeverchosen foradiscoursewas thecentreoftheriverTweed,whereMr.JohnWelshoftenpreachedduringhardfrosts, inorder thathemightescapefromtheauthoritiesofeitherScotlandorEngland,whichevermightinterfere.Prize-fightershaveoftenselected the borders of two counties for their performances, but theirprudencewouldseemtohavebeenanticipatedbythechildrenoflight.

ItisamusingalsotoreadofArchbishopSharp'scommandingthemilitiatobesenttodispersethecrowdwhohadgatheredonthehillsidetohearMr.Blackader,andofhisbeinginformedthattheyhadallgoneanhourbeforetoattendthesermon.

Whattheworldwouldhavebeeniftherehadnotbeenpreachingoutsideofwalls,andbeneathamoregloriousroofthantheseraftersoffir,Iamsure I cannot guess. It was a brave day for England when Whitefieldbeganfieldpreaching.WhenWesleystoodandpreachedasermononhisfather'sgrave,atEpworth,becausetheparishpriestwouldnotallowhimadmissionwithinthe(so-called)sacrededifice,Mr.Wesleywrites:"IamwellassuredthatIdidfarmoregoodtomyLincolnshireparishionersbypreachingthreedaysonmyfather's tombthanIdidbypreachingthreeyearsinhispulpit."Thesamemightbesaidofalltheopen-airpreachingwhich followed, as compared with the regular discourses within doors."ThethoughtofpreachingintheopenairwassuggestedtoWhitefieldby

a crowdof a thousandpeopleunable to gain admission toBermondseychurch, where he preached one Sunday afternoon. He met with noencouragement when he mentioned it to some of his friends; theythought itwasa 'madnotion.'However, itwouldhavebeencarriedoutthenextSundayatIronmongers'Almshouseshadnotthepreacherbeendisappointed inhis congregation,whichwas small enough to hear himfromthepulpit.Hetooktwosermonswithhim,one forwithinand theother forwithout."The ideawhichhad thus ripened into a resolvehadnot long towait before itwas carried intoexecution.TheChancelloroftheDiocesehavingputimpedimentsinthewayofWhitefield'spreachingin the churches of Bristol on behalf of his Orphan-house, he went topreach to the colliers at Kingswood "for the first time on a Saturdayafternoon,takinghisstandonHannanMount.HespokeonMatt.v.1,2,3, to asmany as came to hear; upwards of two hundred attended. Hisonlyremark inhis journal is,BlessedbeGodthat the ice isnowbroke,andIhavenowtakenthefield!Somemaycensureme.Butistherenotacause?Pulpitsaredenied;andthepoorcolliersreadytoperishforlackofknowledge."Nowhewas the owner of a pulpit that noman could takefromhim,andhisheartrejoiced in thisgreatgift.Onthe followingdaythejournalrelates,"Allthechurchdoorsbeingnowshut,andifopennotabletocontainhalfthatcametohear,atthreeintheafternoonIwenttoKingswood among the colliers.God highly favoured us in sending us afineday,andneartwothousandpeoplewereassembledonthatoccasion.IpreachedandenlargedonJohniii.3 fornearanhour,and,Ihope, tothecomfortandedificationofthosethatheardme."Twodaysafterwardshestooduponthesamespot,andpreachedtoacongregationoffourorfive thousand with great freedom. The bright sun overhead, and theimmense throngstandingaroundhiminawfulsilence formedapicturewhich filled him with 'holy admiration.' On a subsequent Sunday,Bassleton,avillagetwomilesfromBristol,openeditschurchtohim,anda numerous congregation coming together, he first read prayers in thechurch, and then preached in the churchyard. At four he hastened toKingswood.ThoughthemonthwasFebruarytheweatherwasunusuallyopenandmild;thesettingsunshonewithitsfullestpower;thetreesandhedgeswerecrowdedwithhearerswhowantedtoseethepreacheraswellastohearhim.Foranhourhespokewithavoiceloudenoughtobeheardbyeveryone,andhisheartwasnotwithoutjoyinhisownmessage.He

writesinhisjournal:'BlessedbeGod,Thefireiskindled;maythegatesofhellneverbeabletoprevailagainstit!'Itisimportanttoknowwhatwerehis feelings when he met those immense field congregations, whosenumbers had grown from two hundred to twenty thousand, and whatweretheeffectsofhispreachinguponhisaudience.Hisownwordsare,'Havingnorighteousnessoftheirowntorenounce,thecolliersweregladtohearofJesuswhowasafriendtopublicans,andcamenottocalltherighteous, but sinners, to repentance. The first discovery of their beingaffected was, to see the white gutters made by their tears, whichplentifullyfelldowntheirblackcheeks,astheycameoutoftheircoalpits.Hundreds and hundreds of them were soon brought under deepconvictions,which (as the event proved) happily ended in a sound andthorough conversion. The change was visible to all, though numberschosetoimputeittoanythingratherthanthefingerofGod.Asthescenewasquitenew,andIhadjustbeguntobeanextemporepreacher,itoftenoccasioned many inward conflicts. Sometimes, when twenty thousandpeoplewerebeforeme,Ihadnot,inmyownapprehension,awordtosay,either toGodor them.But Iwasnever totallydeserted, and frequentlyknewbyhappyexperiencewhatourLordmeantwhenhesaid,'Outofhisbellyshallflowriversoflivingwater.'Theopenfirmamentaboveme,theprospect of the adjacent fields, with the sight of thousands andthousands,someincoaches,someonhorseback,andsomeonthetrees,and, at times, all affected and drenched in tears together, to whichsometimes was added the solemnity of the approaching evening, wasalmosttoomuchfor,andquiteovercame,me."

Wesleywritesinhisjournal,"Saturday,31[March,1731].IntheeveningIreached Bristol, andmetMr.Whitefield there. I could scarce reconcilemyselfatfirsttothisstrangewayofpreachinginthefields,ofwhichhesetmeanexampleonSunday;havingbeenallmylife(tillverylately)sotenaciousofeverypointrelatingtodecencyandorder,thatIshouldhavethought the saving of souls almost a sin, if had it not been done in achurch."Suchwerethefeelingsofamanwhoinafterlifebecameoneofthegreatestopen-airpreachersthateverlived!

I shall not tarry to describe Mr. Whitefield on our own Kenningtoncommon among the tens of thousands, or at Moorfields early in the

morning, when the lanterns twinkled like so many glow-worms on agrassybankonasummer'snight,neitherwillImentionthemultitudesofglorious scenes with Wesley and his more renowned preachers; but apicture more like that which some of you can easily copy has taken astrongholduponmymemory;andIsetitbeforeyouthatyoumayneverintimestocomedespisethedayofsmallthings:

"WesleyreachedNewcastleonFriday,the28thofMay.Onwalkingout,after tea, he was surprised and shocked at the abounding wickedness.Drunkennessandswearingseemedgeneral,andeventhemouthsoflittlechildren were full of curses. How he spent the Saturday we are notinformed; but, on Sunday morning at seven, he and John Taylor tooktheir stand near the pump, in Sandgate, 'the poorest and mostcontemptible part of the town,' and began to sing the Old HundredthPsalmandtune.Threeorfourpeoplecameaboutthem,toseewhatwasthematter;thesesoonincreasedinnumber,and,beforeWesleyfinishedpreaching,hiscongregationconsistedof fromtwelve to fifteenhundredpersons.Whentheservicewasended,thepeoplestillstoodgaping,withthemostprofoundastonishment,uponwhichWesleysaid,'IfyoudesiretoknowwhoIam,mynameisJohnWesley.Atfiveintheevening,withGod'shelp,Idesigntopreachhereagain.'"

Gloriouswerethosegreatgatheringsinfieldsandcommonswhichlastedthroughout the longperiod inwhichWesleyandWhitefieldblessedournation.Field-preachingwasthewildnoteofthebirdssinginginthetrees,intestimonythatthetruespringtimeofreligionhadcome.Birdsincagesmaysingmoresweetly,perhaps,buttheirmusicisnotsonatural,norsosure a pledge of the coming summer. It was a blessed day whenMethodistsandothersbegantoproclaimJesusintheopenair;thenwerethegatesofhellshaken,andthecaptivesofthedevilsetfreebyhundredsandbythousands.

Once recommenced, the fruitful agency of field-preaching was notallowed to cease. Amid jeering crowds and showers of rotten eggs andfilth, the immediate followers of the two greatMethodists continued tostorm village after village and town after town. Very varied were theiradventures,buttheirsuccesswasgenerallygreat.Onesmilesoftenwhenreadingincidentsintheirlabours.Astringofpackhorsesissodrivenas

tobreakupacongregation,anda fire-engine isbroughtoutandplayedover the throng to achieve the same purpose. Handbells, old kettles,marrow-bonesandcleavers,trumpets,drums,andentirebandsofmusicwereengagedtodrownthepreachers'voices.Inonecasetheparishbullwasletloose,andinothersdogsweresettofight.Thepreachersneededtohavefacessetlikeflints,andsoindeedtheyhad.JohnFurzsays:"AssoonasIbegantopreach,amancamestraightforward,andpresentedagun atmy face; swearing that hewould blowmy brains out, if I spakeanother word. However, I continued speaking, and he continuedswearing, sometimes putting the muzzle of the gun to my mouth,sometimesagainstmyear.Whileweweresingingthe lasthymn,hegotbehindme,firedthegun,andburnedoffpartofmyhair."Afterthis,mybrethren,weoughtnevertospeakofpettyinterruptionsorannoyances.TheproximityofablunderbussinthehandsofasonofBelialisnotveryconducivetocollectedthoughtandclearutterance,buttheexperienceofFurzwasprobablynoworse than thatofJohnNelson,whocoolly says,"ButwhenIwasinthemiddleofmydiscourse,oneattheoutsideofthecongregation threw a stone, which cut me on the head: however, thatmade the people give greater attention, especially when they saw theblood rundownmy face; so that allwas quiet till I haddone, andwassingingahymn."

The life ofGideonOuseley, byDr. Arthur, is one of themost powerfultestimonies to the value of outdoor preaching. In the early part of thepresent century, from 1800 to 1830, he was in full vigour, ridingthroughoutthewholeof Ireland,preaching thegospelofJesus ineverytown.Hispulpitwasgenerallythebackofhishorse,andhehimselfandhis coadjutorswere known as themenwith the black caps, from theirhabitofwearingskullcaps.Thiscavalryministrywasinitstimethecauseofagreat revival in Ireland, andgavepromiseof really touchingErin'sdeep-seatedcurse--thepower of thepriesthood, and the superstitionofthepeople.Ouseleyshowedatalltimesmuchshrewdness,andatouchofcommon-sense humour; hence he generally preached in front of theapothecary'swindowbecausethemobwouldbethelessliberalwiththeirstones, or next best he chose to have the residence of a respectableCatholicinhisrear,forthesamereason.HissermonfromthestonestairsofthemarkethouseofEnniscorthywasafairspecimenofhisdexterous

method of meeting an excited mob of Irishmen. I will give it you atlength, that youmay knowhow to act if ever you are placed in similarcircumstances: "He took his stand, put off his hat, assumed his blackvelvetcap,and,afterafewmomentsspent insilentprayer,commencedtosing.Peoplebegantogatherroundhim,and,during thesingingofafew verses, were quiet, and apparently attentive, but soon began to berestlessandnoisy.Hethencommencedtopray,andquietnessforashorttime followed;butpresently, as thecrowd increased, it becameuneasy,and even turbulent. He closed his prayer, and began to preach; butevidently his audience were not disposed to hear him. Before manysentences had beenuttered,missiles began to fly--at first not of a verydestructive character, being refuse--vegetables, potatoes, turnips, etc.,but before long harder materials were thrown--brickbats and stones,someofwhichreachedhimandinflictedslightwounds.Hestopped,and,after apause, criedout, 'Boysdear,what's thematterwith you to-day?Won'tyou letanoldman talk toyoua little?' 'Wedon'twant tohearawordoutofyouroldhead,'wasthepromptreplyfromoneinthecrowd.'ButIwanttotellyouwhat,Ithink,youwouldliketohear.''No,we'lllikenothing you can tell us.' 'How do you know? Iwant to tell you a storyabout one you all say you respect and love.' 'Who's that?' 'The blessedVirgin.' 'Ooh, and what do youknow about the blessed Virgin?' 'Morethanyouthink;andI'msureyou'llbepleasedwithwhatIhavetotellyou,if you'll only listen tome.' 'Come then,' said another voice, 'let us hearwhathehastosayabouttheHolyMother.'Andtherewasalull,andthemissionary began: 'There was once a young couple to be married,belongingtoalittletowncalledCana.It'sawayinthatcountrywhereourblessedSaviour spent a great part of his life amongus; and thedecentpeoplewhose childrenwere tobemarried thought it right to invite theblessedVirgintotheweddingfeast,andherblessedSontoo,andsomeofHisdisciples;andtheyall thought itright tocome.Astheysatat table,the Virgin Mother thought she saw that the wine provided for theentertainmentbegan to runshort,andshewas troubled lest thedecentyoung people should be shamed before their neighbours; and so shewhispered to her blessed Son, "They have no wine." "Don't let thattroubleyou,ma'am,"saidHe.Andinaminuteortwoafter,she,knowingwell what was in His good heart, said to one of the servants that waspassingbehindthem,"Whatsoeverhesaithuntoyou,doit."Accordingly,

by-and-by,ourblessedLordsaidtoanotherofthem--Isupposetheyhadpassed the word among themselves--"Fill those large water pots withwater." (Therewere six of them standing in a corner of the room, andtheyheldnearlythreegallonsapiece,forthepeopleofthosecountriesuseagreatdealofwatereveryday.)And,rememberingthewordsoftheHolyVirgin,theydidHisbidding,andcameback,andsaid,"Sir,theyarefulltothebrim.""Takesome,then,tothemaster,at theheadof thetable,"Hesaid.Andtheydidso,andthemastertastedit,andloandbeholdyou!itwaswine,andthebestofwinetoo.Andtherewasplentyof it for thefeast, ay, and, itmaybe, some left to help the young couple setting uphouse-keeping. And all that, you see, came of the servants taking theadviceof theblessedVirgin, anddoingwhat she bid them.Now, if shewashereamongusthisday,shewouldgivejustthesameadvicetoeveryoneofus,"WhatsoeverHesaithtoyou,doit,"andwithgoodreasontoo,for well she knows there is nothing but love in His heart to us, andnothingbutwisdomcomes fromHis lips.AndnowI'll tell yousomeofthethingsHesaystous.Hesays,"Strivetoenterinatthestraitgate;formany,Isayuntoyou,willstrivetoenterin,andshallnotbeable."'Andstraightwaythepreacherbriefly,butclearlyandforcibly,expoundedthenature of the gate of life, its straitness, and the dread necessity forpressing into it, winding up with the Virgin's counsel, 'Whatsoever hesaithuntoyou,doit.'Inlikemannerheexplained,andpresseduponhishearers,some other of theweightywords of our divine Lord. 'Except amanbebornofwaterandoftheSpirit,hecannotenterintothekingdomofGod';and, 'Ifanymanwill comeafterme, lethimdenyhimself,andtakeuphiscrossdailyandfollowme,'--enforcingHisexhortationineachinstancebytheVirgin'scounsel totheservantsatCana. 'Butno,'at lasthebroke forth, 'no;with all the love and reverence youpretend for theblessedVirgin,youwon'ttakeheradvice,butwill listenwillinglytoanydrunkenschoolmasterthatwillwheedleyouintoapublic-house,andputmischiefandwickednessintoyourheads.'Herehewasinterruptedbyavoice,whichseemedtobethatofanoldman,exclaiming, 'Trueforyou,true forye. Ifyouwere tellin' liesall thedaysofyour life, it's the truthyou'retellin'now.'Andso thepreachergot leave to finishhisdiscoursewithnotalittleofgoodeffect."

ThehistoryofPrimitiveMethodismmightherebeincorporatedbodilyas

part of our sketch of Field-preaching, for that wonderful missionmovement owed its rise and progress to this agency. It is, however, asingular reproduction of the events which attended the earlierMethodismofeightyorninetyyearsbefore.TheWesleyanshadbecomerespectable, and it was time that the old fire should burn up amonganotherclassofmen.HadWesleybeenalivehewouldhaveglorified inthe poor but brave preachers who risked their lives to proclaim themessageofeternalloveamongthedepraved,andhewouldhaveheadedthemintheircrusade.Asitwas,otherleaderscameforward,anditwasnot long before their zeal called forth a host of fervent witnesses whocouldnotbedauntedbymobs,orsquires,orclergymen;norevenchilledby the genteel brethren whose proprieties they so dreadfully shocked.Thencameforththeoldweaponsinabundance.Agriculturalproduceinall stages of decomposition rewarded the zealous apostles--turnips andpotatoes were a first course, and rotten eggs followed in specialabundance, these last we note were frequently goose eggs, selected wesupposefortheirsize.Atubofcoal-tarwasofteninreadiness,filthfromthe horse-ponds was added, and all this to the music of tin whistles,horns, and watchmens' rattles. Barrels of ale were provided by theadvocatesof"Churchandking"torefreshtheorthodoxassailants,whilebothpreachersanddisciplesweretreatedwithbrutalitysuchastoexcitecompassion even in the hearts of adversaries. All this was, happily, aviolation of law, but the great unpaidwinked at the transgressors, andendeavoured to bully the preacher into silence. For Christ's sake theywerecontenttobetreatedasvagrantsandvagabonds,andtheLordputgreat honour upon them. Disciples were made and the Rantersmultiplied. Even till a late period these devoted brethren have beenopposed with violence, but their joyful experience has led them topersevereintheirsingingthroughthestreets,camp-meetings,andotherirregularities:blessedirregularitiesbywhichhundredsofwanderershavebeenmetwithandledtothefoldofJesus.

IhavenotimefurthertoillustratemysubjectbydescriptionsoftheworkofChristmasEvansandothersinWales,oroftheHaldanesinScotland,or even of Rowland Hill and his brethren in England. If you wish topursue the subject these names may serve as hints for discoveringabundantmaterials;andImayaddtothelistTheLifeofDr.Guthrie,in

which he records notable open-air assemblies at the time of theDisruption,whenasyet theFreeChurchhadnoplacesofworshipbuiltwithhumanhands.

I must linger a moment over Robert Flockhart, of Edinburgh, who,thoughalesserlight,wasaconstantone,andafitexampletothebulkofChrist'sstreetwitnesses.Everyevening, inallweathersandamidmanypersecutions,didthisbravemancontinuetospeakinthestreetforforty-three years. Think of that, and never be discouraged. When he wastotteringtothegravetheoldsoldierwasstillathispost."Compassiontothesoulsofmendroveme,"saidhe,"tothestreetsandlanesofmynativecity,topleadwithsinnersandpersuadethemtocometoJesus.Theloveof Christ constrained me." Neither the hostility of the police, nor theinsultsofPapists,Unitarians, and the like couldmovehim,he rebukederror in theplainest terms,andpreachedsalvationbygracewithallhismight.SolatelyhashepassedawaythatEdinburghremembershimstill.Thereisroomforsuchinallourcitiesandtowns,andneedforhundredsofhisnobleorderinthishugenationofLondon--canIcallitless?

InAmericamenlikePeterCartwright,LorenzoDow,JacobGruber,andothersofapastgeneration,carriedonagloriouswarfareundertheopenheavens in their own original fashion; and in later times Father Taylorhas givenus another proof of the immeasurable power of thismode ofcrusade in his Seven Years of Street Preaching in San Francisco,California. Though sorely tempted, I shall forbear at this time frommakingextractsfromthatveryremarkablework.

Thecamp-meetingisasortofassociatedfield-preaching,andhasbecomeaninstitutionintheUnitedStates,whereeverythingmustneedsbedoneupon a great scale. This would lead me into another subject, andthereforeI shallmerelygiveyouaglimpseat thatmeansofusefulness,andthenforbear.

ThefollowingdescriptionoftheearliercampmeetingsinAmericaisfromthepenof theauthorofaNarrativeofaMissiontoNovaScotia:"Thetents are generally pitched in the form of a crescent, in the centre ofwhich is an elevated stand for the preachers, round which, in alldirections,areplacedrowsofplanksforthepeopletosituponwhilethey

heartheword.Amongthetrees,whichspreadtheirtopsoverthisforestchurch, are hung the lamps,which burn all night, and give light to thevariousexercisesofreligionwhichoccupythesolemnmidnighthours.Itwasnearlyeleveno'clockatnightwhenIfirstarrivedontheborderofthecamp.Ileftmyboatattheedgeofthewood,onemilefromthescene;andwhenIopenedupon thecampground,mycuriositywasconverted intoastonishment, to behold the pendant lamps among the trees; the tentshalf-encirclinga largespace; four thousandpeople in thecentreof this,listeningwithprofoundattentiontothepreacher,whosestentorianvoiceand animated manner carried the vibration of each word to a greatdistancethroughthedeeplyumbrageouswood,where,savethetwinklinglampsofthecamp,broodingdarknessspreadatenfoldgloom.Allexcitedmy astonishment, and forcibly brought beforemy view theHebrews inthewilderness.Themeetings generally begin onMondaymorning, andon Friday morning following break up. The daily exercises are carriedforwardinthefollowingmanner:inthemorningatfiveo'clockthehornsounds through the camp, either for preaching or for prayer; this,withsimilar exercises, or a little intermission, brings on the breakfast hour,eighto'clock; at ten, thehorn sounds forpublicpreaching, afterwhich,untilnoon,theintervalisfilledupwithlittlegroupsofprayingpersons,who scatter themselves up and down the camp, both in the tents andunder the trees.Afterdinner thehorn soundsat twoo'clock; this is forpreaching.Ishouldhaveobservedthatafemaleortwoisgenerallyleftineach tent, to prepare materials for dinner. A fire is kept burning indifferent parts of the camp, where water is boiled for tea, the use ofardentspiritsbeingforbidden.Aftertheafternoonpreachingthingstakenearly the same course as in themorning, only the praying groups areupon a larger scale, andmore scope is given to animated exhortationsandloudprayers.Somewhoexerciseontheseoccasionssoonlosetheirvoices,and,at theendofa campmeeting,manyofbothpreachersandpeoplecanonlyspeakinawhisper.Atsixo'clockintheeveningthehornsummonstopreaching,afterwhich,thoughinnoregulatedform,alltheabovemeanscontinueuntilevening;yea,andduringwhateverpartofthenightyouawake,thewildernessisvocalwithpraise."

WhetherornotunderdiscreetmanagementsomesuchgatheringscouldbeheldinourcountryIcannotdecide,butitdoesstrikemeasworthyof

considerationwhether in some spacious grounds servicesmight not beheldinsummerweather,sayforaweekatatime,byministerswhowouldfolloweachother inproclaiming thegospelbeneath the trees.Sermonsandprayer-meetings, addresses andhymns,might follow each other inwise succession, and perhaps thousandsmight be induced to gather toworshipGod, among whom would be scores and hundreds who neverenter our regular sanctuaries. Not only must something be done toevangelizethemillions,buteverythingmustbedone,andperhapsamidvarietyof effort thebest thingwouldbediscovered. "If by anymeans Imaysavesome"mustbeourmotto,andthismusturgeusonwardtogoforth into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in.Brethren,Ispeakasuntowisemen,considerwhatIsay.

LECTUREXVIIIOPEN-AIRPREACHING-REMARKSTHEREON

I fear that in some of our less enlightened country churches there areconservative individuals who almost believe that to preach anywhereexcept in the chapel would be a shocking innovation, a sure token ofheretical tendencies, andamarkof zealwithoutknowledge.AnyyoungbrotherwhostudieshiscomfortamongthemmustnotsuggestanythingsoirregularasasermonoutsidethewallsoftheirZion.Intheoldentimeswearetold"Wisdomcriethwithout,sheutterethhervoiceinthestreets,shecriethinthechiefplacesofconcourse,intheopeningsofthegates";but the wise men of orthodoxy would have wisdom gagged exceptbeneath the roof of a licensed building. These people believe in aNewTestamentwhichsays,"Gooutintothehighwaysandhedgesandcompelthem to come in," and yet they dislike a literal obedience to thecommand. Do they imagine that a special blessing results from sittinguponaparticulardealboardwithapieceofstraight-uppanellingattheirback--an invention of discomfort which ought long ago to have madepeople prefer to worship outside on the green grass? Do they supposethatgracereboundsfromsounding-boards,orcanbebeatenoutofpulpitcushionsinthesamefashionasthedust?Aretheyenamouredofthebad

air,andthestiflingstuffinesswhichinsomeofourmeeting-housesmakethenalmostasloathsometothenoseandtothelungsasthemass-housesofPapistswiththeircheapandnastyincense?Toreplytotheseobjectorsisataskforwhichwehavenoheart:wepreferfoemenworthyofthesteelweuseupon them,but these are scarcelyworth apassing remark.Onesmiles at their prejudice, butwemay yet have toweep over it, if it beallowedtostandinthewayofusefulness.

Nosortofdefenceisneededforpreachingoutofdoors;butitwouldneedverypotent arguments toprove that amanhaddonehisdutywhohasnever preached beyond the walls of his meeting-house. A defence isrequiredratherforserviceswithinbuildingsthanforworshipoutsideofthem.Apologiesarecertainlywantedforarchitectswhopileupbrickandstone into the skies when there is so much need for preaching roomsamongpoorsinnersdownbelow.Defenceisgreatlyneededforforestsofstonepillars,whichpreventthepreacher'sbeingseenandhisvoicefrombeingheard;forhigh-pitchedGothicroofsinwhichallsoundislost,andmen are killed by being compelled to shout till they burst theirbloodvessels;andalsoforthewilfulcreationofechoesbyexposinghard,sound-refracting surfaces to satisfy the demands of art, to the totaloverlooking of the comfort of both audience and speaker. Surely alsosomedecentexcuse isbadlywantedforthosechildishpeoplewhomustneedswastemoneyinplacinghobgoblinsandmonstersontheoutsideoftheirpreachinghouses,andmusthaveotherridiculouspiecesofPoperystuck up both inside and outside, to deface rather than to adorn theirchurches and chapels: butnodefencewhatever iswanted for using theheavenlyFather's vast audience chamber,which is ineverywaysowellfitted for the proclamation of a gospel so free, so full, so expansive, sosublime. The usual holding of religious assemblies under covermay beexcusedinEngland,becauseourclimateissoexecrablybad;butitwerewelltoceasefromsuchusewhentheweatherisfineandfixed,andspaceandquietcanbeobtained.Wearenot like thepeopleofPalestine,whocanforeseetheirweather,andarenoteveryhourindangerofashower;butifwemeetsubJove,astheLatinssay,wemustexpecttheJoveofthehourtobeJupiterpluvius.Wecanalwayshaveadelugeifwedonotwishfor it, but ifwe fix a service out of doors for next Sundaymorning,wehavenoguaranteethatweshallnotallbedrenchedtotheskin.Itistrue

that some notable sermons have been preached in the rain, but as ageneral rule the ardour of our auditors is hardly so great as to enduremuchdamping.Besides,thecoldofourwintersistoointenseforservicesout of doors all the year round, though in Scotland I have heard ofsermonsamidthesleet,andJohnNelsonwritesofspeakingto"acrowdtoo large to get into the house, though it was dark and snowed." Suchthingsmaybedonenowandthen,butexceptionsonlyprovetherule.Itisfairalsotoadmitthatwhenpeoplewillcomewithinwalls,ifthehousebeso commodious that aman couldnot readilymakemore persons hear,andifitbealwaysfull,therecanbenoneedtogooutofdoorstopreachto fewer than there would be indoors; for, all things considered, acomfortableseatscreenedfromtheweather,andshutinfromnoiseandintrusion, is helpful to a man's hearing the gospel with solemnity andquietthought.Awellventilated,wellmanagedbuildingisanadvantageifthecrowdscanbeaccommodatedandcanbeinducedtocome;buttheseconditionsareveryrarelymet,andthereforemyvoiceisforthefields.

The great benefit of open-air preaching is that we get so manynewcomerstohear thegospelwhootherwisewouldneverhear it.Thegospel command is, "Go ye into all theworld and preach the gospel toeverycreature,"but it is so littleobeyed thatonewould imagine that itranthus,"Gointoyourownplaceofworshipandpreachthegospeltothefewcreatureswhowillcomeinside.""Goyeintothehighwaysandhedgesandcompel themtocome in,"--albeit it constitutespartofaparable, isworthytobetakenveryliterally,andinsodoingitsmeaningwillbebestcarried out. We ought actually to go into the streets and lanes andhighways, for there are lurkers in the hedges, tramps on the highway,street-walkers,andlane-haunters,whomweshallneverreachunlesswepursuethemintotheirowndomains.Sportsmenmustnotstopathomeandwait for the birds to come and be shot at, neithermust fishermenthrowtheirnetsinsidetheirboatsandhopetotakemanyfish.Tradersgotothemarkets,theyfollowtheircustomersandgooutafterbusinessifitwillnotcometothem;andsomustwe.Someofourbrethrenareprosingon and on, to empty pews and musty hassocks, while they might beconferring lastingbenefituponhundredsbyquitting theoldwalls forawhile, and seeking living stones for Jesus. Let them come out ofRehobothand findroomat the street corner, let them leaveSalemand

seekthepeaceofneglectedsouls,letthemdreamnolongeratBethel,butmake an open space to be none other than the house ofGod, let themcomedownfromMountZion,andup fromÆnon,andevenaway fromTrinity,andSt.Agnes,andSt.Michael-and-All-Angels,andSt.Margaret-Pattens,andSt.Vedast,andSt.Ethelburga,andalltherestofthem,andtry to find new saints among the sinners who are perishing for lack ofknowledge.

I have known Street preaching in London remarkably blest to personswhose character and conditionwould quite preclude their having beenfoundinaplaceofworship.Iknow,forinstance,aJewishfriendwho,oncoming from Poland, understood nothing whatever of the Englishlanguage. In going about the streets on the Sunday he noticed thenumerousgroupslisteningtoearnestspeakers.Hehadneverseensuchathing inhisowncountry,where theRussianpolicewouldbealarmed ifgroups were seen in conversation, and he was therefore all the moreinterested. As he acquired a little English he became more and moreconstant in his attendance upon Street speakers; indeed, it was verymuchwiththeviewoflearningthelanguagethathelistenedatthefirst.Iam afraid that theEnglishwhich he acquiredwas not of the very best,which judgment I form as much from what I have heard of open-airoratory as from having listened to our Jewish friend himself, whosetheology isbetter thanhisEnglish.However, that"Israelite indeed"hasalways reason to commend the street preachers. How many otherstrangersandforeignersmay,bythesameinstrumentality,havebecomefellow-citizenswiththesaintsandofthehouseholdofGodwecannottell.Romanistsalsoaremetwith inthismannermorefrequentlythansomewould suppose. It is seldom prudent to publish cases of conversionamongPapists,butmyownobservationleadsmetobelievethattheyarefarmorecommonthantheyweretenyearsago,andthegraciousworkisfrequently commenced by what is heard of the gospel at our streetcorners. Infidels, also, are constantly yielding to the word of the Lordthus brought home to them. The street evangelist, moreover, winsattention from those eccentric people whose religion can neither bedescribednorimagined.Suchpeoplehatetheverysightofourchurchesandmeetinghouses,butwillstandinacrowdtohearwhat issaid,andareoftenmostimpressedwhentheyaffectthegreatestcontempt.

Besides, there are numbers of persons in great cities who have not fitclothestoworshipin,accordingtothecurrentideaofwhatclothesoughttobe;andnotafewwhosepersonsaswellastheirgarmentsaresofilthy,soodorous,sounapproachable, that thegreatestphilanthropistand themost levelling democrat might desire to have a little space betweenhimself and their lively individualities. There are otherswho,whateverraimenttheywear,wouldnot go into a chapel uponany consideration,for they consider it tobea sortofpunishment toattenddivine service.Possibly they remember the dull Sundays of their childhood and thedrearysermonstheyhaveheardwhenforafewtimestheyhaveenteredachurch,butitiscertainthattheylookuponpersonswhoattendplacesofworshipasgettingoff thepunishment theyought toendure in thenextworld by suffering it in thisworld instead. The Sunday newspaper, thepipe,andthepot,havemorecharmsforthemthanallthepreachmentsofbishops and parsons, whether of church or dissent. The open-airevangelist frequentlypicksup thesemembersof the"Nochurch"party,andinsodoingheoftenfindssomeof therichestgemsthatwillat lastadorntheRedeemer'scrown:jewels,which,byreasonoftheirroughness,areapttobeunnoticedbyamorefastidiousclassofsoul-winners.JonahinthestreetsofNinevehwasheardbymultitudeswhowouldneverhaveknown of his existence if he had hired a hall; John the Baptist by theJordanawakenedaninterestwhichwouldneverhavebeenarousedhadhe kept to the synagogue; and those who went from city to cityproclaiming everywhere the word of the Lord Jesus would never haveturned the world upside down if they had felt it needful to confinethemselves to iron rooms adorned with the orthodox announcement,"ThegospelofthegraceofGodwill(D.V.)bepreachedherenextLord'sdayevening."

Iamquitesure,too,thatifwecouldpersuadeourfriendsinthecountryto come out a good many times in the year and hold a service in ameadow,orinashadygrove,oronthehillside,or inagarden,oronacommon, it would be all the better for the usual hearers. The merenoveltyoftheplacewouldfreshentheirinterest,andwakethemup.Theslight change of scene would have a wonderful effect upon the moresomnolent. See how mechanically they move into their usual place ofworship, and howmechanically they go out again. They fall into their

seatsasifatlasttheyhadfoundarestingplace;theyrisetosingwithanamazingeffort,andtheydropdownbeforeyouhavetimeforadoxologyatthecloseofthehymnbecausetheydidnotnoticeitwascoming.Whatlogssomeregularhearers are!Manyof themareasleepwith their eyesopen.Aftersittingacertainnumberofyearsinthesameoldspot,wherethepews,pulpit,galleries,andallthingselsearealwaysthesame,exceptthat they get a little dirtier and dingier every week, where everybodyoccupiesthesamepositionforeverandforevermore,andtheminister'sface,voice,tonearemuchthesamefromJanuarytoDecember,--yougettofeeltheholyquietofthesceneandlistentowhatisgoingonasthoughitwere addressed to "the dull cold ear of death." As amiller hears hiswheelsas thoughhedidnothear them,ora stokerscarcelynotices theclatterofhisengineafterenduring it fora little time;orasadweller inLondon never notices the ceaseless grind of the traffic; so do manymembers of our congregations become insensible to the most earnestaddresses,andacceptthemasamatterofcourse.Thepreachingandtherestofitgettobesousualthattheymightaswellnotbeatall.Henceachange of placemight be useful, itmight preventmonotony, shake upindifference,suggestthought,andinathousandwayspromoteattention,andgivenewhopeofdoinggood.Agreatfirewhichshouldburnsomeofourchapelsto thegroundmightnotbe thegreatestcalamitywhichhaseveroccurred,ifitonlyarousedsomeofthoserivalsofthesevensleepersofEphesuswhowillneverbemovedsolongastheoldhouseandtheoldpewsholdtogether.Besides,thefreshairandplentyofitisagrandthingforeverymortalman,woman,andchild.IpreachedinScotlandtwiceonaSabbathdayatBlairmore,onalittleheightbythesideofthesea,andafterdiscoursingwithallmymighttolargecongregations,tobecountedby thousands, I did not feel one-half somuch exhausted as I often amwhenaddressingafewhundredsinsomehorribleblackholeofCalcutta,called a chapel. I trace my freshness and freedom from lassitude atBlairmoretothefactthatthewindowscouldnotbeshutdownbypersonsafraidofdraughts,andthattheroofwasashighastheheavensareabovetheearth.MyconvictionisthatamancouldpreachthreeorfourtimesonaSabbathoutofdoorswithlessfatiguethanwouldbeoccasionedbyonediscourse delivered in an impure atmosphere, heated and poisoned byhumanbreath,andcarefullypreservedfromeveryrefreshinginfusionofnaturalair.

Tents are bad--unutterably bad: far worse than the worst buildings. Ithinkatentisthemostobjectionablecoveringforapreachingplacethatwas ever invented. I am glad to see tents used in London, for the veryworst place is better than none, and because they can easily bemovedfrom place to place, and are not very expensive; but still if I had mychoicebetweenhavingnothingatallandhavingatentIshouldprefertheopen air by far. Under canvas the voice is deadened and the labour ofspeaking greatly increased. The material acts as a wet blanket to thevoice, kills its resonance, and prevents its travelling. With fearfulexertion,intheswelteringairgeneratedinatent,youwillbemorelikelyto be killed than to be heard. Youmust have noticed even at our ownCollege gatherings, when we number only some two hundred, howdifficult it is tohearat theendofa tent,evenwhenthesidesareopen,andtheairispure.Perhapsyoumayonthatoccasionattributethisfactinsomedegreetoawantofattentivenessandquietnessonthepartofthatsomewhat jubilant congregation, but still even when prayer is offered,andallishushed,Ihaveobservedagreatwantoftravellingpowerinthebestvoicebeneathamarquee.

Ifyouaregoingtopreachintheopenairinthecountry,youwillperhapshaveyourchoiceofaspotwhereintopreach;ifnot,ofcourseyoumusthavewhatyoucanget,andyoumust in faithaccept itastheverybest.Hobson's choice of that or nonemakes thematter simple, and saves adealofdebate.Donotbeverysqueamish.Ifthereshouldhappentobeanavailablemeadow hard by your chapel, select it because it will be veryconvenient to turn into the meeting-house should the weather proveunsuitable,orifyouwishtoholdaprayer-meetingoranafter-meetingatthecloseofyouraddress.Itiswelltopreachbeforeyourregularservicesonaspotnearyourplaceofworship,soastomarchthecrowdrightintothebuildingbeforetheyknowwhattheyareabout.Half-an-hour'sout-of-door speaking and singing before your ordinary hour of assembly willoftenfillanemptyhouse.Atthesametime,donotalwaysadheretonearand handy spots, but choose a locality for the very opposite reason,becauseitisfarawayfromanyplaceofworshipandaltogetherneglected.Hangupthelampswhereverthereisadarkcorner;thedarkerthemoreneed of light. Paradise Row and Pleasant Place are generally the leastparadisiacal and themost unpleasant: thither let your steps be turned.

Let thedwellers in thevalleyof theshadowofdeathperceive that lighthassprungupforthem.

Ihavesomewheremetwiththerecommendationalwaystopreachwithawallbehindyou,butagainst that I respectfullyentermycaveat.Haveacareofwhatmaybeontheothersideofthewall!Oneevangelistreceivedacanofscaldingwaterfromoverawallwiththekindlyremark,"There'ssoup for Protestants!" and another was favoured with most unsavourybespatteringsfromavesselemptiedfromabove.GideonOuseleybegantopreachinRoscommonwithhisbackagainstthegableofatobaccofactoryinwhichtherewasawindowwithawoodendoor,throughwhichgoodswere hoisted into the loft. Would you be surprised to learn that thewindowsuddenlyopened,andthatfromitdescendedapailfuloftobaccowater,anacridfluidmostpainfultotheeyes?Thepreacherinafteryearsknew better than to put himself in such a tempting position. Let hisexperienceinstructyou.

If I hadmy choice of a pitch for preaching, I should prefer to front arisingground,oranopenspotboundedatsomelittledistancebyawall.Of course there must be sufficient space to allow of the congregationassemblingbetweenthepulpitandtheboundingobjectinfront,butIliketo see an end, and not to shout into boundless space. I do not know aprettier site for a sermon than thatwhich I occupied inmy friendMr.Duncan'sgrounds atBenmore. Itwas a level sweep of lawn, backedbyrisingterracescoveredwithfir-trees.Thepeoplecouldeitheroccupytheseatsbelow,ordropdownuponthegrassybanks,asbestcomportedwiththeircomfort,andthusIhadpartofmycongregationinrisinggalleriesaboveme,andtherestintheareaaroundme.Myvoicereadilyascended,andI conceive that if thepeoplehadbeenseatedup thehill forhalf-a-miletheywouldhavebeenable tohearmewithease. I shouldsupposethatWesley'sfavouritespotatGwennapPitmustbesomewhatafterthesameorder.Amphitheatresandhillsidesarealwaysfavouritespotswithpreachers in the fields, and their advantageswill be at once evident toyou.

My friend Mr. Abraham once produced for me a grand cathedral inOxfordshire. The remains of it are still called "Spurgeon's Tabernacle,"andmay be seen nearMinster Lovell, in the form of a quadrilateral of

oaks.Originally itwas thebeau idealof a preachingplace, for itwas aclearedspotinthethickforestofWitchwood,andwasreachedbyroadscut through the dense underwood. I shall never forget those "alleysgreen,"andtheverdantwallswhichshutthemin.Whenyoureachedtheinnertemple itconsistedofa largesquare,outofwhichtheunderwoodandsmallertreeshadbeencutaway,whileasufficientnumberofyoungoakshadbeenlefttorisetoaconsiderableheight,andthenovershadowus with their branches. Here was a truly magnificent cathedral, withpillars and arches: a temple not made with hands, of which we mighttrulysay,

"Father,thyhandHathrearedthesevenerablecolumns,thouDidstweavethisverdantroof."

Ihavenever,eitherathomeorontheContinent,seenarchitecturewhichcouldrivalmycathedral."Lo,weheardofitatEphratah:wefounditinthefieldsof thewood."Theblueskywasvisiblethroughourclerestory,and from the great window at the further end the sun smiled upon ustoward evening.Oh, sirs, itwas grand indeed, toworship thusbeneaththevaultedfirmament,beyondthesoundofcityhum,whereallaroundministeredtoquietfellowshipwithGod,Thatspotisnowcleared,andtheplaceofourassemblyhasbeenselectedatalittledistancefromit.Itisofmuchthesamecharacter,only thatmyboundarywallsof forestgrowthhave disappeared to give place to an open expanse of ploughed fields.Onlythepillarsandtheroofofmytempleremain,butIamstillglad,liketheDruids, toworshipamong theoak trees.This yearadovehadbuilthernestjustabovemyhead,andshecontinuedflyingtoandfrotofeedheryoung,whilethesermonproceeded.Whynot?Whereshouldshebemore at home than where the Lord of love and Prince of Peace wasadored? It is true my arched cathedral is not waterproof, and othershowersbesidesthoseof gracewilldescendupon the congregation,butthishasitsadvantages,foritmakesusthemoregratefulwhenthedayispropitious, and the very precariousness of the weather excites a largeamountofearnestprayer.

Ioncepreachedasermonintheopenairinhayingtimeduringaviolentstorm of rain. The text was, "He shall come down like rain upon the

mown grass, as showers that water the earth," and surely we had theblessing as well as the inconvenience. I was sufficiently wet, and mycongregationmusthavebeendrenched,buttheystooditout,andIneverheardthatanybodywastheworseinhealth,though,IthankGod,IhaveheardofsoulsbroughttoJesusunderthatdiscourse.Onceinawhile,andunderstrongexcitement,suchthingsdonooneanyharm,butwearenotto expect miracles, nor wantonly venture upon a course of procedurewhich might kill the sickly and lay the foundations of disease in thestrong.

I remember well preaching between Cheddar Cliffs. What a nobleposition!What beauty and sublimity! But therewas great danger fromfalling pieces of stone, moved by the people who sat upon the higherportions of the cliff, and hence I would not choose the spot again.Wemuststudiouslyavoidpositionswhereseriousaccidentmightbepossible.An injuredheadqualifiesnoone forenjoying thebeautiesofnature,orthe consolationsof grace.Concluding adiscourse in that place, I calleduponthosemightyrockstobearwitnessthatIhadpreachedthegospeltothepeople, and to be a testimony against themat the last great day, ifthey rejected the message. Only the other day I heard of a person towhomthatappealwasmadeusefulbytheHolySpirit.

Lookwelltothegroundyouselect,thatitisnotswampy.IneverliketoseeamanslipuptohiskneesinmirewhileIampreaching.Rushyplacesare often so smooth and green thatwe select themwithoutnoting thatthey are apt to be muddy, and to give our hearers wet feet. Alwaysinconvenience yourself rather than your audience: your Master wouldhave done so. Even in the streets of London a concern for theconvenienceofyourhearersisoneofthethingswhichconciliatesacrowdmorethananything.

AvoidasyourworstenemytheneighbourhoodoftheNormandypoplar.Thesetreescauseaperpetualhissingandrustlingsound,almostlikethenoise of the sea. Every leaf of certain kinds of poplar is in perpetualmotion, likethetongueofTalkative.Thenoisemaynotseemveryloud,butitwilldrownthebestofvoices."Thesoundofagoinginthetopsofthemulberrytrees"isallverywell,butkeepclearofthenoiseofpoplarsand some other trees, or you will suffer for it. I have had painful

experienceof thismisery.Theoldserpenthimselfseemedtohissatmeoutofthoseunquietboughs.

Practisedpreachersdonotcare tohave thesundirectly in their faces iftheycanhelpit,neitherdotheywishtheirhearerstobedistressedinlikemanner, and therefore they take this item into consideration whenarranging for a service. In London we do not see that luminary oftenenoughtobemuchconcerneduponthispoint.

Donottrytopreachagainstthewind,foritisanidleattempt.Youmayhurlyourvoiceashortdistancebyanamazingeffort,butyoucannotbewellheardevenby the few.Idonotoftenadviseyoutoconsiderwhichwaythewindblows,butonthisoccasionIurgeyoutodoit,oryouwilllabour in vain. Preach so that the wind carries your voice towards thepeople, and does not blow it down your throat, or youwill have to eatyourownwords.Thereisnotellinghowfaramanmaybeheardwiththewind. In certain atmospheres and climates, as for instance in that ofPalestine,personsmightbeheardforseveralmiles;andsinglesentencesofwell-knownspeechmayinEnglandberecognisedalongwayoff,butIshould gravely doubt a man if he asserted that he understood a newsentence beyond the distance of amile.Whitefield is reported to havebeenheardamile,andIhavebeenmyselfassuredthatIwasheard forthat distance, but I am somewhat sceptical.* Half-a-mile is surelyenough,evenwiththewind,butyoumustmakesureofthattobeheardatall.

Inthecountryitoughttobeeasytofindafitplaceforpreaching.OneoftheearliestthingsthataministershoulddowhenheleavesCollegeandsettlesinacountrytownorvillageistobeginopen-airspeaking.Hewillgenerallyhavenodifficultyastotheposition;thelandisbeforehimandhemaychooseaccordingtohisownsweetwill.Themarket-crosswillbeagoodbeginning,thentheheadofacourtcrowdedwiththepoor,andnextthe favourite corner of the idlers of the parish. Cheap-Jack's standwillmakeacapitalpulpitonSundaynightduringthevillagefair,andawagonwill servewell on thegreen,or ina fieldat a littledistance,during theweek-day evenings of the rustic festival. A capital place for an alfrescodiscourse is the greenwhere theold elm trees, felled long ago, are stilllyinginreserveasiftheyweremeanttobeseats,foryourcongregation;

so also is the burial ground of the meeting-house where "the rudeforefathers of the hamlet sleep." Consecrate it to the living and let thepeople enjoy "Meditations among the Tombs."Make no excuses, then,butgettoworkatonce.

InLondon,oranyotherlargetown,itisagreatthingtofindavacantspotwhereyoucanobtainarighttoholdservicesatyourpleasure.Ifyoucandiscover a piece of ground which is not yet built over, and if you canobtain the use of it from the owner till he covers it, it will be a greatacquisition,andworthaslightexpenseinfencing;foryouarethenkingofthecastleanddisturberswillbetrespassers.Isupposethatsuchaspotisnotoftenobtainable,especiallybypersonswhohavenomoney;butitisworththinkingabout.Itisagreatgainwhenyourplaceofworshiphaseven a small outside space, like that at Surrey Chapel, or upon theTabernaclesteps;forhereyouarebeyondtheinterferenceofthepoliceordrunken men. If we have none of these, we must find street corners,triangles,quietnooks, andwide spaceswherein toproclaim thegospel.Years ago I preached to enormous assemblies in King Edward's Road,Hackney,whichwasthenopenfields,butnownotaspareyardremains.On those occasions the rush was perilous to life and limb, and thereseemednolimittothethrongs.Halfthenumberwouldhavebeensafer.Thatopenspacehasvanished,and it is thesamewith fieldsatBrixton,where in years gone by it was delightful to see the assembled crowdslistening to the word. Burdened with the rare trouble of drawing toomanytogether,IhavebeencompelledtoabstainfromtheseexercisesinLondon,butnot fromany lessened senseof their importance.With theTabernaclealwaysfullIhaveaslargeacongregationasIdesireathome,andthereforedonotpreachoutsideexceptinthecountry;butforthoseministerswhoseareaundercoverisbutsmall,andwhosecongregationsare thin, the open air is the remedy whether in London or in theprovinces.

Inraisinganewinterest,andinmissionoperations,outofdoorservicesareamainagency.Getthepeopletolistenoutsidethattheymayby-and-byworshipinside.Youwantnopulpit,achairwilldo,orthekerboftheroad.Thelessformalitythebetter,andifyoubeginbymerelytalkingtothe twoor three aroundyouandmakenopretenceof sermonizingyou

willdowell.Moregoodmaybedonebypersonal talk toone thanbyarhetorical address to fifty. Do not purposely interfere with thethoroughfare,butifthecrowdshouldaccumulatedonothastenawayinsheerfright:thepolicemanwillletyouknowsoonenough.Youaremostwanted,however,whereyouwillbeinnodangerofimpedingpassers-by,butfarmorelikelytobeindangeryourself--Irefertothosecentralcourtsandblindalleysinourgreatcitieswhichlieoutoftherouteofdecency,andareknowntonobodybutthepolice,andtothemprincipallythroughbruises andwounds,Talk of discovering the interior ofAfrica,weneedexplorers for Fryingpan Alley and Emerald-Island Court: the ArcticregionsarewellnighasaccessibleasDobinson'sRentsandJackKetch'sWarren.Heroesof the cross--here is a field for youmoreglorious thantheCideverbeheldwhenwithhisbraverightarmhesmotethePaynimhosts. "Whowill bringme into the strong city?Whowill leadme intoEdom?"WhowillenableustowintheseslumsanddensforJesus?WhocandoitbuttheLord?SoldiersofChristwhoventureintotheseregionsmust expect a revival of the practices of the good old times, so far asbrickbatsareconcerned,andIhaveknownaflower-potfallaccidentallyfromanupperwindowinaremarkablyslantingdirection.Still,ifweareborn to be drowned we shall not be killed by flower-pots. Under suchtreatment itmay be refreshing to readwhatChristopherHopperwroteundersimilarconditionsmorethanahundredyearsago."Ididnotmuchregardalittledirt,afewrotteneggs,thesoundofacow'shorn,thenoiseofbells,orafewsnowballsintheirseason;butsometimesIwassalutedwithblows, stones, brickbats, andbludgeons.These I didnotwell like:theywerenotpleasingto fleshandblood.Isometimes losta littleskin,andoncealittleblood,whichwasdrawnfrommyforeheadwithasharpstone.Iworeapatchforafewdays,andwasnotashamed;Igloriedinthecross.AndwhenmysmallsufferingsaboundedforthesakeofChrist,mycomfortaboundedmuchmore.Ineverwasmorehappyinmyownsoul,orblessedinmylabours."

I am somewhat pleased when I occasionally hear of a brother beinglockedupbythepolice,foritdoeshimgood,anditdoesthepeoplegoodalso.Itisafinesighttoseetheministerofthegospelmarchedoffbytheservant of the law! It excites sympathy for him, and the next step issympathyforhismessage.Manywho feltno interest inhimbefore are

eagertohearhimwhenheisorderedtoleaveoff,andstillmoresowhenheistakentothestation.Thevilestofmankindrespectamanwhogetsintotrouble inorder todothemgood,and if theyseeunfairoppositionexcitedtheygrowquitezealousintheman'sdefence.

Iampersuaded that themoreofopen-airpreaching there is inLondonthebetter.Ifitshouldbecomeanuisancetosomeitwillbeablessingtoothers, ifproperlyconducted.If itbethegospelwhich isspoken,andifthespiritorthepreacherbeoneorloveandtruth,theresultscannotbedoubted:thebreadcastuponthewatersmustbefoundagainaftermanydays. The gospel must, however, be preached in a manner worth thehearing,formerenoise-makingisanevilratherthanabenefit.Iknowafamily almost driven out of their senses by the hideous shouting ofmonotonousexhortations,andthehowlingof"SafeinthearmsofJesus"near their door everySabbath afternoonby the year together.They arezealousChristians,andwouldwillinglyhelptheirtormentorsiftheysawthe slightest probability of usefulness from the violent bawling: but astheyseldomseeahearer,anddonotthinkthatwhatisspokenwoulddoanygoodif itwereheard,theycomplainthattheyarecompelledtolosetheir few hours of quiet because two good men think it their duty toperformanoisybutperfectlyuselessservice.Ioncesawamanpreachingwith no hearer but a dog, which sat upon its tail and looked up veryreverentlywhileitsmasterorated.Therewerenopeopleatthewindowsnorpassingby,butthebrotherandhisdogwereattheirpostwhetherthepeoplewouldhearorwhethertheywouldforbear.OncealsoIpassedanearnestdeclaimer,whosehatwason thegroundbeforehim, filledwithpapers,andtherewasnotevenadogforanaudience,noranyonewithinhearing, yet did he "waste his sweetness on the desert air." I hope itrelievedhisownmind.Reallyitmustbeviewedasanessentialpartofasermonthatsomebodyshouldhearit:itcannotbeagreatbenefittotheworldtohavesermonspreachedinvacuo.

Astostyleinpreachingoutofdoors,itshouldcertainlybeverydifferentfrommuchofthatwhichprevailswithin,andperhapsifaspeakerweretoacquire a style fully adapted to a street audience, he would be wise tobringitindoorswithhim.Agreatdealofsermonizingmaybedefinedassaying nothing at extreme length; but out of doors verbosity is not

admired,youmustsaysomethingandhavedonewithitandgoontosaysomethingmore,oryourhearerswill letyouknow."Nowthen,"cries astreetcritic,"letushaveit,oldfellow."Orelsetheobservationismade,"Now then, pitch it out! You'd better go home and learn your lesson.""Cut it short, old boy," is a very common admonition, and I wish thepresentersofthisadvicegratiscouldletitbeheardinsideEbenezerandZoarandsomeotherplacessacredtolong-windedorations.Wheretheseoutspokencriticismsarenotemployed, thehearersrebukeprosinessbyquietly walking away. Very unpleasant this, to find your congregationdispersing, but a very plain intimation that your ideas are also muchdispersed.

Inthestreet,amanmustkeephimselfalive,andusemanyillustrationsand anecdotes, and sprinkle a quaint remark here and there. To dwelllongonapointwillneverdo.Reasoningmustbebrief, clear, andsoondonewith.Thediscoursemustnotbelabouredorinvolved,neithermustthe second head depend upon the first, for the audience is a changingone,andeachpointmustbecompleteinitself.Thechainofthoughtmustbetaken to pieces, and each linkmelteddown and turned into bullets:you will need not so much Saladin's sabre to cut through a muslinhandkerchiefasCoeurdeLion'sbattleaxetobreakabarofiron.Cometothepointatonce,andcometherewithallyourmight.

Short sentences ofwords and short passages of thought areneeded foroutofdoors.Longparagraphsandlongargumentshadbetterbereservedfor other occasions. In quiet country crowds there ismuch force in aneloquent silence, now and then interjected; it gives people time tobreathe,and also to reflect.Donot, however, attempt this in aLondonstreet; you must go ahead, or someone else may run off with yourcongregation.Inaregularfieldsermonpausesareveryeffective,andareuseful in several ways, both to speaker and listeners, but to a passingcompany who are not inclined for anything like worship, quick, short,sharpaddressismostadapted.

Inthestreetsamanmustfrombeginningtoendbeintense,andforthatveryreasonhemustbecondensedandconcentrated inhis thoughtandutterance.Itwouldneverdotobeginbysaying,"Mytext,dearfriends,isa passage from the inspired word, containing doctrines of the utmost

importance, and bringing before us in the clearest manner the mostvaluable practical instruction. I invite your careful attention and theexerciseofyourmostcandidjudgmentwhileweconsideritundervariousaspectsandplace it in different lights, in order thatwemaybe able toperceive its position in the analogyof the faith. In its exegesiswe shallfindanarena for the cultured intellect, and the refined sensibilities.Asthepurlingbrookmeandersamongthemeadsandfertilizesthepastures,so a stream of sacred truth flows through the remarkablewordswhichnowliebeforeus.Itwillbewellforustodivertthecrystalcurrenttothereservoirofourmeditation,thatwemayquaffthecupofwisdomwiththelips of satisfaction." There, gentleman, is not that rather above theaverage ofword-spinning, and is not the art very generally in vogue inthesedays?Ifyougoout to theobelisk inBlackfriarsRoad,and talk inthat fashion, you will be saluted with "Go on, old buffer," or "Ain't hefine?MYEYE!"Averyvulgaryouthwillcry,"Whatamouthforatater!"andanotherwillshoutinatoneofmocksolemnity,"AMEN!"Ifyougivethem chaff they will cheerfully return it into your own bosom. Goodmeasure, pressed down and running over will they mete out to you.Shamsandshowswillhavenomercy froma streetgathering.Buthavesomethingtosay,lookthemintheface,saywhatyoumean,putitplainly,boldly,earnestly,courteously,andtheywillhearyou.Neverspeakagainsttimeor for thesakeofhearingyourownvoice,oryouwillobtainsomeinformationaboutyourpersonalappearanceormanneroforatorywhichwillprobablybemoretruethanpleasing."Crikey,"saysone,"wouldn'thedoforanundertaker!He'dmake'emweep."Thiswasacomplimentpaidto a melancholy brother whose tone is peculiarly funereal. "There, oldfellow,"saidacriticonanotheroccasion, "yougoandwetyourwhistle.Youmustfeelawfullydryafterjawingawayatthatrateaboutnothingatall."Thisalsowasspeciallyappropriatetoaveryheavybrotherofwhomwehadaforetimeremarkedthathewouldmakeagoodmartyr,fortherewasnodoubtofhisburningwell,hewassodry.Itissad,verysad,thatsuchruderemarksshouldbemade,butthereisawickedveininsomeofus,whichmakesustakenotethatthevulgarobservationsareoftenverytrue, and "hold as 'twere themirror up to nature." As caricature oftengivesyouamorevividideaofamanthanaphotographwouldaffordyou,so do these rough mob critics hit off an orator to the life by theirexaggeratedcensures.Theverybestspeakermustbepreparedtotakehis

shareofstreetwit,andtoreturnitifneedbe;butprimness,demureness,formality, sanctimonious long-windedness, and the affectation ofsuperiority, actually invite offensive pleasantries, and to a considerableextentdeservethem.ChadbandorStigginsinrustyblack,withplasteredhair and huge choker, is as natural an object of derision asMr. GuidoFawkes himself. A very great man in his own esteem will provokeimmediateopposition,andtheaffectationofsupernaturalsaintlinesswillhavethesameeffect.The lessyouare likeaparsonthemore likelyyouare to be heard; and, if you are known to be aminister, themore youshow yourself to be a man the better. "What do you get for that,governor?"issuretobeasked,ifyouappeartobeacleric,anditwillbewell to tell thematonce that this is extra, that youaredoingovertime,andthatthereistobenocollection."You'ddomoregoodifyougaveussome bread or a drop of beer, instead of them tracts," is constantlyremarked,butamanlymanner,andtheoutspokendeclarationthatyouseeknowagesbuttheirgood,willsilencethatstaleobjection.

Theactionofthestreetpreachershouldbeoftheverybest.Itshouldbepurely natural and unconstrained. No speaker should stand up in thestreetinagrotesquemanner,orhewillweakenhimselfandinviteattack.The Street preacher should not imitate his ownminister, or the crowdwill spyout the imitationvery speedily, if thebrother isanywherenearhome.Neithershouldhestrikeanattitudeaslittleboysdowhosay,"MynameisNorval."Thestiffstraightposturewiththeregularupanddownmotion of arm and hand is too commonly adopted: and I would evenmorecondemnthewild-raving-maniacactionwhichsomearesofondof,whichseemstobeacrossbetweenWhitefieldwithbothhisarmsintheair,andSaintGeorgewithbothhisfeetviolentlyengagedintramplingonthe dragon. Some good men are grotesque by nature, and others takegreatpains tomake themselvesso.ThewickedLondonerssay, "Whatacure!"IonlywishIknewofacurefortheevil.

Allmannerismsshouldbeavoided.JustnowIobservethatnothingcanbe done without a very large Bagster's Bible with a limp cover. Thereseems to be some special charm about the large size, though it almostneedsalittleperambulatorinwhichtopushitabout.WithsuchaBiblefull of ribbons, select a standing in Seven Dials, after the pattern of a

divine so graphically described by Mr. McCree. Take off your hat, putyour Bible in it, and place it on the ground. Let the kind friend whoapproachesyouontherightholdyourumbrella,Seehoweagerthedearmanistodoso!Isitnotpleasing?Heassuresyouheisneversohappyaswhenheishelpinggoodmentodogood.Nowcloseyoureyesinprayer.When your devotions are over, somebody will have profited by theoccasion.Whereisyouraffectionatefriendwhoheldyourumbrellaandyour hymn-book? Where is that well-brushed hat, and that orthodoxBagster?Where?oh,where?Echoanswers,"Where?"

ThecatastrophewhichIhavethusdescribedsuggeststhatabrotherhadbetter accompany you in your earlier ministries, that one may watchwhiletheotherprays.Ifanumberoffriendswillgowithyouandmakearingaroundyouitwillbeagreatacquisition,andifthesecansingitwillbestillfurtherhelpful.Thefriendlycompanywillattractothers,willhelpto secureorder, andwill do good serviceby sounding forth sermons insong.

Itwillbeverydesirabletospeaksoastobeheard,butthereisnouse inincessantbawling.Thebeststreetpreachingisnotthatwhichisdoneatthetopofyourvoice,foritmustbeimpossibletolaytheproperemphasisupon telling passages when all along you are shouting with all yourmight.When therearenohearersnearyou,andyetpeople standupontheothersideoftheroadandlisten,woulditnotbeaswelltocrossoverand so save a little of the strength which is now wasted? A quiet,penetrating,conversationalstylewouldseemtobethemosttelling.Mendonot bawl andhalloawhen they are pleading in deepest earnestness;theyhave generally at such times lesswind and a littlemore rain: lessrantanda fewmore tears.On,on,onwithonemonotonous shoutandyouwillwearyeverybodyandwearoutyourself.Bewisenow,therefore,Oyewhowouldsucceed indeclaringyourMaster'smessageamong themultitude,anduseyourvoicesascommonsensewoulddictate.

Ina tractpublishedby that excellent society "TheOpenAirMission," Inoticethefollowing:

QUALIFICATIONSFOROPEN-AIRPREACHERS

1.Agoodvoice.2.Naturalnessofmanner.3.Self-possession.4.AgoodknowledgeofScriptureandofcommonthings.5.Abilitytoadapthimselftoanycongregation.6.Goodillustrativepowers.7.Zeal,prudence,andcommonsense.8.Alarge,lovingheart.9.Sincerebeliefinallhesays.10.EntiredependenceontheHolySpiritforsuccess.11.AclosewalkwithGodbyprayer.12.Aconsistentwalkbeforemenbyaholylife.

If any man has all these qualifications, the Queen had better make abishopofhimatonce,yetthereisnooneofthesequalitieswhichcouldwellbedispensedwith.

InterruptionsareprettysuretooccurinthestreetsofLondon.Atcertainplacesallwillgowellformonths,butinotherpositionsthefightbeginsassoonasthespeakeropenshismouth.Thereareseasonsofopposition:different schools of adversaries rise and fall, and accordingly there isdisorder or quiet. The best tact will not always avail to preventdisturbance;whenmenaredrunkthereisnoreasoningwiththem,andoffuriousIrishPapistswemaysaymuchthesame.Littleistobedonewithsuchunlessthecrowdaroundwillco-operate,asoftentimestheywill, inremovingtheobstructor.Certaincharacters,iftheyfindthatpreachingisgoingon,willinterruptbyhookorbycrook.Theygoonpurpose,andifansweredonceandagaintheystillpersevere.Oneconstantrule is tobealwayscourteousandgoodtempered,forifyoubecomecrossorangryitisalloverwithyou.Anotherruleistokeeptoyoursubject,andneverbedrawnintosideissues.PreachChristornothing:don'tdisputeordiscussexceptwithyoureyeonthecross.Ifdrivenoffforamomentalwaysbeonthewatchtogetbacktoyoursoletopic.Tellthemtheold,oldstory,andiftheywillnothearthat,moveon.Yetbeadroit,andtakethemwithguile.Seek theoneobjectbymanyroads.A littlemother-wit isoftenthebestresourceandwillworkwonderswithacrowd.Bonhomieisthenextbestthingtograceonsuchoccasions.Abrotherofmyacquaintancesilenceda

violentRomanistbyofferinghimhisstandandrequestinghimtopreach.Theman'scomradesfortheveryfunofthethingurgedhimon,but,ashedeclined, the dog in the manger fable was narrated and the disturberdisappeared.If itbearealscepticwhoisassailingyouit isprudencetoshundebateasmuchaspossible,oraskhimquestionsinreturn,foryourbusinessisnottoarguebuttoproclaimthegospel.Mr.JohnMcGregorsays "Sceptics are of many kinds. Some of them ask questions to getanswers, and others put difficulties to puzzle the people. An honestscepticsaidtomeinacrowdinHyde-park,'Ihavebeentryingtobelieveforthesetenyears,butthereisacontradictionIcannotgetover,anditisthis:weare told thatprintingwas inventednot fivehundredyearsago,andyetthattheBibleisfivethousandyearsold,andIcannotforthelifeofme see how this can be.'Nay! the crowd did not laugh at thisman.Very few people in a crowd knowmuch more than he did about theBible.Buthowdeeplytheydrankinahalf-hour'saccountoftheScripturemanuscripts, their preservation, their translations and versions, theirdispersion and collection, their collation and transmission, and theoverwhelmingevidenceoftheirgenuinetruth!"

I remember an infidel on Kennington Common being most effectuallystopped.Hecontinuedtocryupthebeautiesofnatureandtheworksofnatureuntil the preacher asked him if hewould kindly tell themwhatnature was. He replied that "everybody knew what nature was." Thepreacherretorted,"Well,then,itwillbealltheeasierforyoutotellus.""Why,nature--nature,"hesaid,"nature,--natureisnature."Ofcourse,thecrowdlaughedandthewisemansubsided.

Ignorancewhen it isalliedwithacoarsevoluble tongue is tobemetbylettingithaveropeenough.Onefellowwantedtoknow"howJacobknewthatEsauhatedhim."Hehadholdofthewrongendofthestickthattime,andthepreacherdidnotenlightenhim,orhewouldhavesethimupwithammunitionforfutureencounters.

Ourbusinessisnottosupplymenwithargumentsbyinformingthemofdifficulties. In the process of answering themministers have publishedthesentimentsofinfidelsmorewidelythantheinfidelsthemselvescouldhavedone.Unbelieversonly"gleantheirbluntedshafts,andshootthemattheshieldoftruthagain."Ourobjectisnottoconquertheminlogical

encounters,buttosavetheirsouls.Realdifficultiesweshouldendeavourto meet, and hence a competent knowledge of the evidences is mostdesirable;buthonestobjectorsarebestconversedwithalone,whentheyarenotashamedtoownthemselvesinthewrong,andthiswecouldnotexpectof them in thecrowd.Christ is tobepreachedwhethermenwillbelieveinHimorno.OurownexperienceofHispowertosavewillbeourbest reasoning, and earnestness our best rhetoric. The occasion willfrequentlysuggest the fittest thing to say,andwemayalso fallbackontheHoly Spirit who will teach us in the self-same hour what we shallspeak.

Theopen-airspeaker'scallingisashonourableasitisarduous,asusefulas it is laborious.Godalonecansustainyouin it,butwithHimatyoursideyouwillhavenothingtofear.Iftenthousandrebelswerebeforeyouandalegionofdevilsineveryoneofthemyouneednottremble.MoreisHethatisforyouthanalltheythatbeagainstyou.

"Byallhell'shostwithstood,Weallhell'shosto'erthrow;AndconqueringthemthroughJesus'blood,Westilltoconquergo."

*From Chambers' Book of Days we borrow the following note: "Mrs.Oliphant,inherLifeoftheRev.EdwardIrving,statesthathehadbeenonsomeoccasionsclearlyheardatthedistanceofhalf-a-mile.Ithasbeenalleged however, that Black JohnRussell, of Kilmarnock, celebrated byBurnsinnograciousterms,washeard,thoughnotperhapsintelligibly,atthedistanceofafullmile.Itwouldappearthateventhisisnottheutmoststretchof thephenomenon.Acorrespondentof theJameson'sJournal,in1828,statesthat,beingatthewestendofDunfermline,heoverheardpartofasermonthendeliveringatatentatCairneyhillbyDr.Black:hedidnotmissaword, 'thoughthedistancemustbesomethingabouttwomiles'; the preacher has, perhaps, seldom been surpassed for distinctspeaking and a clear voice; 'and the wind, which was steady andmoderate,cameinthedirectionofthesound.'"

LECTUREXIX

POSTURE,ACTION,GESTURE,ETC.

Thesubjectsofthislecturearetobe"Posture,Gesture,andActionintheDeliveryofaSermon."Ishallnotattempttodrawanyhardandfastlineofdivisionbetweentheoneandtheother;foritwouldneedaveryhighlydiscriminatingmindtokeepthemseparate;indeed,itcouldnotbedoneatall,fortheynaturallymergeintoeachother.AsIhave,afterafairtrial,founditimpossibletokeepeven"posture"and"gesture"inanabsolutelyunmingledstate inmyownmind, Ihaveallowed themto run together;butIhopethatnoconfusionwillappearintheresult.

Thesermonitself isthemainthing:itsmatter, itsaim,andthespirit inwhich it is brought before the people, the sacred anointing upon thepreacher,andthedivinepowerapplyingthetruthtothehearer:theseareinfinitelymoreimportantthananydetailsofmanner.Postureandactionare comparatively small and inconsiderable matters; but still even thesandal in the statue ofMinerva should be correctly carved, and in theserviceofGodeventhesmallestthingsshouldberegardedwithholycare.Life ismadeupof little incidents,andsuccess in itoftendependsuponattentiontominordetails.Smallfliesmaketheapothecary'sointmenttostink,and little foxesspoil thevines,and thereforesmall fliesand littlefoxes should be kept out of our ministry. Doubtless, faults in even sosecondary a matter as posture have prejudiced men's minds, and soinjuredthesuccessofwhatwouldotherwisehavebeenmostacceptableministries, A man of more than average abilities may, by ridiculousaction,bethrownintotherearrankandkeptthere.This isagreatpity,eveniftherewereonlyonesuchcase,butitistobefearedthatmanyareinjured by the same cause. Little oddities and absurdities ofmode andgesture which wise men would endeavour not to notice are notoverlookedbythegeneralpublic;infact,themajorityofhearersfixtheireyes mainly upon those very things, while those who come to scoffobserve nothing else. Persons are either disgusted or diverted by theodditiesofcertainpreachers,orelsetheywantanexcuseforinattention,andjumpatthisconvenientone:therecanbenoreasonwhyweshouldhelpmentoresistourownendeavoursfortheirgood.Noministerwouldwillingly cultivate a habit which would blunt his arrows, or drift themaside from the mark; and, therefore, since these minor matters of

movement,posture,andgesturemayhavethateffect,youwillgivethemyourimmediateattention.

We very readily admit that action in preaching is an affair of minorconsequence; for some who have succeeded in the highest sense havebeen exceedingly faulty from the rhetorician's point of view. At thepresentmomentthereisinBoston,U.S.A.,apreacheroftheveryhighestorder of power, of whom a friendly critic writes: "In the openingsentences one or the other of his arms shakes at his side in a helplessfashion,as if itweremadeof caudal vertabrae loosely jointed.He soonexhibits a most engaging awkwardness, waddling about in a way tosuggestthateachlegisshorterthantheother,andshakinghisheadandshoulder in ungainly emphasis. He raises one eyebrow in a quiteimpossible fashion. No one else can squint so." This is an instance ofmindovercomingmatter, and the excellence of the teaching condoningdefectsinutterance;butitwouldbebetterifnosuchdrawbacksexisted.Arenotapplesofgoldallthemoreattractiveforbeingplacedinbasketsofsilver?Whyshouldpowerfulteachingbeassociatedwithwaddlingandsquinting? Still it is evident that proper action is, to say the least, notessential tosuccess.Homerwouldappear tohaveconsidered theentireabsenceofgesturetobenodetrimenttoeminentpowerinspeech,forhepictures one of his greatest heroes as entirely abjuring it, though notwithoutsomesenseofcensurefromhisaudience.

"ButwhenUlyssesrose,inthoughtprofound,Hismodesteyeshefixedupontheground;Asoneunskilledordumb,heseemedtostand,Norrais'dhishead,norstretchedhissceptredhand.Butwhenhespeaks,whatelocutionflows!Softasthefleecesofdescendingsnows,Thecopiousaccentsfall,witheasyart;Meltingtheyfall,andsinkintotheheart!Wonderingwehear,and,fixedindeepsurprise,Ourearsrefutethecensuresofoureyes."

Norneedwegobacktotheancientsforproofthatanexceedinglyquietactionmaybeconnectedwiththehighestpowerofeloquence,forseveralinstances occur to us among the moderns. One may suffice: our own

supremelygiftedRobertHallhadnooratoricalaction,andscarcelyanymotion in thepulpit, except anoccasional liftingorwavingof the righthand, and in his most impassioned moments an alternate retreat andadvance.

Itisnotsomuchincumbentuponyoutoacquirerightpulpitactionasitistogetridofthatwhichiswrong.Ifyoucouldbereducedtomotionlessdummies, it would be better than being active and even vigorousincarnationsofthegrotesque,assomeofourbrethrenhavebeen.Somemenbydegreesfallintoasuicidalstyleofpreaching,anditisaveryrarethingindeedtoseeamanescapewhenoncehehasentangledhimselfinthemeshesofanevilmannerism.Noonelikestotellthemoftheirqueerantics, and so they are unaware of them; but it is surprising that theirwives do not mimic them in private and laugh them out of theirawkwardness.Ihaveheardofabrotherwhoinhisearlierdayswasmostacceptable,butwhoafterwardsdroppedfarbehindintheracebecausehebydegreesfellintobadhabits:hespokewithadiscordantwhineassumedmost singular attitudes and used such extraordinary mouthings thatpeoplecouldnothearhimwithpleasure.Hedevelopedintoamantobeesteemed and honoured, but not to be listened to. Excellent Christianmenhave said that theydidnotknowwhether to laughor to crywhenthey were hearing him preach: they felt as if they must laugh at thebidding of nature, and then they felt that they ought to cry from theimpulse of grace when they saw so good a preacher utterly ruined byabsurdaffectations.Ifyoudonotcaretocultivateproperaction,atleastbewiseenoughtosteerclearofthatwhichisgrotesqueoraffected.Thereis a wide range between the fop, curling and perfuming his locks, andpermittingone'shair tohang inmattedmasses like themaneof awildbeast.Weshouldneveradviseyoutopractiseposturesbeforeaglass,norto imitate great divines, nor to ape the fine gentleman; but there is noneed,on theotherhand, tobevulgarorabsurd.Posturesandattitudesaremerelyasmallpartofthedressofadiscourse,anditisnotindressthat the substance of thematter lies: aman in fustian is "aman for a'that,"andsoasermonwhichisoddlydeliveredmaybeagoodsermonforallthat;butstill,asnoneofyouwouldcaretowearapauper'ssuitifyoucould procure better raiment, so you should not be so slovenly as toclothe truth like a mendicant when you might array her as a prince's

daughter.

SomemenarenaturallyveryawkwardintheirpersonsandmovementsIsupposewemustblamewhatthecountrymancalledtheir"broughtensup."Therustic'sgaitisheavy,andhiswalkisslouchingYoucanseethathisnaturalhabitatisaploughedfield.Onthepavementorthecarpetheissuspiciousofhisfooting,butdownamuddylane,withamule'sburdenofearthoneachboot,heprogresseswithease,ifnotwithelegance.Thereisa lumpishnessandlubberliness innate intheelementsofsomemen'sconstitutions.Youcouldnotmakethemelegantifyoubrayedtheminamortaramongwheatwithapestle.Thedrill-sergeantisoftheutmostuseinourschools,andthoseparentswhothinkthatdrillexerciseisawasteof time are very much mistaken. There is a shape and handiness, ageneralproprietyofform,whichthehumanbodyacquiresunderproperdrill which seldom comes in any other manner. Drill brings a man'sshoulders down keeps his arms from excessive swinging expands thechest, showshimwhat to dowith his hands, and, in aword, teaches amanhowtowalkuprightly,andtobringhimselfintosomethinglikeship-shape,withoutanyconsciousefforttodoso,whicheffortwouldbeasurebetrayalofhisawkwardness.Veryspiritualpeoplewillthinkmetrifling,butindeedIamnot.Ihopethedaywillcomewhenitwillbelookeduponas an essential part of education to teach a young man how to carryhimself,andmovewithoutclumsiness.

Itmayhappenthatawkwardgesturesarisefromfeebleutterance,anda nervous consciousness of lack of power in that direction. Certainsplendidmenofouracquaintancearesomodestas tobediffident,andhence they become hesitating in speech, and disarranged in manner.PerhapsnomorenotableinstanceofthiscanbementionedthanthelatebelovedDr. JamesHamilton.Hewas themost beautiful and chaste ofspeakers,withanactionpainful to the lastdegree.Hisbiographersays:"Inmentalresourcesandacquirementshewaspossessedofgreatwealth;butinthecapacitytoutterhisthoughts,withallthevariationoftoneandkeywhich their nature required, yet so as to be thoroughly heard in agreatedifice, hewas far less gifted. In this department, accordingly, hewasalwayspainedbyaconsciousshortcoming fromhisown ideal. It iscertain that lack of vocal force, and ready control over his intonations,

largely detracted from the power and popularity of his preaching. Indelicacyofconception,inthehappychoiceofidioms,inthecommandofstrikingandoriginalimagery,andintheglowofevangelicalfervourthatpervaded all, he had few equals. These, rare qualities, however, wereshorn of half their strength, in as far as his public preaching wasconcerned,bythenecessityunderwhichheconstantlylayofstrainingtomakehimselfaudible,bystandingonhistip-toes,andthrowingouthiswordsinhandfuls,ifsobetheymightreachthefar-distantaisles.Ifthemusclesofhis chesthadbeen suchas to enablehim to stand solidlyatease,whilehis lipsperformedthetaskofarticulationwithouttheaidofauxiliaryblastsfromover-inflatedlungs,JamesHamiltonwouldcertainlyhave been followed by greater crowds, and obtained access for hismessage to a wider andmore varied circle. But we do not know whatcounterbalancing evil might have come in along with such externalsuccess.Althoughwithallhisprayersandpainsthisthornwasstillleftinthe flesh, the grand compensation remained: 'My grace is sufficient forthee;mystrengthisperfectinthyweakness.'WhattalentstheLordsawmeet to bestow, he laid out with marvellous skill and diligence in thegiver'sservice,andifsomeofthetalentswerewithheld, theWithholderknowswhy.Hehathdoneall thingswell."Inthissentimentweheartilyconcur,butweshouldbesorryforanyyoungmantosubmitatdiscretiontoasimilardefect,andascribeittothehandof theLord.Dr.Hamiltondid not so. He earnestly endeavoured to overcome his naturaldisadvantage, and to our knowledge took lessons of more than oneprofessorofelocution.Hedidnottakerefugeinthesluggard'splea,butlabouredhard tomaster the difficulty, and only failed because itwasaphysicaldefectbeyondallremedy.Letuswhereverweseeawkwardness,whichisevidentlyunavoidable,takelittleornonoticeofit,andtakecareto commend thebrother thathedoes sowell under the circumstances;counting it no small achievement for a divine to cover by richness ofthoughtand fitnessof language theungainlinessofhisouterman, thusmaking the soul triumph over the body. Yet should we ourselves beafflictedwithanyfaultofmanner, letusresolvetoovercomeit, for it isnotanimpossibletask.EdwardIrvingwasastrikinginstanceofaman'spower to improve himself in this respect. At first his manner wasawkward,constrained,andunnatural;butbydiligentculturehisattitudeandactionweremadetobestrikingaidstohiseloquence.

Pulpitshavemuchtoanswerforinhavingmademenawkward.Whathorribleinventionstheyare!Ifwecouldonceabolishthemwemightsayconcerning themas Joshuadid concerning Jericho--"Cursedbehe thatbuildeth this Jericho." for the old-fashioned pulpit has been a greatercurse to the churches than is at first sight evident. No barrister wouldever enter a pulpit to plead a case at the bar How could he hope tosucceedwhileburiedalivealmostuptohisshoulders?Theclientwouldbe ruined if the advocate were thus imprisoned. How manly, howcommandingistheattitudeinwhichChrysostomisusuallyrepresented!Forgetting his robes for the moment one cannot but feel that such anaturalpostureisfarmoreworthyofsublimetruththanthatofapersoncrouchingovera sheetofpaper, lookingupveryoccasionally, and thenrevealingnomorethanhisheadandshoulders.AustininhisChironomiaveryproperlysays,"Freedomisalsonecessarytogracefulnessofaction.No gestures can be graceful which are either confined by externalcircumstances or restrained by the mind. If a man were obliged toaddressanassemblyfromanarrowwindow,throughwhichhecouldnotextend his arms and his head, it would be in vain for him to attemptgraceful gesture. Confinement in every lesser degree must beproportionallyinjurioustograce;thusthecrowdedbarisinjurioustotheactionoftheadvocate,andtheenclosedandbolsteredpulpit,whichoftencutsoffmore thanhalfofhis figure, is equally injurious to thegracefulactionofthepreacher."

The late Thomas Binney was unable to endure a platform, and: wasknowntofetchgownsandothermaterialstohangovertherailofanopenrostrum, ifhe foundhimselfplaced inone: thismusthavearisensolelyfrom the force of habit, for there can be no real advantage in beingenclosed in a wooden pen. This feeling will no doubt retain the closepulpitinitsplaceforawhilelonger,butinagestocomemenwillfindanargument for the divinity of our holy faith in the fact that it survivedpulpits.

Ministers cannot be blamed for ungainly postures and attitudes whenonlyaverysmallpartoftheirbodiescanbeseenduringadiscourse.Ifitwas the custom to preach as Paul did at Athens public speakerswouldbecome models of propriety. By the way, it is interesting to note that

RaphaelinhisrepresentationofPaulatAthensevidentlyhadinhismindtheapostle'sutterance, "Goddwellethnot in templesmadewithhands,neither is worshipped with man's hands": hence he delineates him asliftinghishands.IamindebtedforthishinttoGW.Hervey,M.A.,whohaswrittenaveryableandcomprehensive"SystemofRhetoric."

Remarkableare the formswhichpulpitshaveassumedaccordingto thefreaks of human fancy and folly. Twenty years ago they had probablyreachedtheirveryworst.Whatcouldhavebeentheirdesignandintentitwouldbehardtoconjecture.Adeepwoodenpulpitoftheoldsortmightwellremindaministerofhismortality,foritisnothingbutacoffinsetonend:butonwhatrationalgrounddoweburyourpastorsalive?Manyoftheseerectionsresemblebarrels,othersareofthefashionofeggcupsandwineglasses;athirdclasswereevidentlymodelledaftercornbinsuponfourlegs;andyetafourthvarietycanonlybelikenedtoswallows'nestsstuckuponthewall.Someofthemaresohighastoturntheheadsoftheoccupantswhentheydaretopeerintotheawfuldepthsbelowthem,andthey give thosewho look up to the elevated preacher for any length oftime a crick in the neck. I have felt like aman at themast-headwhileperched aloft in these "towers of the flock." These abominations are inthemselvesevils,andcreateevils.

While I am upon pulpits I will make a digression, and remark tor thebenefitofdeaconsandchurchwardensthatIfrequentlynoticeinpulpitsamost abominable savour of gas,which evidently arises from leakage inthegas-pipes,andisveryapttomakeapreacherfeelhalfintoxicated,orto sickenhim.Weought tobe spared this infliction.Frequently, also,alarge lamp is placed close to each side of the minister's head, thuscramping all hismovements and placing him between two fires. If anycomplaintsaremadeofthehot-headednessofourministers,itisreadilytobeaccountedfor,sincetheapparatusforthepurposesisarrangedwithgreatcare.Only theothernight Ihad theprivilege,whenI satdown inthepulpit,tofeelasifsomeonehadsmittenmeonthetopofmyhead,,andasIlookeduptherewasanenormousArgandburnerwithareflectorplaced immediatelyaboveme, in order to throw a light onmyBible: avery considerate contrivance no doubt, only the inventor had forgottenthathisburnerswerepouringdownaterribleheatuponasensitivebrain.

One has no desire to experience an artificial coup de soleil whilepreaching; it wemust suffer from such a calamity let it come upon usduringourholidays,andlet itbefallusfromthesunhimself.Nooneinerectingapulpitseemstothinkofthepreacherasamanoflikefeelingsand senses with other people; the seat upon which you are to rest atintervalsisoftenamereledge,andthedoorhandlerunsintothesmallofyourback,whilewhenyoustandupandwouldcometothefrontthereisoftenacuriousgutta-perchabaginterposedbetweenyouandyourpulpit.Thisgummydepositaryischaritablyintendedfortheassistanceofcertaindeaf people, who are I hope benefited; they ought to be, for every evilshouldhaveacompensatinginfluence,Youcannotbendforwardwithoutforcingthiscontrivancetocloseup,andIformyownpartusuallydepositmy pocket-handkerchief in it,which causes the deaf people to take theendsofthetubesoutoftheirearsandtodiscoverthattheyhearmewellenoughwithoutthem.

Nooneknowsthediscomfortofpulpitsexceptthemanwhohasbeeninverymany,andfoundeachoneworsethanthelast.Theyaregenerallysodeepthatashortpersonlikemyselfcanscarcelyseeoverthetopofthem,andwhen I ask for something to stand upon they bringme a hassock.Thinkofaministerofthegospelpoisinghimselfuponahassockwhileheispreaching:aBoanergesandaBlondininoneperson.Itistoomuchtoexpect us to keep the balance of ourminds and the equilibrium of ourbodiesatthesametime.Thetippingsup,andoverturningsofstoolsandhassockswhichIhavehadtosufferwhilepreachingrushonmymemorynow,andrevivethemostpainfulsensations.Surelyweoughttobesavedsuch petty annoyances, for their evil is by no means limited by ourdiscomfort; if itwereso, itwouldbeofnoconsequence;but,alas!theselittle thingsoften throw themindout of gear, disconnect our thoughts,and trouble our spirit. We ought to rise superior to such trifles, butthoughthespirittrulyiswillingthefleshisweak.Itismarvelloushowthemind is affected by themost triflingmatters: there can be no need toperpetuate needless causes of discomfort. Sydney Smith's story showsthatwehavenotbeenaloneinourtribulation."Ican'tbear,"saidhe,"tobeimprisonedinthetrueorthodoxwayinmypulpit,withmyheadjustpeepingabovethedesk.Iliketolookdownuponmycongregation--tofireintothem.Thecommonpeoplesay Iamabouldpreacher, for I like to

have my arms free, and to thump the pulpit. A singular contretempshappenedtomeonce,when,toeffectthis,Ihadorderedtheclerktopileupsomehassocksformetostandon.Mytextwas,'Weareperplexed,butnot in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but notdestroyed.' I had scarcely uttered these words, and was preparing toillustrate them,when I did sopractically, and in away I hadnot at allanticipated.My fabric of hassocks suddenly gaveway; down I fell, andwithdifficultypreventedmyselffrombeingprecipitatedintothearmsofmycongregation,who,Imustsay,behavedverywell,andrecoveredtheirgravitysoonerthanIcouldhaveexpected."

ButImustreturntomysubject,andIdosobyrepeatingthebeliefthatboxed-uppulpitsarelargelyaccountablefortheungainlypostureswhichsomeofourpreachersassumewhentheyareoutof theircagesandarelooseuponaplatform.Theydonotknowwhattodowiththeirlegsandarms, and feel awkward and exposed, and hence drop into ridiculousattitudes. When a man has been accustomed to regard himself as an"animatedbust"hefeelsasifhehadbecometoolongwhenheismadetoappearatfulllength.

Therecanbenodoubtthatmanymenaremadeawkwardthroughfear.It is not the man's nature, nor his pulpit, but his nervousness whichmakesaguyofhim.Tosomeitisadisplayofgreatcourageeventostandbefore an audience, and to speak is an ordeal indeed: no wonder thattheirattitudeisconstrained,fortheyaretwitchingandtremblingallover.Everynerveisinastateofexcitement,andtheirwholebodyistremulouswithfear.Especiallyaretheyperplexedwhattodowiththeirhands,andthey move them about in a restless, irregular, meaningless manner; iftheycouldhavethemstrappeddowntotheirsidestheymightrejoiceinthedeliverance.OneoftheclergyoftheChurchofEngland, inpleadingfortheuseofthemanuscript,makesuseoftheremarkableargumentthata nervousman by having to turn over the leaves of his discourse thuskeeps his hands occupied; whereas, if he had no paper before him, hewouldnotknowwhattodowiththem.Itisanillwindthatblowsnooneanygood,anditmustbeaverybadpracticeindeedwhichhasnotsomeremoteandoccasionaladvantages.Fornervousness,however,theremustbeamoreeffectualtreatment;thepreachershouldtrytoconquertheevil

rather than look for a mode of concealing its outward manifestations.Practice is agreat remedy, and faith inGod is a stillmorepotent cure.Whentheministerbecomesaccustomedtothepeoplehestandsateasebecauseheisatease,hefeelsathome,andastohishandsorlegs,oranyotherpartofhisperson,hehasnothought:hegoestoworkwithallhisheart,anddropsintothepositionsmostnaturaltoanearnestman,andtheseare themostappropriate.Unstudiedgestures, towhichyouneverturned your thoughts for amoment, are the very best, and the highestresultofart istobanishart,andleavethemanasfreetobegracefulasthegazelleamongthemountains.

Occasionalodditiesofpostureandgesturemayarisefromthedifficultyoffindingthenextword.AnAmericanobserversomeyearsagosaid,"Itis interesting, sometimes, to see the different ways in which differentindividuals get out of the samedilemma.Mr.Calhoun isnot often at aloss for a word, but occasionally one sticks in his throat, in thepronunciation,likeMacbeth's 'Amen.'Insuchacasebegivesapetulanttwitch or two at his shirt collar, and runs his bony fingers through hislonggreyhair, till it fairlybristles again.Webster,whenbothered foraword,orsnarledupinasentence,almost invariablyscratchesthe innercorner of his left eye carefully with the third finger of his right hand.Failinginthis,herubshisnosequitefiercelywiththebentknuckleofhisthumb. As a dernier ressort, he springs his knees apart until his legsresemble an ellipsis, thenplunging his hands deep into his pockets, hethrows the upper section of his body smartly forward, and the word is'boundtocome.'"Amanoughttobeforgivenforwhathedoeswhenheisin an agony, but it would be a great gain if he never suffered suchembarrassments,andsoescapedfromtheconsequentcontortions.

Habitalsofrequentlyleadsspeakersintoverysingularmovements,andto these they become sowedded that they cannot speakwithout them.Tuggingatabuttonatthebackofthecoat,ortwiddlingthefingers,willbeoftenseen,notasapartofthepreacher'soratory,butasasortoffreeaccompaniment to it. Addison, in the Spectator, relates an amusingincidentofthiskind."Iremember,whenIwasayoungman,andusedtofrequent Westminster Hall, there was a counsellor who never pleadedwithoutapieceofpackthreadinhishand,whichheusedtotwistabouta

thumbora fingerall thewhilehewasspeaking:thewagsof thosedaysusedtocall it the threadofhisdiscourse, forhewasnotabletoutterawordwithoutit.Oneofhisclients,whowasmoremerrythanwise,stoleitfromhimonedayinthemidstofhispleading,buthehadbetterhavelet italone, forhe losthis causebyhis jest."Gentlemenwhoareas yetfree from such little peculiarities should be upon their guard lest theyshould gradually yield to them; but, so long as they are mere trifles,observedonlybythefew,andnot injurioustothepreacher'sefforts,nogreatstressneedstobelaiduponthem.

Thepostureoftheministershouldbenatural,buthisnaturemustnotbeofacoarsetype;itshouldbegraceful,educatednature.Heshouldavoidespeciallythosepositionswhichareunnaturaltoaspeaker,becausetheyhamper the organs of utterance, or cramphis lungs.He shouldusehiscommon sense, and not make it difficult for him to speak by leaningforward over the Bible or book-board. Bending over as if you werespeaking confidentially to the persons immediately below may betoleratedoccasionally,butasacustomarypositionitisasinjuriousasitisungraceful.Whothinksofstoopingwhenhespeaksintheparlour?Whatkillingworkitwouldbetoconductalongconversationwhilepressingthebreathingapparatusagainsttheedgeofatable!Standupright,getafirmposition,andthenspeaklikeaman.Afeworatorsevenerr intheotherdirection,andthrowtheirheadsfarbackasthoughtheywereaddressingthe angels, or saw a handwriting upon the ceiling. This also cometh ofevil, andunless the occasional sublime apostrophe requires it, is by nomeanstobepractised.JohnWesleywellsays,"Theheadoughtnottobeheld up too high, nor clownishly thrust too forward, neither to be castdownandhang,asitwere,onthebreast;nortoleanalwaysononeortheother side; but to be keptmodestly anddecently upright, in its naturalstateandposition.Further, itoughtneither tobekept immovable,asastatue,nortobecontinuallymovingandthrowingitselfabout.Toavoidbothextremes,itshouldbeturnedgently,asoccasionis,sometimesoneway, sometimes the other; and at other times, remain, looking straightforward,tothemiddleoftheauditory."

Toomanymen assume a slouching attitude, lolling and sprawling as ifthey were lounging on the parapet of a bridge and chatting with

somebodydown inaboaton the river.Wedonot go into thepulpit toslouchabout,andtolookfreeandeasy,butwegothereuponverysolemnbusiness, and our posture should be such as becomes our mission. Areverentandearnestspiritwillnotbeindicatedbyasluggishloungeoracarelessslouch.ItissaidthatamongtheGreekseventheploughmenandherdsmentakeupgracefulattitudeswithoutanyideathattheyaredoingso.IthinkitisalsotrueoftheItalians,forwhereverIhaveseenaRomanman orwoman--nomatterwhether they are sleeping upon the Spagnasteps,orsittinguponafragmentofthebathsofCaracalla,orcarryingabundleontheirheads,orridingamule,theyalwayslooklikestudiesforanartist;yetthisisthelastthingwhichevercrossestheirminds.Thosepicturesquepeasantshavenevertakenlessonsincalisthenics,nordotheytroubletheirheadsastohowtheyappeartotheforeigner;purenature,delivered from mannerism, primness, and affectation, moulds theirhabits into gracefulness. We should be foolish to imitate Greeks orItalians,exceptintheirfreedomfromallimitation,butitwerewellifwecould copy their unconstrained and natural action. There is no reasonwhyaChristianshouldbeaclown,and thereareagreatmany reasonswhyaministershouldnotbeaboor.AsRowlandHillsaidthathecouldnotseewhySatanshouldhavethebesttunes,soneithercanIseewhyheshouldhavethemostgracefulspeakers!

Now, leavingposture, letusmoredistinctlynoticeaction in preaching;thisalsoisasecondaryandyetanimportantitem.Ourfirstobservationshall be, it should never be excessive. In this matter bodily exerciseprofitethlittle.Wecannotreadilyjudgewhenactionisexcessive,forwhatwouldbeexcessiveinonemanmaybemostfittingandproperinanother.Differentracesemploydifferentactioninspeaking.TwoEnglishmenwilltalk veryquietly and soberly tooneanother comparedwith a couple ofFrenchmen.Notice ourGallic neighbours: they talk all over, and shrugtheirshoulders,andmovetheirfingers,andgesticulatemostvehemently.Very well, then, we may allow a French preacher to be moredemonstrative in preaching than an Englishman, because he is so inordinaryspeech.IamnotsurethataFrenchdivine issoasamatteroffact,but ifheweresoitcouldbeaccountedforbythenationalhabit.Ifyou and I were to converse in the Parisian fashion we should exciteridicule, and, in the same way, if we were to become violent and

vehementinthepulpitwemightrunthesamerisk;forifAddisonbeanauthority,Englishoratorsuselessgesturesthanthoseofothercountries.Asitiswithracessoisitwithmen:somenaturallygesticulatemorethanothers,andifitbereallynatural,wehavelittlefaulttofind.Forinstance,we cannot censure John Gough's marvellous gesticulation andperambulation, for he would not have been Gough without them. Iwonderhowmanymileshewalksinthecourseofoneofhislectures!Didwenotseehimclimbthesidesofavolcanoinpursuitofabubble?Howwepitiedhimaswesawhimankledeep in thehotashes!Thenhewasaway, away at the other end of the platform at Exeter Hall,apostrophisingaglassofwater;butheonlystoppedthereamoment,andanonmadeanotherrushoverthecornsofthetemperancebrethreninthefrontrow.Now,thiswasrightenoughforJohnGough:butifyou,JohnSmithorJohnBrown,commencetheseperambulationsyouwillsoonbelikened to the wandering Jew, or to the polar bear, at the ZoologicalGardens,whichforevergoesbackwardsandforwardsinitsden.MartinLutherwaswont to smitewithhis fistat sucha rate that they show,atEisenach, a board--I think a three-inch board--which he broke whilehammeringatatext.Thetruthofthelegendhasbeendoubted,forithasbeenassertedthatthosedelicatehands,whichcouldplaysocharminglyupon the guitar, could hardly have been treated so roughly; but if thehand be an index of its owner's character, we can well believe it, forstrength and tenderness were marvellously combined in Luther. TherewasmuchdelicacyandsensitivenessaboutLuther'smind,yettheseneverdiminished, but rather increased, its tremendous energy. It is by nomeansdifficulttobelievethathecouldsmashupaplank,fromthestyleinwhichhestruckoutatthePope;andyetwecanwell imaginethathewouldtouchthestringsofhisguitarwithamaiden'shand;evenasDavidcouldplayskilfullyupontheharp,andyetabowofsteelwasbrokenbyhisarms.JohnKnoxissaidatonetimetohavebeensofeeblethat,beforehe entered the pulpit, you would expect to see him drop down in afaintingfit;butoncebeforetheaudiencebeseemedasthoughhewould"dingthepulpitinblads,"which,beinginterpreted,meansinEnglishthathewouldknockitintoshivers.ThatwasevidentlythestyleoftheperiodwhenProtestantswerefightingfortheirveryexistence,andthePopeandhispriestsandthedevilandhisangelswerearousedtospecialfury:yetIdo not suppose that Melancthon thought it needful to be quite so

tremendous,nordidCalvinhammerandslash ina likemanner.Atanyrate,youneednottrytobreakthree-inchboards,fortheremightbeanailinoneofthem;neitherneedyoudingapulpitinto"blads,"foryoumightfindyourselfwithoutapulpit ifyoudid.Comeuponconscienceswithacrash, and aim at breaking hard hearts by the power of the Spirit, butthese require spiritual power; physical energy is not the power of Goduntosalvation.

It is very easy to overdo the thing somuch as tomake yourself appearridiculous.PerhapsitwasakeenperceptionofthisdangerwhichledDr.Johnson to forbid action altogether, and to commend Dr. Watts veryhighly because "he did not endeavour to assist his eloquence by anygesticulations;forasnocorporealactionshaveanycorrespondencewiththeological truth, he did not see how they could enforce it." The greatlexicographer'sremark is nonsense, but if it shouldbe thoughtweightyenough to reduce a preacher to absolute inaction, itwill be better thanoverwroughtposturing.WhenNathanaddressedDavid,Isupposethathedeliveredhisparableveryquietly, and thatwhen the time came to say,"Thouarttheman,"hegavethekingadeeplyearnestlook;butyoungerministers imagine that the prophet strode into themiddle of the roomand,settinghisrightfootforward,pointedhisfingerlikeapistolbetweentheroyaleyes,andgivingaloudstampofthefoot,shouted,"THOUARTTHEMAN."Haditbeensodoneit is tobefearedthattheroyalculpritwouldhavehadhisthoughtsturnedfromhimselftotheinsaneprophet,and would have called for his guard to clear the hall. Nathan was toosolemnlyinearnesttobeindecentlyviolent;andasageneralrulewemayhere note that it is the tendency of deep feeling rather to subdue themannerthantorenderittooenergetic.Hewhobeatstheair,andbawls,andraves,andstamps,meansnothing;andthemoreamanreallymeanswhathesaysthelessofvulgarvehemencewilltherebe.JohnWesleyinhis Directions concerning Pronunciation and Gesture cramps thepreacher toomuch when he says, "Hemust never clap his hands, northump the pulpit. The hands should seldom be raised higher than theeyes:" but he probably had his eye upon some glaring case ofextravagance.Heisright,however,whenhewarnshispreachersthat"thehandsshouldnotbeinperpetualmotion,forthistheancientscalledthebabblingofthehands."

Russell very wisely says: "True vehemence never degenerates intoviolenceandvociferation.Itistheforceofinspiration,--notoffrenzy.Itisnot manifested in the screaming and foaming, the stamping and thecontortions,ofvulgarexcess.It isevermanlyandnoble, inits intensestexcitement: it elevates,--it does not degrade. It never descends to thebawling voice, the guttural coarseness, the shrieking emphasis, thehysteric ecstacy of tone, the bullying attitude, and the clinched fist ofextravagantpassion."

Whenyour sermonseems todemandofyoua little imitativeaction,bepeculiarlywatchfullestyougotoofar,forthisyoumaydobeforeyouareawareofit.Ihaveheardofayoungdivinewhoinexpostulationwiththeunconverted, exclaimed, "Alas, you shut your eyes to the light (here heclosedboth eyes); you stopyour ears to the truth (hereheput a fingerintoeachear);andyouturnyourbacksuponsalvation"(hereheturnedhisbackonthepeople).Doyouwonderthatwhenthepeoplesawamanstandingwithhisbacktothemandhisfingersinhisearstheyallfelltolaughing?Theactionmightbeappropriate,butitwasoverdone,andhadbetterhavebeenleftundone.Violentgesture,evenwhencommendedbysome,willbesuretostrikeothersfromitscomicside.WhenBurkeintheHouseofCommonsflungdownthedaggertoshowthatEnglishmenweremaking weapons to be used against their own countrymen, his actionseems to me to have been striking and much to the purpose, and yetSheridan said, "The gentleman has brought us the knife, where is thefork?"andGilraywickedlycaricaturedhim.Therisksof too littleactionarebynomeansgreat,butyoucanplainlyseethattherearegreatperilsin theotherdirection.Therefore,donotcarryaction too far,and ifyoufeel that you are naturally very energetic in your delivery, repress yourenergiesalittle.Waveyourhandsalittleless,smitetheBiblesomewhatmoremercifully,andingeneraltakemattersrathermorecalmly.

Perhapsamanisnearesttothegoldenmeaninactionwhenhismannerexcitesnoremarkeitherofpraiseorcensure,becauseitissocompletelyofapiecewiththediscoursethatitisnotregardedasaseparateitematall. That action which gains conspicuous notice is probably' out ofproportion, and excessive. Mr. Hall once spent an evening with Mrs.HannahMore,andhisjudgmentuponhermannersmightwellserveasa

criticismupon themannerismsofministers. "Nothingstriking,madam,certainly not. Her manners are too perfectly proper to be striking.Strikingmannersarebadmanners, youknow,madam.She is aperfectlady,andstudiouslyavoidsthoseeccentricitieswhichconstitutestrikingmanners."

In the second place,action should be expressive and appropriate.Wecannotexpresssomuchbyactionasbylanguage,butonemayexpressafewthingswithevengreaterforce.Indignantlytoopenadoorandpointto it isquiteasemphaticas thewords,"Leavetheroom!"Torefuse thehandwhenanotheroffershisownisaverymarkeddeclarationofill-will,and will probably create a more enduring bitterness than the severestwords. A request to remain silent upon a certain subject could bewellconveyed by laying the finger across the lips. A shake of the headindicatesdisapprobation inaverymarkedmanner.The liftedeyebrowsexpresssurpriseinaforciblestyle;andeverypartofthefacehasitsowneloquenceofpleasureandofgrief.Whatvolumescanbecondensedintoashrugoftheshoulders,andwhatmournfulmischiefthatsameshrughaswrought!Since,then,gestureandposturecanspeakpowerfully,wemusttake care to let them speak correctly. It will never do to imitate thefamousGrecianwho cried, "O heaven!" with his finger pointing to theearth;nortodescribedyingweaknessbythumpinguponthebook-board.Nervousspeakersappear to fireat randomwith theirgestures,andyoumayseethemwringingtheirhandswhiletheyaredilatinguponthejoysof faith, or grasping the side of the pulpit convulsively when they arebiddingthebelieverholdallearthlythingswithaloosehand.Evenwhennolongertimorous,brethrendonotalwaysmanagetheirgesturessoasto make them run parallel with their words. Men may be seendenouncing with descending fist the very persons whom they areendeavouring to comfort. No brother among you would, I hope, be sostupidastoclasphishandswhilesaying--"thegospelisnotmeanttobeconfinedtoafew.Itsspiritisgenerousandexpansive.Itopensitsarmstomenofallranksandnations."Itwouldbeanequalsolecismifyouweretospreadforthyourarmsandcry,"Brethren,concentrateyourenergies!Gatherthemup,asacommandergathershistroopstotheroyalstandardinthedayofbattle."Now,putthegestures intotheirproperplacesandsee how diffusion may be expressed by the opened arms, and

concentrationbytheunitedhands.

Action and tone togethermay absolutely contradict themeaning of thewords. TheAbbéMullois tells us of amaliciouswagwho on hearing apreacher pronounce those terrible words, "Depart, ye cursed," in theblandestmanner,turnedtohiscompanionandsaid,"Comehere,mylad,andletmeembraceyou;thatiswhattheparsonhasjustexpressed."Thisisasadbusiness,butbynomeansanuncommonone.What forcemaythe languageofScripture lose throughthepreacher's ill-delivery!ThosewordswhichtheFrenchpreacherpronouncedinsoillamannerareveryterrible, and I felt them to be sowhen a shortwhile ago I heard themhissedforthinawfulearnest,byaninsanepersonwhothoughthimselfaprophet sent to cursemyself andmy congregation. "Depart, ye cursed"cameforthfromhislipslikethemutteringsofthunder,andthelastwordseemed tobite into the very soul, aswith flamingeyeandoutstretchedhandthefanaticflasheditupontheassembly.

ToomanyspeakersappeartohavetakenlessonsfromBendigo,orsomeotherprofessorofthenobleartofself-defence,fortheyholdtheirfistsasif they were ready for a round. It is not pleasant to watch brethrenpreaching the gospel of peace in that pugnacious style; yet it is by nomeans rare to hear of an evangelist preaching a free Christ with aclinched fist. It is amusing to see them putting themselves into anattitudeandsaying,"Comeuntome,"andthen,witharevolutionofbothfists,"andIwillgiveyou--rest."Betternotsuggestsuchridiculousideas,but they have been suggested more than once by men who earnestlydesired above all things to make their hearers think of better things.Gentlemen,Iamnotatallsurprisedatyourlaughing,butitisinfinitelybetterthatyoushouldhaveaheartylaughattheseabsurditiesherethanthat your people should laugh at you in the future. I amgiving you noimaginarysketch,butonewhichIhaveseenmyselfandfearImayyetseeagain.Thoseawkwardhands,ifoncebroughtintosubjection,becomeourbestallies.Wecantalkwiththemalmostaswellaswithourtongues,andmakeasortofsilentmusicwiththemwhichwilladdtothecharmofourwords.IfyouhaveneverreadSirCharlesBellonTheHand,besuretodoso,andnotewell the followingpassage: "Wemustnotomit tospeakofthehandasaninstrumentofexpression.Formaldissertationshavebeen

written on this. Butwerewe constrained to seek authorities, wemighttakethegreatpaintersinevidence,sincebythepositionofthehands,inconformitywith the figure, they have expressed every sentiment.Who,for example, can deny the eloquence of the hands in theMagdalens ofGuido; their expression in the cartoons of Raphael, or in the "LastSupper," by Leonardo da Vinci? We see there expressed all thatQuinctiliansaysthehandiscapableofexpressing.'Forotherpartsofthebody,'sayshe,'assistthespeaker,butthese,Imaysay,speakthemselves.By them we ask, we promise, we invoke, we dismiss, we threaten, weintreat,wedeprecate,weexpressfear, joy,grief,ourdoubts,ourassent,ourpenitence:weshowmoderation,orprofusion;wemarknumberandtime."

The face, and especially the eyes,will play a very important part in allappropriateaction.It isveryunfortunatewhenministerscannot lookattheirpeople.Itissingulartohearthempleadingwithpersonswhomtheydonotsee.TheyareentreatingthemtolooktoJesusuponthecross!Youwonderwhere the sinners are.Thepreacher's eyes are turneduponhisbook,orupto theceiling,or intoemptyspace. Itseemstomethatyoumustfixyoureyesuponthepeoplewhenyoucometoexhortation.Therearepartsofasermoninwhichthesublimityofthedoctrinemaycallfortheupliftedgaze,andthereareotherportionswhichmayallowtheeyesto wander as you will; but when pleading time has come, it will beinappropriate to look anywhere but to thepersons addressed.Brethrenwhoneverdothisatallloseagreatpower.WhenDr.Waylandwasill,hewrote, "Whether I am to recover my former health I know not. If,however,Ishouldbepermittedtopreachagain,Iwillcertainlydowhatisinmy power to learn to preach directly tomen, looking them in theirfaces,andnotlookingatthepaperonthedesk."

Themanwhowouldbeperfectinpostureandgesturemustregulatehiswholeframe,forinonecaseaman'smostsuitableactionwillbethatofhishead,andinanotherthatofhishands,andinathirdthatofhistrunkalone.Quinctilian says-"The sides shouldbear theirpart in thegesture.Themotion, also, of the whole body contributes much to the effect indelivery:somuchsothatCiceroisofopinionthatmorecanbedonebyitsgesturethanevenbythehandsthemselves.ThushesaysinhisworkDe

Oratore: 'Therewillbenoaffectedmotionsof thefingers,nofallof thefingerstosuitthemeasuredcadenceofthelanguage;buthewillproducegesturesbythemovementsofhiswholebodyandbythemanlyinflexionofhisside."

Imightmultiply illustrationsofwhatImeanbyappropriateaction,butthesemustsuffice.Letthegesturetallywiththewords,andbeasortofrunning commentary and practical exegesis upon what you are saying.Here Imustmake a pause, hoping to continue the subject inmy nextlecture. But so conscious am I that many may think my subject sosecondaryastobeofno importancewhatever, that I closebygivinganinstance of the careful manner in which great painters take heed tominutedetails,onlydrawingthisinference,thatiftheyarethusattentivetolittlethings,muchmoreoughtwetobe.VigneulMarvillesays:"WhenIwasatRomeIfrequentlysawClaude,whowasthenpatronisedbythemosteminentpersonsinthatcity;Ifrequentlymethimonthebanksofthe Tiber, or wandering in the neighbourhood of Rome, amidst thevenerableremainsofantiquity.Hewasthenanoldman,yetIhaveseenhim returning from his walk with his handkerchief filled with mosses,flowers, stones, etc., that he might consider them at home with thatindefatigableattentionwhichrenderedhimsoexactacopierofnature.Iasked him one day by whatmeans he arrived at such an excellency ofcharacteramongpainters,eveninItaly.'Isparenopainswhatever,evenintheminutesttrifles,'wasthemodestreplyofthisvenerablegenius."

LECTUREXXPOSTURE,ACTION,GESTURE,ETC.

[SECONDLECTURE.]

Thislecturebeginsatthirdly.Ifyouremember,wehavesaidthatgestureshouldnotbeexcessive,andsecondlythatitshouldbeappropriate:nowcomes the third canon,action and gesture should never be grotesque.Thisisplainenough,andIshallnotenforceitexceptbygivingspecimensofthegrotesque,thatyoumaynotonlyavoidtheidenticalinstances,but

allofasimilarcharacter.Inallagesabsurdgestureswouldappeartohavebeen very numerous, for in an old author I find a long list of oddities,someofwhichitistobehopedhavetakentheirleaveofthisworld,whileothersaredescribed in language so forcible that itprobably caricaturestheactualfacts.Thiswritersays:"Someholdtheirheadsimmovable,andturnedtooneside,asiftheyweremadeofhorn;othersstarewiththeireyes as horribly as if they intended to frighten every one; some arecontinuallytwistingtheirmouthsandworkingtheirchinswhiletheyarespeaking, as if, all the time, they were cracking nuts; some like theapostateJulian,breatheinsult,andexpresscontemptandimpudence intheircountenances.Others,asiftheypersonatedthefictitiousheroes intragedy,gapeenormously,andextendtheirjawsaswidelyasiftheyweregoing to swallow up everybody: above all, when they bellowwith fury,they scatter their foam about, and threaten with contracted brow, andeyes like Saturn. These, as if they were playing some game, arecontinuallymakingmotionswiththeirfingers,and,bytheextraordinaryworkingoftheirhands,endeavourtoformintheair,Imayalmostsay,allthefiguresofthemathematicians:those,onthecontrary,havehandssoponderous,andso fasteneddownby terror, that theycouldmoreeasilymove beams of timber. Many labour so with their elbows, that it isevident, either that they had been formerly shoemakers themselves, orhadlivedinnoothersocietythanthatofcobblers.Somearesounsteadyin themotions of their bodies, that they seem to be speaking out of acock-boat; others again are so unwieldy and uncouth in theirmotions,thatyouwouldthinkthemtobesacksoftowpaintedtolooklikemen.Ihave seen some who jumped on the platform and capered nearly inmeasure;menthatexhibitedthefuller'sdance,and,astheoldpoetsays,expressedtheirwitwiththeirfeet.Butwhoinashortcompassisabletoenumerate all the faults of gesture, and all the absurdities of baddelivery?" This catalogue might surely content the most voraciouscollector for the chamberofhorrors,but it doesnot include thehalf ofwhatmaybeseeninourowntimesbyanyonewhoisabletoramblefromoneassemblytoanother.Aschildrenseemnevertohaveexhaustedtheirmischievous tricks, so speakers appear never to be at the end of theirsingulargestures.Eventhebestfallintothemoccasionally.

The firstspeciesofgrotesqueactionmaybenamed thestiff;andthis is

very common.Menwho exhibit this horror appear to have no bend intheirbodiesandtoberigidaboutthejoints.Thearmsandlegsaremovedas if they were upon iron hinges, and were made of exceedingly hardmetal. A wooden anatomical doll, such as artists use, might wellrepresenttheir limbs so straight and stiff, but itwould fail to show thejerkswithwhichthose limbsarethrownupanddown.There isnothinground in the action of these brethren; everything is angular, sharp,mechanical.IfIweretosetforthwhatImeanbyputtingmyselfintotheirrectangular attitudes Imight be supposed to caricaturemore than oneexceedinglyablenortherndivine, andhaving the fear of this beforemyeyes, and,moreover, holding these brethren in supreme respect, I darenotgo intoveryminuteparticulars.Yet it issupposablethatthesegoodmen are themselves aware that their legs should not be set down as ifthey belonged to a linen-horse, or a huge pair of tongs, and that theirarmsshouldnotbeabsolutelyrigidlikepokers.Oilforthejointshasbeensuggested,butthereappearstobeawantofoilinthelimbsthemselves,whichmoveupanddownasiftheybelongedtoamachineratherthantoalivingorganism.Surelyanysortofphysicalexercisemighthelptocurethis mischief, which in some living preachers almost amounts to adeformity. On the platform of Exeter hall, gentlemen afflicted withunnaturalstiffnessnotonlyfurnishmatterfortheskilfulcaricaturist,butunfortunatelycallofftheattentionoftheirauditorsfromtheiradmirablespeechesbytheirexecrableaction.Onacertainoccasionweheardfiveorsix remarks upon the awkwardness of the doctor's posturing, and onlyone or two encomiums upon his excellent speech. "People should notnoticesuchtrifles,"remarksourfriendPhilo;butpeopledonoticesuchtrifleswhethertheyoughttodosoornot,andthereforeit iswellnottodisplaythem.Itisprobablethatthewholeofthislecturewillberegardedbysomeveryexcellentpeopleasbeneath theirnotice,andsavouringofquestionablehumour,butthatIcannothelp;foralthoughIdonotsetsomuchvalueuponactionasDemosthenesdidwhenhemade it the first,thesecond,andthethirdpointinoratory,yetitiscertainthatmuchgoodspeech is bereft of power through the awkward deportment of thespeaker; and therefore if I may in any measure redress the evil I willcheerfullybearthecriticismofmymoresombrebrethren.Iamdeeplyinearnest,howeverplayfulmyremarksmayseemtobe.Thesefolliesmaybe best shot at by the light arrows of ridicule, and therefore I employ

them,notbeingofthesamemindasthose

"Whothinkallvirtueliesingravity,Andsmilesaresymptomsofdepravity."

Thesecondformofthegrotesqueisnotunlikethefirst,andmaybebestdistinguishedastheregularmechanical.Meninthiscasemoveasiftheywerenotlivingbeingspossessedofwillandintellect,butasiftheywereautomatons formed to go through prescribed movements at preciseintervals. At the back of the Tabernacle a cottager has placed over hishouseakindofvane, in the formofa littlesoldier,which lifts firstonearm and then the other with rather an important air. It hasmademesmilemanyatimebyirresistiblyremindingmeof--,whoalternatelyjerkseacharm,orifheallowsonearmtoliestill,chopstheotherupanddownas persistently as if he were moved by wind or by clockwork. Up anddown,upanddownthehandgoes,turningneithertotherightnortotheleft, every other movement being utterly abjured, except this onemonotonousascentanddescent. Itmatters littlehowunobjectionableamovementmaybe in itself, itwillbecome intolerable if itbe continuedwithoutvariation.LudovicusCresollius,ofBrittany,(1620)inhistreatiseupon the action and pronunciation of an orator, speaks somewhatstrongly of a learned and polished Parisian preacher,who had arousedhis ire by the wearisome monotony of his action. "When he turnedhimself to the left he spoke a few words accompanied by a moderategestureofthehand,thenbendingtotherightheactedthesamepartoveragain;thenbackagaintotheleft,andpresentlytotherightagain:almostat an equal andmeasured interval of timeheworkedhimself up tohisusual gesture, andwent through his one kind ofmovement. You couldcomparehimonlytotheblindfoldedBabylonianoxengoingforwardandturningbackbythesamepath.IwassodisgustedthatIshutmyeyes,butevensoIcouldnotgetoverthedisagreeableimpressionofthespeaker'smanner."

TheprevailingHouseofCommons'style,sofarasIhaveseenitinpublicmeetings,consistsofanupanddownmovementof thebackandhand;one seems to see theM.P. bowing toMr. Speaker and the honourablehousemuchasawaiterwilldoataneating-housewhenheisreceivinganorderfor an elaborate dinner. "Yes sir," "Yes sir," "Yes sir,"with a jerk

betweeneachexclamation.Theamusingrhymewithitsshortlinesbringsmanyaparliamentaryspeakerbeforemymind'seye:

"Mr.TattatYoumustnotpatYourargumentsflatOntothecrownofanotherman'shat."

This is near akin to what has been accurately described as the pump-handle style. This is to be witnessed very frequently, and consists of alongseriesofjerkingsofthearm,meant,perhaps,toincreaseemphasis,but really doing nothing whatever. Speakers of this sort remind us ofMoore'sconundrum,"WhyisapumplikeLordCastlereagh?"

"Becauseitisaslenderthingofwood,Thatupanddownitsawkwardarmdothsway,Andcoollyspout,andspout,andspoutawayInoneweak,washy,everlastingflood."

Occasionally onemeetswith a saw-like action, inwhich the armseemslengthened and contracted alternately. This motion is carried out toperfectionwhen the orator leans over the rail, or over the front of thepulpit, andcuts downward at the people, like the top sawyer operatinguponapieceoftimber.Onewondershowmanyplanksamanwouldcutinthetimeifhewerereallyworkinguponwoodinsteadofsawingtheair.We are all grateful for converted sawyers, butwe trust theywill feel atlibertytoleavetheirsawsbehindthem.

Muchthesamemaybesaid for thenumeroushammer-menwhoareatworkamongus,whopoundand smiteat a great rate, to the ruiningofBibles and the dusting of pulpit cushions. The predecessors of thesegentlemenwerecelebratedbyHudibrasintheoft-quotedlines,--

"Andpulpitdrumecclesiastic,Wasbeatwithfistinsteadofastick."

Theironeandonlyactionistohammer,hammer,hammer,withoutsenseorreason,whether the themebepleasingorpathetic.Theypreachwith

demonstrationandpower, but evermore themanifestation is the same.Wedarenotsaythattheysmitewiththefistofwickedness,butcertainlythey do smite, and that most vigorously. They set forth the sweetinfluencesofthePleiadesandthegentlewooingsoflovewithblowsofthefist;andtheyendeavourtomakeyoufeelthebeautyandthetendernessoftheirthemebystrokesfromtheirnever-ceasinghammer.

Someofthemaredullenoughinallconscience,anddonotevenhammerwithaheartygoodwill,andthenthebusinessbecomesintolerable.Onelikes to hear a good noise, and see a man go in for hammeringvehemently,ifthethingmustbedoneatall;butthegentlemanwehavein our mind seldom or never warms to his work," and merely smitesbecauseitisthewayofhim.

"Youcanhearhimswinghisheavysledge,Withmeasuredbeatandslow."

If amanmust strike, let himdo it in earnest; but there is no need forperpetual pounding. There are better ways of becoming strikingpreachersthanbyimitatingthedivineofwhomhisprecentorsaidthathehaddashedtheinwardsoutofoneBibleandwasfargonewithanother.IncertainoldLatinMSS.sermons,withnotesinthemargin,thepreacheris recommended to shake the crucifix, and to hammer upon the pulpitlikeSatanhimself!Bythismeanshewastocollecthisthoughts;butonewouldnotgivemuchforthoughtthuscollected.Haveanyofourfriendsseen thesemanuscripts and fallen in lovewith thedirections? Itwouldseemso.

Now,thejerking,sawing,pumping,andpoundingmightallbeendurableandevenappropriateiftheywereblended;buttheperpetualiterationofanyonebecomeswearisomeandunmeaning.ThefiguresofMandarinsinatea-shop,continuallynoddingtheirheads,andtheladiesinwaxwhichrevolve with uniformmotions in the hair-dresser's window, are not fitmodelsformenwhohavebeforethemtheearnestworkofwinningmentograceandvirtue.Yououghttobesotrue,soreal,sodeeplyinearnest,that mere mechanical movements will be impossible to you, andeverythingaboutyouwillbetokenlife,energy,concentratedfaculty,andintensezeal.

Anothermethodof thegrotesquemaybecorrectlycalled the laborious.Certain brethrenwill never fail in theirministry fromwant of physicalexertion:whentheymounttherostrumtheymeanhardwork,andbeforelong they puff and blow at it as if they were labourers working by thepiece. They enter upon a sermon with the resolve to storm their waythrough it, and carry all before them: the kingdom of heaven sufferethviolencewith them in another sense! besides thatwhich is intended inScripture. "How is your new minister getting on?" said an enquiringfriendtoarustichearer."Oh,"saidtheman,"he'ssuretogeton,forhedrivesatsinasifhewereknockingdownanox."Anexcellentthingtodoin spirit, but not to be performed literally. When I have occasionallyheardofawildbrothertakingoffhiscollarandcravat,uponaveryhotday,andevenofhisgoingso faras todivesthimselfofhiscoat, Ihavethought that he was only putting himself into a condition which thephysical-forceoratormightdesire,forheevidentlyregardsasermonasabattleorawrestlingmatch.AnIrishthundererofmyacquaintancebrokeachairduringadeclamationagainstPopery,andItrembledforthetablealso.Adistinguishedactor,who became a convert andpreacher late inlife,wouldrepeatedlystrikethetableorfloorwithhisstaffwhenhegrewwarminaspeech.Hehasmademewishtoclosemyearswhenthesmartraps of his cane have succeeded each other with great rapidity andgrowingforce.WhatwasthepeculiaruseofthenoiseIcouldnottell,forwewereallawake,andhisvoicewas sufficientlypowerful.Onedidnotmindit,however,fromthegrandoldman,foritsuitedthe"finefrenzy"ofhiswhole-heartedenthusiasm,butthenoisewasnotsodesirableastobelargelycalledforfromanyofus.

Laborious action is frequently a relic of the preacher's trade in formerdays:asanoldhuntercannotquiteforgetthebounds,sothegoodmancannot shake off the habits of the shop. One brother who has been awheelwright always preaches as if he were making wheels. If youunderstandtheartofwheelwrighting,youcanseemostoftheprocessesillustrated during one of his liveliest discourses. You can detect theengineerinanotherfriend,thecooperinathird,andthegrocerwithhisscalesinafourth.Abrotherwhohasbeenabutcherisprettysuretoshowushowtoknockdownabullockwhenhegetsatallargumentative.AsIhavewatched thediscourse proceed from strength to strength, and the

preacherhaswarmedtohiswork,Ihavethoughttomyself,"Herecomesthe pole-axe, there goes the fat ox, down falls the prize bullock."Now,thesereminiscencesof formeroccupationsareneververyblameworthy,and are at all times less obnoxious than the altogether inexcusableawkwardnessesofgentlemenwhofromtheiryouthuphavedweltinthehallsoflearning.Thesewillsometimeslabourquiteasmuch,butwithfarless likeness to useful occupations; they beat the air and work hard atdoing nothing. Gentlemen from the universities are frequently morehideous in their action than commonplace people; perhaps theireducationmayhavedeprivedthemofconfidence,andmadethemallthemorefidgetyandawkward.

It has occurred to me that some speakers fancy that they are beatingcarpets,or chopping sticks,ormincing sausage-meat,orpattingbutter,orpokingtheirfingersintopeople'seyes.Oh,couldtheyseethemselvesasothers see them, theymightcease thus toperformbefore thepublic,andsave theirbodilyexercise forotheroccasions.Afterall, Iprefer thevigorous, laborious displays to the more easy and even stately airs ofcertain self-possessed talkers. One rubs his hands together withaboundingself-satisfaction,

"WashinghishandswithinvisiblesoapInimperceptiblewater,"

andmeanwhileutterstheveriestplatitudeswiththeairofamanwhoisoutdoingRobertHallorChalmers.Anotherpausesandlooksroundwithadignifiedair,as ifhehadcommunicated inestimable informationtoahighlyfavouredbodyofindividualswhomightreasonablybeexpectedtorise in a state of intense excitement and express their overwhelmingsenseofobligation.Nothinghasbeensaidbeyondthemerestschoolboytalk;buttheairofdignity,theattitudeofauthority,theverytoneoftheman, all show how thoroughly satisfied he is. This is not laboriouspreaching,butitoccurstometomentionitbecauseitistheveryreverse,andissomuchmoretobecondemned.Afewsimpletonsare,nodoubt,imposed upon, and fancy that a man must be saying something greatwhenhedelivershimselfinapompousmanner;butsensiblepersonsareat first amused and afterwards disgusted with the big manner, "à lagrandseigneur."Oneof thegreat advantagesofourCollege training is

the certainty that an inflated mannerism is sure to be abated by theamiable eagerness with which all our students delight in rescuing abrother from this peril. Many wind-bags have collapsed in this roombeneath your tender handling, never, I hope, to be puffed out to theirformer dimensions. There are some in theministry of all the churcheswhowouldbemarvellouslybenefitedbyalittleoftheverycandidifnotsavage criticismswhich have been endured by budding orators at yourhands. Iwould that everyministerwhohasmissed such an instructivemartyrdomcouldfindafriendsufficientlyhonesttopointouttohimanyodditiesofmannerintowhichhemayinsensiblyhavefallen.

But here wemust not overlook another laborious orator who is in ourmind'seye.Wewillnamehimtheperpetualmotionpreacher,whoisallaction,andliftshisfinger,orwaveshishand,orstrikeshispalmateveryword.Heisneveratrestforamoment.Soeagerishetobeemphaticthatheeffectuallydefeatshisobject,forwhereeverywordisemphasizedbyagesturenothingwhateverisemphatic.Thisbrothertakesoffmen'smindsfromhiswords tohismovements: the eye actually carries the thoughtsaway from the ear, and so a second time the preacher's end ismissed.Thiscontinualmotiongreatlyagitatessomehearers,andgivesthemthefidgets,andnowonder,forwhocanenduretoseesuchincessantpatting,andpointing,andwaving?Inaction,aswellaseverythingelse,"letyourmoderationbeknownuntoallmen."

Thus I have mentioned three species of the grotesque--the stiff, themechanical, and the laborious--and I have also glanced at the lazilydignified. I will close the list by mentioning two others. There is themartial,whichalsosufficientlybordersonthegrotesquetobeplacedinthiscategory.Somepreachersappeartobefightingthegoodfightoffaitheverytimetheystandbeforeacongregation.Theyputthemselvesintoafencingattitude,andeitherstandonguardagainstan imaginary foe,orelse assault theunseen adversarywith sterndetermination. They couldnotlookmorefierceiftheywereattheheadofaregimentofcavalry,norseemmoresatisfiedat theendofeachdivisionofdiscourse if theyhadfought a series ofWaterloos. They turn their heads on one sidewith atriumphantair,asifabouttosay-"Ihaveroutedthatenemy,andweshallhearnomoreofhim."

ThelastsingularityofactionwhichIshallplaceunderthisheadistheill-timed. In this case thehandsdonot keep timewith the lips. The goodbrother is a little behindhandwith his action, and therefore the wholeoperationisoutoforder.Youcannotatfirstmakethemanoutatall:heappears to chop and thump without rhyme or reason, but at last youperceivethathispresentactionisquiteappropriatetowhathesaidafewsecondsbefore.Theeffect is strange to the lastdegree. Itpuzzles thosewhodonotpossessthekeytoit,andwhenfullyunderstooditlosesnoneofitsoddness.

Besides theseoddities, there is a classof actionwhichmust, touse themildest term, be described as altogether ugly. For these a platform is"generally necessary," for a man cannot make himself so thoroughlyridiculouswhenconcealedinapulpit.Tograsparail,andtodropdownlowerandlowertillyoualmosttouchthegroundissupremelyabsurd.Itmaybeaproperpositionasapreludetoanagilegymnasticfeat,butasanaccompanimenttoeloquenceitismonstrous;yethaveIseenitmorethanonce. I have found it difficult to describe in words the extraordinaryposition,butapicturewouldshowhowridiculousitisandwouldrenderthe attitude obsolete. One or two brethren have disported themselvesuponmyplatforminthisqueermanner,andtheyarequitewelcometodothe same again, if upon seeing themselves thus roughly sketched theyconsidertheposturetobecommandingandimpressive.Itwouldbefarbetter for such remarkableperformers if itwere reportedof themasofthat great Wesleyan, Richard Watson: "He stood perfectly erect, andnearlyall theactionthatheusedwasaslightmotionof therighthand,withoccasionallyasignificantshakeofthehead."

Thehabitofshruggingtheshouldershasbeenallowedtotyranniseoversomepreachers.Anumberofmenareround-shoulderedbynature,andmanymoreseemdeterminedtoappearso,forwhentheyhaveanythingweightytodeliver theyback themselvesupbyelevating theirbacks.Anexcellent preacher at Bristol, lately deceased, would hunch first oneshoulder and then another as his great thoughts struggled forth, andwhen theyobtainedutterancehe looked like ahunchback till the effortwas over. What a pity that such a habit had become inveterate! Howdesirabletoavoiditsformation!Quinctiliansays:"Somepeopleraiseup

theirshouldersinspeaking,butthisisafaultingesture.Demosthenes,inordertocurehimselfofit,usedtostandinanarrowpulpit,andpractisespeakingwithaspearhangingoverhisshoulder,insuchamannerthatifintheheatofdeliveryhefailedtoavoidthisfault,hewouldbecorrectedbyhurtinghimselfagainstthepoint."Thisisasharpremedy,butthegainwouldbeworthanoccasionalwoundifmenwhodistortthehumanformcouldthusbecuredofthefault.

Atapublicmeetingupononeoccasionagentlemanwhoappearedtobeverymuchathomeand.tospeakwithagreatdealoffamiliarsuperiority,placedhis hands behindhimunder his coat tails, and thus produced avery singular figure, especially to those who took a side view from theplatform.Asthespeakerbecamemoreanimated,hemovedhistailswithgreaterfrequency,remindingtheobserverofawater-wagtail.Itmustbeseentobeappreciated,butoneexhibitionwillbeenoughtoconvinceanysensiblemanthathowevergracefuladresscoatmaybe, itbynomeansministerstothesolemnityoftheoccasiontoseethetailsofthatgarmentprojectingfromtheorator'srear.Youmayalsohaveseenatmeetingsthegentlemanwho places his hands on his hips, and either looks as if hedefiedalltheworld,orasifheenduredconsiderablepain.Thispositionsavours of Billingsgate and its fish-women far more than of sacredeloquence.Thearms"akimbo,"Ithinktheycallit,andtheverysoundofthewordsuggests theridiculousrather than thesublime.Wemaydropinto it for the moment rightly enough, but to deliver a speech in thatpostureispreposterous.ItisevenworsetostandwithyourhandsinyourtrouserslikethepeopleoneseesatFrenchrailwaystations,whoprobablythrusttheirhandsintotheirpocketsbecausethereisnothingelsethere,andnatureabhorsa vacuum.Fora finger in thewaistcoat pocket for amomentnoonewillbeblamed,buttothrustthehandsintothetrousersis outrageous. An utter contempt for audience and subject must havebeen felt before aman could come to this.Gentlemen,becauseyouaregentlemen,youwillneverneedtobewarnedofthispractice,foryouwillnot descend to it. Once in a while before a superfinely genteel andaffectedaudienceamanmaybetemptedtoshocktheir foolishgentilitybyafreedomandeasinesswhichismeanttobetheprotestofabrusquemanliness; but to see a man preach the gospel with his hands in hispocketsdoesnotremindyouofeitheraprophetoranapostle.Thereare

brethrenwhodo this ever and anonwho can afford to do it from theirgeneralforceofcharacter:thesearetheverymenwhoshoulddonothingof thekind, because their example is powerful, and they are somewhatresponsiblefortheweaklingswhocopythem.

Anotherunseemlystyleisnearlyalliedtothelast,thoughitisnotquitesoobjectionable. It may be seen at public dinners of the common order,wherewhitewaistcoats need a little extra display, and at gatherings ofartisanswhereanemployerhasgivenhismenatreat,andisrespondingto the toast of "the firm." Occasionally it is exhibited at religiousmeetings,wherethespeakerisamanoflocalimportance,andfeelsthathe ismonarchofallhesurveys. In thiscase the thumbsare inserted inthearm-holesofthewaistcoat,andthespeakerthrowsbackhiscoatandrevealsthelowerpartofthevest.Ihavecalledthisthepenguinstyle,andIamunabletofindabettercomparison.Forafoot-manoracoachmanata soirée, or for a member of the United Order of Queer Fellows, thisattitudemaybe suitable anddignified, and a venerable sire at a familygatheringmaytalktohisboysandgirlsinthatposition;butforapublicspeaker,andmuchmoreforaminister,asageneralhabit,itisasmuchoutofcharacterasaposturecanbe.

First cousin to this fashion is that of holding on to the coat near thecollar, as if the speaker considered it necessary to hold himself well inhand.Somegraspfirmly,andthenrunthehandsupanddownasiftheymeanttodoublethecoat inanewplace,orto lengthenthecollar.Theyappeartohangupontheircoat-frontslikeamanclutchingattworopes:one wonders the garment does not split at the back of the neck. Thispracticeaddsnothingtotheforceorperspicuityofaspeaker'sstyle,anditsprobablesignificationis,"Iamquiteatease,andgreatlyenjoyhearingmyownvoice."

As itwouldbewell to stampoutatmanyuglinessesaspossible, I shallmention even those which are somewhat rare. I remember an ableministerwhowasaccustomedtolookintothepalmofhislefthandwhilewith his right he appeared to pick out his ideas therefrom. Divisions,illustrations,andtellingpointsallseemedtobegrowinginhispalmlikesomany flowers;and thesehe seemedcarefully to takeupby the rootsonebyoneandexhibit to thepeople. Itmattered little, for his thought

was of a high order of excellence, but yet the actionwas by nomeansgraceful.

Apreacherofnomeanorderwaswonttolifthisfisttohisbrowandtotaphisforeheadgently,asifhemustneedsknockatthemind'sdoortowakeuphisthoughts:thisalsowasmorepeculiarthanforcible.

Topoint into the lefthandwith the first fingerof the rightas ifboringsmallholes into it,or touse theaforesaidpointed fingeras if youwerestabbingtheair,isanotherfreakofactionwhichhasitsamusingside.

Passingthehandoverthebrowwhenthethoughtisdeep,andtheexactwordisnoteasytofind,isaverynaturalmotion,butscratchingtheheadisbynomeansequallyadvisable,thoughperhapsquiteasnatural.Ihaveseen this last piece of action carried to considerable lengths, but Iwasneverenamouredofit.

I cannot avoid mentioning an accidental grotesqueness which isexceedingly common. Some brethren always lay down the law with anoutspread hand, which they continue to move up and down with therhythmof every sentence.Now this action is excellent in itsway if notcarriedontoomonotonously,butunfortunatelyitisliabletoaccidents.Iftheearnestoratorcontinuestolifthishandupwardanddownwardheisin great danger of frequently presenting an aspect with regrettableimplications. The action verges upon the symbolic, but unhappily thesymbol has been somewhat vulgarized, and has been described as"putting the thumb of scorn to the nose of contempt." Some menunwittinglyperpetratethisascoreoftimesduringadiscourse.

You have laughed at these portraits which I have drawn for youredification--takecarethatnoonehastolaughatyoubecauseyoufallintotheseorsimilarabsurditiesofaction.

Imustconfess,however,thatIdonotthinksobadlyofanyofthese,orallof them put together, as I do of the superfine style, which is utterlydespicableandabominable.Itisworsethanthecommonlyvulgar,foritisthe very essence of vulgarity, flavoured with affectations and airs ofgentility. Rowland Hill sketched the thing which I condemn in his

portraitofMr.Taplash;ofcourseitwasamorecorrectrepresentationastodetailfiftyyearsagothanitisnow,but,inthemainfeaturesitisstillsufficiently accurate: "The orator, when he first made his appearance,wouldbeprimmedanddressedupinthemostfinishedstyle;notahairwouldbefoundoutofplaceonhisemptypate,onwhichthebarberhadbeenexercisinghisoccupationalltheSundaymorning,andpowderedtillaswhiteasthedrivensnow.Thuselegantlydecorated,andsmellinglikeacivet-cat,throughanabundanceofperfumery,hewouldscenttheairashe passed. Then, with a most conceited skip, he would step into thepulpit,asthoughsteppingoutofaband-box;andherehehadnotonlytodisplayhiselegantproduction,buthiselegantselfalso:hisdelicatewhitehand exhibiting his diamond ring, while his richly-scented whitehandkerchiefwasunfurled,andmanagedwithremarkabledexterityandart. His smelling-bottle was next occasionally presented to his nose,givingdifferentopportunities todisplayhis sparkling ring.Thushavingadjusted the important business of the handkerchief and the smelling-bottle,hehadnexttotakeouthisglass,thathemightreconnoitrethefairpart of his auditory, with whom be might have been gallanting andentertainingthemwithhischeaptalkthedaybefore:andthese,assoonashecouldcatchtheireye,hewouldfavourwithasimperinglook,andagracefulnod."

This is a pungent version of Cowper's review of certain "messengers ofgrace"who"relapsedintothemselves"whenthesermonwasended:verylittleselvestheymusthavebeen.

"Forthcomesthepocketmirror.FirstwestrokeAneyebrow;nextcomposeastragglinglock;Thenwithanair,mostgracefullyperformedFallbackintoourseat,extendanarmAndlayitatitseasewithgentlecare,Withhandkerchiefinhanddependinglow.ThebetterhandmorebusygivesthenoseItsbergamot,oraidstheindebtedeye.Withoperaglass,towatchthemovingscene,Andrecognizetheslowretiringfair.--Nowthisisfulsome,andoffendsmemore

ThaninachurchmanslovenlyneglectAndrusticcoarsenesswould."

"Rustic coarseness" is quite refreshing after one has beenweariedwithinane primness.Well did Cicero exhort orators to adopt their gesturesrather from the campor thewrestling ring than from thedancerswiththeireffeminateniceties.Manlinessmustneverbesacrificedtoelegance.Ourworkingclasseswillneverbebroughteven toconsider the truthofChristianity by teachers who are starched and fine. The British artisanadmiresmanliness, and prefers to lend his ear to onewho speaks in ahearty and natural style: indeed, workingmen of all nations are morelikely tobe struck by a bravenegligence thanby a foppish attention topersonalappearances.ThestorytoldbytheAbbéMulloisis,wesuspect,onlyoneofanumerousclass."AconvertedParisianoperative,amanofawilful but frank disposition, full of energy and spirit, who had oftenspokenwithgreatsuccessattheclubscomposedofmenofhisownclass,was asked by the preacherwho had led him toGod, to inform him bywhat instrumentality he, who had once been so far estranged fromreligion,hadeventuallybeen restored to the faith. 'Yourdoing so,' saidhisinterrogator,'maybeusefultomeinmyeffortstoreclaimothers.'

"Iwouldrathernot,'repliedhe, 'forImustcandidlytellyouthatyoudonotfigureveryconspicuouslyinthecase.'

"Nomatter,'saidtheother,'itwillnotbethefirsttimethatIhaveheardthesameremark.'

"Well,ifyoumusthearit,Icantellyouinafewwordshowittookplace.A good woman had pestered me to read your little book--pardon theexpression,Iusedtospeakinthatstyleinthosedays.Onreadingafewpages,IwassoimpressedthatIfeltastrongdesiretoseeyou.

"Iwastoldthatyoupreachedinacertainchurch,andIwenttohearyou.Yoursermonhadsomefurthereffectuponme;but,tospeakfrankly,verylittle;comparatively,indeed,noneatall.Whatdidmuchmoreformewasyour open, and simple, and good-naturedmanner, and, above all, yourill-combed hair; for I have always detested those priestswhose headsremindoneofahairdresser'sassistant;andIsaidtomyself,"Thatman

forgetshimselfonourbehalf,weought,therefore,todosomethingforhissake."Thereupon I determined to pay you a visit, and youbaggedme.Suchwasthebeginningandendoftheaffair."

Therearesillyyoung ladieswhoare inraptureswithadearyoungmanwhosemainthought ishispreciousperson; these, it is tobehoped,arebecoming fewer every day: but as for sensiblemen, and especially thesturdy workmen of our great cities, they utterly abhor foppery in aminister.Whereveryouseeaffectationyoufindatonceabarrierbetweenthatmanand the commonsensemultitude.Fewearsaredelightedwiththevoicesofpeacocks.

Itisapitythatwecannotpersuadeallministerstobemen,foritishardto see how otherwise theywill be trulymen ofGod. It is equally to bedeplored thatwe cannot induce preachers to speak and gesticulate likeother sensible persons, for it is impossible that they should grasp themasses till they do. All foreign matters of attitude, tone, or dress arebarricadesbetweenusandthepeople:wemusttalklikemenifwewouldwinmen.The laterevivalofmillinery intheAnglicanChurchis forthisreason, as well as for far graver ones, a step in thewrong direction. Ahundredyearsagothedressinessoftheclergywasaboutasconspicuousas it isnow,but ithadnodoctrinalmeaning, andwasmere foppery, ifLloydistobebelievedinhisMetricalPleaforCurates.

Heabusesrectorsveryheartily,andamongtherestdescribesacanonicalbeau:

"BeholdNugoso!wriggling,shufflingon,Amerechurch-puppet,anautomatonInorders:noteitstripping,mincingpace,Religioncreamsandmantlesinitsface!It'sallreligionfromthetoptotoe!Butmillinersandbarbersmadeitso.Itwearsreligioninthemodishway,Itbrushes,starches,combsiteveryday:Itsorthodoxyliesinoutwardthings,Inbeavers,cassocks,gowns,bands,gloves,andrings:Itshowsitslearningbyitsdoctor'shood,

Andprovesitsgoodness,-'causeitsclothesaregood."

Thisfondnessforcomelyarrayledtoastiffproprietyinthepulpit:theycalledit"dignity,"andpridedthemselvesuponit.Proprietyanddecorumwere their chief concern, and these were mingled with pomposity orfoolish simpering according to the creature's peculiarities, until honestmengrewwearyoftheirhollowperformancesandturnedawayfromsuchstilted ministrations. The preachers were too much concerned to bepropertohaveanyconcerntobeuseful.Thegestureswhichwouldhavemadetheirwordsalittlemoreintelligibletheywouldnotcondescendtouse,forwhatcaredtheyforthevulgar?ifpersonsoftasteweresatisfied,theyhadalltherewardtheydesired,andmeanwhilethemultitudeswereperishingfor lackofknowledge.Godsaveus from finedeportmentandgenteelpropriety if these are to keep themasses in alienation from thepublicworshipofGod.

Inourowndaythissickeningaffectationis,wehope,farmorerare,butitstill survives.Wehad thehonour of knowing aministerwho couldnotpreach without his black kid gloves, and when he upon one occasionfoundhimself in a certainpulpitwithout them,he camedown into thevestry for them.Unfortunately one of the deacons had carried into hispew,nothisownhat,ashe intended,but thepreacher's,andwhile thisdiscovery was being made, the divine was in terrible trepidation,exclaiming,"Ineverdopreachwithoutgloves.Icannotdoit.Icannotgointothepulpittillyoufindthem."Iwishheneverhadfoundthem,forhewasmore fitted to stand behind a draper's counter than to occupy thesacreddesk.Slovenlinessofany sort is tobeavoided inaminister,butmanlinessmoreoften falls into this fault than into theothereffeminatevice;thereforeshunmostheartilythisworsterror.Cowpersays,

"InmysoulIloatheallaffectation,"andsodoeseverysensibleman.AlltricksandstageeffectsareunbearablewhenthemessageoftheLordistobe delivered. Better a ragged dress and rugged speech, with artless,honestmanner,thanclericalfoppery.Betterfartoviolateeverycanonofgracefulnessthantobeamereperformer,aconsummateactor,aplayeruponareligiousstage.ThecaricaturistoftwentyyearsagofavouredmewiththenameofBrimstone,andplacedsidebysidewithmeasimperingelocutionistwhomhenamedTreacle.Iwasthoroughlysatisfiedwithmy

lot,but I couldnothave saidasmuch if Ihadbeen representedby thecompanionportrait.Molassesandothersugarymattersaresickeningtome.Jack-a-dandy inthepulpitmakesmefeelasJehudidwhenhesawJezebel's decorated head and painted face, and cried in indignation,"Flingherdown."

Itwouldgreatlytroublemeifanyofmyremarksupongrotesqueactionshouldleadevenoneofyoutocommenceposturingandperforming;thiswouldbetoflyfrombadtoworse.WementionedthatDr.Hamiltontooklessonsfromamaster,inordertoescapefromhisinfirmity,buttheresultwasmanifestlynotveryencouraging,andIgravelyfearthatmorefaultsarecreatedthancuredbyprofessionalteachers:perhapsthesameresultmay followfrommyownamateurattempt,butIwouldat leastpreventthatmisfortune as far as possible by earnestwarnings.Donot think ofhowyouwillgesticulatewhenyoupreach,butlearntheartofdoingtherightthingwithoutgivingitanythoughtatall.

Our last rule is one which sums up all the others; be natural in youraction. Shun the very appearance of studied gesture. Art is cold, onlynature is warm; let grace keep you clear of all seeming, and in everyaction,andineveryplace,betruthful,evenifyoushouldbeconsideredrough and uncultivated. Yourmannerismmust always be your own, itmust never be a polished lie, and what is the aping of gentility, thesimulationofpassion,thefeigningofemotion,orthemimicryofanotherman'smodeofdeliverybutapracticallie.

"Therefore,avauntallattitudeandstare,Andstarttheatric,practisedattheglass!"

Our object is to remove the excrescences of uncouth nature, not toproduceartificialityandaffectation;wewouldprunethetreeandbynomeansclipitintoasetform.Wewouldhaveourstudentsthinkofactionwhiletheyarewithusatcollege,thattheymayneverhaveneedtothinkofit inafterdays.Thematteristooinconsiderabletobemadeapartofyourweeklystudywhenyougetintotheactualbattleofministeriallife;youmustattendto thesubjectnow,andhavedonewith it.Youarenotsent of God to court smiles but to win souls; your teacher is not thedancing-master, but the Holy Spirit, and your pulpit manner is only

worthamoment'sthoughtbecauseitmayhinderyoursuccessbycausingpeople to make remarks about the preacher when you want all theirthoughtsforthesubject.IfthebestactionhadthiseffectIwouldurgeyouto forswear it, and if the worst gestures would prevent such a result Iwouldadviseyoutopractisethem.AllthatIaimatistoadvocatequiet,graceful, natural movements, because they are the least likely to beobserved. The whole business of delivery should be one; everythingshouldharmonize;thethought.thespirit,thelanguage,thetone,andtheaction should be all of a piece, and the whole should be, not for thewinningofhonourtoourselves,butforthegloryofGodandthegoodofmen; if it be so there is no fear of your violating the rule as to beingnatural, for itwillnotoccurtoyoutobeotherwise.YethaveIonefear,and it is this: you may fall into a foolish imitation of some admiredminister, and thiswill to some extent put you off from the right track.Each man's action should suit himself and grow out of his ownpersonality.ThestyleofDr.Goliath,whoissixfeethigh,willnotfitthestature and person of our friend Short who is a Zaccheus amongpreachers; neither will the respectable mannerism of an aged andhonoureddivineatallbefittheyouthfulApolloswhoisbarelyoutofhisteens. I have heard that for a season quite a number of youngCongregationalministersimitatedthepastoroftheWeighHouse,andsothere were little Binneys everywhere copying the great Thomas ineverything except his thoughtful preaching. A rumour is current thatthere are one or two young Spurgeons about, but if so I hope that thereferenceistomyownsons,whohavearighttothenamebybirth.Ifanyof you becomemere copyists ofme I shall regard you as thorns in theflesh,andrankyouamongthosewhomPaulsays"wesuffergladly."Yetithasbeenwiselysaidthateverybeginnermustofnecessitybeforatimeacopyist;theartistfollowshismasterwhileasyethehasbarelyacquiredtheelementsof theart,andperhapsfor lifeheremainsapainterof theschooltowhichheatfirstattachedhimself;butashebecomesproficienthedevelopshisownindividuality,growsintoapainterwithastyleofhisown, and is all the better and none the worse for having been in hisearliestdayscontenttositatamaster'sfeet.Itisofnecessitythesameinoratory,andthereforeitmaybetoomuchtosaynevercopyanyone,butitmay be better to exhort you to imitate the best action you can find, inorder thatyourownstyleduring its formationmayberightlymoulded.

Correct the influence of any oneman bywhat you see of excellence inothers; but still create a manner of your own. Slavish imitation is thepracticeofanape,buttofollowanotherwhereheleadsaright,andthereonly,isthewisdomofaprudentman.Stillneverletanaturaloriginalitybe missed by your imitating the best models of antiquity, or the mostesteemedamongthemoderns.

In conclusion, do not allow my criticisms upon various grotesquepostures and movements to haunt you in the pulpit; better perpetratethemallthanbeinfear,forthiswouldmakeyoucrampedandawkward.Dashatitwhetheryoublunderorno.Afewmistakesinthismatter,willnot be half so bad as being nervous. It may be that what would beeccentricinanothermaybemostproperinyou;thereforetakenoman'sdictumasapplicabletoeverycase,ortoyourown.SeehowJohnKnoxispictured in thewell-known engraving. Is his posture graceful? Perhapsnot.Yetisitnotexactlywhatitshouldbe?Canyoufindanyfaultwithit?IsitnotKnox-like,andfullofpower?Itwouldnotsuitonemaninfifty;inmostpreachersitwouldseemstrained,butinthegreatReformeritischaracteristic, and accords with his life-work. Youmust remember theperson,thetimesandhissurroundings,andthenthemannerismisseentobewellbecomingahero-preachersenttodoanElijah'swork,andtoutter his rebukes in the presence of a Popish court which hated thereformswhichhedemanded.Beyourselfashewashimself;even ifyoushouldbeungainlyandawkward,beyourself.Yourownclothes,thoughtheybehomespun,willfityoubetterthananotherman's,thoughmadeofthebestbroadcloth;youmayfollowyourtutor'sstyleofdressifyoulike,butdonotborrowhiscoat,becontenttowearoneofyourown.Aboveall,besofullofmatter,sofervent,andsograciousthatthepeoplewilllittlecarehowyouhandouttheword;foriftheyperceivethatitisfreshfromheaven,andfinditsweetandabundant,theywillpaylittleregardtothebasket inwhichyoubring it to them. Let them, if they please, say thatyourbodilypresence isweak, but pray that theymay confess that yourtestimony is weighty and powerful. Commend yourself to every man'sconscience in the sight of God, and then the mere mint and anise ofposturewillseldombetakenintoaccount.

CHAPTERXXIEARNESTNESS:ITSMARRINGANDMAINTENANCE

IfIwereasked--WhatinaChristianministeristhemostessentialqualityfor securing success in winning souls for Christ? I should reply,"earnestness":andifIwereaskedasecondorathirdtime,Ishouldnotvary the answer, for personal observation drives me to the conclusionthat,asarule,realsuccessisproportionatetothepreacher'searnestness.Bothgreatmenand littlemensucceed if theyare thoroughlyaliveuntoGod, and fail if they are not so.We knowmen of eminence who havegainedahighreputation,whoattract largeaudiences,andobtainmuchadmiration,whoneverthelessarevery low in the scaleas soulwinners:foralltheydointhatdirectiontheymightaswellhavebeenlecturersonanatomy, or political orators. At the same time we have seen theircompeersinabilitysousefulinthebusinessofconversionthatevidentlytheir acquirements and gifts have been no hindrance to them, but thereverse; for by the intense and devout use of their powers, and by theanointingoftheHolySpirit,theyhaveturnedmanytorighteousness.Wehaveseenbrethrenofveryscantyabilitieswhohavebeenterribledragsupona church, andhaveproved as inefficient in their spheres as blindmen in an observatory; but, on the other hand, men of equally smallattainmentsarewellknowntousasmightyhuntersbeforetheLord,bywhose holy energy many hearts have been captured for the Saviour. Idelight inM'Cheyne's remark, "It isnot somuchgreat talents thatGodblesses,asgreatlikenesstoChrist."Inmanyinstancesministerialsuccessis traceable almost entirely to an intense zeal, a consuming passion forsouls,andaneagerenthusiasminthecauseofGod,andwebelievethatineverycase,otherthingsbeingequal,menprosperinthedivineservicein proportion as their hearts are blazingwith holy love. "TheGod thatanswerethbyfire, lethimbeGod";and themanwhohas the tongueoffire,lethimbeGod'sminister.

Brethren,youandImust,aspreachers,bealwaysearnestinreferencetoourpulpitwork.Herewemustlabourtoattaintheveryhighestdegreeof excellence. Often have I said to my brethren that the pulpit is theThermopylaeofChristendom: there the fightwill be lostorwon.To us

ministersthemaintenanceofourpowerinthepulpitshouldbeourgreatconcern;wemustoccupythatspiritualwatch-towerwithourheartsandmindsawakeandinfullvigour.Itwillnotavailustobelaboriouspastorsifwearenotearnestpreachers.Weshallbeforgivenagreatmanysinsinthematterofpastoralvisitationifthepeople'ssoulsarereallyfedontheSabbath-day;butfedtheymustbe,andnothingelsewillmakeupforit.Thefailuresofmostministerswhodriftdownthestreammaybetracedto inefficiency in the pulpit. The chief business of a captain is to knowhow to handle his vessel; nothing can compensate for deficiency there,andsoourpulpitsmustbeourmaincare,orallwillgoawry.Dogsoftenfightbecausethesupplyofbonesisscanty,andcongregationsfrequentlyquarrel because they do not get sufficient spiritual meat to keep themhappy and peaceful. The ostensible ground of dissatisfaction may besomethingelse,butninetimesoutoftendeficiencyintheirrationsisatthe bottom of themutinies which occur in our churches.Men, like allother animals, know when they are fed, and they usually feel goodtempered after ameal; and sowhen our hearers come to the house ofGod, and obtain "food convenient for them," they forget a great manygrievancesinthejoyofthefestival,butifwesendthemawayhungrytheywillbeinasirritableamoodasabearrobbedofherwhelps.

Now, in order that we may be acceptable,we must be earnest whenactually engaged in preaching.Cecil has well said that the spirit andmannerof apreacherofteneffectmore thanhismatter.Togo into thepulpit with the listless air of those gentlemenwho loll about, and leanuponthecushionasiftheyhadatlastreachedaquietrestingplace,is,Ithink, most censurable. To rise before the people to deal outcommonplaceswhichhavecostyounothing,asifanythingwoulddoforasermon, is not merely derogatory to the dignity of our office, but isoffensive in the sight ofGod.Wemust be earnest in the pulpit for ourown sakes, for we shall not long be able to maintain our position asleadersinthechurchofGodifwearedull.Moreover,forthesakeofourchurchmembers,andconvertedpeople,wemustbeenergetic, for ifwearenotzealous,neitherwilltheybe.It isnotintheorderofnaturethatriversshouldrunuphill,anditdoesnotoftenhappenthatzealrisesfromthepewtothepulpit.Itisnaturalthatitshouldflowdownfromustoourhearers; thepulpitmust therefore standat ahigh levelof ardour, ifwe

are, under God, to make and to keep our people fervent. Those whoattend ourministry have a great deal to do during the week.Many ofthemhave family trials, andheavy personal burdens to carry, and theyfrequently come into the assembly cold and listless, with thoughtswanderinghitherandthither;itisourstotakethosethoughtsandthrustthem into the furnace of our own earnestness, melt them by holycontemplationandbyintenseappeal,andpourthemoutintothemouldofthetruth.Ablacksmithcandonothingwhenhisfireisout,andinthisrespecthe is thetypeofaminister.Ifall the lights intheoutsideworldare quenched, the lamp which burns in the sanctuary ought still toremainundimmed; for that firenocurfewmusteverbe rung.Wemustregardthepeopleasthewoodandthesacrifice,wellwettedasecondanda third timeby thecaresof theweek,uponwhich, like theprophet,wemust pray down the fire from heaven. A dull minister creates a dullaudience.You cannot expect theoffice-bearers and themembersof thechurch to travelby steam if theirownchosenpastor stilldrives theoldbroadwheeledwaggon.Weoughteachonetobelikethatreformerwhoisdescribed as "Vividus vultus, vividi occuli, vividae manus, deniqueomnia vivida," which I would rather freely render--"countenancebeamingwith life, eyes and hands full of life, in fine, a vivid preacher,altogetheralive."

"Thysoulmustoverflow,ifthouAnother'ssoulwouldreach,ItneedstheoverflowofheartTogivethelipsfullspeech."

Theworldalsowillsufferaswellasthechurchifwearenotfervent.Wecannot expect a gospel devoid of earnestness to have anymighty effectupontheunconvertedaroundus.Oneoftheexcusesmostsoporifictotheconscience of an ungodly generation is that of halfheartedness in thepreacher. If the sinner finds the preacher nodding while he talks ofjudgmenttocome,heconcludes that the judgment isa thingwhich thepreacher is dreaming about, and he resolves to regard it all as merefiction.Thewholeoutsideworld receives seriousdanger from the cold-hearted preacher, for it draws the same conclusion as the individualsinner:itperseveresinitsownlistlessness,itgivesitsstrengthtoitsown

transient objects, and thinks itself wise for so doing. How can it beotherwise?Iftheprophetleaveshisheartbehindhimwhenheprofessesto speak in the name ofGod,what can he expect but that the ungodlyaround him will persuade themselves that there is nothing in hismessage,andthathiscommissionisafarce.

Hear how Whitefield preached, and never dare to be lethargic again.Winter says of him that "sometimes he exceedingly wept, and wasfrequently so overcome, that for a few seconds you would suspect heneverwouldrecover;andwhenhedid,naturerequiredsomelittletimetocomposeherself. I hardly ever knewhim go through a sermonwithoutweepingmoreor less.Hisvoicewasoften interruptedbyhisaffections;andIhaveheardhimsayinthepulpit, 'Youblamemeforweeping;buthowcanIhelpit,whenyouwillnotweepforyourselves,althoughyourown immortal souls are on the verge of destruction, and, for aught Iknow, you are hearing your last sermon, andmay nevermore have anopportunitytohaveChristofferedtoyou?"

Earnestnessinthepulpitmustbereal.Itisnottobemimicked.Wehaveseenitcounterfeited,buteverypersonwithagrainofsensecoulddetecttheimposition.Tostampthefoot,tosmitethedesk,toperspire,toshout,tobawl, toquote thepatheticportionsof otherpeople's sermons, or topouroutvoluntary tears fromawateryeyewillnevermakeup for trueagonyofsoulandrealtendernessofspirit.Thebestpieceofactingisbutacting; those who only look at appearances may be pleased by it, butloversofrealitywillbedisgusted.Whatpresumption!--whathypocrisyitisbyskilfulmanagementof thevoicetomimicthepassionwhichis thegenuine work of the Holy Ghost. Let mere actors beware, lest they befound sinning against theHoly Spirit by their theatrical performances.Wemustbeearnestinthepulpitbecauseweareearnesteverywhere;wemust blaze in our discourses because we are continually on fire. Zealwhichisstoreduptobeletoffonlyongrandoccasionsisagaswhichwillonedaydestroyitsproprietor.Nothingbuttruthmayappearinthehouseof theLord;allaffectation isstrangefire,andexcites the indignationoftheGodoftruth.Beearnest,andyouwillseemtobeearnestAburningheartwill soon find for itself a flaming tongue. To shamearnestness isone of themost contemptible of dodges for courting popularity; let us

abhor thevery thought.Goandbe listless in thepulpit if youare so inyourheart.Beslowinspeech,drawlingintone,andmonotonousinvoice,ifsoyoucanbestexpressyoursoul;eventhatwouldbeinfinitelybetterthantomakeyourministryamasqueradeandyourselfanactor.

Butourzealwhileintheactofpreachingmustbefollowedupbyintensesolicitudeastotheafterresults;forifitbenotsoweshallhavecausetoquestionoursincerity.Godwillnotsendaharvestofsoulstothosewhoneverwatchorwaterthefieldswhichtheyhavesown.Whenthesermonisoverwehaveonlyletdownthenetwhichafterwardswearetodrawtoshorebyprayerandwatchfulness.Here,Ithink,Icannotdobetterthanallowafarableradvocatetopleadwithyou,andquotethewordsofDr.Watts:"Beverysolicitousaboutthesuccessofyourlaboursinthepulpit.Watertheseedsown,notonlywithpublic,butsecretprayer.PleadwithGodimportunatelythathewouldnotsufferyoutolabourinvain.Benotlike that foolish bird the ostrich, which lays her eggs in the dust, andleavesthemthereregardlesswhethertheycometolifeornot(Jobxxxix.14-17). God hath not given her understanding, but let not this folly beyour character or practice; labour, and watch, and pray, that yoursermonsandthefruitofyourstudiesmaybecomewordsofDivinelifetosouls.

"ItisanobservationofpiousMr.Baxter(whichIhavereadsomewhereinhisworks), thathehasneverknownany considerable success from thebrightest and noblest talents, nor from the most excellent kind ofpreaching, nor even when the preachers themselves have been trulyreligious,iftheyhavenothadasolicitousconcernforthesuccessoftheirministrations.Lettheawfulandimportantthoughtofsoulsbeingsavedbyourpreaching,or left toperishandtobecondemnedtohell throughournegligence,--Isay, letthisawfulandtremendousthoughtdwelleveruponourspirits.WearemadewatchmentothehouseofIsrael,asEzekielwas; and, if we give no warning of approaching danger, the souls ofmultitudesmayperishthroughourneglect;butthebloodofsoulswillbeterriblyrequiredatourhands(Ezekieliii.17,etc.)."

Suchconsiderationsshouldmakeusinstantinseasonandoutofseason,andcauseusatalltimestobecladwithzealaswithacloak.Weoughttobe all alive, and always alive. A pillar of light and fire should be the

preacher's fit emblem.Ourministrymust be emphatic, or it will neveraffect these thoughtless times; and to this end our hearts must behabitually fervent, and our whole nature must be fired with an all-consumingpassionforthegloryofGodandthegoodofmen.

Now,my brethren, it is sadly true that holy earnestnesswhenwe onceobtain it may be easily damped; and as a matter of fact it is morefrequentlychilled in the loneliness of a village pastorate than amid thesocietyofwarm-heartedChristianbrethren.Adam,theauthorofPrivateThoughts,onceobservedthat"apoorcountryparson,fightingagainstthedevilinhisparish,hasnoblerideasthanAlexandertheGreateverhad";andIwilladd,thatheneedsmorethanAlexander'sardourtoenablehimto continue victorious inhisholywarfare. SleepyHollowandDormer'sLandwillbetoomuchforusunlessweprayfordailyquickening.

Yet town life has its dangers too, and zeal is apt to burn low throughnumerous engagements, like a firewhich is scatteredabroad insteadofbeingrakedtogetherintoaheap.Thoseincessantknocksatourdoor,andperpetual visits from idle persons, are so many buckets of cold waterthrown upon our devout zeal. We must by some means secureuninterruptedmeditation,orweshalllosepower.Londonisapeculiarlytryingsphereonthisaccount.

Zealalso ismorequicklycheckedafter longyearsofcontinuance inthesameservice thanwhennoveltygivesacharmtoourwork.Mr.Wesleysays,inhisfifteenthvolumeofJournalsandLetters,"Iknowthat,wereImyselftopreachonewholeyearinoneplace,Ishouldpreachbothmyselfandmostofmycongregationasleep."What thenmust itbe toabide inthesamepulpitformanyyears!Insuchacaseitisnotthepacethatkills,but the lengthof the race.OurGod isevermore thesame,enduring forever,andhealonecanenableus toendureevento theend.He,whoatthe endof twenty years'ministry among the samepeople ismore alivethanever,isagreatdebtortothequickeningSpirit.

Earnestnessmaybe,andtoooftenis,diminishedbyneglectofstudy.IfwehavenotexercisedourselvesinthewordofGod,weshallnotpreachwith the fervour and grace of theman who has fed upon the truth bedelivers,andisthereforestrongandardent.AnEnglishman'searnestness

inbattledepends,accordingtosomeauthorities,uponhisbeingwellfed:hehasnostomachforthefightifbeisstarved.Ifwearewellnourishedby sound gospel food we shall be vigorous and fervent. An old bluntcommander at Cadiz is described by Selden as thus addressing hissoldiers:"Whatashamewillitbe,youEnglishmen,whofeedupongoodbeef andbeer, to let these rascally Spaniards beat you that eat nothingbut oranges and lemons!"His philosophy andmine agree: he expectedcourageandvalourfromthosewhowerewellnourished.Brethren,neverneglectyourspiritualmeals,oryouwilllackstaminaandyourspiritswillsink.Liveonthesubstantialdoctrinesofgrace,andyouwilloutliveandout-work those who delight in the pastry and syllabubs of "modernthought."

Zeal may, on the other hand, be damped by our studies. There is, nodoubt,suchathingasfeedingthebrainattheexpenseoftheheart,andmanyamaninhisaspirationstobeliteraryhasratherqualifiedhimselftowritereviewsthantopreachsermons.AquaintevangelistwaswonttosaythatChristhungcrucifiedbeneathGreek,Latin,andHebrew.Itoughtnot to be so, but it has often happened that the student in college hasgathered fuel, but lost the fire which is to kindle it. It will be to oureverlastingdisgrace ifweburyour flamebeneath the faggotswhichareintendedtosustainit.Ifwedegenerateintobookwormsitwillbetotheoldserpent'sdelight,andtoourownmisery.

Trueearnestnessmaybegreatly lessenedby levity inconversation,andespeciallybyjestingwithbrotherministers, inwhosecompanyweoftentake greater liberties than we would like to do in the society of otherChristians.Thereareexcellentreasons forour feelingathomewithourbrethren,butifthisfreedombecarriedtoofarweshallsoonfeelthatwehave suffered damage through vanity of speech. Cheerfulness is onething, and frivolity is another; he is a wise man who by a serioushappinessofconversationsteersbetweenthedarkrocksofmoroseness,andthequicksandsoflevity.

Weshall often findourselves indangerofbeingdeteriorated in zealbythecoldChristianpeoplewithwhomwecome incontact.What terriblewet blankets some professors are! Their remarks after a sermon areenough to stagger you. You think that surely you havemoved the very

stones to feeling, but you painfully learn that these people are utterlyunaffected.Youhavebeenburningandtheyarefreezing;youhavebeenpleading as for life or death and they have been calculating howmanyseconds the sermon occupied, and grudging you the odd five minutesbeyondtheusualhour,whichyourearnestnesscompelledyoutooccupyinpleadingwithmen'ssouls.Ifthesefrost-bittenmenshouldhappentobe the officers of the church, from whom you naturally expect thewarmest sympathy, the result is chilling to the last degree, and all themoresoifyouareyoungandinexperienced:itisasthoughanangelwereconfinedinaniceberg."Thoushaltnotyoketheoxandtheasstogether"wasamercifulprecept:butwhena laborious,ox-likeministercomes tobe yoked to a deacon who is not another ox, it becomes hard work toplough.Somecrabbedprofessorshaveagreatdeal toanswerfor inthismatter.Oneof themnot so very long agowentup to an earnest youngevangelistwhohadbeendoinghis best, and said, "Youngman, do youcall that preaching?"He thought himself faithful, but hewas cruel anduncourteous,andthoughthegoodbrothersurvivedtheblowitwasnonethe less brutal. Such offences against the Lord's little ones are, I hope,veryrare,buttheyareverygrievous,andtendtoturnasideourhopefulyouth.

Frequentlytheaudience itself,asawhole,willdampyourzeal.Youcanseeby their very look andmanner that thepeople arenot appreciatingyourwarm-heartedendeavours, andyou feeldiscouraged.Thoseemptybenches also are a serious trial, and if the place be large, and thecongregationsmall, the influence is seriouslydepressing: it isnot everymanwhocanbeartobe"avoicecryinginthewilderness."Disorderinthecongregation also sadly afflicts sensitive speakers. The walking up theaisleofawomanwithapairofpattens,thesqueakofapairofnewboots,the frequent fall of umbrellas andwalking-sticks, the crying of infants,andespeciallytheconsistentlatenessofhalftheassembly;--allthesetendto irritate themind, take itoff from itsobject, anddiminish itsardour.Wehardly liketoconfessthatourheartsaresoreadilyaffectedbysuchtrifles,butitisso,andnotatalltobewonderedat.Aspotsof themostprecious ointment are more often spoilt by dead flies than by deadcamels, so insignificant matters will destroy earnestness more readilythan greater annoyances. Under a great discouragement a man pulls

himself together, and then throws himself upon his God, and receivesdivinestrength:butunderlesserdepressionshemaypossiblyworry,andthetriflewillirritateandfestertillseriousconsequencesfollow.

Pardonmysaying that theconditionofyourbodymustbeattended to,especially in thematterofeating, foranymeasureofexcessmay injureyourdigestionandmake you stupidwhenyou shouldbe fervent.FromthememoirofDuncanMathesonIcullananecdotewhichismuchtothepoint: "In a certain placewhere evangelisticmeetingswere being held,the lay preachers, amongwhomwasMr.Matheson, were sumptuouslyentertainedatthehouseofaChristiangentleman.Afterdinnertheywentto the meeting, not without some difference of opinion as to the bestmethodofconductingtheservicesof theevening. 'TheSpirit isgrieved;Heisnothereatall,Ifeelit,'saidoneoftheyounger,withawhinewhichsomewhat contrasted with his previous unbounded enjoyment of theluxuriesofthetable.'Nonsense,'repliedMatheson,whohatedallwhiningand morbid spirituality; 'Nothing of the sort. You have just eaten toomuch dinner, and you feel heavy.'"DuncanMathesonwas right, and alittlemoreofhiscommonsensewouldbeagreatgaintosomewhoareultra spiritual, and attribute all their moods of feeling to somesupernatural causewhen the real reason lies farnearer tohand.Has itnot often happened that dyspepsia has been mistaken for backsliding,andabaddigestionhasbeensetdownasahardheart?Isaynomore:awordtothewiseisenough.

Many physical and mental causes may operate to create apparentlethargywherethere isatheart intenseearnestness.Uponsomeofusadisturbed night, a change in the weather, or an unkind remark, willproducethemost lamentableeffect.But thosewhocomplainofwantofzealareoftenthemostzealouspersonsintheworld,andaconfessionofwantoflifeisitselfanargumentthatlifeexists,andisnotwithoutvigour.Do not spare yourselves and become self-satisfied; but, on the otherhand, do not slander yourselves and sink into despondency. Your ownopinionofyourstateisnotworthmuch:asktheLordtosearchyou.

Longcontinuedlabourwithoutvisiblesuccessisanotherfrequentdampuponzeal,thoughifrightlyvieweditoughttobeanincentivetosevenfolddiligence.QuaintThomasFullerobservesthat"hereinGodhathhumbled

manypainstakingpastors,inmakingthemtobecloudstorain,notoverArabia thehappy,butoverArabia thedesertandstony." Ifnon-successhumblesusitiswell,butifitdiscouragesus,andespeciallyifitleadsustothinkbitterlyofmoreprosperousbrethren,weoughttolookaboutuswith grave concern. It is possible that we have been faithful and haveadoptedwisemethods, and are in our right place, and yetwehavenotstruck the mark; we shall probably be heavily bowed down and feelscarcely able to continue the work; but if we pluck up courage andincreaseourearnestnessweshallonedayreaparichharvest,whichwillmorethanrepayusforallourwaiting."Thehusbandmanwaitethforthepreciousfruitsoftheearth";andwithaholypatiencebegottenofzealwemustwaiton,andneverdoubtthatthetimetofavourZionwillyetcome.

Normustiteverbeforgottenthatthefleshisweakandnaturallyinclinedtoslumber.Weneedaconstantrenewalofthedivineimpulsewhichfirststartedus in thewayof service.Wearenotasarrows,which find theirwaytothetargetbythesoleagencyoftheforcewithwhichtheystartedfrom the bow; nor as birds, which bear within themselves their ownmotive power: we must be borne onward, like ships at sea, by theconstant power of the heavenly wind, or we shall make no headway.PreacherssentfromGodarenotmusicalboxeswhich,beingoncewoundup, will play through their set tunes, but they are trumpets which areutterlymute until the living breath causes them to give forth a certainsound.Wereadofsomewhoaredumbdogs,giventoslumber,andsuchwouldbethecharacterofusall if thegraceofGoddidnotprevent.Wehaveneedtowatchagainstacareless,indifferentspirit,andifwedonotsoweshallsoonbeaslukewarmasLaodiceaitself.

Rememberingthen,dearbrethren,thatwemustbeinearnest,andthatwecannotcounterfeitearnestness,orfindasubstituteforit,andthatitisveryeasyforustoloseit,letusconsiderforawhilethewaysandmeansfor retaining all our fervour and gainingmore. If it is to continue,ourearnestnessmust be kindled at an immortal flame,and I know of butone--theflameoftheloveofChrist,whichmanywaterscannotquench.Aspark from that celestial sun will be as undying as the source fromwhenceitcame.Ifwecangetit,yea,ifwehaveit,weshallstillbefullofenthusiasm,howeverlongwemaylive,howevergreatlywemaybetried,

andhowevermuchformanyreasonswemaybediscouraged.Tocontinueferventforlifewemustpossessthefervourofheavenlylifetobeginwith.Havewethisfire?Wemusthavethetruthburntintooursouls,oritwillnotburnuponour lips.Doweunderstand this?Thedoctrines of gracemustbepartandparcelofourselves,interwovenwiththewarpandwoofof our being, and this can only be effected by the same hand whichoriginallymadethefabric.WeshallneverloseourlovetoChristandourlovetosoulsiftheLordhasgiventhemtous.TheHolySpiritmakeszealforGod tobeapermanentprincipleof life rather thanapassion,--doestheHoly Spirit rest upon us, or is our present fervour a mere humanfeeling?Weoughtupon thispoint tobe seriously inquisitorialwithourhearts,pressinghomethequestion,Havewetheholyfirewhichspringsfromatruecalltotheministry?Ifnot,whyarewehere?Ifamancanlivewithout preaching, let him live without preaching. If a man can becontentwithoutbeingasoul-winner--Ihadalmostsaidhehadbetternotattempt thework, but I had rather say--let him seek to have the stonetakenoutofhisheart,thathemayfeelforperishingmen.Tillthen,asaminister,hemaydopositivemischiefbyoccupyingtheplaceofonewhomighthavesucceededintheblessedworkinwhichhemustbeafailure.

The fire of our earnestnessmust burn upon the hearth of faith in thetruthswhichwepreach,andfaithintheirpowertoblessmankindwhentheSpiritappliesthemtotheheart.Hewhodeclareswhatmayorwhatmaynotbetrue,andwhatheconsidersuponthewholetobeasgoodasanyotherformofteaching,willofnecessitymakeaveryfeeblepreacher.Howcanhebezealousabout thatwhichhe isnot sureof? Ifheknowsnothingoftheinwardpowerofthetruthwithinhisownheart, ifhehasnever tasted and handled of the good word of life, how can he beenthusiastic? But if theHolyGhost has taught us in secret places, andmadeour soul tounderstandwithin itself thedoctrinewhichwe are toproclaim,thenshallwespeakevermorewiththetongueoffire.Brother,do not begin to teach others till the Lord has taught you. It must bedrearyworktoparrotforthdogmaswhichhavenointerestforyourheart,and carry no conviction to your understanding. I would prefer to pickoakumor turn a crank formy breakfast, like the paupers in the casualward,ratherthanbetheslaveofacongregationandbringthemspiritualmeat of which I never tastemyself. And then how dreadful the end of

suchacoursemustbe!Howfearfultheaccounttoberenderedatthelastby one who publicly taught what he did not heartily believe, andperpetratedthisdetestablehypocrisyinthenameofGod!

Brethren,ifthefireisbroughtfromtherightplacetotherightplace,wehave a good beginning; and the main elements of a glorious ending.Kindledbyalivecoal,bornetoourlipsfromoffthealtarbythewingedcherub,thefirehasbeguntofeeduponourinmostspirit,andthereitwillburnthoughSatanhimselfshouldlabourtostampitout.

Yet the best flame in the word needs renewing. I know not whetherimmortal spirits, like the angels, drink on the wing, and feed on somesuperiormannapreparedinheavenforthem;buttheprobabilityisthatno created being, though immortal, is quite free from the necessity toreceive fromwithout sustenance for its strength.Certainly the flame ofzeal intherenewedheart,howeverdivine,mustbecontinually fedwithfreshfuel.Eventhelampsofthesanctuaryneededoil.Feedtheflame,mybrother,feeditfrequently;feeditwithholythoughtandcontemplation,especiallywiththoughtaboutyourwork,yourmotivesinpursuingit,thedesignofit,thehelpsthatarewaitingforyou,andthegrandresultsofitiftheLordbewithyou.DwellmuchupontheloveofGodtosinners,andthedeathofChristontheirbehalf,andtheworkoftheSpirituponmen'shearts.Thinkofwhatmustbewrought inmen'shearts ere they canbesaved.Remember,youarenotsent towhiten tombs,but toopenthem,andthisisaworkwhichnomancanperformunless,liketheLordJesusatthegraveofLazarus,hegroansinspirit;andeventhenheispowerlessapartfromtheHolyGhost.Meditatewithdeepsolemnityuponthefateofthe lost sinner, and, like Abraham,when you get up early to go to theplacewhereyoucommunewithGod,castaneyetowardsSodomandseethesmokethereofgoinguplikethesmokeofafurnace.Shunallviewsoffuturepunishmentwhichwouldmakeitappearlessterrible,andsotakeofftheedgeofyouranxietytosaveimmortalsfromthequenchlessflame.Ifmenareindeedonlyanoblerkindofape,andexpireasthebeasts,youmaywellenoughletthemdieunpitied;butiftheircreationintheimageof God involves immortality, and there is any fear that through theirunbelieftheywillbringuponthemselvesendlesswoe,arouseyourselvestotheagoniesof theoccasion,andbeashamedat thebaresuspicionof

unconcern.Thinkmuchalsooftheblissofthesinnersaved,andlikeholyBaxterderiverichargumentsforearnestnessfrom"thesaints'everlastingrest."Gototheheavenlyhillsandgatherfuelthere;pileonthegloriouslogs of the wood of Lebanon, and the fire will burn freely and yield asweetperfumeaseachpieceofchoicecedarglowsintheflame.Therewillbe no fear of your being lethargic if you are continually familiar witheternalrealities.

Above all, feed the flamewith intimate fellowshipwithChrist.Nomanwasevercold inheartwho livedwithJesusonsuch termsasJohnandMarydidofold,forhemakesmen'sheartsburnwithinthem.Inevermetwithahalf-heartedpreacherwhowasmuchincommunionwiththeLordJesus.ThezealofGod'shouseateupourLord,andwhenwecomeintocontactwithhimitbeginstoconsumeusalso,andwefeelthatwecannotbutspeakthethingswhichwehaveseenandheardinhiscompany,norcanwehelpspeakingofthemwiththefervourwhichcomesoutofactualacquaintancewiththem.Thoseofuswhohavebeenpreachingforthesefive-and-twenty years sometimes feel that the same work, the samesubject,thesamepeople,andthesamepulpit,aretogetherapttobegetafeelingofmonotony,andmonotonymaysoonleadontoweariness.Butthen we call to mind another sameness, which becomes our completedeliverance;thereisthesameSaviour,andwemaygotohiminthesamewayaswedidat the first, sincehe is "JesusChrist thesameyesterday,andto-day,andforever."Inhispresencewedrinkinthenewwineandrenew our youth. He is the fountain, for ever flowing with the cool,refreshing water of life, and in fellowship with him we find our soulsquickenedintoperpetualenergy.Beneathhissmileourlong-accustomedworkisalwaysdelightful,andwearsabrightercharmthannoveltycouldhaveconferred.Wegathernewmannaforourpeopleeverymorning,andaswegotodistributeitwefeelananointingoffreshoildistillinguponus."They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shallmountupwithwingsaseagles;theyshallrunandnotbeweary;andtheyshall walk, and not faint." Newly come from the presence of him thatwalketh among the golden candlesticks we are ready to write or speakunto the churches in the power which he alone can give. Soldiers ofChrist,youcanonlybeworthyofyourCaptainbyabiding in fellowshipwith him, and listening to his voice as Joshua did when he stood by

Jordan,andenquired--"WhatsaithmyLorduntohisservant?"

Fan the flame as well as feed it. Fan it with much supplication. Wecannotbetoourgentwithoneanotheruponthispoint:nolanguagecanbetoovehementwithwhichtoimploreministerstopray.Thereisforourbrethren and ourselves an absolute necessity for prayer. Necessity!--Ihardly like to talk of that, let me rather speak of the deliciousness ofprayer--the wondrous sweetness and divine felicity which come to thesoulthatlivesintheatmosphereofprayer.JohnFoxsaid,"Thetimewespend with God in secret is the sweetest time, and the best improved.Therefore,ifthoulovestthylife,beinlovewithprayer."ThedevoutMr.Herveyresolvedonthebedofsickness--"IfGodshallsparemylife,Iwillread less and pray more." John Cooke, of Maidenhead, wrote-"Thebusiness,thepleasure,thehonour,andadvantageofprayerpressonmyspiritwithincreasingforceeveryday."Adeceasedpastorwhendrawingnearhisend,exclaimed,"IwishIhadprayedmore";thatwishmanyofusmightutter.Thereshouldbespecialseasonsfordevotion,anditiswelltomaintainthemwithregularity;butthespiritofprayerisevenbetterthanthe habit of prayer: to pray without ceasing is better than praying atintervals. Itwill be a happy circumstance ifwe can frequently bow theknee with devout brethren, and I think it ought to be a rule with usministers never to separate without a word of prayer. Much moreintercessionwould rise to heaven ifwemade a point of this, especiallythoseofuswhohavebeenfellow-students.Ifitbepossible,letprayerandpraise sanctify each meeting of friend with friend. It is a refreshingpractice to have a minute or two of supplication in the vestry beforepreachingifyoucancallinthreeorfourwarm-hearteddeaconsorotherbrethren.Italwaysnervesmefor the fight.But, forall that, to fanyourearnestnesstoavehementflameyoushouldseekthespiritofcontinualprayer, soas to pray in theHolyGhost, everywhere and always; in thestudy,inthevestry,andinthepulpit.ItiswelltobepleadingevermorewithGod,when sitting down in the pulpit, when rising to give out thehymn, when reading the chapter, and while delivering the sermon;holdinguponehandtoGodempty,inordertoreceive,andwiththeotherhand dispensing to the peoplewhat the Lord bestows. Be in preachinglikeaconduitpipebetweentheeverlastingandinfinitesuppliesofheavenand theallbutboundlessneedsofmen, and todo this youmust reach

heaven, and keep up the communicationwithout a break. Pray for thepeoplewhileyoupreachtothem;speakwithGodforthemwhileyouarespeakingwiththemforGod.Onlysocanyouexpecttobecontinuallyinearnest. Aman does not often rise from his knees unearnest; or, if hedoes,hehadbetterreturntoprayertill thesacredflamedescendsuponhissoul.AdamClarkeoncesaid,"Studyyourselftodeath,andthenprayyourself alive again": it was a wise sentence. Do not attempt the firstwithout the second; neither dream that the second can be honestlyaccomplishedwithoutthefirst.Workandpray,aswellaswatchandpray;butprayalways.

Stirthefirealsobyfrequentattemptsatfreshservice.Shakeyourselfoutof routine by breaking away from the familiar fields of service andreclaimingvirginsoil. Isuggest toyou,asasubordinatebutveryusefulmeansofkeeping theheart fresh, the frequentadditionofnewwork toyour usual engagements. I would say to brethren who are soon goingaway from the College, to settle in spheres where they will come intocontactwithbutfewsuperiorminds,andperhapswillbealmostaloneinthehigherwalksofspirituality,--lookwell toyourselves thatyoudonotbecome flat, stale, and unprofitable, and keep yourselves sweet bymaintaininganenterprisingspirit.Youwillhaveagoodshareofworktodo,andfewtohelpyouinit,andtheyearswillgrindalongheavily;watchagainstthis,anduseallmeanstopreventyourbecomingdullandsleepy,andamongthemusethatwhichexperienceleadsmetopressuponyou.Ifinditgoodformyself tohavesomenewworkalwaysonhand.Theoldandusualenterprisesmustbekeptup,butsomewhatmustbeaddedtothem.Itshouldbewithusaswiththesquattersuponourcommons,thefenceofourgardenmustrolloutwardafootortwo,andenclosea littlemoreofthecommoneveryyear.Neversay"itisenough,"noracceptthepolicyof "restandbe thankful."Doall youpossibly can,and thendoalittlemore.Idonotknowbywhatprocessthegentlemanwhoadvertisesthat he can make short people taller attempts the task, but I shouldimaginethatifanyresultcouldbeproducedinthedirectionofaddingacubittoone'sstatureitwouldbebyeverymorningreachingupashighasyoupossibly canon tiptoe, and, havingdone that, tryingdaybyday toreach a little higher. This is certainly the way to grow mentally andspiritually,-"reaching forth to that which is before." If the old should

becomejustalittlestale,addfreshendeavourstoit,andthewholemasswill be leavened anew. Try it and you will soon discover the virtue ofbreaking up fresh ground, invading new provinces of the enemy, andscaling fresh heights to set the banner of the Lord thereon. This is, ofcourse,asecondaryexpedienttothoseofwhichwehavealreadyspoken,butstillitisaveryusefulone,andmaygreatlybenefityou.Inacountrytown,sayoftwothousandinhabitants,youwill,afteratime,feel,"Well,now, I have done about all I can in this place."What then? There is ahamletsomefourmilesoff:setaboutopeningaroomthere.Ifonehamletisoccupied,makeanexcursiontoanother,andspyouttheland,andsetthereliefofitsspiritualdestitutionbeforeyouasanambition.Whenthefirstplace is supplied, think of a second. It is your duty, itwill also beyoursafeguard.Everybodyknowswhatinterestthereisinfreshwork.Agardenerwillbecomewearyofhistoilunlesshe isallowedto introducenewflowersintothehothouse,ortocutthebedsuponthelawninanovelshape; all monotonous work is unnatural and wearying to the mind,thereforeitiswisdomtogivevarietytoyourlabour.

Farmoreweightyistheadvice,keepclosetoGod,andkeepclosetoyourfellowmenwhomyouareseeking tobless.Abideunder the shadowoftheAlmighty,dwellwhereJesusmanifestshimself,andliveinthepowerof theHolyGhost.Yourvery life lies in this.Whitefieldmentions a ladwho was so vividly conscious of the presence of God that he wouldgenerallywalktheroadswithhishatoff.HowIwishwewerealways insuchamood.Itwouldbenotroubletomaintainearnestnessthen.

Takecare,also,tobeonmostfamiliartermswiththosewhosesoulsarecommittedtoyourcare.Standinthestreamandfish.Manypreachersareutterly ignorant as tohow thebulkof thepeople are living; they areathomeamongbooks,butquiteatseaamongmen.Whatwouldyouthinkofabotanistwhoseldomsawreal flowers,oranastronomerwhoneverspentanightwiththestars?Wouldtheybeworthyofthenameofmenofscience? Neither can a minister of the gospel be anything but a mereempiricunlesshemingleswithmen, and studies character for himself."Studies from the life,"--gentlemen,wemust have plenty of these ifweare topaint to the life inoursermons.Readmenaswellasbooks,andlovemenratherthanopinions,oryouwillbeinanimatepreachers.

Get into close quarters with those who are in an anxious state.Watchtheir difficulties, their throes and pangs of conscience. It will help tomake you earnest when you see their eagerness to find peace. On theotherhand,whenyou seehow little earnest thebulkofmen remain, itmayhelptomakeyoumorezealousfortheirarousing.RejoicewiththosewhoarefindingtheSaviour:thisisagrandmeansofrevivalforyourownsoul.When you are enabled to bring a mourner to Jesus you will feelquite young again. It will be as oil to your bones to hear a weepingpenitentexclaim,"Iseeitallnow!Ibelieve,andmyburdenisgone:Iamsaved." Sometimes the rapture of newborn souls will electrify you intoapostolic intensity. Who could not preach after having seen soulsconverted?Beonthespotwhengraceatlastcapturesthelostsheep,thatbysharingintheGreatShepherd'srejoicingsyoumayrenewyouryouth.Beinatthedeathwithsinners,andyouwillberepaidforthewearychaseafter them which it may be you have followed for months and years.Graspthemwithfirmholdof love,andsay,"Yes,bythegraceofGod,Ihavereallywonthesesouls;"andyourenthusiasmwillflameforth.

If you have to labour in a large town I should recommend you tofamiliarize yourself, wherever your place of worship may be, with thepoverty, ignorance, anddrunkenness of the place.Go if you canwith aCitymissionaryintothepoorestquarter,andyouwillseethatwhichwillastonishyou,and theactual sightof thediseasewillmakeyoueager toreveal the remedy. There is enough of evil to be seen even in the beststreetsofourgreatcities,butthere isanunutterabledepthofhorror intheconditionoftheslums.Asadoctorwalksthehospitals,sooughtyouto traverse the lanes and courts to behold the mischief which sin haswrought.Itisenoughtomakeamanweeptearsofbloodtogazeuponthedesolation which sin has made in the earth. One day with a devotedmissionarywouldbeafineterminationtoyourCollegecourse,andafitpreparation forwork inyourownsphere.See themasses living in theirsins, defiled with drinking and Sabbath-breaking, rioting andblaspheming;andseethemdyingsoddenandhardened,orterrifiedanddespairing: surely this will rekindle expiring zeal if anything can do it.The world is full of grinding poverty and crushing sorrow; shame anddeathare theportionof thousands,and itneedsagreatgospel tomeetthedirenecessitiesofmen'ssouls.Verilyitisso.Doyoudoubtit?Goand

see for yourselves. Thuswill you learn to preach a great salvation, andmagnifythegreatSaviour,notwithyourmouthonly,butwithyourheart;and thus will you be married to your work beyond all possibility ofdesertingit.

Death-bedsaregrandschoolsforus.Theyareintendedtoactastonicstobraceus toourwork. Ihave comedown from thebed-chambersof thedying, and thought that everybody wasmad, andmyself most of all. Ihavegrudgedtheearnestnesswhichmendevotedtoearthlythings,andhalfsaidtomyself,--Whywasthatmandrivingalongsohastily?Whywasthatwomanwalkingoutinsuchfinery?Sincetheywerealltodiesosoon.IthoughtnothingworththeirdoingbutpreparingtomeettheirGod.Tobeoftenwheremendiewillhelpustoteachthembothtodieandtolive.M'Cheynewas wont to visit his sick or dying hearers on the Saturdayafternoon,for,ashetoldDr.JamesHamilton,"Beforepreachingbelikedtolookovertheverge."

I pray you,moreover,measure your work in the light of God. Are youGod'sservantornot?Ifyouare,howcanyourheartbecold?AreyousentbyadyingSaviourtoproclaimhisloveandwintherewardofhiswounds,orareyounot? If youare,howcanyou flag? Is theSpiritofGoduponyou?HastheLordanointedyoutopreachgladtidingstothepoor?Ifhehasnot,donotpretendtoit.Ifbehas,gointhisthymight,andtheLordshallbe thy strength.Yours isnot a trade,or aprofession.Assuredly ifyoumeasureitbythetradesman'smeasureitisthepoorestbusinessonthe faceof theearth.Consider it asaprofession:whowouldnotpreferanyother,sofarasgoldengainsorworldlyhonoursareconcerned?Butifit be a divine calling, and you a miracle-worker, dwelling in thesupernatural,andworkingnotfortimebutforeternity,thenyoubelongtoanoblerguild,andtoahigherfraternitythananythatspringofearthanddealwithtime.Lookatitaright,andyouwillownthatitisagrandthingtobeaspoorasyourLord, if, likehim,youmaymakemanyrich;youwillfeelthatitisagloriousthingtobeasunknownanddespisedaswere your Lord's first followers, because you are making him known,whomtoknowislifeeternal.Youwillbesatisfiedtobeanythingortobenothing,andthethoughtofselfwillnotenteryourmind,oronlycrossittobe scouted as ameannessnot to be toleratedby a consecratedman.

Thereisthepoint.Measureyourworkasitshouldbemeasured,andIamnotafraidthatyourearnestnesswillbediminished.Gazeuponitbythelight of the judgment day, and in view of the eternal rewards offaithfulness. Oh, brethren, the present joy of having saved a soul isoverwhelminglydelightful;youhavefelt it, I trust,andknowitnow.Tosave a soul from going down to perdition brings to us a little heavenbelow, but what must it be at the day of judgment to meet spiritsredeemedbyChrist,wholearnedthenewsoftheirredemptionfromourlips!WelookforwardtoablissfulheavenincommunionwithourMaster,butweshallalsoknowtheaddedjoyofmeetingthoselovedoneswhomweledtoJesusbyourministry.Letusendureeverycross,anddespiseallshame,forthejoywhichJesussetsbeforeusofwinningmenforhim.

Onemore thoughtmay help to keep up our earnestness. Consider thegreatevilwhichwillcertainlycomeuponusanduponourhearers ifwebe negligent in our work. "They shall perish"--is not that a dreadfulsentence?It is tome quite as awful as thatwhich follows it,-"but theirbloodwillIrequireatthewatchman'shand."Howshallwedescribethedoom of an unfaithful minister? And every unearnest minister isunfaithful. I would infinitely prefer to be consigned to Tophet as amurdererofmen'sbodiesthanasadestroyerofmen'ssouls;neitherdoIknowofanyconditioninwhichamancanperishsofatally,soinfinitely,as in thatof themanwhopreachesagospelwhichhedoesnotbelieve,andassumes theofficeofpastorover apeoplewhosegoodhedoesnotintenselydesire.Letuspray to be found faithful always, and ever.GodgrantthattheHolySpiritmaymakeandkeepusso.

CHAPTERXXIITHEBLINDEYEANDTHEDEAFEAR

Havingoftensaidinthisroomthataministeroughttohaveoneblindeyeand one deaf ear, I have excited the curiosity of several brethren, whohaverequestedanexplanation;for itappearstothem,as itdoesalsotome, that thekeener eyes and earswehave thebetter.Well, gentlemen,

sincethetextissomewhatmysterious,youshallhavetheexegesisofit.

ApartofmymeaningisexpressedinplainlanguagebySolomon,inthebookofEcclesiastes(vii.21):"Alsotakenoheeduntoallwordsthatarespoken;lestthouhearthyservantcursethee."Themarginsays,"Givenotthyheart toallwords thatarespoken"donot take themtoheartor letthemweighwithyou,donotnoticethem,oractasifyouheardthem.Youcannotstoppeople'stongues,andthereforethebestthingistostopyourownearsandnevermindwhat is spoken.There is aworldof idle chit-chatabroad,andhewhotakesnoteofitwillhaveenoughtodo.Hewillfindthateventhosewholivewithhimarenotalwayssinginghispraises,andthatwhenhehasdispleasedhismostfaithfulservantstheyhave,intheheatofthemoment,spokenfiercewordswhichitwouldbebetterforhimnottohaveheard.Whohasnot,undertemporaryirritation,saidthatof another which he has afterwards regretted? It is the part of thegenerous to treat passionate words as if they had never been uttered.Whenamanisinanangrymoodit iswisetowalkawayfromhim,andleaveoffstrifebeforeitbemeddledwith;andifwearecompelledtohearhastylanguage,wemustendeavourtoobliterateitfromthememory,andsaywithDavid, "But I, as a deafman, heard not. I was as aman thatheareth not, and inwhosemouth are no reproofs." Tacitus describes awise man as saying to one that railed at him, "You are lord of yourtongue,butIamalsomasterofmyears"--youmaysaywhatyouplease,butIwillonlyhearwhatIchoose.Wecannotshutourearsaswedooureyes,forwehavenoearlids,andyet,aswereadofhimthat"stoppethhisearsfromhearingofblood,"itis,nodoubt,possibletosealtheportalofthe ear so that nothing contraband shall enter. We would say of thegeneralgossipofthevillage,andoftheunadvisedwordsofangryfriends--donothearthem,orifyoumusthearthem,donotlaythemtoheart,foryoualsohavetalkedidlyandangrilyinyourday,andwouldevennowbeinanawkwardpositionifyouwerecalledtoaccountforeverywordthatyouhavespoken,evenaboutyourdearest friend.ThusSolomonarguedas he closed the passage which we have quoted, "For oftentimes alsothineownheartknoweththatthouthyselflikewisehastcursedothers."

In enlarging uponmy text, letme say first, when you commence yourministrymake up yourmind to begin with a clean sheet; be deaf and

blindto the longstandingdifferenceswhichmaysurvive inthechurch.As soon as you enter upon your pastorate youmay bewaited upon bypersonswhoareanxioustosecureyouradhesiontotheirsideinafamilyquarrelorchurchdispute;bedeafandblindtothesepeople,andassurethemthatbygonesmustbebygoneswithyou,and thatasyouhavenotinherited your predecessor's cupboard you do notmean to eat his coldmeat. If any flagrant injusticehasbeendone,bediligent to set it right,butifitbeamerefeud,bidthequarrelsomepartyceasefromit,andtellhimonceforall thatyouwillhavenothing todowith it.TheanswerofGallio will almost suit you: "If it were a matter of wrong or wickedlewdness,OyeJews,reasonwouldthatIshouldbearwithyou:butifitbeaquestionofwordsandnames,andvainjanglings,lookyetoit;forIwillbenojudgeofsuchmatters."WhenIcametoNewPark-streetChapelasa youngman from the country, andwas chosen pastor, I was speedilyinterviewedbyagoodmanwhohad left thechurch,having,ashesaid,been "treated shamefully." He mentioned the names of half-a-dozenpersons, all prominentmembers of the church, who had behaved in averyunchristianmannertohim,he,poorinnocentsufferer,havingbeenamodel of patience and holiness. I learned his character at once fromwhat he said about others (amode of judging which has nevermisledme),andImadeupmymindhowtoact.Itoldhimthatthechurchhadbeeninasadlyunsettledstate,andthattheonlywayoutofthesnarlwasforeveryonetoforgetthepastandbeginagain.Hesaidthatthelapseofyearsdidnotalterfacts,andIrepliedthatitwouldalteraman'sviewofthemifinthattimehehadbecomeawiserandabetterman.However,Iadded, that all the past had gone away with my predecessors, that hemustfollowthemtotheirnewspheres,andsettlematterswiththem,forIwould not touch the affair with a pair of tongs. He waxed somewhatwarm,butIallowedhimtoradiateuntilhewascoolagain,andweshookhands and parted. He was a good man, but constructed upon anuncomfortableprinciple, so thathe cameacross thepathofothers inaveryawkwardmannerattimes,andifIhadgoneintohisnarrativeandexaminedhiscase,therewouldhavebeennoendtothestrife.Iamquitecertainthat, formyownsuccess,andfortheprosperityof thechurch,Itook the wisest course by applyingmy blind eye to all disputes whichdatedpreviouslytomyadvent.Itistheextremeofunwisdomforayoungman fresh fromcollege,or fromanother charge, to sufferhimself tobe

earwigged by a clique, and to be bribed by kindness and flattery tobecome a partisan, and so to ruin himself with one-half of his people.Knownothingofpartiesandcliques,butbethepastorofalltheflock,andcare for all alike. Blessed are the peacemakers, and one sure way ofpeacemakingistoletthefireofcontentionalone.Neitherfanit,norstirit,noradd fuel to it,but let itgooutof itself.Beginyourministrywithoneblindeyeandonedeafear.

Ishouldrecommendtheuseofthesamefaculty,orwantoffaculty,withregard to finance in the matter of your own salary. There are someoccasions, especially in raising a new church, when you may have nodeaconwhoisqualifiedtomanagethatdepartment,and,therefore,youmayfeelcalledupontoundertakeityourselves.Insuchacaseyouarenottobecensured,yououghteventobecommended.Manyatimealsotheworkwouldcometoanendaltogether if thepreacherdidnotactashisown deacon, and find supplies both temporal and spiritual by his ownexertions. To these exceptional cases I have nothing to say but that Iadmirethestrugglingworkeranddeeplysympathizewithhim,forhe isoverweighted, and is apt to be a less successful soldier for his Lordbecauseheisentangledwiththeaffairsofthislife.Inchurcheswhicharewell established, and afford a decentmaintenance, theministerwill dowelltosuperviseallthings,butinterferewithnothing.Ifdeaconscannotbetrustedtheyoughtnot tobedeaconsatall,but if theyareworthyoftheirofficetheyareworthyofourconfidence.Iknowthatinstancesoccurinwhichtheyaresadlyincompetentandyetmustbebornewith,andinsuch a state of things the pastor must open the eye which otherwisewould have remained blind. Rather than the management of churchfundsshouldbecomeascandalwemustresolutelyinterfere,butifthereisnourgentcall forus todosowehadbetterbelieve in thedivisionoflabour, and let deacons do their ownwork.We have the same right asotherofficerstodealwithfinancialmattersifweplease,butitwillbeourwisdomasmuchaspossibletoletthemalone,ifotherswillmanagethemfor us. When the purse is bare, the wife sickly, and the childrennumerous, the preacher must speak if the church does not properlyprovideforhim;buttobeconstantlybringingbeforethepeoplerequestsfor an increase of income is not wise. When a minister is poorlyremunerated, and he feels that he is worthmore, and that the church

couldgivehimmore,heoughtkindly,boldly,andfirmlytocommunicatewith the deacons first, and if they do not take it up he should thenmentionittothebrethreninasensible,business-likeway,notascravingacharity,butasputtingittotheirsenseofhonour,that"thelabourerisworthy of his hire." Let him say outright what he thinks, for there isnothing to be ashamed of, but there would be much more cause forshameifhedishonouredhimselfandthecauseofGodbyplungingintodebt:lethimthereforespeaktothepointinaproperspirittotheproperpersons,andthereendthematter,andnotresorttosecretcomplaining.Faith in God should tone down our concern about temporalities, andenableus topractisewhatwepreach,namely"Takenothought,saying,Whatshallweeat?or,Whatshallwedrink;or,Wherewithalshallwebeclothed?foryourheavenlyFatherknoweththatyehaveneedofallthesethings."Somewhohavepretendedtolivebyfaithhavehadaveryshrewdwayofdrawingoutdonationsbyturnsoftheindirectcorkscrew,butyouwill either ask plainly, like men, or you will leave it to the Christianfeelingofyourpeople,andturntotheitemsandmodesofchurchfinanceablindeyeandadeafear.

The blind eye and the deaf ear will come in exceedingly well inconnection with the gossips of the place. Every church, and, for thematter of that, every village and family, is plagued with certain Mrs.Grundys,whodrink tea and talk vitriol.They areneverquiet, butbuzzaroundtothegreatannoyanceofthosewhoaredevoutandpractical.Noone needs to look far for perpetualmotion, he has only towatch theirtongues. At tea-meetings, Dorcas meetings, and other gatherings, theypractise vivisection upon the characters of their neighbours, and ofcoursetheyareeagertotrytheirknivesupontheminister,theminister'swife,theminister'schildren,theminister'swife'sbonnet,thedressoftheminister'sdaughter,andhowmanynewribbonsshehaswornforthelastsixmonths,andsoonadinfinitum.Therearealsocertainpersonswhoareneversohappyaswhentheyare"grievedtotheheart"tohavetotelltheministerthatMr.A.isasnakeinthegrass,thatheisquitemistakeninthinkingsowellofMessrs.B.andC.,andthat theyhaveheardquite"promiscously"thatMr.D.andhiswifearebadlymatched.ThenfollowsalongstringaboutMrs.E.,whosaysthatsheandMrs.F.overheardMrs.G. say toMrs.H. thatMrs. J. should say thatMr.K. andMissL.were

goingtomovefromthechapelandhearMr.M.,andallbecauseofwhatoldN.saidtoyoungO.aboutthatMissP.Neverlistentosuchpeople.DoasNelsondidwhenheputhisblindeyetothetelescopeanddeclaredthathedidnotseethesignal,andthereforewouldgoonwiththebattle.Letthecreaturesbuzz,anddonotevenhearthem,unlessindeedtheybuzzsomuchconcerningonepersonthatthematterthreatenstobeserious;thenit will be well to bring them to book and talk in sober earnestness tothem. Assure them that you are obliged to have facts definitely beforeyou,thatyourmemoryisnotverytenacious,thatyouhavemanythingsto think of, that you are always afraid of making any mistake in suchmatters,andthatiftheywouldbegoodenoughtowritedownwhattheyhavetosaythecasewouldbemorefullybeforeyou,andyoucouldgivemore time to its consideration.Mrs.Grundywillnotdo that; shehasagreat objection to making clear and definite statements; she preferstalkingatrandom.

I heartily wish that by any process we could put down gossip, but Isuppose that itwillneverbedoneso longas thehumanracecontinueswhatitis,forJamestellsusthat"everykindofbeasts,andofbirds,andof serpents, andof things in the sea, is tamed,andhathbeen tamed ofmankind: but the tongue can noman tame; it is an unruly evil, full ofdeadlypoison."Whatcan'tbecuredmustbeendured,andthebestwayofenduring it is not to listen to it. Over one of our old castles a formerownerhasinscribedtheselines--

THEYSAY.WHATDOTHEYSAY?LETTHEMSAY.

Thin-skinned persons should learn thismotto by heart. The talk of thevillageisneverworthyofnotice,andyoushouldnevertakeanyinterestinitexcepttomournoverthemaliceandheartlessnessofwhichitistoooftentheindicator.

Mayow in hisPlain Preaching very forcibly says, "If youwere to see awomankillinga farmer'sducksandgeese, forthesakeofhavingoneofthefeathers,youwouldseeapersonactingaswedowhenwespeakevilof anyone, for the sakeof thepleasurewe feel inevil speaking.For the

pleasurewefeelisnotworthasinglefeather,andthepainwegiveisoftengreater thanaman feelsat the lossofhisproperty." Inserta remarkofthis kind now and then in a sermon, when there is no special gossipabroad, and it may be of some benefit to the more sensible: I quitedespairoftherest.

Aboveall,neverjoinintale-bearingyourself,andbegyourwifetoabstainfrom it also.Somemenare too talkativebyhalf, and remindmeoftheyoung man who was sent to Socrates to learn oratory. On beingintroduced to the philosopher he talked so incessantly that Socratesasked fordouble fees. "Why chargemedouble?" said the young fellow."Because,"saidtheorator,"Imustteachyoutwosciences:theonehowtohold your tongue and the other how to speak." The first science is themoredifficult,butaimatproficiencyinit,oryouwillsuffergreatly,andcreatetroublewithoutend.

Avoid with your whole soul that spirit of suspicion which sours somemen's lives, and to all things fromwhich youmight harshly draw anunkindinferenceturnablindeyeandadeafear.Suspicionmakesamanatormenttohimselfandaspytowardsothers.Oncebegintosuspect,andcausesfordistrustwillmultiplyaroundyou,andyourverysuspiciousnesswillcreatethemajorpartof them.Manyafriendhasbeentransformedintoanenemybybeingsuspected.Donot,therefore,lookaboutyouwiththeeyesofmistrust,norlistenasaneavesdropperwiththequickearoffear. To go about the congregation ferreting out disaffection, like agamekeeper after rabbits, is a mean employment, and is generallyrewarded most sorrowfully. Lord Bacon wisely advises "the providentstayofenquiryofthatwhichwewouldbelothtofind."Whennothingisto be discoveredwhichwill help us to love others we had better ceasefrom the enquiry, for we may drag to light that which may be thecommencementof yearsof contention. I amnot,of course, referring tocases requiring discipline which must be thoroughly investigated andboldlydealtwith,butIhaveuponmymindmerepersonalmatterswherethemain sufferer is yourself; here it is alwaysbestnot to know,nor towish to know, what is being said about you, either by friends or foes.Thosewhopraiseusareprobablyasmuchmistakenasthosewhoabuseus,andtheonemayberegardedasasetofftotheother,if indeeditbe

worthwhiletakinganyaccountatallofman's judgment.IfwehavetheapprobationofourGod,certifiedbyaplacidconscience,wecanaffordtobeindifferenttotheopinionsofourfellowmen,whethertheycommendorcondemn.Ifwecannotreachthispointwearebabesandnotmen.

Somearechildishlyanxioustoknowtheirfriend'sopinionofthem,andifitcontainthesmallestelementofdissentorcensure,theyregardhimasanenemyforthwith.Surelywearenotpopes,anddonotwishourhearerstoregardusasinfallible!Wehaveknownmenbecomequiteenragedataperfectly fairandreasonableremark,andregardanhonest friendasanopponentwhodelightedtofindfault;thismisrepresentationontheoneside has soon produced heat on the other, and strife has ensued.Howmuchbetterisgentleforbearance!Youmustbeabletobearcriticism,oryouarenotfittobeattheheadofacongregation;andyoumustletthecriticgowithoutreckoninghimamongyourdeadlyfoes,oryouwillproveyourself a mere weakling. It is wisest always to show double kindnesswhereyouhavebeenseverelyhandledbyonewhothoughtithisdutytodoso, forhe isprobablyanhonestmanandworthwinning.Hewho inyour early days hardly thinks you fit for the pastoratemay yet becomeyourfirmestdefender ifhesees thatyougrow ingrace,andadvance inqualification for the work; do not, therefore, regard him as a foe fortruthfullyexpressinghisdoubts;doesnotyourownheartconfessthathisfears were not altogether groundless? Turn your deaf ear to what youjudgetobehisharshcriticism,andendeavourtopreachbetter.

Persons from love of change, frompique, from advance in their tastes,andothercauses,maybecomeuneasyunderourministry,andit iswellfor us to know nothing about it. Perceiving the danger, we must notbetrayourdiscovery,butbestirourselvestoimproveoursermons,hopingthatthegoodpeoplewillbebetterfedandforgettheirdissatisfaction.Iftheyaretrulygraciouspersons,theincipientevilwillpassaway,andnoreal discontent will arise, or if it does you must not provoke it bysuspectingit.

Where I have known that there existed a measure of disaffection tomyself,Ihavenotrecognised it,unless ithasbeenforceduponme,buthave, on the contrary, acted towards the opposing person with all themorecourtesyandfriendliness,andIhaveneverheardanymoreofthe

matter. If I had treated the goodman as an opponent, he would havedonehisbest to take thepartassignedhim,andcarry itout tohisowncredit;butIfeltthatbewasaChristianman,andhadarighttodislikemeif he thought fit, and that if he did so I ought not to thinkunkindly ofhim;andthereforeItreatedhimasonewhowasafriendtomyLord,ifnottome,gavehimsomeworktodowhich impliedconfidence inhim,madehimfeelathome,andbydegreeswonhimtobeanattachedfriendas well as a fellow-worker. The best of people are sometimes out atelbows and say unkind things; we should be glad if our friends couldquiteforgetwhatwesaidwhenwewerepeevishandirritable,anditwillbeChristliketoacttowardsothersinthismatteraswewouldwishthemtodotowardsus.Nevermakeabrotherrememberthatheonceutteredahardspeechinreferencetoyourself.Ifyouseehiminahappiermood,donotmentiontheformerpainfuloccasion:ifhebeamanofrightspirithewill in future be unwilling to vex a pastor who has treated him sogenerously,andifhebeamerebooritisapitytoholdanyargumentwithhim,andthereforethepasthadbettergobydefault.

Itwouldbebetter to bedeceived ahundred times than to live a life ofsuspicion. It is intolerable. The miser who traverses his chamber atmidnightandhearsaburglar inevery falling leaf isnotmorewretchedthan theministerwhobelieves thatplotsarehatchingagainsthim,andthatreportstohisdisadvantagearebeingspread.Irememberabrotherwhobelieved thathewasbeingpoisoned,andwaspersuaded thateventhe seat he sat upon and the clothes he wore had by some subtlechemistry become saturated with death; his life was a perpetual scare,andsuchistheexistenceofaministerwhenhemistrustsallaroundhim.Nor is suspicionmerely a source of disquietude, it is amoral evil, andinjures the character of the man who harbours it. Suspicion in kingscreates tyranny, inhusbands jealousy,and inministersbitterness; suchbitternessasinspiritdissolvesallthetiesofthepastoralrelation,eatinglikeacorrosiveacidintotheverysouloftheofficeandmakingitacurserather than a blessing.When once this terrible evil has curdled all themilkofhumankindness inaman'sbosom,hebecomesmore fit for thedetectivepoliceforcethanfortheministry;likeaspider,hebeginstocastouthislines,andfashionsaweboftremulousthreads,allofwhichleaduptohimselfandwarnhimoftheleasttouchofeventhetiniestmidge.

There he sits in the centre, a mass of sensation, all nerves and rawwounds, excitable and excited, a self-immolated martyr drawing theblazing faggots about him, and apparently anxious to be burned, Themost faithful friend is unsafe under such conditions. Themost carefulavoidance of offence will not secure immunity from mistrust, but willprobablybeconstrued intocunningandcowardice.Society isalmostasmuchindangerfromasuspectingmanasfromamaddog,forhesnapson all sides without reason, and scatters right and left the foam of hismadness. It is vain to reason with the victim of this folly, for withperverse ingenuityhe turns every argument thewrongway, andmakesyour plea for confidence another reason formistrust. It is sad that hecannotseetheiniquityofhisgroundlesscensureofothers,especiallyofthosewho have been his best friends and the firmest upholders of thecauseofChrist.

"IwouldnotwrongVirtuesotriedbytheleastshadeofdoubt.UnduesuspicionismoreabjectbasenessEventhantheguiltsuspected."

No one ought to bemade an offender for aword; but,when suspicionrules, even silence becomes a crime. Brethren, shun this vice byrenouncingtheloveofself.Judgeittobeasmallmatterwhatmenthinkorsayofyou,andcareonly for their treatmentofyourLord.Ifyouarenaturallysensitivedonotindulgetheweakness,norallowotherstoplayuponit.Woulditnotbeagreatdegradationofyourofficeifyouweretokeepanarmyofspiesinyourpaytocollectinformationastoallthatyourpeople said of you? And yet it amounts to this if you allow certainbusybodiesto bring you all the gossip of the place.Drive the creaturesaway.Abhorthosemischiefmaking,tattlinghandmaidenstostrife.Thosewhowill fetchwill carry, andnodoubt thegossips go fromyourhouseand report every observationwhich falls from your lips, with plenty ofgarnishingoftheirown.Rememberthat,asthereceiverisasbadasthethief,sothehearerofscandalisasharerintheguiltofit.Iftherewerenolistening ears there would be no talebearing tongues. While you are abuyerofillwaresthedemandwillcreatethesupply,andthefactoriesoffalsehoodwillbeworkingfulltime.Noonewishestobecomeacreatorof

lies,andyethewhohearsslanderswithpleasureandbelievesthemwithreadinesswillhatchmanyabroodintoactivelife.

Solomon says "a whisper separateth chief friends" (Prov. xvi. 28).Insinuationsarethrownout,andjealousiesaroused,till"mutualcoolnessensues,andneithercanunderstandwhy;eachwonderswhatcanpossiblybe the cause. Thus the firmest, the longest, the warmest, and mostconfidingattachments, thesourcesof life'ssweetest joys,arebrokenupperhaps forever."*This isworkworthyof thearch-fiendhimself,but itcouldneverbedoneifmenlivedoutoftheatmosphereofsuspicion.Asitis,theworldisfullofsorrowthroughthiscause,asorrowassharpasitissuperfluous.Thisisgrievousindeed!Campbelleloquentlyremarks,"Theruinsofoldfriendshipsareamoremelancholyspectacletomethanthoseof desolated palaces. They exhibit the heartwhichwas once lighted upwith joyalldampanddeserted,andhauntedby thosebirdsof illomenthatnestleinruins."Osuspicion,whatdesolationsthouhastmadeintheearth!

Learn to disbelieve those who have no faith in their brethren. Suspectthosewhowouldleadyoutosuspectothers.Aresoluteunbeliefinallthescandalmongers will do much to repress their mischievous energies.MatthewPool inhisCripplegateLecturesays, "Commonfamehath lostitsreputationlongsince,andIdonotknowanythingwhichithathdonein our day to regain it; therefore it ought not to be credited.How fewreportsthereareofanykindwhich,whentheycometobeexamined,wedonot find tobe false!Formypart, I reckon, if Ibelieveone report intwenty, I make a very liberal allowance. Especially distrust reproachesandevil reports,because these spread fastest, asbeinggrateful tomostpersons,whosupposetheirownreputationtobeneversowellgroundedaswhen it isbuiltupon the ruinsofothermen's."Because thepersonswho would render youmistrustful of your friends are a sorry set, andbecausesuspicion is in itselfawretchedandtormentingvice,resolve toturntowardsthewholebusinessyourblindeyeandyourdeafear.

NeedIsayawordortwoaboutthewisdomofneverhearingwhatwasnot meant for you. The eavesdropper is a mean person, very little ifanything better than the common informer; and he who says heoverheard may be considered to have heard over and above what he

shouldhavedone.

Jeremy Taylor wisely and justly observes, "Never listen at the door orwindow,forbesidesthatitcontainsinitadangerandasnare,it isalsoinvading my neighbour's privacy, and a-laying that open, which hetherefore encloses that itmightnotbeopen." It is awellwornproverbthat listenersseldomhearanygoodofthemselves.Listeningisasortoflarceny, but the goods stolen are never a pleasure to the thief.Information obtained by clandestine means must, in all but extremecases,bemoreinjurythanbenefittoacause.Themagistratemayjudgeitexpedienttoobtainevidencebysuchmeans,butIcannotimagineacaseinwhichaministershoulddoso.Oursisamissionofgraceandpeace;wearenotprosecutorswhosearchoutcondemnatoryevidence,but friendswhose love would cover a multitude of offences. The peeping eyes ofCanaan, the son of Ham, shall never be in our employ; we prefer thepiousdelicacyofShemandJaphet,whowentbackwardandcoveredtheshamewhichthechildofevilhadpublishedwithglee.

Toopinionsandremarksaboutyourselfturnalsoasageneralruletheblindeyeandthedeafear.Publicmenmustexpectpubliccriticism,andasthepubliccannotberegardedasinfallible,publicmenmayexpecttobecriticizedinawaywhichisneitherfairnorpleasant.Toallhonestandjustremarksweareboundtogiveduemeasureofheed,buttothebitterverdict of prejudice, the frivolous faultfinding of men of fashion, thestupid utterances of the ignorant, and the fierce denunciations ofopponents,wemayverysafelyturnadeafear.Wecannotexpectthosetoapproveofuswhomwecondemnbyourtestimonyagainsttheirfavouritesins;theircommendationwouldshowthatwehadmissedourmark.Wenaturally look to be approved by our own people, themembers of ourchurches,andtheadherentsofour congregations,andwhen theymakeobservationswhichshowthat theyarenotverygreatadmirers,wemaybetemptedtodiscouragementifnottoanger:hereinliesasnare.WhenIwas about to leave my village charge for London, one of the old menprayedthatImightbe"deliveredfromthebleatingofthesheep."ForthelifeofmeIcouldnotimaginewhathemeant,buttheriddleisplainnow,andIhavelearnedtooffertheprayermyself.Toomuchconsiderationofwhat issaidbyourpeople,whether itbe inpraiseor indepreciation, is

not good for us. If we dwell on high with "that great Shepherd of thesheep"weshallcarelittleforalltheconfusedbleatingsaroundus,butifwebecome"carnal,andwalkasmen,"weshallhavelittlerestifwelistentothis, that, and theotherwhicheverypoor sheepmaybleat aboutus.Perhaps it is quite true that you were uncommonly dull last Sabbathmorning,buttherewasnoneedthatMrs.ClackshouldcomeandtellyouthatDeaconJonesthoughtso.Itismorethanprobablethathavingbeenout in the country all the previous week, your preaching was very likemilkandwater,buttherecanbenonecessityforyourgoingroundamongthepeopletodiscoverwhethertheynoticeditornot.Isitnotenoughthatyourconscienceisuneasyuponthepoint?Endeavourtoimproveforthefuture,butdonotwanttohearall thateveryJack,Tom,andMarymayhave to sayabout it.On theotherhand, youwereon thehighhorse inyourlastsermon,andfinishedwithquiteaflourishoftrumpets,andyoufeel considerable anxiety to know what impression you produced.Repress your curiosity: itwill do youno good to enquire. If thepeopleshould happen to agree with your verdict, it will only feed your pitifulvanity,andiftheythinkotherwiseyourfishingfortheirpraisewillinjureyouintheiresteem.Inanycaseitisallaboutyourself,andthisisapoorthemetobeanxiousabout;playtheman,anddonotdemeanyourselfbyseeking compliments like little children when dressed in new clothes,whosay,"Seemyprettyfrock."Haveyounotbythistimediscoveredthatflatteryisasinjuriousasitispleasant?Itsoftensthemindandmakesyoumoresensitivetoslander.Inproportionaspraisepleasesyoucensurewillpainyou.Besides, it isacrimetobetakenoff fromyourgreatobjectofglorifyingtheLordJesusbypettyconsiderationsastoyourlittleself,and,iftherewerenootherreason,thisoughttoweighmuchwithyou.Prideisadeadlysin,andwillgrowwithoutyourborrowingtheparishwater-carttoquickenit.Forgetexpressionswhichfeedyourvanity,andifyoufindyourself relishing the unwholesome morsels confess the sin with deephumiliation. Payson showed that he was strong in the Lord when hewrotetohismother,"Youmustnot,certainly,mydearmother,sayonewordwhichevenlookslikeanintimationthatyouthinkmeadvancingingrace. Icannotbear it.All thepeoplehere,whether friendsorenemies,conspiretoruinme.Satanandmyownheart,ofcourse,willlendahand;andifyoujointoo,IfearallthecoldwaterwhichChristcanthrowuponmy pridewill not prevent its breaking out into a destructive flame. As

certainlyasanybodyflattersandcaressesmemyheavenlyFatherhastowhipme:andanunspeakablemercyitisthathecondescendstodoit.Ican, it is true, easily muster a hundred reasons why I should not beproud, but pride will not mind reason, nor anything else but a gooddrubbing.EvenatthismomentIfeelittinglinginmyfingers'ends,andseeking to guide my pen." Knowing something myself of those secretwhippings which our good Father administers to his servants when heseesthemundulyexalted,Iheartilyaddmyownsolemnwarningsagainstyourpamperingthefleshbylisteningtothepraisesofthekindestfriendsyouhave.Theyareinjudicious,andyoumustbewareofthem.

A sensible friendwhowill unsparingly criticize you fromweek toweekwill be a far greater blessing to you than a thousand undiscriminatingadmirers if you have sense enough to bear his treatment, and graceenough to be thankful for it. When I was preaching at the SurreyGardens,anunknowncensorofgreatabilityusedtosendmeaweeklylistofmymispronunciationsandotherslipsofspeech.Heneversignedhisname,andthatwasmyonlycauseofcomplaintagainsthim, forhe leftme inadebtwhich I couldnot acknowledge. I take this opportunity ofconfessingmyobligationstohim,forwithgenialtemper,andanevidentdesiretobenefitme,hemarkeddownmostrelentlesslyeverythingwhichhe supposed me to have said incorrectly. Concerning some of thesecorrectionshewas in errorhimself, but for themostparthewas right,and his remarks enabled me to perceive and avoid many mistakes. Ilookedforhisweeklymemorandawithmuchinterest,andItrustIamallthe better for them. If I had repeated a sentence two or three Sundaysbefore, he would say, "See same expression in such a sermon,"mentioningnumber andpage.He remarkedononeoccasion that I toooftenquotedtheline

"NothinginmyhandsIbring,"

and, he added, "we are sufficiently informed of the vacuity of yourhands."Hedemandedmyauthority for callingamancovechus;and soon. Possibly some young men might have been discouraged, if notirritated,bysuchseverecriticisms,buttheywouldhavebeenveryfoolish,for in resenting such correction theywouldhavebeen throwingawayavaluable aid to progress. No money can purchase outspoken honest

judgment,andwhenwecangetitfornothingletusutilizeittothefullestextent.Theworstofitisthatofthosewhooffertheirjudgmentsfewarequalifiedtoformthem,andweshallbepesteredwithfoolish,impertinentremarks,unlessweturntothemalltheblindeyeandthedeafear.

In the case of false reports against yourself, for themost part use thedeafear.Unfortunatelyliarsarenotyetextinct,and,likeRichardBaxterandJohnBunyan,youmaybeaccusedofcrimeswhichyoursoulabhors.Benotstaggeredthereby,forthistrialhasbefallentheverybestofmen,andevenyourLorddidnotescapetheenvenomedtongueof falsehood.Inalmostallcasesitisthewisestcoursetoletsuchthingsdieanaturaldeath.Agreatlie,ifunnoticed,islikeabigfishoutofwater,itdashesandplungesandbeatsitselftodeathinashorttime.Toansweritistosupplyitwith itselement,andhelp it toa longer life.Falsehoodsusuallycarrytheir own refutation somewhere about them, and sting themselves todeath. Some lies especially have a peculiar smell, which betrays theirrottennesstoeveryhonestnose.Ifyouaredisturbedbythemtheobjectof their invention is partly answered, but your silent endurancedisappointsmaliceandgivesyouapartialvictory,whichGodinhiscareofyouwillsoonturnintoacompletedeliverance.Yourblamelesslifewillbeyourbestdefence,andthosewhohaveseenitwillnotallowyoutobecondemned so readily as your slanderers expect. Only abstain fromfightingyourownbattles,andinninecasesoutoftenyouraccuserswillgain nothing by their malevolence but chagrin for themselves andcontemptfromothers.Toprosecutetheslandererisveryseldomwise.IrememberabelovedservantofChristwhoinhisyouthwasverysensitive,and, being falsely accused, proceeded against the person at law. Anapologywasoffered, itwithdrewevery iotaof thecharge,andwasmostample, but the good man insisted upon its being printed in thenewspapers, and the result convinced him of his own unwisdom.Multitudes, who would otherwise have never heard of the libel, askedwhat itmeant, andmadecomments thereon,generally concludingwiththesageremarkthathemusthavedonesomethingimprudenttoprovokesuchanaccusation.Hewasheardtosaythatsolongasbelivedhewouldnever resort to suchamethodagain, forhe felt that thepublic apologyhaddonehimmoreharmthantheslanderitself.Standingaswedoinapositionwhichmakes us choice targets for the devil and his allies, our

best course is to defend our innocence by our silence and leave ourreputationwithGod.Yetthereareexceptionstothisgeneralrule.Whendistinct,definite,publicchargesaremadeagainstamanhe isboundtoanswerthem,andanswerthemintheclearestandmostopenmanner.Todeclineall investigation is insuchacasepractically topleadguilty,andwhatever may be the mode of putting it, the general public ordinarilyregard a refusal to reply as a proof of guilt. Under mere worry andannoyance it is by far the best to be altogether passive, but when thematterassumesmoreseriousproportions,andouraccuserdefiesustoadefence,weareboundtomeethischargeswithhoneststatementsoffact.IneveryinstancecounselshouldbesoughtoftheLordastohowtodealwith slanderous tongues, and in the issue innocence will be vindicatedandfalsehoodconvicted.

Someministers have been broken in spirit, driven from their position,andeveninjuredincharacterbytakingnoticeofvillagescandal.Iknowafineyoungman,forwhomIpredictedacareerofusefulness,whofellintogreat trouble because he at first allowed it to be a trouble and thenworkedhardtomakeitso.Hecametomeandcomplainedthathehadagreatgrievance;andso itwasagrievance,but frombeginningtoend itwasallaboutwhatsomehalf-dozenwomenhadsaidabouthisprocedureafterthedeathofhiswife.Itwasoriginallytoosmallathingtodealwith,--aMrs.Q.had said that she shouldnotwonder if theministermarriedthe servant then living in his house; another represented her as sayingthatheoughttomarryher,andthenathird,withamaliciousingenuity,foundadeepermeaninginthewords,andconstruedthemintoacharge.Worstofall,thedearsensitivepreachermustneedstracethematteroutandaccuseascoreortwoofpeopleofspreadinglibelsagainsthim,andeven threaten some of them with legal proceedings. If he could haveprayed over it in secret, or even have whistled over it, no harmwouldhave come of the tittle-tattle; but this dear brother could not treat theslander wisely, for he had not what I earnestly recommend to you,namely,ablindeyeandadeafear.

Oncemore,mybrethren,theblindeyeandthedeafearwillbeusefultoyou in relation to other churches and their pastors. I am alwaysdelightedwhenabrotherinmeddlingwithotherpeople'sbusinessburns

hisfingers.Whydidhenotattendtohisownconcernsandnotepiscopizeinanother'sdiocese?Iamfrequentlyrequestedbymembersofchurchesto meddle in their home disputes; but unless they come to me withauthority, officially appointing me to be umpire I decline. AlexanderCrudengavehimselfthenameof"theCorrector,"andIhaveneverenviedhim the title. It would need a peculiar inspiration to enable a man tosettleall thecontroversiesofourchurches,andasa rule thosewhoareleast qualified are the most eager to attempt it. For the most partinterference,howeverwell intentioned, isa failure. Internaldissensionsinourchurchesarevery likequarrelsbetweenmanandwife:when thecase comes to such a pass that they must fight it out, the interposingpartywill be the victimof their common fury.NoonebutMr.VerdantGreenwillinterfereinadomesticbattle,forthemanofcourseresentsit,andthelady,thoughsufferingfrommanyablow,willsay,"Youleavemyhusbandalone;behasarighttobeatmeifhelikes."Howevergreatthemutual animosity of conjugal combatants, it seems to be forgot inresentment against intruders; and so, amongst the very independentdenominationofBaptists,thepersonoutsidethechurchwhointerferesinanymannerissuretogettheworstof it.Donotconsideryourselftobethebishopofalltheneighbouringchurches,butbesatisfiedwithlookingafter Lystra, or Derbe, or Thessalonica, or whichever churchmay havebeenallottedtoyourcare,andleavePhilippiandEphesusinthehandsoftheirownpastors.Donotencouragedisaffectedpersons infindingfaultwith their minister, or in bringing you news of evils in othercongregations. When you meet your brother ministers do not be in ahurry to advise them; they know their duty quite as well as you knowyours,andyourjudgmentupontheircourseofactionisprobablyfoundeduponpartialinformationsuppliedfromprejudicedsources.Donotgrieveyourneighboursbyyourmeddlesomeness.Wehaveallenough todoathome,anditisprudenttokeepoutofalldisputeswhichdonotbelongtous.Wearerecommendedbyoneoftheworld'sproverbstowashourdirtylinenathome,andIwilladdanotherlinetoit,andadvisethatwedonotcallonourneighbourswhiletheirlinenisinthesuds.Thisisduetoourfriends,andwillbestpromotepeace."Hethatpassethbyandmeddlethwithstrifebelongingnottohim,islikeonethattakethadogbytheears"--heisveryapttobebitten,andfewwillpityhim.Bridgeswiselyobservesthat"OurblessedMasterhasreadusalessonofgodlywisdom.Hehealed

thecontentionsinhisownfamily,butwhencalledtomeddlewithstrifebelongingnottohim,hegaveanswer-"Whomademeajudgeoradividerover you?" Self-constituted judges win but little respect; if they weremorefittocensuretheywouldbeless inclinedtodoso.Manyatriflingdifference within a church has been fanned into a great flame byministersoutsidewhohadnoideaofthemischieftheywerecausing:theygave verdicts upon ex parte statements, and so egged on opposingpersons who felt safe when they could say that the neighbouringministersquiteagreedwiththem.Mycounselisthatwejointhe"Know-nothings," andnever sayaworduponamatter tillwehaveheardbothsides;and,moreover,thatwedoourbesttoavoidhearingeitheronesideortheotherifthematterdoesnotconcernus.

IsnotthisasufficientexplanationofmydeclarationthatIhaveoneblindeyeandonedeafear,andthattheyarethebesteyeandearIhave?

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*Dr.WardlawonProverbs.

CHAPTERXXIIIONCONVERSIONASOURAIM

Thegrandobjectof theChristianministry is thegloryofGod.Whethersouls are converted or not, if Jesus Christ be faithfully preached, theministerhasnot laboured invain, forhe isa sweetsavouruntoGodaswellinthemthatperishasinthemthataresaved.Yet,asarule,GodhassentustopreachinorderthatthroughthegospelofJesusChristthesonsof men may be reconciled to Him. Here and there a preacher ofrighteousness,likeNoah,maylabouronandbringnonebeyondhisownfamilycircle into the ark of salvation; and another, like Jeremiah,mayweepinvainoveranimpenitentnation;but,forthemostpart,theworkof preaching is intended to save the hearers. It is ours to sow even instonyplaces,where no fruit rewards our toil; but stillwe are bound to

lookforaharvest,andmournifitdoesnotappearinduetime.

The glory of God being our chief object, we aim at it by seeking theedification of saints and the salvation of sinners. It is a noble work toinstructthepeopleofGod,andtobuildthemupintheirmostholyfaith:wemay by nomeans neglect this duty. To this endwemust give clearstatementsofgospeldoctrine,ofvitalexperience,andofChristianduty,andnevershrinkfromdeclaringthewholecounselofGod.Intoomanycasessublime truths are held in abeyanceunder the pretence that theyarenotpractical;whereastheveryfactthattheyarerevealedprovesthattheLordthinksthemtobeofvalue,andwoeuntousifwepretendtobewiserthanHe.WemaysayofanyandeverydoctrineofScripture

"Togiveitthenatongueiswiseinman."

If anyonenote isdropped from thedivineharmonyof truth themusicmaybesadlymarred.Yourpeoplemay fall intogravespiritualdiseasesthroughthelackofacertainformofspiritualnutrimentwhichcanonlybe suppliedby thedoctrineswhichyouwithhold. In the foodwhichweeatthereare ingredientswhichdonotat firstappeartobenecessarytolife;butexperienceshowsthattheyarerequisitetohealthandstrength.Phosphoruswillnotmake flesh,but it iswanted forbone;manyearthsand salts come under the same description they are necessary in dueproportiontothehumaneconomy.Eventhuscertaintruthswhichappearto be little adapted for spiritual nutriment are, nevertheless, verybeneficial in furnishing believers with backbone and muscle, and inrepairingthevariedorgansofChristianmanhood.Wemustpreach"thewholetruth,"thatthemanofGodmaybethoroughlyfurnisheduntoallgoodworks.

OurgreatobjectofglorifyingGodis,however,tobemainlyachievedbythewinningofsouls.WemustseesoulsbornuntoGod.Ifwedonot,ourcryshouldbethatofRachel"Givemechildren,orIdie."Ifwedonotwinsouls,weshouldmournasthehusbandmanwhoseesnoharvest,asthefisherman who returns to his cottage with an empty net, or as thehuntsman who has in vain roamed over hill and dale. Ours should beIsaiah'slanguageutteredwithmanyasighandgroan"Whohathbelievedour report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?" The

ambassadors of peace should not cease to weep bitterly until sinnersweepfortheirsins.

Ifwe intenselydesiretoseeourhearersbelieveontheLordJesus,howshallweactinordertobeusedofGodforproducingsucharesult?Thisisthethemeofthepresentlecture.

Since conversion is a divine work, we must take care thatwe dependentirelyupon theSpirit ofGod, and look toHim forpowerovermen'sminds.Oftenasthisremarkisrepeated,Ifearwetoolittlefeelitsforce;forifweweremoretrulysensibleofourneedoftheSpiritofGod,shouldwenotstudymoreindependenceuponHisteaching?Shouldwenotpraymore importunately tobeanointedwithHissacredunction?Shouldwenot in preaching givemore scope forHis operation? Dowe not fail inmanyofourefforts,becausewepractically,thoughnotdoctrinally,ignorethe Holy Ghost? His place as God is on the throne, and in all ourenterprisesHemustbefirst,midst,andend:weare instruments inHishand,andnothingmore.

This being fully admitted, what else should be done if we hope to seeconversions? Assuredly we should be careful to preach mostprominentlythosetruthswhicharelikelytoleadtothisend.Whattruthsarethose?Ianswer,weshouldfirstandforemostpreachChrist,andHimcrucified.WhereJesus isexaltedsoulsareattracted"I, if Ibe liftedup,willdrawallmenuntome."ThepreachingofthecrossistothemthataresavedthewisdomofGodandthepowerofGod.TheChristianministershouldpreachallthetruthswhichclusteraroundthepersonandworkoftheLordJesus,andhencehemustdeclareveryearnestlyandpointedlytheevilofsin,whichcreatedtheneedofaSaviour.Lethimshowthatsinisabreachofthelaw,thatitnecessitatespunishment,andthatthewrathofGodisrevealedagainstit.Lethimnevertreatsinasthoughitwereatrifle,oramisfortune,butlethimsetitforthasexceedingsinful.Lethimgo into particulars, not superficially glancing at evil in the gross, butmentioning various sins in detail, especially those most current at thetime:suchasthatall-devouringhydraofdrunkenness,whichdevastatesour land; lying,which in the formof slander aboundsonall sides; andlicentiousness, which must be mentioned with holy delicacy, and yetneeds to be denounced unsparingly.Wemust especially reprove those

evils intowhichourhearershavefallen,orarelikelytofall.Explaintheten commandments and obey the divine injunction: "show my peopletheir transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins." Open up thespiritualityofthelawasourLorddid,andshowhowitisbrokenbyevilthoughts,intents,andimaginations.Bythismeansmanysinnerswillbeprickedintheirhearts.OldRobbieFlockhartusedtosay,"Itisofnousetryingtosewwiththesilkenthreadofthegospelunlesswepierceawayforitwiththesharpneedleofthelaw."Thelawgoesfirst,liketheneedle,and draws the gospel thread after it: therefore preach concerning sin,righteousness, and judgment to come. Let such language as that of thefifty-firstPsalmbeoftenexplained:showthatGodrequirethtruthintheinwardparts,andthatpurgingwithsacrificialbloodisabsolutelyneedful.Aimattheheart.Probethewoundandtouchtheveryquickofthesoul.Sparenotthesternerthemes,formenmustbewoundedbeforetheycanbehealed,andslainbeforetheycanbemadealive.Nomanwilleverputon the robeofChrist's righteousness tillhe is strippedofhis fig leaves,nor will he wash in the fount of mercy till he perceives his filthiness.Therefore, my brethren, we must not cease to declare the law, itsdemands,itsthreatenings,andthesinner'smultipliedbreachesofit.

Teach the depravity of human nature. Show men that sin is not anaccident, but the genuine outcome of their corrupt hearts. Preach thedoctrineofthenaturaldepravityofman.Itisanunfashionabletruth;fornowadaysministersaretobefoundwhoareveryfineupon"thedignityofhumannature."The"lapsedstateofman"thatisthephraseissometimesalluded to, but the corruption of our nature, and kindred themes arecarefully avoided: Ethiopians are informed that they may whiten theirskins,anditishopedthatleopardswillremovetheirspots.Brethren,youwill not fall into this delusion, or, if you do, you may expect fewconversions.Toprophesysmooththings,andtoextenuatetheevilofourlostestate,isnotthewaytoleadmentoJesus.

Brethren,thenecessityfortheHolyGhost'sdivineoperationswillfollowas a matter of course upon the former teaching, for dire necessitydemandsdivineinterposition.Menmustbetoldthattheyaredead,andthat only the Holy Spirit can quicken them; that the Spirit worksaccording to His own good pleasure, and that no man can claim his

visitations or deserve his aid. This is thought to be very discouragingteaching, and so it is, but men need to be discouraged when they areseekingsalvationinawrongmanner.Toputthemoutofconceitoftheirownabilities isagreathelp towardbringing them to lookoutof self toanother, even the Lord Jesus. The doctrine of election and other greattruthswhichdeclaresalvationtobeallofgrace,andtobe,nottherightofthecreature,butthegiftoftheSovereignLord,areallcalculatedtohidepridefromman,andsotopreparehimtoreceivethemercyofGod.

WemustalsosetbeforeourhearersthejusticeofGodandthecertaintythateverytransgressionwillbepunished.Oftenmustwe

Beforethemplaceindreadarray,ThepompofthattremendousdayWhenChristwithcloudsshallcome."

Soundintheirearsthedoctrineofthesecondadvent,notasacuriosityofprophecy,butasasolemnpracticalfact.ItisidletosetforthourLordinall the tinkling bravery of an earthly kingdom, after the manner ofbrethrenwhobelieveinarevivedJudaism;weneedtopreachtheLordascoming to judge theworld in righteousness, to summon the nations toHisbar,andtoseparatethemasashepherddivideththesheepfromthegoats, Paul preached of righteousness, temperance, and judgment tocome,andmadeFelix tremble: these themesare equallypowerfulnow.We rob the gospel of its power if we leave out its threatenings ofpunishment.Itistobefearedthatthenovelopinionsuponannihilationand restorationwhichhave afflicted theChurch in these last dayshavecausedmanyministerstobeslowtospeakconcerningthelastjudgmentand its issues,andconsequently the terrorsof theLordhavehad smallinfluenceuponeitherpreachersorhearers.Ifthisbesoitcannotbetoomuchregretted,foronegreatmeansofconversionisthusleftunused.

Belovedbrethren,wemustbemostofallclearuponthegreatsoul-savingdoctrine of the atonement; we must preach a real bona fidesubstitutionarysacrifice,andproclaimpardonasitsresult.Cloudyviewsastoatoningbloodaremischievoustothelastdegree;soulsareheldinunnecessary bondage, and saints are robbed of the calm confidence offaith,becausetheyarenotdefinitelytoldthat"GodhathmadeHimtobe

sinforus,whoknewnosin,thatwemightbemadetherighteousnessofGod in Him." We must preach substitution straightforwardly andunmistakeably,forifanydoctrinebeplainlytaughtinScriptureitisthis,--"ThechastisementofourpeacewasuponHim,andwithHisstripeswearehealed.""He,Hisownself,bareoursinsinHisownbodyonthetree."Thistruthgivesrest totheconsciencebyshowinghowGodcanbe just,and the justifier of him that believeth. This is the great net of gospelfishermen: the fish are drawn or driven in the right direction by othertruths,butthisisthenetitself.

Ifmenaretobesaved,wemustinplainesttermspreachjustification,byfaith, as themethod by which the atonement becomes effectual in thesoul'sexperience. Ifwearesavedby thesubstitutionaryworkofChrist,nomeritofoursiswanted,andallmenhavetodoisbyasimplefaithtoacceptwhatChristhasalreadydone.Itisdelightfultodwellonthegrandtruththat"Thisman,afterHehadofferedonesacrificeforsinsforever,satdownon the righthandofGod."Oglorioussight--theChristsittingdownintheplaceofhonourbecauseHisworkisdone.Wellmaythesoulrestinaworksoevidentlycomplete.

Justification by faithmust never be obscured, and yet all are not clearuponit.Ionceheardasermonupon"Theythatsowintearsshallreapinjoy,"ofwhichtheEnglishwas,"Begood,verygood,andthoughyouwillhave to suffer in consequence, God will reward you in the end." Thepreacher, no doubt, believed in justification by faith, but he verydistinctlypreachedtheoppositedoctrine.Manydothiswhenaddressingchildren, and I notice that they generally speak to the little ones aboutloving Jesus, and not upon believing in Him This must leave amischievousimpressionuponyouthfulmindsandtakethemofffromthetruewayofpeace.

Preach earnestly the love of God in Christ Jesus, and magnify theaboundingmercyoftheLord;butalwayspreachitinconnectionwithHisjustice. Do not extol the single attribute of love in the method toogenerallyfollowed,butregardloveinthehightheologicalsense,inwhich,likeagoldencircle,itholdswithinitselfallthedivineattributes:forGodwerenot love ifHewerenot just, anddidnothate everyunholy thing.Neverexaltoneattributeattheexpenseofanother.Letboundlessmercy

beseenincalmconsistencywithsternjusticeandunlimitedsovereignty.The true character of God is fitted to awe, impress, and humble thesinner:becarefulnottomisrepresentyourLord.

All these truths and others which complete the evangelical system arecalculated to leadmen to faith; thereforemake them the stapleof yourteaching.

Secondly, if we are intensely anxious to have souls saved wemust notonlypreachthetruthswhicharelikelytoleaduptothisend,butwemustusemodesofhandlingthosetruthswhicharelikelytoconducethereto.Doyouenquire,whatarethey?First,youmustdoagreatdealbywayofinstruction.Sinnersarenotsavedindarknessbutfromit;"thatthesoulbewithout knowledge, it is not good."Menmust be taught concerningthemselves, their sin, and their fall; their Saviour, redemption,regeneration,andsoon.ManyawakenedsoulswouldgladlyacceptGod'swayofsalvationiftheydidbutknowit;theyareakintothoseofwhomtheapostlesaid,"Andnowbrethren,Iwotthatthroughignoranceyedidit." If youwill instruct themGodwill save them: is it notwritten, "theentrance of thy word giveth light"? If the Holy Spirit blesses yourteaching,theywillseehowwrongtheyhavebeen,andtheywillbeledtorepentanceandfaith.Idonotbelieveinthatpreachingwhichliesmainlyinshouting,"Believe!believe!believe!"Incommonjusticeyouareboundtotellthepoorpeoplewhattheyaretobelieve.Theremustbeinstruction,otherwisetheexhortationtobelieveismanifestlyridiculous,andmustinpracticebeabortive.Ifearthatsomeofourorthodoxbrethrenhavebeenprejudicedagainst the free invitationsof thegospelbyhearing theraw,undigestedharanguesofrevivalistspeakerswhoseheadsarelooselyputtogether.ThebestwaytopreachsinnerstoChrist is topreachChrist tosinners. Exhortations, entreaties, and beseechings, if not accompaniedwithsoundinstruction,arelikefiringoffpowderwithoutshot.Youmayshout,andweep,andplead,butyoucannotleadmentobelievewhattheyhavenotheard, nor to receive a truthwhich has never been set beforethem. "Because the preacher was wise, he still taught the peopleknowledge."

Whilegivinginstructionsitiswisetoappealtotheunderstanding.Truereligionisaslogicalasifitwerenotemotional.Iamnotanadmirerofthe

peculiarviewsofMr,Finney,but Ihavenodoubt thathewasuseful tomany;andhispowerlayinhisuseofcleararguments.Manywhoknewhisfameweregreatlydisappointedatfirsthearinghim,becauseheusedfewbeautiesofspeechandwasascalmanddryasabookofEuclid;buthe was exactly adapted to a certain order of minds, and they wereconvincedandconvictedbyhisforciblereasoning.Shouldnotpersonsofanargumentativecastofmindbeprovidedfor?Wearetobeallthingstoallmen,andtothesemenwemustbecomeargumentativeandpushthemintoa cornerwithplaindeductions andnecessary inferences.Of carnalreasoning we would have none, but of fair, honest pondering,considering,judging,andarguingthemorethebetter.

Theclassrequiringlogicalargumentissmallcomparedwiththenumberof thosewhoneed tobepleadedwith,bywayofemotionalpersuasion.Theyrequirenotsomuchreasoningasheart-argumentwhichislogicsetonfire.Youmustarguewiththemasamotherpleadswithherboythathewillnotgrieveher,orasa fondsisterentreatsabrothertoreturntotheirfather'shomeandseekreconciliation:argumentmustbequickenedintopersuasionbythelivingwarmthoflove.Coldlogichasitsforce,butwhen made red hot with affection the power of tender argument isinconceivable. The power which one mind can gain over others isenormous, but it is often best developed when the leading mind hasceased to have power over itself.When passionate zeal has carried themanhimselfawayhisspeechbecomesanirresistibletorrent,sweepingallbefore it. A man known to be godly and devout, and felt to be large-heartedandselfsacrificing,hasapowerinhisveryperson,andhisadviceandrecommendationcarryweightbecauseofhischaracter;butwhenhecomestopleadandtopersuade,eventotears,hisinfluenceiswonderful,and God the Holy Spirit yokes it into His service. Brethren, we mustplead.Entreatiesandbeseechingsmustblendwithourinstructions.AnyandeveryappealwhichwillreachtheconscienceandmovementoflytoJesuswemustperpetuallyemploy,ifbyanymeanswemaysavesome.Ihavesometimesheardministersblamedforspeakingofthemselveswhentheyarepleading,butthecensureneednotbemuchregardedwhilewehavesuchaprecedentastheexampleofPaul.Toacongregationwholoveyou it is quite allowable to mention your grief that many of them areunsaved, and your vehement desire, and incessant prayer for their

conversion.YouaredoingrightwhenyoumentionyourownexperienceofthegoodnessofGodinChristJesus,andpleadwithmentocomeandtaste the same. We must not be abstractions or mere officials to ourpeople;butwemustpleadwiththemasrealfleshandblood,ifwewouldseethemconverted.Whenyoucanquoteyourselfasalivinginstanceofwhatgracehasdone,thepleaistoopowerfultobewithheldthroughfearofbeingchargedwithegotism.

Sometimes, too, we must change our tone. Instead of instructing,reasoningandpersuading,wemustcometothreatening,anddeclarethewrath of God upon impenitent souls. We must lift the curtain and letthemseethe future.Showthemtheirdanger,andwarn themtoescapefromthewrathtocome.Thisdone,wemustreturntoinvitation,andsetbeforetheawakenedmindtherichprovisionsofinfinitegracewhicharefreelypresentedtothesonsofmen.InourMaster'snamewemustgivethe invitation, crying, "Whosoever will, let him take the water of lifefreely." Do not be deterred from this, my brethren, by those ultra-Calvinistictheologianswhosay,"Youmayinstructandwarntheungodly,butyoumustnotinviteorentreatthem."Andwhynot?"Becausetheyaredeadsinners,anditisthereforeabsurdtoinvitethem,sincetheycannotcome."Whereforethenmaywewarnorinstructthem?Theargumentissostrong, itbestrongatall, that it sweepsawayallmodesofappeal tosinners,and theyaloneare logicalwho,after theyhavepreached to thesaints,sitdownandsay,"Theelectionhathobtainedit,andtherestwereblinded."Onwhatgroundarewetoaddresstheungodlyatall?IfweareonlytobidthemdosuchthingsastheyarecapableofdoingwithouttheSpiritofGod,wearereducedtomeremoralists.Ifitbeabsurdtobidthedead sinner believe and live, it is equally vain to bid him consider hisstate, and reflect upon his future doom. Indeed, it would be idlealtogetherwereitnotthattruepreachingisanactoffaith,andisownedbytheHolySpiritasthemeansofworkingspiritualmiracles.Ifwewerebyourselves,anddidnotexpectdivineinterpositions,weshouldbewisetokeepwithintheboundsofreason,andpersuadementodoonlywhatweseeinthemtheabilitytodo.Weshouldthenbidthelivinglive,urgetheseeingtosee,andpersuadethewillingtowill.Thetaskwouldbesoeasythatitmightevenseemtobesuperfluous;certainlynospecialcalloftheHolyGhostwouldbeneededforsoverysimpleanundertaking.But,

brethren, where is the mighty power and the victory of faith if ourministry is this andnothingmore?Whoamong the sonsofmenwouldthinkitagreatvocationtobesentintoasynagoguetosaytoaperfectlyvigorousman, "Rise up andwalk," or to the possessor of sound limbs,"Stretch out thine hand." He is a poor Ezekiel whose greatestachievementistocry,"Yelivingsouls,live."

Letthetwomethodsbesetsidebysideastopracticalresult,anditwillbeseenthatthosewhoneverexhortsinnersareseldomwinnersofsoulstoanygreatextent,buttheymaintaintheirchurchesbyconvertsfromothersystems, I have even heard them say, "Oh, yes, the Methodists andRevivalistsarebeatingthehedges,butweshallcatchmanyofthebirds."IfIharbouredsuchameanthoughtIshouldbeashamedtoexpressit.Asystemwhich cannot touch the outsideworld, butmust leave arousingandconvertingworktoothers,whomitjudgestobeunsound,writesitsowncondemnation.

Again,brethren,ifwewishtoseesoulssaved,wemustbewiseastothetimes when we address the unconverted. Very little common sense isspent over thismatter. Under certainministries there is a set time forspeaking tosinners,and thiscomesas regularlyas thehourofnoon. Afewcrumbsofthefeastarethrowntothedogsunderthetableatthecloseofthediscourse,andtheytreatyourcrumbsasyoutreatthem,namely,withcourteous indifference.Whyshouldthewarningwordbealwaysatthehinderendofthediscoursewhenhearersaremostlikelytobeweary?Whygivemennotice tobuckleontheirharnesssoas tobepreparedtorepelourattack?Whentheir interest isexcited,andtheyareleastuponthedefensive,thenletflyashaftatthecareless,anditwillfrequentlybemoreeffectualthanawholeflightofarrowsshotagainstthematatimewhentheyarethoroughlyencasedinarmourofproof.Surpriseisagreatelementingainingattentionandfixingaremarkuponthememory,andtimes for addressing the careless should be chosenwith an eye to thatfact.Itmaybeverywellasaruletoseektheedificationof thesaints inthe morning discourse, but it would be wise to vary it, and let theunconvertedsometimeshavethechieflabourofyourpreparationandthebestserviceoftheday.

Donotcloseasinglesermonwithoutaddressingtheungodly,butatthe

sametimesetyourselfseasonsforadeterminedandcontinuousassaultupon them, and proceed with all your soul to the conflict. On suchoccasions aim distinctly at immediate conversions; labour to removeprejudices, to resolve doubts, to conquer objections, and to drive thesinneroutofhishiding-placesatonce.Summonthechurchmemberstospecialprayer,beseechthemtospeakpersonallybothwiththeconcernedandtheunconcerned,andbeyourselfdoublyuponthewatchtoaddressindividuals.WehavefoundthatourFebruarymeetingsattheTabernaclehave yielded remarkable results: the whole month being dedicated tospecialeffort.Winterisusuallythepreacher'sharvest,becausethepeoplecan come together better in the long evenings, and are debarred fromout-of-door exercises and amusements. Be well prepared for theappropriateseasonwhen"kingsgoforthtobattle."

Amongtheimportantelementsinthepromotionofconversionareyourowntone, temper,andspirit inpreaching. If youpreach the truth inadull,monotonous style, Godmay bless it, but in all probability hewillnot;atanyratethetendencyofsuchastyleisnottopromoteattention,but to hinder it. It is not often that sinners are awakened byministerswhoarethemselvesasleep.Ahard,unfeelingmodeofspeechisalsotobeavoided;wantoftendernessisasadlack,andrepelsratherthanattracts.ThespiritofElijahmaystartle,andwhereitisexceedinglyintenseitmaygofartoprepareforthereceptionofthegospel;butforactualconversionmoreofJohnisneeded,loveisthewinningforce.WemustlovementoJesus.Greathearts are themainqualifications for greatpreachers, andwemustcultivateouraffectionstothatend.Atthesametimeourmannermustnotdegenerate into thesoftandsaccharinecantwhichsomemenaffectwhoareforeverdearingeverybody,andfawninguponpeopleasifthey hoped to soft-sawder them into godliness. Manly persons aredisgusted, and suspect hypocrisy when they hear a preacher talkingmolasses.Letusbeboldandoutspoken,andneveraddressourhearersasif we were asking a favour of them, or as if they would oblige theRedeemerbyallowingHimtosavethem.Weareboundtobelowly,butourofficeasambassadorsshouldpreventourbeingservile.

Happyshallwebeifwepreachbelievingly,alwaysexpectingtheLordtoblesshisownword.Thiswillgiveusaquietconfidencewhichwillforbid

petulance, rashness, andweariness. Ifwe ourselves doubt the power ofthe gospel, how can we preach it with authority? Feel that you are afavouredman in being allowed to proclaim the good news, and rejoicethatyourmissionisfraughtwitheternalbenefittothosebeforeyou.Letthepeople seehowgladand confident thegospelhasmadeyou, and itwillgofartomakethemlongtopartakeinitsblessedinfluences.

Preachverysolemnly,foritisaweightybusiness,butletyourmatterbelively and pleasing, for this will prevent solemnity from souring intodreariness. Be so thoroughly solemn that all your faculties are arousedand consecrated, and then a dash of humour will only add intensergravity to the discourse, even as a flash of lightning makes midnightdarknessall themore impressive.Preachtoonepoint,concentratingallyour energies upon the object aimed at. There must be no riding ofhobbies,nointroductionofeleganciesofspeech,nosuspicionofpersonaldisplay,oryouwillfail.Sinnersarequickwittedpeople,andsoondetecteven the smallest effort to glorify self. Forgo everything for the sake ofthoseyoulongtosave.BeafoolforChrist'ssakeifthiswillwinthem,orbe a scholar, if thatwill bemore likely to impress them. Spare neitherlabourinthestudy,prayerinthecloset,norzealinthepulpit.Ifmendonotjudgetheirsoulstobeworthathought,compelthemtoseethattheirministerisofaverydifferentopinion.

Meanconversions,expectthem,andprepareforthem.ResolvethatyourhearersshalleitheryieldtoyourLordorbewithoutexcuse,andthatthisshallbetheimmediateresultofthesermonnowinhand.DonotlettheChristians around youwonderwhen souls are saved, but urge them tobelieveintheundiminishedpowerofthegladtidings,andteachthemtomarvel ifnosavingresultfollowsthedeliveryofthetestimonyofJesus.Do not permit sinners to hear sermons as amatter of course, or allowthemtoplaywiththeedgedtoolsofScriptureasiftheyweremeretoys;butagain and again remind them that every true gospel sermon leavesthemworse if it does not make them better. Their unbelief is a daily,hourly sin; never let them infer from your teaching that they are to bepitiedforcontinuingtomakeGodaliarbyrejectingHisSon

Impressedwithasenseoftheirdanger,givetheungodlynorestintheirsins;knockagainandagainatthedooroftheirhearts,andknockasfor

life and death. Your solicitude, your earnestness, your anxiety, yourtravailing inbirth for themGodwillbless to their arousing.Godworksmightilybythisinstrumentality.Butouragonyforsoulsmustberealandnotfeigned,andthereforeourheartsmustbewroughtintotruesympathywith God. Low piety means little spiritual power. Extremely pointedaddressesmaybedeliveredbymenwhoseheartsareoutoforderwiththeLord,buttheirresultmustbesmall.ThereisasomethingintheverytoneofthemanwhohasbeenwithJesuswhichhasmorepowertotouchtheheart than the most perfect oratory: remember this and maintain anunbrokenwalkwithGod.Youwillneedmuchnight-workinsecretifyouaretogathermanyofyourLord'slostsheep.Onlybyprayerandfastingcanyougainpowertocastouttheworstofdevils.Letmensaywhattheywillaboutsovereignty,Godconnectsspecialsuccesswithspecialstatesofheart,andifthesearelackinghewillnotdomanymightyworks.

Inaddition to earnestpreaching itwill bewise touse othermeans. Ifyou wish to see results from your sermons you must be accessible toenquirers. A meeting after every service may not be desirable, butfrequent opportunities for coming into direct contact with your peopleshould be sought after, and by some means created. It is shocking tothinkthatthereareministerswhohavenomethodwhateverformeetingthe anxious, and if they do see here and there one, it is because of thecourageof theseeker,andnotbecauseof theearnestnessof thepastor.FromtheveryfirstyoushouldappointfrequentandregularseasonsforseeingallwhoareseekingafterChrist,andyoushouldcontinuallyinvitesuch to come and speak with you. In addition to this, hold numerousenquirers'meetings,atwhichtheaddressesshallbeallintendedtoassistthetroubledandguidetheperplexed,andwiththeseintermingleferventprayers for the individuals present, and short testimonials from recentconverts and others. As an open confession of Christ is continuallymentionedinconnectionwithsavingfaith, it isyourwisdomtomakeiteasyforbelieverswhoareasyetfollowingJesusbynighttocomeforwardandavowtheirallegiancetohim.Theremustbenopersuadingtomakeaprofession, but there should be every opportunity for so doing, and nostumbling-blockplacedinthewayofhopefulminds.Asforthosewhoarenotsofaradvancedastowarrantanythoughtofbaptism,youmaybeofthe utmost benefit to them by personal intercourse, and therefore you

shouldseekit.Doubtsmaybeclearedaway,errorsrectified,andterrorsdispelled by a few moments' conversation; I have known instances inwhicha life-longmiseryhasbeenendedbya simpleexplanationwhichmighthavebeengivenyearsbefore.Seekoutthewanderingsheeponebyone,andwhenyoufindallyourthoughtsneededforasingleindividual,donot grudge your labour, for yourLord inHisparable represents thegoodshepherdasbringinghomeHislostsheep,notinaflock,butoneatatimeuponHisshoulders,andrejoicingsotodo.

Withallthatyoucandoyourdesireswillnotbefulfilled,forsoulwinningis a pursuit which grows upon a man; the more he is rewarded withconversionsthemoreeagerhebecomestoseegreaternumbersbornuntoGod.Henceyouwillsoondiscoverthatyouneedhelpifmanyaretobebroughtin.Thenetsoonbecomestooheavyforonepairofhandstodragashore when it is filled with fishes; and your fellow-helpers must bebeckoned to your assistance. Great things are done by the Holy Spiritwhen a whole church is aroused to sacred energy: then there arehundredsoftestimoniesinsteadofone,andthesestrengtheneachother;thenadvocatesforChristsucceedeachotherandworkintoeachother'shands, while supplication ascends to heaven with the force of unitedimportunity; thus sinners are encompassed with a cordon of earnestentreaties,andheavenitselfiscalledintothefield.Itwouldseemhardinsomecongregations forasinner tobesaved, forwhatevergoodhemayreceivefromthepulpitisfrozenoutofhimbythearcticatmospherewithwhichhe is surrounded: andon theotherhand somechurchesmake ithardformentoremainunconverted,forwithholyzealtheypersecutethecarelessintoanxiety.Itshouldbeourambition,inthepoweroftheHolyGhost, to work the entire church into a fine missionary condition, tomakeitlikeaLeydenjarchargedtothefullwithdivineelectricity,sothatwhatever comes into contactwith it shall feel its power.What can onemandoalone?Whatcanhenotdowithanarmyofenthusiastsaroundhim?Contemplateattheoutsetthepossibilityofhavingachurchofsoul-winners.Donotsuccumbtotheusualideathatwecanonlygatherafewusefulworkers,andthattherestofthecommunitymust inevitablybeadead weight: it may possibly so happen, but do not set out with thatnotionor itwillbeverified.Theusualneednotbe theuniversal;betterthings are possible than anything yet attained; set your aim high and

sparenoefforttoreachit.LabourtogatherachurchaliveforJesus,everymemberenergetictothefull,andthewhole in incessantactivity forthesalvationofmen.Tothisendtheremustbethebestofpreachingtofeedthehostintostrength,continualprayertobringdownthepowerfromonhigh, and themost heroic example on your own part to fire their zeal:then under the divine blessing a common-sense management of theentireforcecannotfailtoproducethemostdesirableissues.Whoamongyoucangraspthisideaandembodyitinactualfact?

To call in another brother every now and then to take the lead inevangelistic services will be found very wise and useful; for there aresomefishthatneverwillbetakeninyournet,butwillsurelyfalltothelotof another fisherman. Fresh voices penetrate where the accustomedsound has lost effect, and they tend also to beget a deeper interest inthose already attentive. Sound and prudent evangelists may lend helpeventothemostefficientpastor,andgatherinfruitwhichhehasfailedtoreach:atanyrateitmakesabreakinthecontinuityofordinaryservices,and renders them less likely to become monotonous. Never sufferjealousy to hinder you in this. Suppose another lamp should outshineyours,whatwillitmattersolongasitbringslighttothosewhosewelfareyou are seeking? Say with Moses, "Would God all the Lord's servantswere prophets." He who is free from selfish jealousy will find that nooccasionwillsuggestit;hispeoplemaybewellawarethattheirpastorisexcelled by others in talent, but they will be ready to assert that he issurpassedbynoneinlovetotheirsouls.Itisnotneedfulforalovingsontobelievethathisfatheristhemostlearned,manintheparish;heloveshim forhis own sake, andnot because he is superior to others. Call ineverynowand thenawarm-heartedneighbour,utilize the talent in thechurchitself,andprocuretheservicesofsomeeminentsoul-winner,andthismay, inGod'shands,breakup thehardsoil foryou,andbringyoubrighterdays.

In fine,belovedbrethren,byanymeans,byallmeans, labour toglorifyGodbyconversions,andrestnottillyourheart'sdesireisfulfilled.

CHAPTERXXIV

ILLUSTRATIONSINPREACHING

The topic now before us is the use of illustrations in our sermons.Perhapsweshallbestsubserveourpurposebyworkingoutanillustrationin thepresent address; for there isnobetterwayof teaching the art ofpottery thanbymakingapot.QuaintThomasFuller says, "reasons arethe pillars of the fabric of a sermon; but similitudes are the windowswhichgivethebestlights."Thecomparisonishappyandsuggestive,andwewillbuildupourdiscourseunderitsdirection.

Thechiefreasonfortheconstructionofwindowsinahouseis,asFullersays,toletinlight.Parables,similes,andmetaphorshavethateffect;andhence we use them to illustrate our subject, or, in other words, to"brightenitwithlight,"forthatisDr.Johnson'sliteralrenderingofthewordillustrate.Oftenwhendidacticspeechfailstoenlightenourhearerswemaymakethemseeourmeaningbyopeningawindowandlettinginthepleasantlightofanalogy.OurSaviour,whoisthelightoftheworld,tookcare to fillhisspeechwithsimilitudes,so that thecommonpeopleheardhimgladly:hisexamplestampswithhighauthoritythepracticeofilluminatingheavenlyinstructionwithcomparisonsandsimiles.ToeverypreacherofrighteousnessaswellastoNoah,wisdomgivesthecommand,"A window shalt thou make in the ark." You may build up laboriousdefinitionsandexplanationsandyetleaveyourhearersinthedarkastoyourmeaning;butathoroughlysuitablemetaphorwillwonderfullyclearthe sense. The pictures in The Illustrated London News give us a farbetterideaofthescenerywhichtheyrepresentthancouldbeconveyedtous by the best descriptive letter-press; and it is much the same withScripturalteaching:abstracttruthcomesbeforeussomuchmorevividlywhen a concrete example is given, or the doctrine itself is clothed infigurative language. There should, if possible. be at least one goodmetaphorintheshortestaddress;asEzekiel,inhisvisionofthetemple,sawthateventothelittlechamberstherewerewindowssuitabletotheirsize.Ifwearefaithfultothespiritofthegospelwelabourtomakethingsplain: it is our study to be simple and to be understood by the mostilliterate of our hearers; let us, then, set forth many a metaphor andparablebefore thepeople.Hewrotewiselywho said, "TheworldbelowmeisaglassinwhichImayseetheworldabove.TheworksofGodare

theshepherd'scalendarandtheploughman'salphabet."Havingnothingtoconceal,wehavenoambitiontobeobscure.Lycophrondeclaredthathe would hang himself upon a tree if he found a person who couldunderstandhispoementitled"TheProphecyofCassandra."Happilynoonearosetodrivehimtosuchamisuseoftimber.Wethinkwecouldfindbrethrenintheministrywhomightsafelyrunthesameriskinconnectionwiththeirsermons.StillhaveweamongusthosewhoarelikeHeraclitus,whowas called "theDarkDoctor" becausehis languagewasbeyondallcomprehension. Certain mystical discourses are so dense that if lightwere admitted into them it would be extinguished like a torch in theGrotta del Cane: they are made up of the palpably obscure and theinexplicably involved, and all hope of understanding them may beabandoned.Thisstyleoforatorywedonotcultivate.WeareofthesamemindasJoshuaShute,whosaid : "Thatsermonhasmost learning in itthathasmostplainness.Henceitisthatagreatscholarwaswonttosay,'Lord,givemelearningenough,thatImaypreachplainenough.'"

Windowsgreatlyadd to thepleasureandagreeablenessofahabitation,and so do illustrationsmake a sermon pleasurable and interesting. Abuildingwithoutwindowswouldbeaprison rather thanahouse, for itwouldbequitedark,andnoonewouldcaretotakeituponlease;and,inthe same way, a discourse without a parable is prosy and dull, andinvolves a grievous weariness of the flesh. The preacher in Solomon'sEcclesiastes"soughttofindoutacceptablewords,"or,astheHebrewhasit, "words of delight": surely, figures and comparisons are delectable toour hearers. Let us not deny them the salt of parablewith themeat ofdoctrine.Ourcongregationshearuswithpleasurewhenwegivethemafairmeasureof imagery:whenananecdote isbeing told they rest, takebreath,andgiveplaytotheirimaginations,andthuspreparethemselvesforthesternerworkwhichliesbeforetheminlisteningtoourprofounderexpositions.Ridinginathird-classcarriagesomeyearsagointheeasterncounties, we had been for a long time without a lamp; and when atravellerlightedacandle,itwaspleasanttoseehowalleyesturnedthatway,andrejoicedinthelight:suchisfrequentlytheeffectofanaptsimilein the midst of a sermon, it lights up the whole matter, and gladdenseveryheart.Eventhelittlechildrenopentheireyesandears,andasmilebrightensuptheirfacesaswetellastory;forthey,too,rejoiceinthelight

whichstreamsinthroughourwindows.Wedaresaytheyoftenwishthatthesermonwereall illustrations,evenastheboydesiredtohaveacakemadeallofplums;butthatmustnotbe:thereisahappymedium,andwemustkeeptoitbymakingourdiscoursepleasanthearing,butnotamerepastime.No reason existswhy the preaching of the gospel should be amiserable operation either to the speaker or to the hearer. Pleasantlyprofitable let all our sermons be. A house must not have thick wallswithoutopenings,neithermustadiscoursebeallmadeupofsolidslabsofdoctrinewithoutawindowofcomparisonora latticeofpoetry; ifso,ourhearerswillgraduallyforsakeus,andprefertostayathomeandreadtheirfavouriteauthorswhoselivelytropesandvividimagesaffordmorepleasuretotheirminds.

Every architect will tell you that he looks upon his windows as anopportunity for introducing ornament into his design. A pile may bemassive,butitcannotbepleasingifitisnotbrokenupwithwindowsandother details. The palace of the popes at Avignon is an immensestructure;buttheexternalwindowsaresofewthatithasalltheaspectofa colossal prison, and suggests nothing of what a palace should be.Sermons need to be broken up, varied, decorated, and enlivened; andnothing cando this sowell as the introduction of types, emblems, andinstances.Of course, ornament is not themain point to be considered;butstill,manylittleexcellencesgotomakeupperfection,andthisisoneof themany, and therefore it should not be overlooked.Whenwisdombuiltherhouseshehewedouthersevenpillars,forgloryandforbeauty,aswell as for the support of the structure; and shallwe think that anyrough hovel is good enough for the beauty of holiness to dwell in?Certainlyagraciousdiscourseisnonethebetterforbeingbereftofeverygrace of language. Meretricious ornament we deprecate, but anappropriatebeautyofspeechwecultivate.Truthisaking'sdaughter,andher raiment should be of wrought gold; her house is a palace, and itshouldbeadornedwith"windowsofagateandgatesofcarbuncle."

Illustrations tend to enliven an audience and quicken attention.Windows,when theywillopen,which,alas, isnotoften thecase inourplaces of worship, are a great blessing by refreshing and reviving theaudience with a little pure air, and arousing the poormortals who are

renderedsleepybythestagnantatmosphere.Awindowshould,accordingtoitsname,beawind-door,throughwhichabreathofairmayvisittheaudience:evenso,anoriginalfigure,anobleimage,aquaintcomparison,arichallegory,shouldopenuponourhearersabreezeofhappythought,which will pass over them like life-giving breath, arousing them fromtheir apathy, and quickening their faculties to receive the truth. Thosewho are accustomed to the soporific sermonizings of certain dignifieddivineswouldmarvelgreatly if theycouldseetheenthusiasmandlivelydelightwith which congregations listen to speech through which thereflowsaquiet currentofhappy,natural illustration.Aridas adesert aremany volumes of discourses which are to be met with upon thebooksellers' dust-covered shelves; but if in the course of a thousandparagraphs they contain a single simile, it is as an oasis in the Sahara,andservestokeepthereader'ssoulalive.Infashioningadiscoursethinklittleofthebookworm,whichwillbesureofitsportionofmeathoweverdryyourdoctrine,buthavepityuponthosehungeringonesimmediatelyaround youwhomust find life through your sermon or theywill neverfinditatall.Ifsomeofyourhearerssleepontheywillofnecessitywakeupineternalperdition,fortheyhearnootherhelpfulvoice.

While we thus commend illustrations for necessary uses, it must: berememberedthattheyarenotthestrengthofasermonanymorethanawindow is the strength of a house; and for this reason, among others,they should not be too numerous. Too many openings for light mayseriouslydetractfromthestabilityofabuilding.Wehaveknownsermonsso full of metaphors that they became weak, and we had almost saidcrazy,structures.Sermonsmustnotbenosegaysofflowers,butsheavesofwheat.Verybeautifulsermonsaregenerallyveryuselessones.Toaimatelegance is tocourt failure. It ispossible tohave toomuchofagoodthing:aglasshouse isnot themost comfortableofabodes,andbesidesotherobjectionablequalitiesithasthegreatfaultofbeingsadlytemptingto stone-throwers.When a critical adversary attacks ourmetaphors hegenerally makes short work of them. To friendly minds images arearguments,buttoopponentstheyareopportunitiesforattack;theenemyclimbsupbythewindow.Comparisonsareswordswithtwoedgeswhichcutbothways;andfrequentlywhatseemsasharpandtellingillustrationmaybewittilyturnedagainstyou,soastocausealaughatyourexpense:

thereforedonotrelyuponyourmetaphorsandparables.Evenasecond-ratemanmaydefendhimselffromasuperiormindifhecandexterouslyturnhisassailant'sgunuponhimself.Hereisaninstancewhichconcernsmyself, and I give it for that reason, since these lectureshave all alongbeenautobiographical.Igiveacuttingfromoneofourreligiouspapers."Mr.BeecherhasbeenneatlytrippedupinTheSwordandtheTrowel.InhisLecturesonPreachingheassertsthatMr.Spurgeonhassucceeded'inspiteofhisCalvinism';addingtheremarkthat'thecameldoesnottravelanybetter,nor is it anymoreuseful, becauseof thehumpon itsback.'The illustration is not a felicitous one, for Mr. Spurgeon thus retorts:Naturalistsassureusthecamel'shumpisofgreatimportanceintheeyesoftheArabs,whojudgeoftheconditionoftheirbeastsbythesize,shapeand firmnessof theirhumps.The camel feedsuponhishumpwhenhetraversesthewilderness,sothatinproportionastheanimaltravelsoverthe sandy wastes, and suffers from privation and fatigue, the massdiminishes;andheisnotfitforalongjourneytillthehumphasregainedits proportions. Calvinism, then, is the spiritual meat which enables amantolabouroninthewaysofChristianservice;and,thoughridiculedasahumpbythosewhoareonlylookers-onthosewhotraversethewearypathsofawildernessexperienceknowtoowell itsvaluetobewillingtopart with it, even if Beecher's splendid talents could be given inexchange."

Illustrate,byallmeans,butdonotletthesermonbeallillustrations,oritwill be only suitable for an assemblyof simpletons.A volume is all thebetter for engravings, but a scrap-bookwhich is allwoodcuts isusuallyintendedfortheuseoflittlechildren.Ourhouseshouldbebuiltupwiththe substantial masonry of doctrine, upon the deep foundation ofinspiration; itspillarsshouldbeofsolidScripturalargument,andeverystoneoftruthshouldbecarefullylaidinitsplace;andthenthewindowsshould be ranged in due order, "three rows" if we will: "light againstlight,"likethehouseoftheforestofLebanon.Butahouseisnoterectedforthesakeofthewindows,normayasermonbearrangedwiththeviewof fitting in a favourite apologue. A window is merely a conveniencesubordinatetotheentiredesign,andsoisthebestillustration.Weshallbe foolish indeed if we compose a discourse to display ametaphor; asfoolish as if an architect should build a cathedral with the view of

exhibitingastainedglasswindow.WearenotsentintotheworldtobuildaCrystalPalaceinwhichtosetoutworksofartandeleganciesoffashion;butaswisemaster-builderswearetoedify,spiritualhouseforthedivineinhabiting. Our building is intended to last, and ismeant for everydayuse, and hence itmust not be all crystal and colour.Wemiss ourwayaltogether,asgospelministers,ifweaimatflashandfinery.

It is impossible to laydowna rule as tohowmuchadornment shall befoundineachdiscourse:everymanmustjudgeforhimselfinthatmatter.Truetasteindresscouldnotbereadilydefined,yeteveryoneknowswhatitis;andthereisaliteraryandspiritualtastewhichshouldbedisplayedin themeasuring out of tropes and figures in every public speech. "Nequidnimis"isagoodcaution:donotbetooeagertogarnishandadorn.Somemen seemnever tohave enoughofmetaphors: eachone of theirsentencesmust be a flower.They compass sea and land to find a freshpieceofcolouredglassfortheirwindows,andtheybreakdownthewallsoftheirdiscoursestoletinsuperfluousornaments,tilltheirproductionsrather resemble a fantastic grotto than a house to dwell in. They aregrievously in error if they think that thus they manifest their ownwisdom,orbenefittheirhearers.Icouldalmostwishforareturnofthewindow-taxifitwouldcheckthesepoeticalbrethren.Thelaw,Ibelieve,allowedeightwindowsfreefromduty,andwemightalsoexempt"afew,thatiseight"metaphorsfromcriticism;butmorethanthatoughttopayheavily. Flowers upon the table at a banquet are well enough; but asnobodycanliveuponbouquets, theywillbecomeobjectsofcontempt iftheyaresetbeforeusinlieuofsubstantialviands.Thedifferencebetweenalittlesaltwithyourmeatandbeingcompelledtoemptythesalt-cellariscleartoall;andwecouldwishthatthosewhopouroutsomanysymbols,emblems,figures,anddeviceswouldrememberthatnauseainoratoryisnotmoreagreeable than in food,Enough is as goodas a feast; and toomanyprettythingsmaybeagreaterevilthannoneatall.

It is a suggestive fact that the tendency to abound in metaphor andillustrationbecomesweaker asmengrowolder andwiser.Perhaps thismay, inameasure,beascribed to thedecayof their imagination;but italsooccursatthesametimeastheripeningoftheirunderstanding.Somemayhavetousefewerfiguresofnecessity,becausetheydonotcometo

themasaforetime;butthisisnotalwaysthecase.Iknowthatmenwhostillpossess great facility in imagery find it less needful to employ thatfacultynowthanintheirearlierdays,fortheyhavetheearofthepeople,and they are solemnly resolved to fill that ear with instruction ascondensedastheycanmakeit.Whenyoubeginwithapeoplewhohavenot heard the gospel, and whose attention you have to win, you canhardlygotoofarintheuseoffigureandmetaphor.OurLordJesusChristusedverymuchofit;indeed,"withoutaparablespakehenotuntothem";because they were not educated up to the point at which they couldprofitably hear pure didactic truth. It is noticeable that after the HolyGhost had been given, fewer parables were used, and the saints weremoreplainlytaughtofGod.WhenPaulspokeorwrotetothechurchesinhis epistlesheemployed fewparables,becauseheaddressed thosewhowere advanced in grace andwilling to learn. As Christianmindsmadeprogress the style of their teachers became less figurative, and moreplainlydoctrinal.Weseldomseeengravingsintheclassicsofthecollege;thesearereservedforthespelling-booksofthedame-school.Thisshouldteachuswisdom,andsuggestthatwearetobeboundbynohardandfastrules,butshouldusemoreor lessofanymodeof teachingaccordingtoourownconditionandthatofourpeople.

Illustrationsshouldreallycastlightuponthesubjectinhand,otherwisethey are shamwindows, and all shams are an abomination,When thewindow-taxwasstill inforcemanypeopleincountryhousesclosedhalftheirlightsbyplasteringthemup,andthentheyhadtheplasterpaintedto look like panes; so that therewas still the appearance of a window,thoughnosunlight couldenter.Welldo I remember thedark rooms inmygrandfather'sparsonage,andmywonderthatmenshouldhavetopayfor the light of the sun. Blindwindows are fit emblems of illustrationswhich illustrate nothing, and need themselves to be explained.Grandiloquence isnevermore characteristic than in its figures; there itdisportsitselfinaverycarnivalofbombast.Wecouldquoteseveralfinespecimens of sublime spread-eagleism and magnificent nonsense, butonealonemaysufficeasafavourablesampleofaformofdisplaywhichisrather more common across the water than in these old-fashionedregions.Theauthor'snamewewillnotmention,buttheextractisgivenverbatim,andistakenfromasermonupon"Todieisgain."Lettheyoung

preacherponderandwonder,butlethimnotimitate.Wegivethewholepassageforthesakeofthefrigatebird,andthegranite-porphyry-jasperstaircase.

"Thereisabirdthatmarinerscallthefrigatebird,'ofstrangehabitsandofstrangepower.Menseehiminallclimes,butneveryethashumaneyeseen him near the earth.Withwings ofmighty stretch, high borne, hesails along.Men of the far north see him atmidnightmoving on amidauroralfires,sailingalongwithsetwingsamidthoseawfulflames,takingthecolourofthewavesoflightwhichswellandheavearoundhim.Menin the tropics seehimathottestnoon,hisplumageall incarnadinedbythefierceraysthatsmiteinnocuousuponhim.Amidtheirardentfervour,hebearsalong,majestic,tireless.Neverwasheknowntostoopfromhisloftylineofflight,nevertoswerve.Tomanyheisamyth,toallamystery.Whereishisperch?[Thisisfineindeed.Letusadd,"Whoshalllaysaltonhistail?"]Wheredoeshe rest?Wherewashebrooded?Noneknow.Theyonlyknowthatabovecloud,abovethereachoftempest,abovethetumultoftransversecurrents,thisbirdofheaven(soletuscallhim)onself-supporting vans that disdain to beat the air on which they rest,moves grandly on. [Grand idea! The critter flies without moving hiswings, disdaining to beat the air, as well he may, for he beats allcreation.]Soshallmyhopebe.Ateitherpoleoflife,abovethecloudsofsorrow,superiortothetempeststhatbeatuponme,onloftyandtirelesswing,scorningtheearth,itshallmovealong.Nevershallitstoop,neverswervefromitssublimelineofflight.Theyshallseeitinthemorningofmylife;theyshallseeitinitshotnoon-day;andwhentheshadowsfall,mysunhavingset,usingyourstyleofspeech;but,usingmine,whentheshadowsdisappear,mysunhavingrisen,thelasttheyseeofmeshallbethis hope of gain dying, as it sails out on steady wing, and disappearsamidtheeverlastinglight.

"Ifeel,friends,thatnoexhortationofminewillliftyoutothispedestalofhewngranite,onwhichit isgiventomonumentalpietytostand.[Quiteright: an exhortation cannot verywell lift a body on to a pedestal; itneedsalegoranarmtodothat.Butwhatismonumentalpiety?]Onlybyanalysis,bymeditation,bythoughtthatpondersinthenighttimethemajesticutterancesofScripture,andbytheopenlatticeor,--betteryet,

beneaththegranddome--bowsinprayer,andholdscommunionwiththepossibilities thatstandbeyondthis life, likeunfilled throneswaitingforoccupants. Only in this way, and in others suggested by the Spirit tominds fit to receive them, will you or any ever rise to the level of theemotionwhich dictated the text.Where is Paul to-day?Where does hestand,who, fromhisprisonatRome, sentout this immortal saying? Isthereoneofusthathasverifiedthestatementthattodieisgain?Notone.[Prettysafequestion!Whoamongushasbeendead?]Weknowhewalksin glory. He moves amid the majestic spaces where even Deity is notcramped.[Eloquent orblasphemous,which?]Afterallhis struggles, hehasenteredintorest.Yetwhathashereceivedthat isnot inreserveforus?Whathashethathasnotcometohiminthewayofgift?AndisnothisGodmineandyours?WilltheeternalFatherfeedwithapartialhand?WillHediscriminate,andbecomearespecterofpersons,evenatHisowntable? Piety can never receive into its mind the awful suspicion. OurFatherfeedshischildrenalike;andthegarmentsthattheyweararecutfromaroyalfabric,evenHisrighteousness.Theyshinelikesunsbroughtby the action of a sublimemovement into conjunction. Rise, then, myfriends,yepeopleofHislove;riseandclimbwithmethemightystairwaywhosestepsarechangedfromgranitetoporphyry,andfromporphyrytojasper, as we ascend, until our feet, pure as itself, stand on the sea ofcrystalwhichstretchesinseamlesspuritybeforethethrone."[Upstairstothesea!Andupthreepairofstairstoo!Sublimeidea,or,atleastwithinastepofit.]

Thispieceofhigh-flownoratoryshedslightuponnothing,anddoesnotinthe faintestdegreeenableus tounderstandthereasonwhy"todie isgain."Theobjectoflanguageofthiskindisnottoinstructthehearer,butto dazzle him, and if possible to impress him with the idea that hisminister isawonderfulorator.Hewhocondescends touseclap-trapofany kinddeserves to be debarred the pulpit for the termof hisnaturallife.Letyourfiguresofspeechreallyrepresentandexplainyourmeaning,orelsetheyaredumbidols,whichoughtnottobesetupinthehouseoftheLord.

Itmaybewelltonotethatillustrationsshouldnotbetooprominentor,to pursue our figure, they should not be painted windows, attracting

attentiontothemselvesratherthanlettingintheclearlightofday.Iamnot pronouncing any judgment upon windows adorned with "glass ofvarious colours which shine like meadows decked in the flowers ofspring";Iamlookingonlytomyillustration.Ourfiguresaremeantnotsomuchtobeseenastobeseenthrough.Ifyoutakethehearer'smindawayfromthesubjectbyexcitinghisadmirationofyourownskillinimagery,you are doing evil rather than good. I saw in one of our exhibitions aportraitofaking;buttheartisthadsurroundedhismajestywithabowerofflowerssoexquisitelypaintedthateveryone'seyewastakenawayfromtheroyal figure.All the resourcesof thepainter'sarthadbeen lavishedupontheaccessories,andtheresultwasthat theportrait,whichshouldhavebeenallinall,hadfallenintoasecondaryplace.Thiswassurelyanerror inportrait-painting, even though itmight be a success in art.Wehave to set forth Christ before the people, "evidently crucified amongthem,"andtheloveliestemblemorthemostcharmingimagewhichcallsthemindawayfromourdivinesubjectistobeconscientiouslyforesworn.Jesusmustbeallinall:Hisgospelmustbethebeginningandendofallour discoursing; parable and poesy must be under His feet, andeloquencemustwaituponHimasHisservant.Neverbyanypossibilitymust theminister's speech become a rival to his subject; that were todishonour Christ, and not to glorify Him. Hence the caution that theillustrationsbenottooconspicuous.

Outof this last observation comes the further remark that illustrationsarebestwhentheyarenatural,andgrowoutofthesubject.Theyshouldbelikethosewell-arrangedwindowswhichareevidentlypartoftheplanof a structure, and not inserted as an afterthought, or for mereadornment. The cathedral of Milan inspires my mind with extremeadmiration; italwaysappears tomeas if itmusthavegrownoutof theearthlikeacolossaltreeorratherlikeaforestofmarble.Fromitsbasetoitsloftiestpinnacleeverydetailisanaturaloutgrowth,aportionofawelldevelopedwhole,essentialtothemainidea;indeed,partandparcelofit.Such should a sermon be; its exordium, divisions, arguments, appeals,andmetaphors should all spring out of itself; nothing should be out ofliving relation to the rest; it should seem as if nothing could be addedwithoutbeinganexcrescence,andnothingtakenawaywithoutinflictingdamage. There should be flowers in a sermon, but the bulk of them

shouldbe the flowersof the soil;notdaintyexotics, evidently importedwithmuchcarefromadistantland,butthenaturalupspringingofalifenatural to the holy ground on which the preacher stands. Figures ofspeechshouldbecongruouswiththematterofthediscourse;aroseuponan oakwould be out of place, a lily springing from a poplar would beunnatural: everything should be of a piece and have a manifestrelationship to the rest.Occasionally a littlebarbaric splendourmaybeallowedafterthemannerofThomasAdamsandJeremyTaylorandothermasters in Israel, who adorn truth with rare gems, and gold of Ophir,fetched from far.Yet Iwouldhave younotewhatDr.Hamilton says ofTaylor, for it is a warning to those who aim at winning the ear of themultitude. "Thoughts, epithets, incidents, images came trooping roundwithirrepressibleprofusion,andtheywereallsoaptandbeautiful,thatitwashardtosendanyofthemaway.Andsohetriedtofindaplaceanduseforall,--for'flowersandwingsofbutterflies,'aswellas'wheat;'--andifhecouldnotfabricatelinksofhislogicalchainoutofthe'littleringsofthevine,'and'thelocksofanew-weanedboy,'hecouldatleastdecoratehis subject with exquisite adornments. The passages from his lovedAustin and Chrysostom, and not less beloved Seneca andPlutarch, thescholarknowshowtopardon.Thesquirrelisnotmoretemptedtocarrynuts tohishoard than thebookish author is tempted to transfer tohisownpagesfinepassagesfromhisfavouriteauthors.Alas!helittleknowshow flat andmeaningless they are to thosewhohavenot traversed thesamewalks,andshared thedelightwithwhichhe foundgreatspoil.Tohim each polished shell recalls its autumnal tale ofwoods, and groves,and sunshine showering through the yellow leaves; but to the quaintcollection 'thegeneralpublic' verymuchpreferapintof filberts fromahuckster'sbarrow."Noillustrationsarehalfsotellingasthosewhicharetakenfromfamiliarobjects,Manyfairflowersgrowinforeignlands;butthosearedearesttotheheartwhichbloomatourowncottagedoor.

Elaboration intominutepoints isnotcommendablewhenweareusingfigures.Thebestlightcomesinthroughtheclearestglass:toomuchpaintkeeps out the sun. God's altar of old was to be made of earth, or ofunhewnstone,"for,"saidtheword,"ifthouliftupthytooluponit,thouhastpollutedit"(Ex.xx.25).Alaboured,artificialstyle,uponwhichthegraver's tool has left abundant marks, is more consistent with human

pleadings in courts of law, or in the forum, or in the senate, thanwithpropheticutterancesdeliveredinthenameofGodandforthepromotionofHisglory.OurLord'sparableswereassimpleastalesforchildren,andasnaturallybeautifulasthelilieswhichsprangupinthevalleyswherehetaughtthepeople.HeborrowednolegendfromtheTalmud,norfairytalefromPersia,neitherfetchedhehisemblemsfrombeyondthesea;buthedwelt among his own people, and talked of common things in homelystyle, asnevermanspakebefore, andyet asanyobservantmanshouldspeak. His parables were like himself and his surroundings; and wereneverstrained,fantastic,pedantic,orartificial.LetusimitateHim,forweshallneverfindamodelmorecomplete,ormoresuitableforthepresentage.Openingoureyes,weshalldiscoverabundantimageryallaround.Asitiswritten,"Thewordisnighthee,"soalsoistheanalogyofthatwordnearathand:

"Allthingsaroundmewhate'ertheybeThatImeetasthechancemaycome,Haveavoiceandaspeechinthemall--Birdsthathover,andbeesthathum,Thebeastofthefieldorthestall;Thetrees,leaves,rushes,andgrasses;Therivuletrunningaway;Thebirdoftheairasitpasses;Orthemountainsthatmotionlessstay,AndyetthoseimmovablemassesKeepchanging,asdreamsdo,allday."*

Therewillbelittleneedtoborrowfromthereconditemysteriesofhumanart, nor to go deep into the theories of science; for in nature goldenillustrations lie upon the surface, and the purest is that which isuppermost and most readily discerned. Of natural history in all itsbrancheswemaywellsay,"thegoldofthatlandisgood":theillustrationsfurnished by everyday phenomena seen by the ploughman and thewaggonerare the verybestwhich earth can yield.An illustration isnotlikeaprophet,forithasmosthonourinitsowncountry;andthosewhohave oftenest seen the object are those who are most gratified by thefiguredrawnfromit.

Itrustthatitisscarcelynecessarytoaddthatillustrationsmustneverbelowormean.Theymaynotbehigh-flown,buttheyshouldalwaysbeingood taste. Theymay be homely, and yet chastely beautiful; but roughandcoarsetheyshouldneverbe.Ahouseisdishonouredbyhavingdirtywindows, cobwebbed and begrimed, patched with brown paper, orstuffedupwithrags:suchwindowsaretheinsigniaofahovelratherthana house. About our illustrations theremust never be even the slightesttraceofanythingthatwouldshockthemostdelicatemodesty.Welikenotthat window out of which Jezebel is looking. Like the bells upon thehorses,our lightestexpressionsmustbeholinessuntotheLord.Ofthatwhichsuggeststhegrovellingandthebasewemaysaywiththeapostle,"Let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints." All ourwindowsshouldopentowardsJerusalem,andnonetowardsSodom.WewillgatherourflowersalwaysandonlyfromEmmanuel'sland;andJesusHimselfshallbetheirsavourandsweetness,so thatwhenHe lingersatthelatticetohearusspeakofHimselfHemaysay"Thylips,Omyspouse,drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue." Thatwhichgrowsbeyondtheborderofpurityandgoodreputemustneverbebound up in our garlands, nor placed among the decorations of ourdiscourses.Thatwhichwouldbeexceedinglycleverandtellinginastumporator'sspeech,orinacheap-jack'sharangue,wouldbedisgustingfromaministerofthegospel.Timewaswhenwecouldhavefoundfartoomanyspecimens of censurable coarseness, but it would be ungenerous tomentionthemnowthatsuchthingsareonallhandscondemned.

Gentlemen,takecarethatyourwindowsarenotbroken,orevencracked:in other words, guard against confused metaphors and limpingillustrations.SirBoyleRocheisgenerallycreditedwithsomeofthefinestspecimens of metaphorical conglomerate. We should imagine that thepassageismythicalinwhichheisrepresentedassaying,"Ismellarat;Isee it floating in the air; I'll nip it in the bud."Minor blunderings arefrequent enough in the speech of our own countrymen. An excellenttemperanceadvocateexclaimed,"Comrades,letusbeupanddoing!Letus take our axes on our shoulders, andplough thewaste places till thegood ship Temperance sails gaily over the land." We well remember,yearsago,hearingaferventIrishclergymanexclaim,"Garibaldi,sir,heisfartoogreatamantoplaysecondfiddletosuchawretchedluminaryas

VictorEmanuel."Itwasatapublicmeeting,andthereforewewereboundtobeproper;butitwouldhavebeenagreatrelieftooursoulifwemighthaveindulgedinaheartylaughatthespectacleofGaribaldiwithafiddle,playingtoaluminary;foracertainnurseryrhymejingledinourears,andsorelytriedourgravity.Apoeticfriendthusencouraginglyaddressesus,--

"Marchon,howeverroughtheroad,Thoughfoesobstructthyway,DeaftothebarkingcursthatwouldEnsnarethyfeetastray."

The other evening a brother expressed his desire thatwemight "all bewinnersof souls,andbring theLord'sblood-bought jewels tocast theircrownsatHisfeet."Thewordshadsuchapiousringaboutthemthattheaudience did not observe the fractured state of the expression. One ofyourownnumberhoped"thateverystudentmightbeenabledtosoundthe gospel trumpet with such a clear and certain sound that the blindmight see." Perhaps he meant that they should open their eyes withastonishmentat the terrificblast;but the figurewouldhavebeenmorecongruousifhehadsaid"thatthedeafshouldhear."AScotchwriter,inreferringtoaproposal touseanorgan indivineservice,says: "Nothingwill stem this avalanche of will-worship and gross sin but the fallingbackontheWordofGod."

The Daily News in reviewing a book written by an eminentNonconformistminister,complainedthathismetaphorswereapttobealittleunmanageable,aswhenhespokeofsomethingwhichhadremainedasecretuntilastrangelypotentkeywasinsertedamongthehiddenwardsoftheparentalheart,andarudewrenchflungwidethefloodgatesandsetfree the imprisoned stream.However, there isnowonder thatordinarymortals commit blunders in figurative speech when even his lateInfallibleHolinessPius IXsaidofMr.Gladstone thathe "had suddenlycome forward like a viper assailing the barque of St. Peter." A viperassailing a barque is rather too much for the most accommodatingimagination,althoughsomemindsarereadyforanymarvels.

One of those reviews which reckon themselves to be the cream of the

cream took pains to inform us that the Dean of Chichester, being theselectpreacheratSt.Mary's,Oxford,"seizedtheopportunitytosmitetheRitualists hip and thigh,with great volubility and vivacity." Samsonsmotehisfoeswithagreatslaughter;butlanguageisflexible.

Theseblundersaretobequotedbythepage:Ihavegivenenoughtoletyou see how readily the pitchers of metaphor may be cracked, andrenderedunfittocarryourmeaning.Theablestspeakermayoccasionallyerrinthisdirection;itisnotaveryseriousmatter,andyetlikeadeadflyit may spoil sweet ointment. A few brethren of my acquaintance arealwaysoffthelines;theymuddleupeveryfiguretheytouch,andassoonastheyapproachametaphorwelookforanaccident.Itmightbewisdomontheirparttoshunallfiguresofspeechtilltheyknowhowtousethem;foritisagreatpitywhenillustrationsaresoconfusedasbothtodarkenthesenseandcreatediversion.Muddledmetaphorsaremuddlesindeed;letusgivethepeoplegoodillustrationsornoneatall.

At this point I will close my lecture, which is only meant to be anintroductiontomysubject,andnotafulltreatmentofit.

_____

*Slightly altered fromFables in Song. By Robert Lord Lytton.WilliamBlackwoodandSons.1874.2vols.

CHAPTERXXVANECDOTESFROMTHEPULPIT

Itisprettygenerallyadmittedthatsermonsmaywiselybeadornedwithafair share of illustrations; but anecdotes used to that end are stillregardedby theprudesof thepulpitwithameasureof suspicion,Theywillcomedown lowenoughtoquoteanemblem, theywilldeign tousepoeticimagery;buttheycannotstooptotellasimple,homelystory.Theywouldprobablysayinconfidencetotheiryoungerbrethren,"Bewarehow

you lower yourselves and your sacred office by repeating anecdotes,whicharebestappreciatedbythevulgaranduneducated."Wewouldnotretort by exhorting allmen to abound in stories, for there ought to bediscrimination.It is freelyadmittedthat thereareusefulandadmirablestylesoforatorywhichwouldbedisfiguredbyarustictale;andtherearehonoured brethren whose genius would never allow them to relate astory, for it would not appear suitable to theirmode of thought. Uponthesewewouldnotevenby implicationhintatacensure;butwhenwearedealingwithotherswhoseemtobesomewhat,andarenotwhattheyseem,wefeelnotenderness;nay,weareevenmovedtoassailtheirstiltedgreatness.Iftheysneeratanecdotes,wesmileatthemandtheirsneers,and wish them more sense and less starch. Affectation of intellectualsuperiorityand love of rhetorical splendour have preventedmany fromsetting forth gospel truth in the easiest imaginablemanner, namely, byanalogies drawn from common events. Because they could notcondescend to men of low estate they have refrained from repeatingincidentswhichwouldhaveaccuratelyexplainedtheirmeaning.Fearingtobethoughtvulgar,theyhavelostgoldenopportunities.AswellmightDavidhave refused to slingoneof the smooth stones atGoliath's browbecausehefounditinacommonbrook.

Fromindividualssoloftyintheirideasnothingislikelytoflowdowntothemassesofthepeoplebutaglacialeloquence,ariverofice.Dignityisamostpooranddespicableconsiderationunlessitbethedignityofturningmanytorighteousness;andyetdivineswhohavehadscarcelyenoughofreal dignity to save themselves from contempt, have swollen "huge ashigh Olympus" through the affectation of it. A young gentleman, afterdeliveringanelaboratediscourse,wastoldthatnotmorethanfiveorsixinthecongregationhadbeenabletounderstandhim.Thisheacceptedasatributetohisgenius;butItakeleavetoplacehiminthesameclasswithanother person who was accustomed to shake his head in the mostprofound manner that he might make his prelections the moreimpressive,andthishadsomeeffectwiththegroundlings,untilashrewdChristianwomanmadetheremarkthathedidshakehisheadcertainly,butthattherewasnothinginit.Thosewhoaretoorefinedtobesimpleneedtoberefinedagain.LutherhaswellputitinhisTable-Talk:"Cursedare all preachers that in the church aim at high and hard things; and

neglectingthesavinghealthofthepoorunlearnedpeople,seektheirownhonourandpraise,andthereforetrytopleaseoneortwogreatpersons.When I preach I sink myself deep down." It may be superfluous toremind you of the oft-quoted passage from George Herbert's CountryParson,andyetIcannotomitit,becauseitissomuchtomymind:"TheParsonalsoserveshimselfofthejudgmentsofGod,asofthoseofancienttimes,soespeciallyofthelateones;andthosemostwhicharenearesttohisparish; forpeopleareveryattentiveat suchdiscourses,and think itbehoves them to be sowhenGod is so near them, and even over theirheads.Sometimeshetells themstoriesandsayingsofothers,accordingas his text invites him; for them alsomen heed, and remember betterthanexhortations;which,thoughearnest,yetoftendiewiththesermon,especiallywithcountrypeople,whichare thick, andheavy, andhard toraisetoapointofzealandfervency,andneedamountainoffiretokindlethem,butstoriesandsayingstheywillwellremember."

ItoughtnevertobeforgottenthatthegreatGodHimself,whenHewouldinstruct men, employs histories and biographies. Our Bible containsdoctrines,promises,andprecepts;butthesearenotleftalone,thewholebookisvivifiedand illustratedbymarvellousrecordsof thingssaidanddone by God and by men. He who is taught of God values the sacredhistories, and knows that in them there is a special fulness andforciblenessof instruction.Teachers of Scripture cannot do better thaninstructtheirfellowsafterthemanneroftheScriptures.

OurLordJesusChrist,thegreatteacherofteachers,didnotdisdaintheuseofanecdotes.TomyminditseemsclearthatcertainofHisparableswere facts and, consequently, anecdotes. May not the story of theProdigalSonhavebeenaliteraltruth?Weretherenotactualinstancesofanenemysowingtaresamongthewheat?Maynottherichfoolwhosaid--"Takethineease,"havebeenaphotographtakenfromthelife?DidnotDivesandLazarus actually figure on the stage of history?Certainly thestoryofthosewhowerecrushedbythefallofthetowerofSiloam,andthesadtragedyoftheGalilaeans,"whosebloodPilatehadmingledwiththeirsacrifices,"weremattersof current Jewishgossip, andourLord turnedbothofthemtogoodaccount.WhatHEdidweneednotbeashamedtodo. That we may do it with all wisdom and prudence let us seek the

guidanceoftheDivineSpiritwhichresteduponHimsocontinually.

I shallmake up this present address by quoting the examples of greatpreachers,beginningwith theeraof theReformation, and followingonwithout any very rigid chronological order down to our own day.Examplesaremorepowerfulthanprecepts;henceIquotethem.

First, letmemention thatgrandoldpreacher,HughLatimer, themostEnglish of all our divines; and one whose influence over our land wasundoubtedlymostpowerful.Southeysays,"LatimermorethananyothermanpromotedtheReformationbyhispreaching";andinthisheechoesthemoreimportantutteranceofRidley,whowrotefromhisprison,"Idothink that the Lord hath placed old father Latimer to be his standard-bearer inourageandcountryagainsthismortal foe,Antichrist." Ifyouhave read any of his sermons, you must have been struck with thenumber of his quaint stories, seasoned with a homely humour whichsmacksofthatLeicestershirefarmhousewhereinhewasbroughtupbyafatherwhodid yeoman's service, and amotherwhomilked thirty kine.Nodoubtwemayattributetothesestoriesthebreakingdownofpewsbytheoverwhelmingrushofthepeopletohearhim;andthegeneralinterestwhichhissermonsexcited,Moreofsuchpreaching,andweshouldhaveless fearof thereturnofPopery.Thecommonpeopleheardhimgladly,andhis lively anecdotes accounted formuchof their eager attention.Afewof thesenarrativesonecouldhardly repeat, for the tasteofouragehas happily improved in delicacy; but others are most admirable andinstructive.Herearethreeofthem:

THEFRIAR'SMANANDTHETENCOMMANDMENTS

"Iwilltellyounowaprettystoryofafriar,torefreshyouwithal,Alimiterofthegreyfriarsinthetimeofhislimitationpreachedmanytimes,andhad but one sermon at all times; which sermon was of the tencommandments. And because this friar had preached this sermon sooften,onethathearditbeforetoldthefriar'sservantthathismasterwascalled 'Friar John Ten Commandments': wherefore the servant showedthe friar his master thereof, and advised him to preach of some other

matters; for itgrieved the servant tohearhismasterderided.Now, thefriar made answer saying, 'Belike, then, thou canst say the tencommandmentswell,seeingthouhastheardthemsomanyatime.''Yea,'said the servant, 'I warrant you.' 'Letme hear them,' saith themaster;thenhebegan,'Pride,covetousness,lechery,'andsonumberedthedeadlysinsforthetencommandments.Andsotherebemanyatthistime,whichbewearyof theoldgospel; theywould fainhearsomenewthings: theythinkthemselvessoperfectintheold,whentheybenomoreskilfulthanthisservantwasinhistencommandments."

ST.ANTHONYANDTHECOBBLER

"WereadaprettystoryofSt.Anthony,which,beinginthewilderness,ledthereaveryhardandstraightlife,insomuchasnoneatthattimedidthelike.Towhomcameavoicefromheaven,saying, 'Anthony,thouartnotsoperfectas isacobbler thatdwellethatAlexandria.'Anthony,hearingthis, rose up forthwith, and took his staff and went till he came toAlexandria,wherehe found the cobbler.The cobblerwas astonished toseesoreverendafathertocomeintohishouse.ThenAnthonysaiduntohim, 'Comeandtellmethywholeconversation,andhowthouspendestthytime.' 'Sir,'saidthecobbler, 'as forme,goodworksIhavenone, formy life is but simple and slender; I am but a poor cobbler. In themorning,whenIarise,IprayforthewholecitywhereinIdwell,speciallyforallsuchneighboursandpoorfriendsasIhave.After,Isetmeatmylabour,whereIspendthewholedayingettingofmyliving,andkeepmefrom all falsehood; for I hate nothing so much as I do deceitfulness:wherefore,whenImaketoanymanapromise,Ikeepitanddoittruly:andsospendmy timepoorlywithmywifeandchildren,whomI teachandinstructasfarasmywitwillserveme,tofearanddreadGod.Thisisthesumofmysimplelife.'

"InthisstoryyouseehowGodloveththosethatfollowtheirvocation,andliveuprightlywithoutanyfalsehoodintheirdealing.ThisAnthonywasagreatandholyman,yetthiscobblerwasasmuchesteemedbeforeGodashe."

THEDANGEROFPROSPERITY

"I read once a story of a good bishop,which rode by theway andwasweary,beingyetfarofffromanytown;thereforeseeingafairhouse,hewent thither, and was very well and honourably received: there weregreatpreparationsmadeforhim,andagreatbanquet;allthingswereinplenty. Then theman of the house set out his prosperity, and told thebishopwhat riches he had, inwhat honours and dignities hewas, howmany fair children he had, what a virtuous wife God had provided forhim,sothathehadnolackofanymannerofthing,hehadnotroublenorvexations,neitheroutwardnor inward.Now thisholyman,hearing thegoodestateofthatman,calledoneofhisservants,andcommandedhimtomakereadythehorses:forthebishopthoughtthatGodwasnotinthathousebecausetherewasnotemptationthere:hetookhisleaveandwenthisways.Nowwhenhecameatwoorthreemileoff,herememberedhisbookwhichhehadleftbehindhim;hesenthismanbackagaintofetchthatbook,andwhentheservantcameagainthehousewassunkenandallthatwasinit.Hereitappeareththatitisagoodthingtohavetemptation.Thismanthoughthimselfajollyfellow,becauseallthingswentwellwithhim.ButheknewnotSt.James'slesson:Beatusquisufferttentationem,'Blessedishethatendurethtemptation.'Letusthereforelearnhere,nottobeirksomewhenGodlayethhiscrossuponus."

Letustakealongleapofaboutacentury,andwecometoJeremyTaylor,anotherbishop,whomImentionimmediatelyafterLatimerbecauseheisapparentlysuchacontrasttothathomelydivine,whileyetinverytruthhehas ameasureof likeness tohimas to thepointnow inhand.Theyboth rejoiced in figureandmetaphor, andequallydelighted in incidentand narrative. True, the one would talk of John andWilliam, and theother of Anexagoras and Scipio; but actual scenes were the delight ofeach.InthisrespectJeremyTaylormaybesaidtobeLatimerturnedintoLatin.JeremyTaylor isas fullof classicalallusionsasaking'spalace isfullof rare treasures,andhis language isof the loftyorderwhichmorebecomes a patrician audience than a popular assembly; but when youcometotheessenceofthings,youseethatifLatimerishomely,soalsoTaylor narrates incidents which are homely to him; but his home is

among philosophers of Greece and senators of Rome. This beingunderstood,weventuretosaythatnooneusedmoreanecdotesthanthissplendidpoet-preacher.Hisbiographertrulysays,--"Itwouldbehardtopointoutabranchoflearningorofscientificpursuittowhichhedoesnotoccasionallyallude;oranyauthorofeminence,eitherancientormodern,withwhomhe does not evince himself acquainted.Hemore than oncereferstoobscurestoriesinancientwriters,asiftheywereofnecessityasfamiliartoallhisreadersastohimself;asforinstance,hetalksof 'poorAttilliusAviola,' and again of the Libyan lion that brake loose into hiswildernessandkilledtwoRomanboys."Inallthisheiseminentlyselectand classical, and therefore I the more freely introduce him here; fortherecanbenoreasonwhyouranecdotesshouldallbe rustic;we, too,mayriflethetreasuresofantiquity,andmaketheheathencontributetothegospel,evenasHiramofTyreservedunderSolomon'sdirection forthebuildingofthetempleoftheLord.

I am no admirer of Taylor's style in other respects, and his teachingseems to be at times semi-popish; but in this place I have only to dealwith him upon one particular, and of that matter he is an admirableexample. He lavishes classic stories even as an Asiatic queen bedecksherself with countless pearls. Out of a single sermon I extract thefollowing,whichmaysufficeforourpurpose:

STUDENTSPROGRESSINGBACKWARDS

"Menedemuswaswonttosay, 'thattheyoungboysthatwenttoAthens,the first year were wise men, the second year philosophers, the thirdorators,andthe fourthwerebutplebeians,andunderstoodnothingbuttheirownignorance.'Andjustsoithappenstosomeintheprogressesofreligion;atfirsttheyareviolentandactive,andthentheysatiateall theappetitesofreligion;andthatwhichisleftis,thattheyweresoonweary,andsat down in displeasure, and return to theworld, and dwell in thebusinessofprideormoney;and,bythistime,theyunderstandthattheirreligionisdeclined,andpassedfromtheheatsandfolliesofyouthtothecoldnessandinfirmitiesofoldage."

THEPROUDMANWHOBOASTEDOFHISHUMILITY

"Hewasnotedforavainperson,who,beingoverjoyedforthecure(ashethought) of his pride, cried out to his wife, 'Cerne, Dionysia, deposuifastum;''Behold,Ihavelaidasideallmypride.'"

DIOGENESANDTHEYOUNGMAN

"Diogenes once spied a youngman coming out of a tavern or place ofentertainment,who,perceivinghimselfobservedbythephilosopher,withsomeconfusion steppedbackagain, thathemight, ifpossible,preservehisfamewiththatsevereperson.ButDiogenestoldhim,Quantomagisintraveris, tanto magis eris in caupona: ' The more you go back, thelongeryouare in theplacewhereyouareashamedtobeseen.'He thatconcealshissinstillretainsthatwhichhecountshisshameandburden."

No examples will have greater weight with you than those taken fromamongthePuritans,inwhosestepsitisourdesiretowalk,though,alas!we followwith feeble feet. Certain of them abounded in anecdotes andstories:ThomasBrooksisasignalinstanceofthewiseandwealthyuseofholy fancy. I put him first, because I reckon him to be the first in thespecial artwhich isnowunder consideration.Hehathdustof gold; foreven in the margins of his books there are sentences of exceedingpreciousness, and hints at classic stories.His style is clear and full; heneversoexceedsinillustrationastolosesightofhisdoctrine.Hisfloodsofmetaphorneverdrownhismeaning,butfloatitupontheirsurface.IfyouhaveneverreadhisworksIalmostenvyyouthe joyofenteringforthe first time upon his Unsearchable Riches, trying his PreciousRemedies, tasting his Apples of Gold, communing with his MuteChristian, and enjoying his othermasterly writings. Letme give you ataste of his quality in the way of anecdotes. Here are a few brief oneswhichliealmostuponthesamepage;buthesoaboundswiththemthatyoumayreadilycullscoresofbetteronesforyourselves.

MR.WELCHWEEPING

"AsoulunderspecialmanifestationsofloveweepsthatitcanloveChristnomore.Mr.Welch,aSuffolkminister,weepingattable,andbeingaskedthereasonof it,answered,itwasbecausehecouldloveChristnomore.The true lovers of Christ can never rise high enough in their love toChrist; they count a little love to be no love; great love to be but little;stronglovetobebutweak;andthehighestlovetobeinfinitelybelowtheworth of Christ, the beauty and glory of Christ, the fulness, sweetness,andgoodnessofChrist.The topof theirmisery in this life is, that theylovesolittle,thoughtheyaresomuchbeloved."

SUBMISSIVESILENCE

"SuchwasthesilenceofPhiliptheSecond,kingofSpain,thatwhenhisinvincibleArmada,thathadbeenthreeyearsa-fitting,waslost,hegavecommand that all over Spain they should give thanks to God and thesaintsthatitwasnomoregrievous."

FAVOURITESSUBMITTINGTOTHEIRLORDS

"WhenTiribazus,anoblePersian,wasarrested,atfirsthedrewhisswordand defended himself; but when they charged him in the king's name,andinformedhimthattheycamefromtheking,andwerecommandedtobringhimtotheking,heyieldedwillingly.Senecapersuadedhisfriendtobearhisafflictionquietly,becausehewastheemperor'sfavourite,tellinghim that it was not lawful for him to complain whilst Caesar was hisfriend.SosaiththeholyChristian,Oh,mysoul!bequiet,bestill;allisinlove,allisafruitofDivinefavour."

SIRPHILIPSIDNEY

"A religious commander being shot in battle, when the wound wassearched and the bullet cut out, some standing by, pitying his pain, hereplied,'ThoughIgroan,yetIblessGodIdonotgrumble.GodallowsHispeopletogroan,thoughnottogrumble.'"

Thomas Adams, the Conforming Puritan, whose sermons are full ofrugged force and profound meaning, never hesitated to insert a storywhenhefeltthatitwouldenforcehisteaching.HisstartingpointiseversomeBiblicalsentence,orscripturalhistory;andthisheworksoutwithmuchelaboration,bringingtoitallthetreasuresofhismind.AsStowellsays,"Fables,anecdotes,classicalpoetry,gemsfromthefathersandotherold writers, are scattered over almost every page." His anecdotes areusually rough-and-ready ones, and might be compared to those ofLatimer,onlytheyarenotsogenial;theirhumourisgenerallygrimandcaustic.Thefollowingmayserveasfairspecimens:

THEHUSBANDANDHISWITTYWIFE

"Thehusbandtoldhiswife,thathehadoneillquality,hewasgiventobeangrywithout cause; shewittily replied, that shewould keephim fromthatfault,forshewouldgivehimcauseenough.Itisthefollyofsomethatthey will be offendedwithout cause, to whom the world promises thattheyshallhavecausesenough.'Intheworldyeshallhavetribulation.'"

THESERVANTATTHESERMON

"Itisordinarywithmanytocommendthelecturetoothers'ears,butfewcommendittotheirownhearts.ItismorallytruewhattheChristianTell-truthrelates:Aservantcomingfromchurch,praiseththesermontohismaster.He asks himwhatwas the text.Nay, quoth the servant, it wasbegunbefore I came in.What thenwashis conclusion?Heanswered, Icameoutbeforeitwasdone.Butwhatsaidheinthemidst?IndeedIwasasleep in the midst. Many crowd to get into the church, but make noroomforthesermontogetintothem."

THEPICTUREOFAHORSE

"One charged a painter to draw him equum volitantem, a trotting orprancing horse; and he (mistaking the word) drew him‚ equumvolutantem,awallowingortumblinghorse,withhisheelsupward.Beingbrought home, and the bespeaker blaming his error; Iwould have himprancing, and you have made him tumbling. If that be all, quoth thepainter,itisbutturningthepicturewrongsideuppermost,andyouhaveyourdesire.Thusintheirquodlibeticaldiscoursestheycanbutturnthelineaments, and thematter is as theywouldhave it. I speaknot this todisgrace all their learning, but their fruitless, needless disputes andarguments, who find themselves a tongue, where the Scripture allowsthemnone."

THEPIRATE

"Aswhenthedesperatepirate,ransackingandriflingabottom,wastoldby themaster, that though no law could touch him for the present, heshould answer it at the day of judgment; replied,Nay, if Imay stay solong ere I come to it, I will take thee and thy vessel too. A conceitwherewithtoomanyland-thieves,oppressors,flatterthemselvesintheirhearts,thoughtheydarenotutteritwiththeirlips."

WilliamGurnall,theauthorofTheChristianinCompleteArmour,mustsurelyhavebeenarelaterofpertinentstoriesinhissermons,sinceeveninhissetandsolidwritingstheyoccur.PerhapsIneednothavemadethedistinction between hiswritings and his preaching, for it appears fromtheprefacethathisChristianinCompleteArmourwaspreachedbeforeitwas printed. In vivid imagery every page of his famous book abounds,andwheneverthis is thecasewearesureto lightuponshortnarrativesand striking incidents.He is asprofuse in illustration as eitherBrooks,Watson, or Swinnock.HappyLavenham tohave been servedby suchapastor! By the way, this Complete Armour is beyond all others apreacher'sbook:Ishouldthinkthatmorediscourseshavebeensuggested

by it than by any other uninspired volume. I have often resorted to itwhenmyownfirehasbeenburninglow,andIhaveseldomfailedtofindaglowingcoaluponGurnall'shearth.JohnNewtonsaidthatifhemightreadonly onebookbeside theBible, hewould chooseTheChristian inCompleteArmour,andCecilwasofmuchthesameopinion.J.C.Rylehassaidofit,"Youwilloftenfindinalineandahalfsomegreattruth,putsoconcisely,andyet so fully, thatyoureallymarvelhowsomuchthoughtcouldbegotintosofewwords."Oneortwostoriesfromtheearlypartofhisgreatworkmustsufficeforourpurpose.

BIRDSAFEINAMAN'SBOSOM

"Aheathencouldsay,whenabird(fearedbyahawk)flewintohisbosom,'Iwillnotbetraytheeuntothineenemy,seeingthoucomestforsanctuaryuntome.'HowmuchlesswillGodyieldupasouluntoitsenemy,whenittakes sanctuary in His Name, saying, 'Lord, I am hunted with suchtemptation,doggedwithsuchalust;eitherthoumustpardonit,orIamdamned;mortifyit,orIshallbeaslavetoit;takemeintothebosomofthy love for Christ's sake; castle me in the arms of thy ever lastingstrength;itisinthypowertosavemefrom,orgivemeupintothehandsofmyenemy:Ihavenoconfidenceinmyselforanyother;intothyhandsIcommitmycause,mylife,andrelyonthee.'Thisdependenceofasoulundoubtedly will awaken the almighty power of God for such a one'sdefence: He hath sworn the greatest oath that can come out of Hisblessedlips,evenbyHimself,thatsuchas'fleeforrefuge'tohopeinHimshall'havestrongconsolation':Hebrewsvi.17,18."

THEPRINCEWITHHISFAMILYINDANGER

"Supposeaking'ssonshouldgetoutofabeseigedcity,wherehehathlefthiswifeandchildren(whomhelovesashisownsoul),andtheseallreadyto die by sword or famine, if supply come not the sooner; could thisprince, when arrived at his father's house, please himself with thedelightsofthecourt,andforgetthedistressofhisfamily?orratherwould

henotcomeposttohisfather(havingtheircriesandgroansalwaysinhisears),and,beforeheateordrank,dohiserrandtohisfather,andentreathimifeverhelovedhim,thathewouldsendalltheforceofhiskingdomto raise the siege, rather than any of his dear relations should perish?Surely,sirs,thoughChristbeinthetopofHispreferment,andoutofthestorm in regardofHis ownperson, yetHis children, left behind in themidst of sin's, Satan's, and the world's batteries, are inHis heart, andshall not be forgotten a moment by Him. The care He takes in ourbusinessappeared in thespeedydespatchHemadeofHisSpirit toHisapostles' supply, which, as soon as He was warm in His seat at HisFather'srighthand,Hesent,totheincomparablecomfortofHisapostlesandusthattothisday,yea,totheendoftheworld,doorshallbelieveonHim."

JOHNCARELESS

"When God honours a person to suffer for His truth, this is a greatprivilege: 'Unto you it is givennot only tobelieve, but to suffer forHissake.'GoddothnotusetogiveworthlessgiftstoHissaints,thereissomepreciousnessinitwhichacarnaleyecannotsee.Faith,youwillsay,isagreat gift; but perseverance greater,withoutwhich faithwould be littleworth, and perseverance in suffering is above both honourable. ThismadeJohnCareless,anEnglishmartyr (who thoughhediednotat thestake,yetinprisonforChrist),say,'Suchanhonour'tisasangelsarenotpermittedtohave;therefore,Godforgivememineunthankfulness.'"

MR.BENBRIDGE

"Oh, how many die at the gallows as martyrs in the devil's cause forfelonies, rapes, andmurders! Hemight withdrawHis grace, and leavethee to thy own cowardice and unbelief, and then thou wouldst soonshowthyselfinthycolours.ThestoutestchampionsforChristhavebeentaughthowweaktheyareifChriststepsaside.SomethathavegivengreattestimonyoftheirfaithandresolutioninChrist'scause,eventocomeso

neardyingforHisnameastogivethemselvestobeboundtothestake,andfiretobekindleduponthem,yettheirheartshavefailed;asthatholyman,Mr.Benbridge,inourEnglishmartyrology,whothrustthefaggotsfrom him, and cried out, 'I recant, I recant!' Yet this man, whenreinforced in his faith, and indued with power from above, was ablewithinthespaceofaweekafterthatsadfoil,todieatthestakecheerfully.Hethatonceovercamedeathforus,'tisHethatalwaysovercamedeathinus."

JohnFlavelisanamewhichIshallhavetoquoteinanotherlecture,forheisgreatestinmetaphorandallegory;butinthematterofanecdotehispreachingisafineexample.Itwassaidofhisministrythathewhowasunaffected by it must either have had a very soft head or a very hardheart. He had a fund of striking incidents, and a faculty of happyillustration, and as he was a man in whose manner cheerfulness wasblended with solemnity, he was popular in the highest degree both athomeandabroad.He sought outwordswhichmight suit the sailors ofDartmouthand farmersofDevon,andthereforehehas leftbehindhimhisNavigationSpiritualized,andhisHusbandrySpiritualized,a legacyforeachof the twoordersofmenwhoploughtheseaandthe land.Hewasamanworthmaking a pilgrimage to hear.What a crime itwas tosilence his heaven-touched lips by the abominable Act of Uniformity!Instead of quoting several passages from his sermons, each onecontainingananecdote,Ihavethoughtitaswelltogiveamassofstoriesaswefindtheminhisprelectionsupon:

PROVIDENCEINCONVERSION

"A scrap of paper accidentally coming to view hath been used as anoccasionofconversion.ThiswasthecaseofaministerofWales,whohadtwo livings, but took little care of either. He being at a fair, boughtsomething at a pedlar's standing, and rent off a leaf of Mr. Perkin'scatechismtowrapitin;andreadingalineortwoofit,Godsentithomesoasitdidthework."

"Themarriageofagodlymanintoacarnalfamilyhathbeenorderedby

Providence for the conversion and salvation ofmany therein. Thus weread,inthelifeofthatrenownedEnglishworthy,Mr.JohnBruen,that,inhissecondmatch,itwasagreedthatheshouldhaveoneyear'sdietinhismother-in-law's house. During his abode there that year (saithMr.Clark) theLordwas pleasedby hismeans graciously toworkuponhersoul, as also upon his wife's sister, and half-sister, their brothers, MrWilliam andMr. Thomas Fox, with one or two of the servants in thatfamily."

"Notonly the readingofabook,orhearingofaminister,but (whichismost remarkable) the very mistake of forgetfulness of a minister hathbeenimprovedbyProvidenceforthisendandpurpose.Augustine,oncepreaching to his congregation, forgot the argument which he firstproposed, and fell upon the errors of the Manichees, beside his firstintention;bywhichdiscourseheconvertedoneFirmus,hisauditor,whofell down at his feet weeping, and confessing he had lived aManicheemanyyearsAnotherIknew,who,goingtopreach,tookupanotherBiblethanthathehaddesigned,inwhich,notonlymissinghisnotes,butthechapteralsoinwhichhistextlay,wasputtosomelossthereby;butafterashortpauseheresolved tospeak toanyotherScripture thatmightbepresented to him, and accordingly read the text, 'The Lord is not slackconcerning his promise' (2 Pet. iii. 9); and though he had nothingprepared, yet the Lord helped him to speak both methodically andpertinently from it; bywhich discourse a gracious changewaswroughtuponone in thecongregation,whohath sincegivengoodevidenceof asoundconversion,andacknowledgedthissermontobethefirstandonlymeansthereof."

"Going tohear a sermon in jest hathproved somemen's conversion inearnest. Mr. Firmin, in his Real Christian, tells us of a notoriousdrunkard,whomthedrunkardscalled'Father,'thatonedaywouldneedsgotohearwhatWilsonsaid,outofnootherdesign,itseems,buttoscoffattheholyman;butintheprayerbeforesermon,hisheartbegantothaw,andwhenhe readhis text,whichwas, 'Sinnomore, lest aworse thingcomeunto thee' (Johnv. 14),hecouldnot contain;and in that sermontheLordchangedhisheart,thoughformerlysobitteranenemythattheministeronlecture-dayswasafraidtogotochurchbeforehisshopdoor.

Lo,thesearepartsofhisways;buthowlittleaportionisheardofhim?"

GeorgeSwinnock, for someyearschaplain toHampden,had thegiftofillustrationlargelydeveloped,ashisworksprove.Someofhissimilesarefar-fetched, and the growth of knowledgehas rendered certain of themobsolete;but theyservedhispurpose,andmadehis teachingattractive.Afterdeductingallhisfancies,whichinthepresentagewouldbejudgedto be strained, there remains "a rare amount of sanctified wit andwisdom";andsparklinghereandtherewespyouta fewtelling,stories,mostlyofclassicorigin:

THEPRAYEROFPAULINUS

"ItwasthespeechofPaulinus,whenhiscitywastakenbythebarbarians,Domine, ne excrucier ob aurem et argentum: 'Lord, let me not betroubledformysilverandgoldwhichIhavelost,forthouartallthings.'AsNoah,whenthewholeworldwasoverwhelmedwithwater,hadafairepitomeofitintheark,havingallsortsofbeastsandfowlsthere;sohethatinadelugehathGodtobehisGod,haththeoriginalofallmercies.He who enjoyeth the oceanmay rejoice, though some drops are takenfromhim."

QUEENELIZABETHANDTHEMILKMAID

"QueenElizabethenviedthemilkmaidwhenshewas inprison;buthadsheknownthegloriousreignwhichshewastohaveforforty-fouryears,shewouldnothaverepinedat thepoorhappinessofsomeanaperson.Christiansare tooprone toenvy thehuskswhichwanderingsinners fillthemselves with here below; but would they set before them theirglorioushopesofaheaven,howtheymustreignwithChristforeverandever,theywouldseelittlereasonfortheirrepining."

THEBELIEVINGCHILD

"I have read a story of a little child about eight or nine years old, thatbeing extremely pinched with hunger, looked one day pitifullynecessitousonhermother,andsaid,'Mother,doyouthinkthatGodwillstarve us?' The mother answered, 'No, child, He will not.' The childreplied, 'But ifHedo, yetwemust loveHimand serveHim.'Herewaslanguagethatspakeawell-grownChristian.ForindeedGodbringsustowantandmisery,totryuswhetherweloveHimforHisownsake,orforourownsakes;forthoseexcellenciesthatareinHim,orforthosemercieswe have from Him; to see whether we will say with the cynic toAntisthenes, Nullus tam darus erit baculus, etc. There should be nocudgelsocrabbedastobeatmefromthee."

FASHIONABLERELIGION

"I have read of a popish lady in Paris, that when she saw a gloriousprocessiontooneof theirsaints,criedout, 'Oh,howfine isourreligionbeyondthatoftheHugenots!theyhaveameanandbeggarlyreligion,butoursisfullofbraveryandsolemnity.'Butasheraldssayofacoatofarms,if it be full of gays anddevices, it speaks ameandescent; so truly thatmanner of worship which is mingled with men's inventions speaks itsdescenttobemeannamely,fromman."

THEBUSYDUKE

"The French Duc d'Alva could say, when he was asked by Henry theFourthwhetherhehadseentheeclipseofthesun,thathehadsomuchbusinesstodouponearth,thathehadnotimetolookuptoheaven.SureIam,theChristianmaysaywithmoretruthandconscience,thathehathsomuchbusinesstodoforheaven,thathehathnotimetomindvainorearthlythings."

ThomasWatson was one of themany Puritan preachers who won thepopularearbytheirfrequentillustrations.Intheclearflowingstreamofhisteachingwefindpearlsofanecdoteveryfrequently.NooneevergrewwearyundersuchpleasantyetweightydiscourseasthatwhichwefindinhisBeatitudes.Lettwoquotationsservetoshowhisskill.

THEVESTALANDTHEBRACELETS

"MostmenthinkbecauseGodhathblessedthemwithanestate,thereforetheyareblessed.Alas!Godoftengivesthesethingsinanger.HeloadsHisenemieswithgoldandsilver;asPlutarchreportsofTarpeia,aVestalnun,whobargainedwiththeenemytobetraytheCapitolofRometothem,incaseshemighthavethegoldenbraceletsontheirlefthands,whichtheypromised;andbeingentered into theCapitol, they threwnotonly theirbracelets, but their bucklers, too, upon her, through theweight thereofshewaspressedtodeath.Godoftenletsmenhavethegoldenbraceletsofworldly substance, the weight whereof sinks them into hell. Oh, let ussupernaanhelare,getoureyes'fixed'andourhearts'united'toGodthesupremegood;thisistopursueblessednessasinachase."

HEDGEHOGANDCONIES

"TheFabulisttellsastoryofthehedgehogthatcametotheconyburrowsin stormyweather, and desired harbour, promising that hewould be a

quietguest;butwhenoncehehadgottenentertainment,hedidsetuphisprickles,anddidneverleavetillhehadthrustthepoorconiesoutoftheirburrows:socovetousness,thoughithathmanyfairpleastoinsinuateandwinditselfintotheheart,yetassoonasyouhaveletitin,thisthornwillneverceaseprickingtillithathchokedallgoodbeginnings,andthrustallreligionoutofyourhearts."

IthinkthismustsufficetorepresentthemenofthePuritanicperiod,whoadded to their profound theology and varied learning a zeal to beunderstood, and a skill in setting forth truth by the help of everydayoccurrences. The age which followed them was barren of spiritual life,andwasafflictedbya raceof rhetoricaldivines,whosewordshad littleconnectionwiththeWordoflife.ThescantythoughtoftheQueenAnnedignitariesneedednoaidofmetaphororparable: therewasnothing toexplaintothepeople;theutmostendeavourofthesedivineswastohidethe nakedness of their discourses with the fig-leaves of Latinizedverbiage. Living preaching was gone, spiritual life was gone, andconsequently a pulpit was set up which had no voice for the commonpeople;novoice, indeed, foranybodyexcept themere formalist,who iscontentifdecorumbeobservedandrespectabilitymaintained.Ofcourse,ournotionofmakingtruthclearbystoriesdidnotsuitthedignifieddeathoftheperiod,anditwasonlywhenthedrybonesbegantobestirredthatthepopularmethodwasagainbroughttothefront.

TheillustriousGeorgeWhitefieldstands,withWesley,attheheadofthatnoblearmywholedtheRevivalofthelastcentury.Itisnotatthispresentanypartofmyplan to speakofhismatchlesseloquence,unquenchableearnestness,andincessantlabour;butitisquiteaccordingtotherunofmylecturetoremindyouofhisownsaying,"Iusemarketlanguage."Heemployedpure,good,flowingEnglish;buthewasassimpleasifhespoketo children. Although by no means abounding in illustration, yet healways employed itwhen needed, and he narrated incidentswith greatpowerofactionandemphasis.Hisstoriesweresotoldthattheythrilledthe people: they saw as well as heard, for each word had its propergesture.One reasonwhyhe could be understood at so great a distancewasthefactthattheeyehelpedtheear.AsspecimensofhisanecdotesIhaveselectedthesewhichfollow:

THETWOCHAPLAINS

"You cannotdowithout the graceofGodwhen you come todie.Therewas anobleman that kept adeistical chaplain, andhis lady aChristianone;when hewas dying, he says to his chaplain, 'I liked you verywellwhenIwasinhealth;butitismylady'schaplainImusthavewhenIamsick.'"

NEVERSATISFIED

"Mydearhearers,thereisnotasinglesoulofyouallthataresatisfiedinyour stations: is not the language of yourheartswhen apprentices,Wethinkweshalldoverywellwhenjourneymen;whenjourneymen,thatweshould do very well when masters; when single, that we shall do wellwhenmarried;andtobesureyouthinkyoushalldowellwhenyoukeepacarriage. I have heard of onewho began low: he first wanted a house;then,sayshe,'Iwanttwo,thenfour,thensix';andwhenhehadthem,hesaid, 'I think I want nothing else.' 'Yes,' says his friend, 'you will soonwantanotherthing,thatis,ahearse-and-sixtocarryyoutoyourgrave';andthatmadehimtremble."

DR.MANTON'SHEART

"Agoodwoman,whowascharmedwithDr.Manton,said, 'Oh,sir,youhavemadeanexcellentsermonto-day;IwishIhadyourheart.' 'Doyouso?'saidhe,'goodwoman;youhadbetternotwishforit;forifyouhadit,youwouldwish foryourownagain.'Thebestofmensee themselves intheworstlight."

Fearingthatthequotationofanymoreexamplesmightprovetedious,Iwould only remind you that such men as Berridge, Rowland Hill,MatthewWilks,ChristmasEvans,WilliamJay,andotherswhohavebutlatelydepartedfromus,owedmuchoftheirattractivenesstothewayin

whichtheyarousedtheiraudiences,andflashedtruthintotheirfacesbywell-chosenanecdotes.Timecallsuponmetohavedone,andhowcanIcometoabetterclosethanbymentioningonelivingman,who,aboveallothers,hasintwocontinentsstirredthemassesofthepeople?--IrefertoD.L.Moody.Thisadmirablebrotherhasagreataversiontotheprintingofhissermons;andwellbemayhave,forheisincessantlypreaching,andhas no time allowed him for preparation of fresh discourses; andtherefore itwouldbegreatunwisdomonhispart toprintatonce thoseaddresses with which he is working through a campaign. We hope,however,thatwhenhehasdonewithasermonhewillneversuffer it todieout,butgiveittothechurchandtotheworldthroughthepress.Ouresteemed brother has a lively, telling style, and he thinks it wisefrequentlytofastenanailwiththehammerofanecdote.HerearefourorfiveextractsfromthelittlebookentitledArrowsandAnecdotesbyD.L.Moody,byJohnLobb:

THEIDIOT'SMOTHER

"Iknowamotherwhohasan idiotchild.For it shegaveupall society,almosteverything,anddevotedherwhole life to it. 'Andnow,'saidshe,'for fourteen years I have tended it and loved it, and it does not evenknowme.Oh!itisbreakingmyheart!'Oh!howtheLordmustsaythisofhundredshere! Jesus comeshere, and goes from seat to seat, asking ifthere is a place forHim.Oh!will not some of you takeHim into yourhearts?"

SURGEONANDPATIENT

"When I was in Belfast I knew a doctor who had a friend, a leadingsurgeon there, and he told me that the surgeon's custom was, beforeperforminganyoperation,tosaytothepatient: 'Takeagoodlookatthewound,and then fix your eyesonme, anddon't take themoff till I getthroughtheoperation.'Ithoughtatthetimethatwasagoodillustration.Sinner,takeagoodlookatthewoundto-night,andthenfixyoureyeson

Christ,anddon'ttakethemoff.Itisbettertolookattheremedythanatthewound."

THEORPHAN'SPRAYER

"Alittlechild,whosefatherandmotherhaddied,wastakenintoanotherfamily.Thefirstnightsheaskedifshecouldprayassheusedtodo.Theysaid, 'Oh,yes.'Soshekneltdown,andprayedashermotherhadtaughther;and,whenthatwasended,sheaddedalittleprayerofherown:'Oh,God,makethesepeopleaskindtomeasfatherandmotherwere.'Thenshe paused, and looked up, as if expecting the answer, and added: 'Ofcourse He will.' How sweetly simple was that little one's faith! SheexpectedGodto'do,'and,ofcourse,shegotherrequest."

THEROLL-CALL

"Asoldierlayonhisdyingcouchduringourlastwar,andtheyheardhimsay,'Here!'Theyaskedhimwhathewanted,andheputuphishandandsaid:'Hush!theyarecallingtherollofheaven,andIamansweringtomyname';andpresentlyhewhispered:'Here!'andhewasgone."

NOHOMEBEYONDTHEGRAVE

"I have been told of a wealthy man who died recently. Death cameunexpectedly to him, as it almost always does; and he sent out for hislawyer todrawhiswill.Andhewentonwillingawayhisproperty; andwhenhecametohiswifeandchild,hesaidhewantedthemtohavethehome. But the little child didn't understand what death was. She wasstandingnear,andshesaid,'Papa,haveyougotahomeinthatlandyouaregoingto?'Thearrowreachedthatheart;but itwastoo late.Hesawhismistake.Hehadgotnohomebeyondthegrave."

Iwillweary you no longer. Youmay safely dowhat themost useful of

menhavedonebeforeyou.Copythemnotonlyintheiruseofillustration,but in theirwiselykeeping it insubservience to theirdesign.Theywerenot story-tellers, but preachers of the gospel; they did not aim at theentertainmentof thepeople, but at their conversion.Neverdid they gooutoftheirwaytodraginatellingbitwhichtheyhadbeensavingupfordisplay,andnevercouldanyonesayoftheirillustrationsthattheywere

"Windowsthatexcludethelight,Andpassagesthatleadtonothing."

Keep you the due proportion of things lest I do worse than lose mylabour,bybecomingthecauseofyourpresentingtothepeoplestringsofanecdotesinsteadofsounddoctrines,forthatwouldbeasevilathingasif you offered to hungrymen flowers instead of bread, and gave to thenakedgauzeofgossamerinsteadofwoollencloth.

CHAPTERXXVITHEUSESOFANECDOTESANDILLUSTRATIONS

Theusesofanecdotesandillustrationsaremanifold;butwemayreducethem to seven, so far as our present purposes are concerned, not for amomentimaginingthatthiswillbeacompletelist.

Weusethem,first,to interestthemindandsecuretheattentionofourhearers.Wecannotendureasleepyaudience.Tous,aslumberingmanisnoman.SydneySmithobservedthat,althoughEvewastakenoutofthesideofAdamwhilehewasasleep,itwasnotpossibletoremovesinfrommen's hearts in thatmanner.We do not agreewithHodge, the hedgerandditcher,whoremarkedtoaChristianmanwithwhomhewastalking,"I loikes Sunday, I does; I loikes Sunday." "And what makes you likeSunday?""Cause,yousee,it'sadayofrest;Igoesdowntotheoldchurch,Igetsintoapew,andputsmylegsup,andIthinkso'nothin'."Itistobefearedthatintownaswellasincountrythisthinkingofnothingisaveryusualthing.Butyourregardforthesacredday,andtheministrytowhichyouarecalled,andtheworshippingassembly,willnotallowyoutogiveyourpeoplethechanceofthinkingofnothing.Youwanttoarouseevery

faculty inthemtoreceivetheWordofGod, that itmaybeablessingtothem.

Wewant to win attention at the commencement of the service, and tohold it till the close. With this aim, many methods may be tried; butpossiblynonewillsucceedbetterthantheintroductionofaninterestingstory.ThissetsHodgelistening,andalthoughhewillmissthefreshairofthefields,andbegintofeeldrowsyinyourstuffychapel,anothertalewillstirhim to renewedattention. Ifhehears somenarrative in connectionwithhisvillageorcounty,youwillhavehim"allthere,"andyoumaythenhopetodohimgood.

The anecdote in the sermon answers the purpose of an engraving in abook. Everybody knows that people are attracted by volumes withpicturesinthem;andthat,whenachildgetsabook,althoughitmaypassovertheletterpresswithoutobservation,itisquitesuretopauseoverthewoodcuts. Let us not be too great to use a method which many havefoundsuccessful.Wemusthaveattention.Insomeaudiences,wecannotget it if we beginwith solid instruction; they are not desirous of beingtaught,andconsequentlytheyarenotinaconditiontoreceivethetruthifwesetitbeforethemnakedly.Nowforabunchofflowerstoattractthesepeopletoourtable,forafterwardswecanfeedthemwiththefoodtheysomuchneed.Justas theSalvationArmygoes trumpetinganddrummingthrough the streets to draw the people into the barracks, so may anearnest man spend the first few minutes with an unpreparedcongregationinwakingthefolksup,andenticingthemtoentertheinnerchamberof the truth.Eventhisawakeningpreludemusthave in it thatwhichisworthyoftheoccasion;butifitisnotuptoyourusualaverageinweight of doctrine, it may not only be excused, but commended, if itpreparestheaudiencetoreceivethatwhichistofollow.Ground-baitmaycatchnofish;butitanswersitspurposeifitbringsthemnearthebaitandthehook.

Acongregationwhichhasbeenwellinstructed,andismainlymadeupofestablishedbelievers,willnotneedtobeaddressed inthesamestyleasanaudiencegatheredfreshfromtheworld,orameetingofdull, formalchurchgoers.Yourcommon-sensewill teachyoutosuityourmanner toyour audience. It is possible tomaintain profound and long-continued

attentionwithouttheuseofanillustration;IhavefrequentlydonesointheTabernaclewhenithasbeenmainlyfilledwithchurch-members;butwhenmyownpeopleareaway,andstrangersfilltheirplaces,Ibringoutallmystoreofstories,similes,andparables.

I have sometimes told anecdotes in the pulpit, and very delicate andparticularpeoplehaveexpressedtheirregretandhorrorthatIshouldsaysuch things; but when I have found that God has blessed some of theillustrationsIhaveused,Ihaveoftenthoughtofthestoryofthemanwitha halbert, who was attacked by a nobleman's dog, and, of course, indefendinghimself, he killed the animal. Thenoblemanwas very angry,andaskedthemanhowhedaredtokillthedog;andthemanrepliedthat,ifhehadnot killed it, thedogwouldhave bittenhim, and tornhim inpieces."Well,"saidthenobleman,"butyoushouldnothavestruckitontheheadwiththehalbert;whydidyounothit itwiththehandle?""Mylord," answered theman, "so Iwould if it had tried to bitemewith itstail."So,whenIhavetodealwithsin,somepeoplesay,"Whydon'tyouaddressitdelicately?Whydon'tyouspeaktoitincourtlylanguage?"AndIanswer,"SoIwouldifitwouldbitemewithitstail;butaslongaseverIfindthatitdealsroughlywithme,Iwilldealroughlywithit;andanykindofweaponthatwillhelptoslaythemonster,Ishallnot findunfittedtomyhand."

Wecannotafford,inthesedays,toloseanyopportunityofgettingholdofthepublicear.Wemustuseeveryoccasion that comes inourway,andeverytoolthatislikelytohelpusinourwork;andwemustrouseupallourfaculties,andputforthallourenergies,ifthatbyanymeanswemayget the people to heed thatwhich they are so slow to regard, the greatstoryofrighteousness,temperance,andjudgmenttocome.Weshallneedtoreadmuch,andtostudyhard,orelseweshallnotbeabletoinfluenceour day and generation for good. I believe that the greatest industry isnecessary tomakea thoroughly efficientpreacher, and thebestnaturalability, too; and it is my firm conviction that, when you have the bestnatural ability, you must supplement it with the greatest imaginableindustryifyouarereallytodomuchserviceforGodamongthiscrookedandperversegeneration.

ThefoolinScotland,whogotintothepulpitbeforethepreacherarrived,

was requestedby theminister to comedown. "Nay,nay,"answered theman, "you come up, too, for it will take both of us to move this stiff-necked generation." It will certainly take all the wisdom that we canobtaintomovethepeopleamongwhomourlotiscast;andifwedonotuseeverylawfulmeansofinterestingthemindsofourhearers,weshallfind that they will be like a certain other congregation, in which thepeoplewereallasleepexceptonepooridiot.Theminister,wokethemup,and tried to reprove themby saying, "There, youwereall asleepexceptpoor Jock the idiot"; but his rebuke was cut short by Jock, whoexclaimed, "And if I had not been an idiot, I should have been asleep,too."

Iwillleavethemoralofthatwell-knownstorytospeakforitself,andwillpass on to my second point, which is, that the use of anecdotes andillustrations renders our preaching life-like and vivid. This is a mostimportantmatter. Of all things thatwe have to avoid, one of themostessentialisthatofgivingourpeopletheidea,whenwearepreaching,thatwe are acting a part.Everything theatrical in the pulpit, either in tone,manner, or anything else, I loathe frommy very soul. Just go into thepulpit,andtalktothepeopleasyouwouldinthekitchen,orthedrawing-room,andsaywhatyouhavetotelltheminyourordinarytoneofvoice.Letmeconjureyou,byeverythingthatisgood,tothrowawayallstiltedstyles of speech, and anything approaching affectation. Nothing cansucceedwith themasses except naturalness and simplicity.Why, someministerscannotevengiveoutahymninanaturalmanner!"Letussingto the praise and glory of God," [spoken in the tone that is sometimesheardinchurchesorchapels]whowouldeverthinkofspeakinglikethatat the tea-table? "I shall be greatly obliged if you will kindly give meanothercupoftea,"[spokeninthesameunnaturalway]youwouldneverthinkofgivinganyteatoamanwhotalkedlikethat;andifwepreachinthatstupidstyle,thepeoplewillnotbelievewhatwesay;theywillthinkitisourbusiness,ouroccupation,andthatwearedoingthewholethinginaprofessionalmanner.Wemustshakeoffprofessionalismofeverykind,asPaulshookoff theviper intothe fire;andwemustspeakasGodhasordained thatweshouldspeak,andnotbyanystrange,out-of-the-way,new-fangledmethodofpulpitoratory.

OurLord's teachingwasamazingly life-likeandvivid; itwas thesettingoutoftruthbeforetheeye,notasaflatpicture,butasinastereoscope,making it stand up, with all its lines and angles of beauty in life-likereality.Thatwasafinelivingsermonwhenhetookalittlechild,andsethim in the midst of the disciples; and that was another powerfuldiscourse when he preached about abstaining from carking cares, andstooped down, and plucked a lily (as I suppose he did) and said,"Considerthe liliesof thefield,howtheygrow;theytoilnot,neitherdotheyspin."I canreadily suppose that someravenswere flying justoverhishead,andthathepointedtothem,andsaid,"Considertheravens;fortheyneithersownorreap;whichneitherhavestorehousenorbarn;andGodfeedeththem."Therewasalife-likeness,yousee,avividness,aboutthewholething.WecannotalwaysliterallyimitateourLord,aswehavemostly to preach in places of worship. It is a blessing that we have somanyhousesofprayer,andIthankGodthattherearesomanyofthemspringingupallaroundus;yetIshouldpraisetheLordstillmoreifhalftheministers,whopreachinourvariousbuildings,weremadetoturnoutofthem,andtospeakfortheirMasterinthehighways,andbyways,andanywhere that the peoplewould go to listen to them.We are to go outintoalltheworld,andpreachthegospeltoeverycreature,nottostopinourchapelswaitingforeverycreaturetocomeintohearwhatwehavetosay. A sportsman, who should sit at his parlour window, with his gunloadedall ready forshootingpartridges,wouldprobablynotmakeupaveryheavybagofgame.No,hemustputonhisbuskins,and trampoffoverthefields,andthenhewillgetashotat thebirdshe isseeking.Somustwedo,brethren,wemustalwayshaveourbuskins ready for fieldwork,andbeeveronthewatchforopportunitiesofgoingoutamongthesoulsofmen,thatwemaybringthembackastrophiesofthepowerofthegospelwehavetoproclaim.

Itmightnotbewiseforustotrytomakeoursermonslife-likeandvividinthestyleinwhichquaintoldMatthewWilkssometimesdid;aswhen,one Sabbath morning, he took into the pulpit a little box, and after awhileopenedit,anddisplayedtothecongregationasmallpairofscales,andthen,turningovertheleavesoftheBiblewithgreatdeliberation,heldup the balances, and announced as his text, "Thou art weighed in thebalances, and art found wanting." I think, however, that was puerile

rather than powerful. I like Matthew Wilks better when, on anotheroccasion,histextbeing,"Seethatyewalkcircumspectly,"hecommencedbysaying,"Didyoueverseeatomcatwalkingonthetopofahighwallthatwascoveredwithbitsofbrokenglassbottles?Ifso,youhadjustthenan accurate illustration ofwhat ismeant by the injunction, See that yewalkcircumspectly.'"Thereisthecase,too,ofgood"FatherTaylor",who,preachinginthestreetsinoneofthetownsofCalifornia,stoodonthetopofawhisky-barrel.Bywayofillustration,hestampedhisfootonthecask,andsaid,"Thisbarrelislikeman'sheart,fullofevilstuff;andtherearesomepeoplewhosay that, if sin iswithinyou, itmay justaswell comeout.""No,"saidthespeaker,"itisnotso;nowhereinthiswhiskythatisinthebarrelundermyfoot;itisabadthing,itinadamnablething,itisadevilishthing,butaslongasitiskepttightlybungedupinthebarrel,itcertainlywillnotdothehurtthat itwill if it istakenovertothe liquor-bar,andsoldout to thedrunkardsof theneighbourhood,sendingthemhometobeattheirwives,orkilltheirchildren.So,ifyoukeepyoursinsinyourownheart,theywillbeevilanddevilish,andGodwilldamnyouforthem;buttheywillnotdosomuchhurttootherpeople,atanyrate,asifthey are seen in public." Stamping his foot again on the barrel, thepreachersaid,"Supposeyoutrytopassthiscaskovertheboundariesofthecountry,andthecustom-houseofficercomes,anddemandsthedutyuponitscontents.Yousaythatyouwillnotletanyofthewhiskygetout;but the officer tells you that he cannot allow it to pass. So, if it werepossibleforustoabstainfromoutwardsin,yet,sincetheheartisfullofallmannerofevil, itwouldbe impossible forus topass the frontiersofheaven,andtobefoundinthatholyandhappyplace."ThatIthoughttobesomewhatofalife-likeillustration,andacapitalwayofteachingtruth,althoughIshouldnotlikealwaystohaveawhisky-barrelforapulpit,forfeartheheadmightfallin,andImightfallin,too.

Ishouldnotrecommendanyofyoutobesolife-likeinyourministryasthatnotableFrenchpriest,who,addressinghiscongregation,said,"AstotheMagdalenes,andthosewhocommitthesinsoftheflesh,suchpersonsare very common; they abound even in this church; and I am going tothrow thismass-book at awomanwho is aMagdalene,"whereupon allthewomen in theplacebentdown theirheads.So thepriest said, "No,surely,youarenotallMagdalenes;Ihardlythoughtthatwasthecase;but

youseehowyoursinfindsyouout!"NorshouldIevenrecommendyoutofollowtheexampleoftheclergyman,who,whenacollectionwastobemade for lightingandwarmingthechurch,afterbehadpreachedsometime, blew out the candles on both sides of the pulpit, saying that thecollectionwasforthelightsandthefires,andhedidnotrequireanylight,forhedidnot readhissermon, "but,"headded, "whenRogergivesoutthe Psalm presently, you will want a light to see your books; so thecandlesareforyourselves.Andasforthestove,Idonotneeditsheat,formyexerciseinpreachingissufficienttokeepmewarm;thereforeyouseethatthecollectioniswhollyforyourselvesonthisoccasion.Nobodycansay that the clergy are collecting for themselves this time, for on thisSundayitiswhollyforyourownselves."Ithoughtthemanwasafoolformakingsuchremarks,thoughIfindthathisconducthasbeenreferredtoasbeingaveryexcellentinstanceofboldnessinpreaching.

Thereisastorytoldaboutmyself,which,likeverymanyofthetalestoldaboutme,isastoryintwosenses.Itissaidthat,inordertoshowthewayinwhichmen backslide, I once slid down the banisters of the pulpit. Ionlymentionthis,inpassing,becauseitisaremarkablefactthat,atthetimethestorywastold,mypulpitwasfixedinthewall,andtherewasnobanister,so that thereverendfool (whichhewouldhavebeenifhehaddonewhatpeoplesaid)couldnothaveperformedtheanticifhehadbeeninclinedtoattemptit.Buttheanecdote,althoughitisnottrue,servesallthepurposesofthelife-likenessIhavetriedtodescribe.

YouprobablyrecollecttheinstanceofWhitefielddepictingtheblindman,with his dog, walking on the brink of a precipice, and his foot almostslippingovertheedge.Thepreacher'sdescriptionwassographic,andtheillustration so vivid and life-like, thatLordChesterfield sprangup, andexclaimed, "Good God! he's gone!" but Whitefield answered, "No, mylord,heisnotquitegone;letushopethathemayyetbesaved."Thenhewenton to speakof theblindmanasbeing ledbyhis reason,which isonlylikeadog,showingthatamanledonlybyreasonisreadytofallintohell.Howvividlyonewouldseethe loveofmoneyset forth in thestorytoldbyourvenerable friend,Mr.Rogers,ofamanwho,whenhe laya-dying, would put his money in his mouth because he loved it so, andwanted to takesomeof itwithhim!Howstrikingly is thenon-utilityof

worldlywealth,asacomforttousinourlastdays,broughtbeforeusbythenarrativeinwhichgoodJeremiahBurroughesspeaksofamiserwhohadhismoneybagslaidnearhishandonhisdyingbed!Hekepttakingthemup,andsaying,"MustIleaveyou?MustIleaveyou?HaveIlivedalltheseyearsforyou,andnowmustIleaveyou?"Andsohedied.Thereisataletoldofanother,whohadmanypainsinhisdeath,andespeciallythegreat pain of a disturbed conscience. He also had his money bagsbrought, one by one, with his mortgages, and bonds, and deeds, andputtingthemnearhisheart,hesighed,andsaid,"Thesewon'tdo;thesewon'tdo;thesewon'tdo;takethemaway!WhatpoorthingstheyallarewhenImostneedcomfortinmydyingmoments!"

HowdistinctlylovetoChristisbroughtoutinthestoryofJohnLambert,fastenedtothestake,andburningtodeath,yetclappinghishandsashewasburning,andcryingout,"NonebutChrist!NonebutChrist!"untilhisnetherextremitieswereburned,andhefellfromthechainsintothefire,still exclaiming in themidst of the flames. "NonebutChrist!None butChrist!"Howclearlythetruthstandsoutbeforeyouwhenyouhearsuchstories as these! You can realize it almost as well as if the incidenthappened before your eyes. How well you can see the folly ofmisunderstandingbetweenChristiansinMr.Jay'sstoryoftwomenwhowerewalking fromoppositedirectionsona foggynight!Eachsawwhathethoughtwasaterriblemonstermovingtowardshim,andmakinghisheartbeatwithterror;astheycamenearertoeachother,theyfoundthatthedreadfulmonsterswerebrothers.So,menofdifferentdenominationsareoftenafraidofoneanother;butwhentheygetclosetoeachother,andknoweachother's hearts, they findout that they are brethren after all.The story of the negro and his master well illustrates the need ofbeginningatthebeginninginheavenlythings,andnotmeddlingwiththedeeper points of our holy religion till we have learned its elementsthoroughly. A poor negro was labouring hard to bring his master to aknowledge of the truth, andwas urging him to exercise faith in Christ,whenheexcusedhimselfbecausehecouldnotunderstandthedoctrineofelection."Ah!Massa,"saidthenegro,"don'tyouknowwhatcomesbeforede Epistle to de Romans? You must read de Book de right way; dedoctrineobelectionisinRomans,anddereisMatthew,Mark,Luke,andJohn, first. You are only inMatthew yet; dat is about repentance; and

whenyougettoJohn,youwillreadwheredeLordJesusChristsaiddatGodsoloveddeworld,dathegavehisonlybegottenSon,datwhosoeverbelievethinhimshouldnotperish,buthabeverlastinglife."So,brethren,you can say to your hearers, "You will do better by reading the fourGospelsfirstthanbybeginningtoreadinRomans;firststudyMatthew,Mark,Luke,andJohn,andthenyoucangoontotheEpistles."

But I must not keep on giving you illustrations, because so many willsuggestthemselves.Ihavegivenyousufficienttoshowthattheydomakeourpreachingvividand life-like; therefore, themoreyouhaveof them,the better. At the same time, gentlemen, I must warn you against thedanger of having too many anecdotes in any one sermon. You ought,perhaps,tohaveadishofsaladonthetable;butifyouaskyourfriendstodinner,andgivethemnothingbutsalad,theywillnotfareverywell,andwillnotcaretocometoyourhouseagain.

Thirdly, anecdotes and illustrations may be used to explain eitherdoctrinesordutiestodullunderstandings.Theymay,infact,betheverybest formof exposition.Apreacher should instance, and illustrate, andexemplifyhissubject,sothathishearersmayhaverealacquaintancewiththematterhe isbringingbefore them.Ifamanattempted togiveme adescription of a piece ofmachinery, hewouldpossibly fail tomakemecomprehendwhat itwas like;but ifhewillhavethegoodnessto letmeseeadrawingof thevarioussections,and thenof thewholemachine, Iwill,somehoworother,byhookorbycrook,makeouthowitworks.Thepictorialrepresentationofathingisalwaysamuchmorepowerfulmeansofinstructionthananymereverbaldescriptionevercouldbe.Itisjustinthiswaythatanecdotesandillustrationsaresohelpfultoourhearers.Forinstance, take this anecdote as illustrating the text, "Thou, when thouprayest,enterintothycloset,andwhenthouhastshutthydoor,praytothyFatherwhichisinsecret."Alittleboyusedtogoupintoahay-lofttopray;buthefoundthat,sometimes,personscameup,anddisturbedhim;therefore,thenexttimeheclimbedintotheloft,hepulledtheladderupafterhim.Tellingthisstory,youmightexplainhowtheboythusenteredintohiscloset,andshutthedoor.Themeaningisnotsomuchtheliteralentrance into a closet, or the shutting of the door, as the getting awayfrom earthly sources of distraction, pulling up the ladder after us, and

keepingoutanythingthatmightcomeintohinderoursecretdevotions.Iwish we could always pull the ladder up after us when we retire forprivateprayer;butmanythingstrytoclimbthatladder.Thedevilhimselfwill come up to disturb us if he can; and he can get into the hay-loftwithoutanyladder.

WhatacapitalexpositionofthefifthcommandmentwasthatwhichwasgivenbyCorporalTrim,whenhewas asked, "Whatdost thoumeanbyhonouring thy father and thymother?" andhe answered, "Please, yourhonour, it is allowing them a shilling aweek out ofmy paywhen theygrowold."Thatwasanadmirableexplanationofthemeaningofthetext.Then,ifyouaretryingtoshowhowwearetobedoersoftheWord,andnot hearers only, there is a story of a womanwho, when asked by theministerwhathehadsaidonSunday,repliedthatshedidnotrememberthe sermon; but it had touchedher conscience, forwhen she got homesheburnedherbushel,whichwasshortmeasure.Thereisanotherstorywhich also goes to show that the gospelmay be useful even to hearerswhoforgetwhattheyhaveheard.AwomaniscalleduponbyherministerontheMonday,andhefindsherwashingwoolinasieve,holdingitunderthepump.Heasksher, "Howdidyouenjoy lastSabbath'sdiscourses?"andshesaysthattheydidhermuchgood."Well,whatwasthetext?"Shedoesnotrecollect."Whatwasthesubject?""Ah!sir,itisquitegonefromme,"saysthepoorwoman.Doessherememberanyoftheremarksthatweremade?No,theyareallgone."Well then,Mary," says theminister,"itcouldnothavedoneyoumuchgood."Oh!butithaddoneheragreatdealofgood;andsheexplained it tohimbysaying, "Iwill tell you, sir,howitis;Iputthiswoolinthesieveunderthepump,Ipumponit,andallthewaterrunsthroughthesieve,butthenitwashesthewool.Soitiswithyoursermon;itcomesintomyheart,andthenitrunsrightthroughmypoormemory,whichislikeasieve,butitwashesmeclean,sir."YoumighttalkforalongwhileaboutthecleansingandsanctifyingpoweroftheWord,anditwouldnotmakesuchanimpressionuponyourhearersasthatsimplestorywould.

What finerexpositionof the text "Weepwith them thatweep," can youhave than this pretty anecdote? "Mother," said little Annie, "I cannotmakeoutwhypoorWidowBrownlikesmetogointoseeher;shesaysI

docomfortherso;but,mother,Icannotsayanythingtocomforther,andas soonas shebegins crying, Iputmyarms roundherneck,andI cry,too,andshesaysthatthatcomfortsher."Andsoitdoes;thatistheveryessenceof thecomfort, thesympathy, the fellow-feeling thatmoved thelittlegirltoweepwiththeweepingwidow.Mr.HerveythusillustratesthegreattruthofthedifferentappearanceofsintotheeyeofGodandtheeyeofman.He says that youmay take a small insect, andwith the tiniestneedlemakeapunctureinitsominutethatyoucanscarcelyseeitwiththenakedeye;butwhenyoulookatitthroughamicroscope,youseeanenormous rent, Out of which there flows a purple stream, making thecreature seem to you as though it had been smitten with the axe thatkilleth an ox. It is but a defect of our vision thatwe cannot see thingscorrectly; but themicroscope reveals themas they really are. Thus youmayexplaintoyourhearershowGod'smicroscopiceyeseessininitstrueaspects.SupposethatyouwantedtosetforththecharacterofCaleb,whofollowedtheLordfully;itwouldgreatlyhelpmanyofyourpeopleifyousaid that the name Caleb signifies a dog, and then showed how a dogfollows his master. There is his owner on horseback, riding along themiryroads;butthedogkeepsasclosetohimashecan,nomatterhowmuchmudanddirtaresplasheduponhim,andnotheedingthekickshemightget fromthehorse'sheels.Even so shouldwe follow theLord. Ifyouwishtoexemplifytheshortnessoftime,youmightbringinthepoorsempstress,withherlittlepieceofcandle,stitchingawaytogetherworkdonebeforethelightwentout.

Manypreachersfindthegreatestdifficultyingettingsuitablemetaphorsto set forth simple faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a capitalanecdoteofan idiot,Whowasaskedbytheminister,whowastryingtoinstruct him, whether he had a soul. To the utter consternation of hiskindteacher,hereplied,"No,Ihavenosoul."Thepreachersaidhewasgreatlysurprised,afterhehadbeentaughtforyears,thathedidnotknowbetterthanthat;butthepoorfellowthusexplainedhimself,"Ihadasoulonce,butIlostit;andJesusChristcameandfoundit,andnowIletHimkeepit, forit isHis, itdoesnotbelongtomeanylonger."Thatisafinepictureof thewayofsalvationbysimple faith in thesubstitutionof theLord JesusChrist; and the smallest child in the congregationmight beabletounderstanditthroughthestoryofthepooridiot.

Fourthly, there is a kind of reasoning in anecdotes and illustrations,which is very clear to illogical minds; and many of our hearers,unfortunately, have such minds, yet they can understand illustrativeinstancesandstubbornfacts.Truthfulanecdotesarefacts,andfactsarestubborn things. Instances,whensufficientlymultiplied,asweknowbytheinductivephilosophy,proveapoint.Twoinstancesmaynotproveit;but twenty may prove it to a demonstration. Take the very importantmatterofanswers toprayer.YoucanprovethatGodanswersprayerbyquoting anecdote after anecdote, that you know to be authentic, ofinstancesinwhichGodhasreallyheardandansweredprayer.Takethatcapital littlebookbyMr.PrimeonthePowerofPrayer; there, IbelieveyouhavethetruthuponthissubjectdemonstratedasclearlyasyoucouldhaveitinanypropositioninEuclid.Ithinkthat,ifsuchanumberoffactscouldbeinstancedinconnectionwithanyquestionrelatingtogeologyorastronomy,thepointwouldberegardedassettled.ThewriterbringssuchabundantproofsofGod'shavingheardprayer,thatevenmenwhorejectinspiration ought, at least, to acknowledge that this is a marvellousphenomenon for which they cannot account by any other explanationthantheonewhichproclaimsthatthereisaGodwhosittethinheaven,andwhohathrespectuntothecryofhispeopleupontheearth.

IhaveheardofsomepersonswhohavehadobjectionstolabourfortheconversionoftheirchildrenonthegroundthatGodwouldsavehisownwithoutanyeffortonourpart.Iremembermakingonemanwincewhoheldthisview,bytellinghimofafatherwhowouldneverteachhischildto pray, or have him instructed even as to the meaning of prayer. Hethoughtitwaswrong,andthatsuchworkoughttobelefttoGod'sHolySpirit.Theboyfelldown,andbrokehisleg,andhadtohaveittakenoff;andallthewhilethesurgeonwasamputatingit,theboywascursingandswearing in the most frightful manner. The good surgeon said to thefather, "You see, you would not each your boy to pray, but the devilevidentlyhadnoobjectiontoteachhimtoswear."Thatisthemischiefofit; if we do not try our best to bring our children to Christ, there isanotherwhowilldohisworsttodragthemdowntohell.Amotheroncesaidtohersickson,whowasabouttodie,andwasinadreadfulstateofmind, "My boy, I am sorry you are in such trouble; I am sure I nevertaughtyouanyhurt.""No,mother,"heanswered,"butyounevertaught

meanygood;andthereforetherewasroomforallsortsofeviltogetintome." All these stories will be to many people the very best kind ofargumentthatyoucouldpossiblyusewiththem.Youbringtothemfacts,and these facts reach their conscience, even though it is imbedded inseveralinchesofcallousness.

Idonotknowofanyreasoningthatwouldexplaintheneedofsubmissionto thewill ofGodbetter than the telling of the story,whichMr.GilpingivesusinhisLife,ofhisbeingcalledintopraywithawomanwhoseboywas very ill. The good man asked that God would, if it were his will,restore the dear child to life and health, when the mother interruptedhim,andsaid,"No,Icannotagreetosuchaprayerasthat;Icannotputitinthatshape,itmustbeGod'swilltorestorehim.Icannotbearthatmychildshoulddie;praythathemaylivewhetheritisGod'swillornot."Heanswered, "Woman, I cannotpray that prayer, but it is answered; yourchildwill recover,butyouwill live toruethedaythatyoumadesucharequest." Twenty years after, there was a woman carried away in afainting fit from under a drop at Tyburn, for her son had lived longenoughtobringhimselftothegallowsbyhiscrimes.Themother'swickedprayerhadbeenheard,andGodhadansweredit.So,ifyouwanttoprovethepowerofthegospel,donotgoonexpendingwordstonopurpose,buttellthestoriesofcasesyouhavemetwiththatillustratethetruthyouareenforcing,forsuchanecdoteswillconvinceyourhearersasnootherkindofreasoningcan.Ithinkthatisclearenoughtoeveryoneofyou.

Anecdotes are useful, also, because they often appeal very forcibly tohumannature.InordertorebukethosewhoprofanetheSabbath,tellthestory of the gentlemanwho had seven sovereigns, andwhometwith apoor fellow, towhomhegavesixoutof theseven,and then thewickedwretch turned round and robbed him of the seventh.How clearly thatsetsforththeingratitudeofoursinfulraceindeprivingGodofthatonedayoutofthesevenwhichhehassetapartforhisownservice!Thisstoryappeals to nature, too. Two or three boys come round one of theircompanions,andtheysaytohim,"Letusgoandgetsomecherriesoutofyourfather'sgarden.""No,"hereplies,"Icannotsteal,andmyfatherdoesnotwishthosecherriestobepicked.""Oh!butthenyourfatherissokind,andheneverbeatsyou.""Ah!Iknowthatistrue,"answerstheboy,"and

that is the very reasonwhy Iwould not steal his cherries." Thiswouldshow that the grace and goodness of God do not lead his children tolicentiousness; but, on the contrary, they restrain them from sin. Thisstory, also, appeals tohumannature, and shows that the fathers of theChurcharenotalwaystobedependeduponasfountainsofauthority.Anoblemanhadheardofacertainveryoldman,wholivedinavillage,andhesoughtoutandfoundhim,andascertainedthathewasseventyyearsof age. He was talking with him, supposing him to be the oldestinhabitant,whenthemansaid,"Oh!no,sir,Iamnottheoldest;Iamnotthe father of the village; there is an older one, my father, who is stillalive."So,Ihaveheardofsomewhohavesaidthattheyturnedawayfrom"thefathers"oftheChurchtotheveryoldfathers,thatis,awayfromwhatarecommonlycalled"thepatristicfathers",backtotheapostles,whoarethetruefathersandgrandfathersoftheChristianChurch.

Sometimes,anecdoteshaveforceinthemonaccountoftheirappealingtothesenseoftheludicrous.Ofcourse,Imustbeverycarefulhere,foritisasortoftraditionofthefathersthatitiswrongtolaughonSundays.Theeleventh commandment is, that we are to love one another, and then,accordingtosomepeople,thetwelfthis,"Thoushaltpulla longfaceonSunday." I must confess that I would rather hear people laugh than Iwould see themasleep in thehouseofGod; and Iwould ratherget thetruth into them through themediumof ridicule than Iwould have thetruthneglected,orleavethepeopletoperishthroughlackofreceptionofthetruth.Idobelieveinmyheartthattheremaybeasmuchholinessinalaughasinacry;andthat,sometimes,tolaughisthebetterthingof thetwo, for Imayweep,andbemurmuring,andrepining,and thinkingallsortsofbitterthoughtsagainstGod;while,atanothertime,Imaylaughthelaughofsarcasmagainstsin,andsoevinceaholyearnestnessinthedefenceofthetruth.IdonotknowwhyridiculeistobegivenuptoSatanas aweapon to be used against us, and not to be employed by us as aweaponagainsthim.IwillventuretoaffirmthattheReformationowedalmost as much to the sense of the ridiculous in human nature as toanythingelse,andthatthosehumoroussquibsandcaricatures,thatwereissuedbythefriendsofLuther,didmoretoopentheeyesofGermanytotheabominationsof thepriesthood than themore solid andponderousargumentsagainstRomanism.Iknownoreasonwhyweshouldnot,on

suitable occasions, try the same style of reasoning. "It is a dangerousweapon," it will be said, "andmanymenwill cut their fingerswith it."Well,thatistheirownlook-out;butIdonotknowwhyweshouldbesoparticularabouttheircuttingtheir fingers if theycan,at thesametime,cut the throat of sin, and do serious damage to the great adversary ofsouls.

HereisastorythatIshouldnotmindtellingonaSundayforthebenefitofcertainpeople,whoaregoodathearingsermonsandattendingprayer-meetings,butwhoareverybadhandsatbusiness.TheyneverworkonSundaysbecausetheyneverworkonanydayoftheweek;theyforgetthatpartofthecommandmentwhichsays,"Sixdaysshaltthoulabour,"whichisjustasbindingastheotherpart,"TheseventhdayisthesabbathoftheLord thyGod: in it thou shalt not do any work." To these people whoneverlabourbecausetheyaresoheavenly-minded,Iwouldtellthestoryofacertainmonk,whoenteredamonastery,butwhowouldnotworkinthefields,orthegarden,oratmakingclothes,oranythingelse,because,ashetoldthesuperior,hewasaspiritually-mindedmonk.Hewondered,whenthedinner-hourapproached,thattherecametohimnosummonsfrom the refectory. So hewent down to the prior, and said, "Don't thebrethreneathere?Areyounotgoingtohaveanydinner?"Thepriorsaid,"Wedo,becausewearecarnal;butyouaresospiritual thatyoudonotwork,andthereforeyoudonotrequiretoeat;thatiswhywedidnotcallyou.Thelawofthismonasteryisthat,ifanymanwillnotwork,neithershallheeat."

ThatisagoodstoryoftheboyinItalywhohadhisTestamentseized,andwho said to the gendarme, "Why do you seize this book? Is it a badbook?" "Yes," was the answer. "Are you sure the book is bad?" heenquired;andagainthereplywas,"Yes.""Then,whydoyounotseizetheAuthorofitifitisabadbook?"Thatwasafinepieceofsarcasmatthosewho had a hatred of the Scriptures, and yet professed to have love toChrist.ThatisanothergoodstoryofourfriendtheIrishman,who,whenhewasaskedbythepriestwhatwarrantanignorantmansuchashewashadforreadingtheBible,said,"Truth,butIhaveasearch-warrant;foritsays,'SearchtheScriptures;forinthemyethinkyehaveeternallife:andtheyaretheywhichtestifyofme.'"

Thisstorywouldnotbeamiss, I think,asasortofridiculousargumentshowingwhatpowerthegospeloughttohaveoverthehumanmind.Dr.MoffattellsusofacertainKaffir,whocametohim,oneday,sayingthattheNewTestament,whichthemissionaryhadgivenhimaweekbefore,had spoiled his dog. Theman said that his dog had been a very goodhuntingdog,butthathehad torn theTestament topieces,andeaten itup,andnowhewasquitespoiled."Nevermind,"saidDr.Moffat,"Iwillgive you another Testament." "Oh!" said the man, "it is not that thattroublesme, I do notmind the dog spoiling the book, for I could buyanother;butthebookhasspoiledthedog.""Howisthat?"enquiredthemissionary;andtheKaffirreplied,"Thedogwillbeofnousetomenow,becausehehaseatentheWordofGod,andthatwillmakehimlovehisenemies, so thathewillbeofnogood forhunting."Themansupposedthat not even a dog could receive the New Testament without beingsweetenedintemperthereby;thatis,intruth,whatoughttobethecasewithallwhofeeduponthegospelofChrist.Ishouldnothesitatetotellthat storyafterDr.Moffat,and I should,of course,use it to show that,whenamanhasreceivedthetruthas it is inJesus, thereought tobeagreatchangeinhim,andheoughtnevertobeofanyusetohisoldmasteragain.

When the priests were trying to pervert the natives of Tahiti toRomanism,theyhadafinepicturewhichtheyhopedwouldconvincethepeopleoftheexcellenceoftheChurchofRome.Therewerecertaindeadlogsofwood:whomweretheytorepresent?Theyweretheheretics,whoweretogointothefire.Andwhowerethesesmallbranchesofthetree?Theywerethefaithful.Whowerethelargerones?Theywerethepriests.Andwhowerethenext?Theywerethecardinals.Andwhowasthetrunkofthetree?Oh,thatwasthepope!Andtheroot,whomdidthatsetforth?Oh,therootwasJesusChrist!Sothepoornativessaid,"Well,wedonotknowanythingaboutthetrunk,orthebranches;butwehavegottheroot,andwemeantosticktothat,andnotgiveitup."Ifwehavetheroot,ifwehaveChrist,wemay laughtoscornall thepretensionsanddelusionsofmen.

These stories maymake us laugh, but theymay also smite error rightthrough theheart, and lay itdead;and theymay, therefore, lawfullybe

usedasweaponswithwhichwemaygoforthtofighttheLord'sbattles.

Fifthly,anotheruseofanecdotesandillustrationsliesinthefactthattheyhelpthememorytograspthetruth.Thereisastorytold--thoughIwillnot vouch for the truth of it--of a certain countryman, who had beenpersuadedbysomeonethatallLondonerswerethieves;and, therefore,on coming toLondon for the first time,he tried to securehiswatchbyputtingitintohiswaistcoatpocket,andthencoveringitalloverwithfish-hooks."Now,"hethought,"ifanygentlemantriestogetmywatch,hewillrememberit."Thestorysaysthat,ashewaswalkingalong,hedesiredtoknowthetimehimself,andputhisownhandintohispocket,forgettingall about the fish-hooks. The effect produced upon him can better beimagined than described. Now, it seems to me that a sermon shouldalways be like that countryman's pocket, full of fish-hooks, so that, ifanybody comes in to listen to it, hewill get some forget-me-not, someremembrancer, fastened in his ear, and it may be, in his heart andconscience.Lethimdropinjustattheendofthediscourse,thereshouldbesomethingat theclosethatwillstrikeandstick.Aswhenwewalk inourfarmerfriends'fields,therearecertainburrsthataresuretoclingtoourclothes;andbrushaswemay,someoftherelicsofthefieldsremainuponourgarments,sothereoughttobesomeburrineverysermonthatwillsticktothosewhohearit.

Whatdoyourememberbestinthediscoursesyouheardyearsago?Iwillventuretosaythatit issomeanecdotethatthepreacherrelated.Itmaypossiblybesomepithysentence;but it ismoreprobable that it issomestrikingstorywhichwastoldinthecourseofthesermon.RowlandHill,alittlewhile before he died,was visiting an old friend,who said to him,"Mr.Hill, it isnowsixty-fiveyears since I firstheardyoupreach;but Iremember your text, and a part of your sermon." "Well," asked thepreacher, "what part of the sermon do you recollect?" His friendanswered,"Yousaidthatsomepeople,whentheywenttohearasermon,wereverysqueamishabout thedeliveryof thepreacher.Thenyou said,'Supposingyouwenttohearthewillofoneofyourrelativesread,andyouwereexpectinga legacy fromhim;youwouldhardly thinkof criticizingthe manner in which the lawyer read the will; but you would be allattentiontohearwhetheranythingwaslefttoyou,andifso,howmuch;

and that is theway tohear the gospel.'"Now, themanwouldnothaverecollectedthat forsixty-fiveyears ifMr.Hillhadnotput thematter inthatillustrativeform.Ifhehadsaid,"Dearfriends,youmustlistentothegospelforitsownsake,andnotmerelyforthecharmsofthepreacher'soratory,orthosedelightfulsoaringperiodswhichgratifyyourears,"ifhehad put it in the very prettymanner inwhich some people can do thething,Iwillbeboundtosaythatthemanwouldhaveremembereditaslong as a duck recollects the last time it went into the water, and nolonger;foritwouldhavebeensocommontohavespokeninthatway;butputtingthetruthinthestrikingmannerthathedid,itwasrememberedforsixty-fiveyears.

An American gentleman related the following anecdote, which justanswersthepurposeIhave inview,soIwillpass itontoyou.Hesaid,"WhenIwasaboy,Iusedtohearthestoryofatailorwholivedtoagreatage,andbecameverywealthy,sothathewasanobjectofenvytoallwhoknewhim.Hislife,asallliveswill,drewtoaclose;butbeforehepassedaway,feelingsomedesiretobenefitthemembersofhiscraft,hegaveoutwordthat,onacertainday,hewouldbehappytocommunicatetoallthetailors of the neighbourhood the secret by which they might becomewealthy.Agreatnumberofknightsofthethimblecame,andwhiletheywaitedinanxioussilencetoheartheimportantrevelation,hewasraisedup inhis bed, andwithhis expiringbreathuttered this short sentence,"Always put a knot in your thread." That is why I recommend you,brethren,touseanecdotesandillustrations,becausetheyputknotsinthethreadofyourdiscourse.Whatistheuseofpullingtheendofyourthreadthroughthematerialonwhichyouareworking?Yet,hasitnotbeenthecase with verymany of the sermons to which we have listened, or thediscourseswehaveourselvesdelivered?Thebulkofwhatwehaveheardhasjustgonethroughourmindswithoutleavinganylastingimpression,andallwerecollectissomeanecdotethatwastoldbythepreacher.

There is an authenticated case of a man being converted by a sermoneighty-fiveyearsafterhehadhearditpreached.Mr.Flavel,atthecloseofadiscourse,insteadofpronouncingtheusualbenediction,stoodup,andsaid, "How can I dismiss you with a blessing, for many of you are'AnathemaMaranatha', because you lovenot theLord JesusChrist?"A

lad of fifteen heard that remarkable utterance; and eighty-five yearsafterwards, sitting under a hedge, I think in Virginia, the whole scenecame vividly before him as if it had been but the day before; and itpleasedGod to blessMr.Flavel'swords tohis conversion, andhe livedthreeyears longer tobeargood testimony thathehad felt thepowerofthetruthinhisheart.

Sixthly, anecdotes and illustrations are useful because they frequentlyarousethefeelings.Theywillnotdo this,however, if you tell the samestoriesoverandoveragainever somany times. I recollect,whenI firstheardthatwonderfulstoryabout"Thereisanotherman,"Icriedagooddeal over it. Poor soul, just rescued,half-dead,withonly a few ragsonhim,and,yethesaid,"Thereisanotherman,"needingtobesaved.ThesecondtimeIheardthestory,Ilikedit,butIdidnotthinkitwasquitesonewasatfirst;andthethirdtimeIheardit,IthoughtthatIneverwantedtohearitagain.IdonotknowhowmanytimesIhavehearditsince;butIcanalwaystellwhenitiscomingout.Thebrotherdrawshimselfup,andlooks wonderfully solemn, and in a sepulchral tone says, "There isanotherman,"andIthinktomyself,"Yes,andIwishtherehadnotbeen,"for I have heard that story till I am sick and tired of it. Even a goodanecdotemaygetsohackneyedthatthereisnoforceinit,andnouseinretailingitanylonger.

Still, a live illustration is better for appealing to the feelings of anaudience than any amount of description could possibly be.WhenMr.Beecher brought a beautiful slave girl, with her manacles on, into hispulpit,hedidmorefortheanti-slaverycausethanhemighthavedonebythemosteloquentharangue.Whatwewantinthesetimesisnottolistento long prelections upon some dry subject, but to hear somethingpractical, something matter-of-fact, that comes home to our every-dayreasoning;andwhenwegetthis,thenourheartsaresoonstirred.

I have no doubt that the sight of a death-bed would movemenmuchmore than that admirable work called Drelincourt on Death, a bookwhich,Ishouldthink,nobodyhaseverbeenabletoreadthrough.Theremayhavebeeninstancesofpersonswhohaveattemptedit;butIbelievethat, long before they have reached the latter end, they have been in astateofasphyxiaorcoma,andhavebeenobligedtoberubbedwithhot

flannels;and thebookhashad tobe removed toadistancebefore theycould recover. If you have not readDrelincourt on Death, I believe Iknowwhatyouhaveread,thatis,theghoststorythatisstitchedinattheendofthebook.Theworkwouldnotsell,thewholeimpressionwasuponthe shelves of the bookseller,whenDefoewrote the fiction entitled, "ATrue Relation of the Apparition of Mrs. Veal after her death to Mrs.Bargrave," in which Drelincourt on Death is recommended by theapparitionasthebestbookonthesubject.Thisstoryhadnotavestigeorshadowoftruthinit,itwasallapieceofimagination;butitwasputinattheendofthebook,andthenthewholeeditionwasspeedilyclearedout,andmore were wanted. It may be something like that very often withyour sermons; only you must tell the people of what has actuallyoccurred,andsoyouwillretaintheirattention,andreachtheirhearts.

Manyhavebeenmovedtoself-sacrificebythestoryoftheMoravians,inSouthAfrica,whosawa largeenclosedspaceofground, inwhich therewere persons rotting away with leprosy, some without arms and somewithout legs; and theseMoravians could not preach to the poor leperswithoutgoingintherethemselvesforlifetorotwiththem,andtheydidso.Twomoreof the samenoble bandof brethren sold themselves intoslaveryintheWestIndies,inorderthattheymightbeallowedtopreachto the slaves.When you can give such instances as these ofmissionarydisinterestednessand devotedness, itwill domore to arouse a spirit ofenthusiasm for foreign missions than all your closely-reasonedargumentscouldpossiblydo.

Whohasnotheardandfelttheforceofthestoryofthetwominers,whenthefusewasburning,andonlyonecouldescape,andtheChristianmancriedouttohisunconvertedcompanion,"Escapeforyourlife,because,ifyoudie,youarelost;butifIdie,itisallrightwithme;soyougo."

The fool's plan, too, I have sometimes used as a striking illustration.Therewasalittleboatwhichgotwrecked,andthemaninitwastryingtoswimtoshore,butthecurrentwastoostrongforhim.Afterhehadbeendrownedanhour,amansaid,"Icouldhavesavedhim,"andwhentheyaskedhimhowhecouldhavesavedhim,hedescribedaplanthatseemedtobemostexcellentandfeasible,bywhichthemanmight,nodoubt,havebeen saved; but then, unfortunately, by that time hewas drowned! So,

therearesomewhoarealwayswisejusttoolate,somewhomayhavetosaytothemselves,whensuchandsuchaoneisgonethewayofallliving,"Whatmight I not have done for him if I had but taken him in time!"Brethren,letthatanecdotebearemindertousallthatweshouldseektobe wise in winning souls before it is too late to rescue them fromeverlastingdestruction.

Seventhly, and lastly, anecdotes and illustrations are exceedinglyusefulbecausetheycatchtheearoftheutterlycareless.Somethingiswantedineverysermonforthisclassofpeople;andananecdoteiswellcalculatedtocatchtheearofthethoughtlessandtheungodly.Wereallydesiretheirsalvation, andwewouldbait our trap in anywaypossiblebywhichwemightcatchthemforChrist.Wecannotexpectouryoungpeopletocomeand listen to learned doctrinal disquisitions that are not at allembellished with anything that interests their immature minds. Nay,evengrown-uppeople,afterthetoilsoftheweek,someofthembusytillearly on the Sunday morning, cannot be expected to attend to longprosaicdiscourseswhicharenotbrokenbyasingleanecdote.

Oh,dear,dear,dear!HowIdopitythoseunpracticalbrethrenwhodonotseem to know to whom they are preaching! "Ah!" said a brother once,"wheneverIpreach,Idonotknowwheretolook,andsoIlookupattheventilator."Now,thereisnotanybodyupintheventilator;there,cannotbe supposed to be anybody there, unless the angels of heaven, arelisteningtheretohearthewordsof truth.Aministershouldnotpreachbefore the people, but he should preach right at them; let him lookstraightatthem;ifhecan,lethimsearchthemthroughandthrough,andtakestockofthem,asitwere,andseewhattheyarelike,andthensuithismessagetothem.

IhaveoftenseensomepoorfellowstandingintheaisleattheTabernacle.Why,helooksjustlikeasparrowthathasgotintoachurch,andcannotgetoutagain!Hecannotmakeoutwhatsortofserviceitis;hebeginstocounthowmanypeoplesitinthefrontrowinthegallery,andallkindsofideas pass through hismind. Now I want to attract his attention; howshall I do it? If I quote a text of Scripture, he may not know what itmeans,andmaynotbeinterestedinit.ShallIputabitofLatinintothesermon,orquotetheoriginalHebreworGreekofmytext?Thatwillnot

doforsuchaman.WhatshallIdo?Ah!Iknowastorythatwill,Ibelieve,justfithim.Outitcomes,andthemandoesnotlookupatthegalleryanymore;butheiswonderingwhateverthepreacherisat.Somethingissaidthatsoexactlysuitshiscasethathebeginstoaskhimselfwhohasbeentelling the minister about him, and he thinks, "Why, I know; my wifecomestohearthismansometimes,soshehasbeentellinghimallaboutme!"Thenhefeelscurioustohearmore,andwhileheislookingupatthepreacher, and listening to the truth that is being proclaimed, the firstgleamof lightondivine thingsdawnsuponhim;but ifwehadkept onwithourregulardiscourse,andhadnotgoneoutofourway,whatmighthavebecomeofthatman,Icannottell."TheysayIramble,"saidRowlandHill,inasermonIhavebeenreadingthisafternoon;"theysayIramble,butitisbecauseyouramble,andIamobligedtorambleafteryou.Theysay I do not stick tomy subject; but, thank God, I always stick tomyobject,whichis,thewinningofyoursouls,andbringingyoutothecrossofJesusChrist!"

Mr. Bertram aptly illustrates the way in which men are engrossed inworldlycaresbytellingthestoryofthecaptainofawhalingship,whomhetriedtointerestinthethingsofGod,andwhosaid,"Itisnouse,sir;yourconversationwillnothaveanyeffectuponme. Icannothearwhatyouaresaying,orunderstandthesubjectyouaretalkingabout.Ileftmyhometotrytocatchwhales,Ihavebeenayearandninemonthslookingforwhales,sir,andIhavenotcaughtawhaleyet.Ihavebeenploughingthedeep insearchofwhales;whenIgo tobed, Idreamofwhales;andwhenIgetupinthemorning,Iwonderiftherewillbeanywhalescaughtthatday;thereisawhaleinmyheart,sir,awhaleinmybrain,anditisofno use for you to talk tome about anything else butwhales." So, yourpeoplehavetheirbusinessintheirheads,andintheirhearts,theywanttomake a fortune, and retire; or else they have a family of children tobring up, and Susan must be married, and John must be got into asituation,anditisnouseforyoutotalktothemaboutthethingsofGodunlessyoucandriveawaythewhalesthatkeepflounderingandsplashingabout.

Thereisamerchant,perhaps,whohasjustthoughtofsomebadbill;oranotherhaslookedacrossthebuilding,andnoticedapieceofribbonofa

particularcolour,andhethinks,"Yes,Ioughttohavehadalargerstockofthatkindofthing,Iseethatitisgettingfashionable!"oritmaybethatone of the hearers has caught sight of his neighbour, and he thinks hemust pay him a visit on the morrow; and so people's thoughts areoccupiedwith all sorts of subjects beside that of which the preacher isspeaking. You ask me how I know that this is the case. Well, I knowbecauseIhavebeenguiltyofthesameoffencemyself;IfindthisoccurswhenIamlisteningtoanotherbrotherpreaching.Idonotthink,whenIampreaching,thatIgetonverywell;butsometimes,whenIgointothecountry,andtakethemorningandeveningservices,andthenhearsomeone else in the afternoon, I think, "Well, really,when Iwasup there, IthoughtIwasastick:butnow! IonlywishIhadmyturnagain!"Now,this isverywrong, to letsuchthoughtscome intoourminds;butasweare all very apt to wander, the preacher should carry anecdotes andillustrationsintothepulpit,andusethemasnailstofastenthepeople'sattentiontothesubjectofhissermon.

Mr.PaxtonHoodoncesaid,inalecturethatIheardhimdeliver,"Somepreachersexpecttoomuchoftheirhearers;theytakeanumberoftruthsinto the pulpit as a man might carry up a box of nails; and then,supposingthecongregationtobeposts,theytakeoutanail,andexpectittogetintothepostbyitself.Nowthat isnotthewaytodoit.Youmusttakeyournail,holditupagainstthepost,hammeritin,andthenclinchitontheotherside;andthenitisthatyoumayexpectthegreatMasterofassembliestofastenthenailssothattheywillnotfallout."Wemusttrythustogetthetruthintothepeople,foritwillnevergetinofitself;andwemust remember that the hearts of our hearers are not open, like achurchdoor,sothatthetruthmaygoin,andtakeitsplace,andsituponits throne tobeworshipped there.No,wehaveoften tobreakopen thedoorswithgreat effort, and to thrust the truth intoplaceswhere itwillnot at first be a welcome guest, but where, afterwards, the better it isknown,themoreitwillbeloved.

Illustrationsandanecdoteswillgreatlyhelptomakeawayforthetruthto enter; and theywill do it by catching the ear of the careless andtheinattentive.WemusttrytobelikeMr.Whitefield,ofwhomashipbuildersaid,"WhenIhavebeentohearanybodyelsepreach,Ihavealwaysbeen

able to lay down a ship from stem to stern; but when I listen to Mr.Whitefield, I cannot even lay the keel."And another, aweaver, said, "Ihaveoften,whenIhavebeeninchurch,calculatedhowmanyloomstheplace would hold; but when I listen to that man, I forget my weavingaltogether." Youmust endeavour, brethren, tomake your people forgetmatters relating to thisworldby interweaving thewholeofdivine truthwiththepassingthingsofeveryday,andthisyouwilldobya judicioususeofanecdotesandillustrations.

Now, gentlemen, these seven reasons--that they interest themind andsecure the attention of our hearers, that they render the teaching vividand life-like, that they explain some difficult passages to dullunderstandings, that theyhelp the reasoning facultiesof certainminds,that they aid thememory, that they arouse the feelings, and that theycatch theearof the careless--have reconciledme formanyaday to theuseofanecdotesand illustrations, and I think it is very likely that theywillreconcileyoutotheuseofthem,too.

Atthesametime,ImustrepeatwhatIbeforesaid,wemusttakecarethatwe do not let our anecdotes and illustrations be like empty casks thatcarrynothing.Wemustnothaveittruthfullysaidofoursermons,aswassaidbyacertain lady,who,afterhavingheardaclergymanpreach,wasaskedwhatshethoughtofthesermon,andwhethertherewasnotmuchspiritinit."Oh,yes!"shereplied,"itwasallspirit;therewasnobodytoitatall."Theremustbesome"body"ineverydiscourse,somereallysounddoctrine, some suitable instruction for our hearers to carry home; notmerelystoriestoamusethem,butsolidtruthtobereceivedintheheart,and wrought out in the life. If this be so with your sermons, my dearbrethren,Ishallnothavespokentoyouthisafternooninvainupontheusesofanecdotesandillustrations.

CHAPTERXXVIIWHERECANWEFINDANECDOTESANDILLUSTRATIONS?

Dearbrethrenaftermylastlecturetoyou,upontheusesofanecdotesandillustrations, you are probably quite ready to employ them in yourdiscourses;butsomeofyoumayask, "Wherecanweget them?"Attheverybeginningofthisafternoon'stalk,letmesaythatnobodyneedmakeanecdotes inorder to interesta congregation. Ihaveheardofone,whocalledtoseeaministeronaFriday,andhewastoldbytheservantthather master could not be seen, for he was up in his study "makinganecdotes."ThatkindofworkwillnotdoforaChristianminister.Iwouldalso bid you beware of the many common anecdotes, which are oftenrepeated,butwhich Ihalf suspectcouldnotbeproved tobemattersoffact.WheneverIhavetheslightestsuspicionaboutthetruthofastory,Idrop it at once; and I think that everyone else should do the same. Solong as the anecdotes are current, and are generally believed, andprovidedtheycanbeusedforaprofitablepurpose,Ibelievetheymaybetold, without any affirmation as to their truthfulness being made in acourtofjustice;butthemomentanydoubtcomesacrossthemindofthepreacherastowhetherthetaleisatleastfoundedonfact,Ithinkhehadbetter look for somethingelse, forhehas thewholeworld togo toasastorehouseofillustration.

If youwant to interest your congregation, and keep up their attention,you can find anecdotes and illustrations inmany channels, like goldengrains glistening amongst themountain streams. For instance, there iscurrent history. You may take up the daily newspaper, and findillustrations there. In my little shilling book, The Bible and theNewspaper,Ihavegivenspecimensofhowthismaybedone;andwhenIwaspreparingthepresentlecture,ItookupanewspapertoseeifIcouldfindanillustrationinit,andIsoonfoundone.Therewasanaccountofaman at Wandsworth, who was discovered, with a gun and a dog,trespassingonsomegentleman'spreserves,andhesaidthathewasonlylookingformushrooms!Canyouimaginewhatthegunandthedoghadto do withmushrooms?However, the keeper felt in theman's pocket,and,layingholdofsomethingsoft,asked,"Whatisthis?""Oh!"saidthepoacher, "it is only a rabbit." When it was suggested to him that thecreature's ears were too long for a rabbit, he said that it was only aleveret,whereasitprovedtobeaveryfineandplumphare.Themanthensaid that he had found the hare lying near some mushrooms, but his

intention was to get the mushrooms only! Now, that is a capitalillustration.Assoonaseveryou layholdofaman,andbegin toaccusehimofsin,hesays,"Sin,sir!Oh,dearno!Iwasonlydoingaveryproperthing,justwhatIhaveaperfectrighttodo;Iwaslookingformushrooms,Iwasnotpoaching!"Youpresshimalittlemoreclosely,andtrytobringhimtoconvictionofsin;andthenhesays,"Well,perhaps itwashardlythething,itmayhavebeenalittleamiss;butitwasonlyarabbit!"Whenthemancannotanylongerdenythatheisguiltyofsin,hesaysthatitwasonlyaverylittleone;anditislongbeforeyoucangethimtoadmitthatsin is exceeding sinful; indeed, no human power can ever producegenuineconvictionintheheartofasinglesinner;itmustbetheworkoftheHolySpirit.

I also read, in the same newspaper, of a calamitous shipwreck, causedthroughthelackoflights.Youcouldeasilyturnthatincidenttoaccountby using it to illustrate the destruction of souls through the want of aknowledgeofChrist.Ihavenodoubt, ifyouweretotakeupanyof thismorning's daily papers, you would very readily find an abundance ofillustrations.Mr. NewmanHall, in addressing us once, said that everyChristian minister ought to read regularly his Bible and The Timesnewspaper.Ishouldimagine,fromtheusualmodeofhisaddress,thathedoes so himself.Whether you read that particular paper, or any other,youshouldsomehowkeepyourselveswellstoredwithillustrationstakenfromtheordinary transactionsgoingon roundaboutyou. IpityevenaSunday-school teacher,muchmore aminister of the gospel,who couldnotmakeuseof such incidents as the terribleburning of the church atSantiago,thegreatfireatLondonBridge,theentranceintoLondonofthePrincessAlexandra,thetakingofthecensus;and, indeed,anythingthatattracts public attention. There is in all these events an illustration, asimile,anallegory,whichmaypointamoral,andadornatale.

Youmaysometimesadaptlocalhistorytotheillustrationofyoursubject.Whenaministerispreachinginanyparticulardistrict,hewilloftenfindit best to catch the ears of the people, and engross their attention, byrelating some anecdote that relates to the place where they live.WheneverIcan,Igetthehistoriesofvariouscounties;for,havingtogointoallsortsofcountrytownsandvillagestopreach,Ifindthatthereisa

greatdealofusefulmaterialtobedugoutofevendull,dry,topographicalbooks.Theybegin,perhaps,withthenameofJohnSmith,labourer,themanwhokeeps theparish register, andwindsup theparish clock, andmakesmouse-traps,andcatchesrats,anddoesfiftyotheruseful things;but ifyouhave thepatience toreadon,youwill findmuch informationthatyoucouldgetnowhereelse,andyouwillprobablymeetwithmanyincidentsandanecdotesthatyoucanuseasillustrationsofthetruthyouareseekingtosetforth.

PreachingatWinslow,inBuckinghamshire,itwouldnotbeatallamisstointroducetheincidentofgoodBenjaminKeach,thepastoroftheBaptistchurch in that town, standing in the pillory in themarket-place in theyear 1664, "for writing, printing, and publishing a schismatical book,entitled,TheChild'sInstructor;or,aNewandEasyPrimmer."Idonotthink, however, that, if I were preaching atWapping, I should call thepeople"Wappingsinners",asRowlandHillissaidtohavedone,whenhetold them that "Christ could save old sinners, great sinners, yea, evenWappingsinners!"AtCravenChapel,itwouldbemostappropriatetotellthe story of LordCraven,whowaspackinguphis goods to go into thecountryatthetimeoftheGreatPlagueofLondon,whenhisservantsaidtohim,"Mylord,doesyourGodliveonlyinthecountry?""No,"repliedLordCraven,"Heishereaswellasthere.""Well,then,"saidtheservant,"ifIwereyourlordship,IthinkIwouldstophere;youwillbeassafeinthecityasinthecountry";andLordCravendidstopthere,relyinguponthegoodprovidenceofGod.

Besidethis,brethren,youhavethemarvellousstorehouseofancientandmodernhistory--Roman,Greek,andEnglish--withwhich,ofcourse,youare seeking to becomewell acquainted.Who can possibly read the oldclassic tales without feeling his soul on fire? As you rise from theirperusal,youwillnotmerelybefamiliarwiththeeventswhichhappenedin"thebravedaysofold,"butyouwillhavelearntmanylessonsthatmaybeofserviceinyourpreachingto-day.Forinstance,thereisthestoryofPhidias and the statue of the god which he had carved. After he hadfinished it, he had chiselled in the corner, in small letters, the word"Phidias",anditwasobjectedthatthestatuecouldnotbeworshippedasa god, nor considered sacred,while it bore the sculptor's name. It was

evenseriouslyquestionedwhetherPhidiasshouldnotbestonedtodeathbecausehehadsodesecratedthestatue.Howcouldhedare,theyasked,toputhisownnameontheimageofagod?So,someofusareveryapttowant toputour littlenamesdownat thebottomofanyworkwhichwehavedoneforGod,thatwemayberemembered,whereasweoughtrathertoupbraidourselves forwishing tohaveanyof thecreditof thatwhichGodtheHolyGhostenablesustodo.

Then there is thatother storyof anancient sculptor,whowasabout toput the image of a god into a heathen temple, although he had notfinishedthatportionofthestatuewhichwastobeimbeddedinthewall.The priest demurred, and declared that the statue was not completed.Thesculptorsaid,"Thatpartofthegodwillneverbeseen,for itwillbebuiltintothewall.""Thegodscanseeinthewall,"answeredthepriest.Inlikemanner,themostprivatepartsofourlife,thosesecretmattersthatcanneverreachthehumaneye,arestillunderthekenof theAlmighty,andoughttobeattendedtowiththegreatestcare.Itisnotsufficientforustomaintainourpublicreputationamongourfellow-creatures,forourGod can see in the wall. He notices our coldness in the closest ofcommunion,andHeperceivesourfaultsandfailuresinthefamily.

TryingoncetosetforthhowtheLordJesusChristdelightsinHispeoplebecause they are His own handiwork, I found a classic story of Cyrusextremelyuseful.Whenshowingaforeignambassadorroundhisgarden,Cyrus said to him, "You cannot possibly take such an interest in theseflowersandtreesasIdo,forIlaidoutthewholegardenmyself,andeveryplanthereIplantedwithmyownhand.Ihavewateredthem,andIhaveseenthemgrow,Ihavebeenahusbandmantothem,andthereforeIlovethem far better than you can." So, the Lord Jesus Christ loves the fairgardenofHisChurch,becauseHelaiditallout,andplanteditwithHisowngracioushand,andHehaswatchedovereveryplant,andnourishedandcherishedit.

Thedays of theCrusaders are a peculiarly richperiod fornoble storiesthatwillmakegoodillustrations.WereadthatthesoldiersofGodfreydeBouillon,whentheycamewithinsightof thecityofJerusalem,weresocharmedwiththeviewthattheyfellontheirfaces,andthenrosetotheirfeet, and clapped their hands, andmade themountains ringwith their

shoutsofjoy.Thus,whenwegetwithinsightoftheNewJerusalem,ourhappyhomeonhigh,whosename is everdear tous,wewillmakeourdyingchamberringwithhallelujahs,andeventheangelsshallhearoursongs of praise and thanksgiving. It is also recorded, concerning thissameGodfrey, that,when he had entered Jerusalem at the head of hisvictorious army, he refused to wear the crown with which his soldierswantedtodeckhisbrow,"For,"saidhe, "whyshouldIwearacrownofgold inthecitywheremyLordworeacrownofthorns?"This isagoodlesson for us to learn for ourselves, and to teach to our people. In theworld where Christ was despised and rejected of men, it would beunseemly for a Christian to be seeking to win earthly honours, orambitiously hunting after fame. The disciple must not think of beingabovehisMaster,northeservantabovehisLord.

Then youmight easilymake an illustration out of that romantic story,whichmayormaynotbetrue,ofQueenEleanorsuckingthepoisonoutofherhusband'swoundedarm.Manyofus,Itrust,wouldbewilling,asitwere, to suck out all the slander and venom from the arm of Christ'sChurch, and to bear any amount of suffering ourselves, so long as theChurch itself might escape and live. Would not any one of you, mybrethren,gladlyputhislipstotheunvenomedwoundsoftheChurchto-day,andsufferevenuntodeath,soonerthanletthedoctrinesofChristbeimpugned,andthecauseofGodbedishonoured?

Whatafinefieldofillustrationliesopentoyouinreligioushistory!Itisdifficult to tellwheretobegindigging in thismineofprecioustreasure.ThestoryofLutherandtheJewmightbeusedtosetforththeevilofsin,andhow to avoid it.A Jewwas seeking anopportunity of stabbing theReformer; but Luther received a portrait of thewould-bemurderer, sothat,whereverhewent,hewasonhisguardagainsttheassassin.Usingthisfacthimselfasanillustration,Luthersaid,"Godknowsthattherearesins that would destroy us, and He has therefore given us portraits oftheminHisWord,sothat,whereverweseethem,wemaysay,'Thatisasinthatwouldstabme;Imustbewareofthatevilthing,andkeepoutofitsway.'"

StoutHughLatimer,inthatfamousstoryofanincidentinhistrialbeforeseveral bishops, brings out very clearly the omnipresence and

omniscience of God, and the care that we ought to exercise in thepresence of One who can read our most secret thoughts andimaginations. He says, "I was once in examination before five or sixbishops, where I had much trouble; thrice every week I came toexaminations,andmanytrapsandsnareswerelaidtogetsomething....Atlast,Iwasbroughtforthtobeexaminedinachamberhungwitharras,whereIwaswonttobeexamined;butnowatthistimethechamberwassomewhataltered.Forwhereas,before,therewaswontalwaystobeafireinthechimney,nowthefirewastakenaway,andanarrashungoverthechimney,andthetablestoodnearthefire-place.Therewas,amongstthebishopswhoexaminedme,onewithwhomIhadbeenveryfamiliar,andtookhimformygreatfriend,anagedman,andhesatnexttothetable'send. Then, amongst all other questions, he put forth a very subtle andcraftyone,andsuchaone,indeed,asIcouldnotthinksogreatdangerin.And when I should make answer, 'I pray you, Mr. Latimer,' said one,'speakout;Iamverythickofhearing,andtheremaybemanythatsitfaroff.'Imarvelledatthis,thatIwasbidtospeakout,andbegantosuspect,andgive an ear to the chimney; and there I heard apenwriting in thechimneybehindthecloth.Theyhadappointedonetheretowriteallmineanswers,fortheymadesurethatIshouldnotstartfromthem;andtherewasnostartingfromthem.GodwasmygoodLord,andgavemeanswer,else I could never have escaped." Preaching, some years afterwards,Latimerhimselftoldthestory,andappliedtheillustration."Myhearer,"saidhe,"thereisarecordingpenalwaysatworkbehindthearras,takingdownallthousayest,andnotingallthoudoest,thereforebethoucarefulthat thy words and acts are worthy of record in God's Book ofRemembrance."

YoumightaptlyillustratethedoctrineofGod'sspecialprovidentialcareof His servants by relating the story of John Knox, who, one evening,refused to sit in his usual seat, though he did not know any particularreasonforsoacting.Noonewasallowedtooccupythatchair,andduringtheevening,ashotcameinthroughthewindow,andstruckacandlestickthat stood immediately opposite where John Knox would have beensittingifhehadtakenhisaccustomedplace.Thereisalsothecaseofthegodlyminister,who, in escaping fromhispersecutors,went intoahay-loft,andhidhimselfinthehay.Thesoldierswentintotheplace,pricking

andthrustingwiththeirswordsandbayonets,andthegoodmanevenfeltthecoldsteeltouchthesoleofhisfoot,andthescratchwhichwasmaderemainedforyears:yethisenemiesdidnotdiscoverhim.Afterwards,ahen came and laid an egg every day hard by the place where he washidden,andsohewassustainedaswellaspreserveduntilitwassafeforhimto leavehishiding-place.Itwaseitherthesameminister,oroneofhis persecuted brethren, who was providentially protected by such ahumbleagentasaspider.This is thestoryas Ihaveread it: "Receivingfriendlywarningofan intendedattempt toapprehendhim,and findingmenwereonhistrack,hetookrefugeinamalt-house,andcreptintotheemptykiln,wherebelaydown.Immediatelyafter,hesawaspiderloweritselfacrossthenarrowentrancebywhichhehadgotin,thusfixingthefirst lineofwhatwas soonwrought intoa largeandbeautifulweb.Theweaverandtheweb,placeddirectlybetweenhimandthelight,wereveryconspicuous.Hewas somuch struckwith the skill anddiligence of thespider, and somuch absorbed inwatching herwork, that he forgot hisown danger. By the time the network was completed, crossing andrecrossing themouth of the kiln in every direction, his pursuers cameintothemalt-housetosearchforhim.Henotedtheirsteps,andlistenedtotheircruelwordswhiletheylookedabout.Thentheycameclosetothekiln,andheoverheardonesaytoanother,'It'snousetolookinthere;theoldvillaincanneverbethere: lookatthatspider'sweb;hecouldneverhavegotintherewithoutbreakingit.'Withoutfurthersearchtheywenttoseekelsewhere,andheescapedsafelyoutoftheirhands."

Thereisanotherstory,Ihavesomewheremetwith,ofaprisoner,duringtheAmericanwar,whowasputintoacellinwhichtherewasalittleslitthrough which a soldier's eye always watched him day and night.Whatever the prisoner did, whether he ate, or drank, or slept, thesentinel's eye was perpetually gazing at him; and the thought of it, hesaid,wasperfectlydreadfultohim,italmostdrovehimmad;hecouldnotbeartheideaofhavingthatman'seyealwaysscrutinizinghim.Hecouldscarcelysleep;hisverybreathingbecameamisery,because, turnwhichwayhewould,hecouldneverescapefromthegazeofthatsoldier'seye.That story might be used as an illustration of the fact that God'somniscienteyeisalwayslookingateveryoneofus.

I remembermaking two or three of my congregation speak out prettyloudly by telling them this story, which I read in an American tract. Isupposeitmaybetrue;Ireceiveitasreliable,andIwishIcouldtellitasit is printed.AChristianminister, residing near the backwoods, took awalk one evening for silentmeditation.Hewentmuch farther than heintended,and,missingthetrack,wanderedawayintothewoods.Hekeptonendeavouringtofindtheroadtohishome;butfailedtodoso.Hewasafraidthathewouldhavetospendthenightinsometree;butsuddenly,ashewasgoingforward,hesawtheglimmeroflightsinthedistance,andtherefore pressed on, hoping to find shelter in a friendly cottage. Astrangesightmethisgaze;ameetingwasbeingheldinaclearinginthemiddleofthewoods,theplacebeinglitupwithblazingpine-torches.Hethought,"Well,herearesomeChristianpeoplemettoworshipGod;IamgladthatwhatIthoughtwasanawkwardmistakein losingmywayhasbroughtmehere;Imay,perhaps,bothdogoodandgetgood."

Tohishorror,however,hefoundthatitwasanatheisticalgathering,andthat thespeakerswereventing theirblasphemous thoughtsagainstGodwithverygreatboldnessanddetermination.Theministersatdown,fullofgrief.AyoungmandeclaredthathedidnotbelieveintheexistenceofGod,anddaredJehovahtodestroyhimthenandthereiftherewassuchaGod.Thegoodman'sheartwasmeditatinghowheoughttoreply,buthistongueseemedtocleavetotheroofofhismouth;andtheinfideloratorsat down amidst loud acclamations of admiration and approval. Ourfrienddidnotwishtobeacraven,ortoholdbackinthedayofbattle,andtherefore hewas almost inclined to rise and speak, when a hale, burlyman,whohadpassedthemeridianoflife,butwhowasstillexceedinglyvigorous,andseemedastrong,muscularclearerof thebackwoods,roseandsaid,"Ishould like tospeak ifyouwillgivemeahearing. Iamnotgoing to say anything about the topicwhich has been discussed by theoratorwhohasjustsatdown;Iamonlygoingtotellyouafact:willyouhearme?""Yes,yes,"theyshouted;itwasafreediscussion,sotheywouldhearhim,especiallyashewasnotgoingtocontrovert."Aweekago,"hebegan, "Iwasworkingupyonder,on the river'sbank, felling trees.Youknow the rapids down below.Well, while I was atmy employment, atsome littledistance from them, Iheardcriesandshrieks,mingledwithprayerstoGodforhelp.Irandowntothewater'sedge,forIguessedwhat

was the matter. There I saw a youngman, who could notmanage hisboat; the current was getting the mastery of him, and he was driftingdownthestream,anderelong,unlesssomeonehadinterposed,hewouldmost certainly have been swept over the falls, and carried down to adreadfuldeath.Isawthatyoungmankneeldownintheboat,andpraytotheMostHighGod,bythe loveofChrist,andbyHispreciousblood,tosavehim.Heconfessed thathehadbeenan infidel;but said that, ifhemightbutbedeliveredthisonce,hewoulddeclarehisbeliefinGod.Iatonce sprang into the river.Myarmsarenot veryweak, I think, thoughtheyarenotsostrongastheyusedtobe.Imanagedtogetintotheboat,turned her round, brought her to the shore, and so I saved that youngman'slife;andthatyoungmanistheonewhohasjustsatdown,andwhohas been denying the existence of God, and daring the Most High todestroy him!" Of course, I used that story to show that it was an easything to brag and boast about holding infidel sentiments in a place ofsafety;butthat,whenmencomeintoperiloftheirlives,thentheytalkinaverydifferentfashion.

There is a capital story, which exemplifies the need of going up to thehouseofGod,notmerelytolistentothepreacher,buttoseektheLord.Acertain lady had gone to the communion in a Scotch church, and hadgreatly enjoyed the service.When she reached her home, she enquiredwho the preacherwas, and shewas informed that itwasMr.EbenezerErskine.Theladysaidthatshewouldgoagain,thenextSabbath,tohearhim.Shewent,butshewasnotprofitedintheleast;thesermondidnotseemtohaveanyunctionorpoweraboutit.ShewenttoMr.Erskine,andtoldhimofherexperienceatthetwoservices."Ah!madam,"saidhe,"thefirst Sabbath you came to meet the Lord Jesus Christ, and you had ablessing;butthesecondSabbathyoucametohearEbenezerErskine,andyou had no blessing, and you had no right to expect any." You see,brethren, a preacher might talk to the people, in general terms, aboutcomingtoworshipGod,andnotmerelytoheartheminister,yetnoeffectmight be produced by his words, for there might not be anythingsufficientlystrikingtoremaininthememory;butaftersuchananecdoteasthisoneaboutMr.Erskineandthe lady,whocould forget the lessonthatwasintendedtobetaught?

Wellnow, supposing that youhave exhausted all the illustrations to befoundincurrenthistory,inlocalhistory,inancientandmodernhistory,andinreligioushistory,--whichIdonotthinkyouwilldounlessyouareyourselvesexhausted,--youmaythenturntonaturalhistory,whereyouwill find illustrations and anecdotes in great abundance; and you neednever feel any qualms of conscience about using the facts of nature toillustratethetruthsofScripture,becausethereisasoundphilosophytosupport the use of such illustrations. It is a fact that can easily beaccountedfor,thatpeoplewillmorereadilyreceivethetruthofrevelationifyoulinkitwithsomekindredtruthinnaturalhistory,oranythingthatisvisibletotheeye,thanifyougivethemabarestatementofthedoctrineitself.Besides,thereisthisimportantfactthatmustnotbeforgotten,theGodwho is theAuthorofrevelation, isalso theAuthorofcreation,andprovidence, and history, and everything else from which you ought todraw your illustrations. When you use natural history to illustrate theScriptures,youareonlyexplainingoneofGod'sbooksbyanothervolumethatHehaswritten.

It is justasifyouhadbeforeyoutwoworksbyoneauthor,whohad,inthefirstplace,writtenabookforchildren;andthen,inthesecondplace,hadpreparedavolumeofmoreprofoundinstructionforpersonsofriperyears,andhigherculture.Attimes,whenyoufoundobscureanddifficultpassages in theworkmeant for themoreadvancedscholars,youwouldrefertothelittlebookwhichwasintendedfortheyoungerfolk,andyouwouldsay,"Weknowthatthismeansso-and-so,becausethatishowthematter isexplained in thebook forbeginners."Socreation,providence,andhistory, areall bookswhichGodhaswritten for those to readwhohave eyes, written for those who have ears to hear his voice in them,writtenevenforcarnalmentoread,thattheymayseesomethingofGodtherein.ButtheothergloriousBookiswrittenforyouwhoaretaughtofGod,andmadespiritualandholy.Oftentimes,byturningtotheprimer,youwillget somethingoutof that simplenarrativewhichwill elucidateandillustratethemoredifficultclassic,forthatiswhattheWordofGodistoyou.

There isacertain typeof thoughtwhichGodhas followed inall things.WhatHemadewithHisWordhasasimilaritytotheWorditselfbywhich

Hemade it; and the visible is the symbol of the invisible, because thesame thoughtofGod runs through it all.There is a touchof thedivinefingerinallthatGodhasmade;sothatthethingswhichareapparenttooursenseshavecertainresemblancestothethingswhichdonotappear.Thatwhichcanbeseen,andtasted,andtouched,andhandled,ismeanttobetoustheoutwardandvisiblesignofasomethingwhichwefindintheWordofGod,andinourspiritualexperience,whichistheinwardandthe spiritual grace; so that there is nothing forced and unnatural inbringingnature to illustrategrace; itwasordainedofGod for that verypurpose. Range over the whole of creation for your similes; do notconfine yourself to any particular branch of natural history. Thecongregationof one very learned doctor complained that he gave themspiderscontinuouslybywayofillustration.Itwouldbebettertogivethepeopleaspideror twooccasionally, and then tovary the instructionbystories,andanecdotes,andsimiles,andmetaphorsdrawnfromgeology,astronomy,botany,oranyoftheotherscienceswhichwillhelptoshedasidelightupontheScriptures.

If you keep your eyes open, you will not see even a dog following hismaster,noramousepeepingupfromhishole,norwillyouhearevenagentle scratching behind the wainscot without getting something toweaveintoyoursermonsifyourfacultiesareallonthealert.Whenyougohometo-night,andsitbyyourfireside,yououghtnottobeabletotakeupyourdomesticcatwithoutfindingthatwhichwillfurnishyouwithanillustration.How soft are pussy's pads, and yet, in amoment, if she isangered,howsharpwillbeher claws!How like to temptation, soft andgentle when first it cometh to us, but how deadly, how damnable thewoundsitcausetherelong!

I recollect using, with very considerable effect in a sermon in theTabernacle,anincidentthatoccurredinmyowngarden.Therewasadogwhichwasinthehabitofcomingthroughthefence,andscratchinginmyflower-beds, to themanifest spoiling of the gardener's toil and temper.Walking in the garden, one Saturday afternoon, and preparing mysermon for the following day, I saw the four-footed creature,--rather ascurvy specimen, by-the-by,--and having a walking-stick inmy hand, Ithrewitathimwithallmymight,atthesametimegivinghimsomegood

adviceaboutgoinghome.Now,whatshouldmycaninefrienddobutturnround,pickupthestickinhismouth,andbringit,andlayitdownatmyfeet,wagginghistailall thewhile inexpectationofmythanksandkindwords?Of course, you do not suppose that I kicked him, or threw thestickathimanymore.Ifeltquiteashamedofmyself,andItoldhimthatbewaswelcome to stayas longashe liked, and to comeasoftenashepleased. There was an instance of the power of non-resistance,submission, patience, and trust, in overcoming even righteous anger. Iusedthatillustrationinpreachingthenextday,andIdidnotfeelthatIhadatalldegradedmyselfbytellingthestory.

Mostofushave readAlphonseKarr'sbook,ATourroundmyGarden.WhydoesnotsomebodywriteATourroundmyDining-table,or,ATourroundmyKitchen?Ibelieveamostinterestingvolumeofthekindmightbe written by any man who had his eyes open to see the analogies ofnature.Irememberthat,oneday,whenIlivedinCambridge,Iwantedasermonverybadly;andIcouldnotfixuponasubject,when,allatonce,Inoticedanumberofbirdsontheslatesoftheoppositehouse.AsIlookedcloselyat them,I sawthat therewasacanary,whichhadescaped fromsomebody's house, and a lot of sparrows had surrounded it, and keptpeckingatit.Therewasmytextatonce:"Mineheritageisuntomeasaspeckledbird,thebirdsroundaboutareagainsther."

Oncemore,brethren,ifyoucannotfindillustrationsinnaturalhistory,orany of the other histories I have mentioned, find them anywhere.Anythingthatoccursaroundyou,ifyouhavebutbrainsinyourhead,willbe of service to you; but if you are really to interest and profit yourcongregations, youwillneed tokeepyour eyesopen, and touse all thepowerswithwhichtheLordhasendowedyou.Ifyoudoso,youwillfindthat, in simply walking through the streets, something or other willsuggesta passage of Scripture, orwill help you,when youhave chosenyourtext,toopenituptothepeoplesoasreallytoarresttheirattention,andconveythetruthtotheirmindsandhearts.

For instance, thesnowto-daycoveredall theground,andtheblacksoillooked fair and white. It is thus with some men under transientreformations;theylookasholy,andasheavenly,andaspureasthoughthey were saints; but when the sun of trial arises, and a little heat of

temptation cometh upon them, how soon do they reveal their trueblackness,andalltheirsurfacegoodlinessmeltethaway!

Thewholeworld ishungroundbyGodwithpictures;and thepreacherhas only to take them down, one by one, and hold them up before hiscongregation,andbewillbesuretoenlisttheirinterestinthesubjectheisseekingtoillustrate.Buthemusthavehisowneyesopen,orhewillnotseethesepictures.Solomonsaid,"Thewiseman'seyesareinhishead,"andaddressingsuchaman,hewrote,"Letthineeyeslookrighton,andletthineeyelids lookstraightbeforethee."Whydoeshespeakofseeingwiththeeyelids?Ithinkhemeansthattheeyelidsaretoshutinwhattheeyeshaveperceived.Youknowthatthereisallthedifferenceintheworldbetween a man with eyes and one with no eyes. One sits down by astream,andseesmuch to interestand instructhim;butanother,at thesameplace,islikethegentlemanofwhomWordsworthwrote:

"Aprimrosebyariver'sbrimAyellowprimrosewastohim,Anditwasnothingmore."

If you find any difficulty in illustrating your subject, I should stronglyrecommend you to try to teach children whenever you can get anopportunityofdoingso.Idonotknowabetterwayofschoolingyourownmind to the use of illustrations than frequently to take a class in theSunday-school,or togiveaddresses to thescholarsasoftenasyoucan;because, ifyoudonotillustratethere,youwillhaveyourlessonoryouraddressillustratedforyouverystrikingly.Youwillfindthatthechildrenwilldoitbytheirgeneralworryandinattention,orbytheirtalkandplay.IusedtohaveaclassofboyswhenIwasaSunday-schoolteacher,andifIwaseveralittledull,theybegantomakewheelsofthemselves, twistingroundontheformsonwhichtheysat.ThatwasaveryplainintimationtomethatImustgivethemanillustrationorananecdote;andIlearnedtotellstoriespartlybybeingobligedtotellthem.Oneboy,whomIhadintheclass,usedtosaytome,"Thisisverydull,teacher;can'tyoupitchusayarn?"Ofcoursehewasanaughtyboy,andyoumaysupposethathewenttothebadwhenhegrewup,thoughIamnotatallsurethathedid;butIusedtotryandpitchhimtheyarnthathewantedinordertogethisattention again. And I dare say that some of our hearers, if they were

allowed to speak out during the sermon,would ask us to pitch them ayarn,thatis,togivethemsomethingtointerestthem.Ibelievethatoneofthebestthingsyoucandototeacheithertheoldortheyoungistogivethemplentyofanecdotesandillustrations.

Ithinkitwouldbeveryusefultosomeofyouwhoarenotyetadeptattheart of illustration if you were to read books in which there is anabundanceofmetaphor, simile,and emblem. I amnot going fully intothatsubjectonthisoccasion,becausethis lecture isonlypreliminarytothenexttwothatIhopetodeliver,inwhichIwilltrytogiveyoualistofcyclopaedias of anecdotes and illustrations, and books of fables,emblems,andparables;butIadviseyoutostudysuchworksasGurnall'sChristian inCompleteArmour,orMatthewHenry'sCommentary, withthe distinct view of noticing all the illustrations, emblems, metaphors,and similes that you can find. I should even selectnon-comparisons; Ilike Keach'sMetaphors where he points out the disparity between thetype and the Anti-type. Sometimes, the contrasts between differentpersonsorobjectswillbeasinstructiveastheirresemblances.

Whenyouhavereadthebookonce,andtriedtomarkallthefigures,gothrough it again, and note all the illustrations youmissed in your firstreading.Youwillprobablyhavemissedmany;andyouwillbesurprisedto find that there are illustrations even in thewords themselves. Howfrequentlyawordis itselfapicture!Someofthemostexpressivewordsthatarefoundinhumanlanguagearelikerichgems,whichhavepassedbefore your eye very often, but you have not had time to handle or tovalue them. In your second examination of the book, you will notice,perhaps, what eluded you the first time, and you will find manyillustrationswhicharemerelyhintedat,insteadofbeinggivenatlength.DoasIhaverecommendedwithagreatmanybooks.Getcopiesthatyoucanaffordtomarkwithacolouredpencil,sothatyouwillbesuretoseetheillustrationsreadily;orputthemdowninoneofyournote-books.

Iamsure that thosebrethrenwhobeginearly tokeepa recordof suchthings act wisely. The commonplace-books of the old Puritans wereinvaluableto them.Theywouldneverhavebeenable tohave compiledsuch marvellous works as they did if they had not been careful incollectingandarrangingtheirmatterunderdifferentheads;andthus,all

thattheyhadeverreaduponanysubjectwasembalmedandpreserved,and they could readily refer to any point that theymight require, andrefreshtheirmemories,andverifytheirquotations.Someofus,whoareverybusy,maybeexcused fromthat task;wemustdo thebestwecan,but some of you, who go to smaller charges, in the country especially,oughttokeepacommonplace-book,orelseIamafraidyouwillgettobeverycommonplaceyourselves.

Yourselectionofsimiles,metaphors,parables,andemblemswillnotbecompleteunless you also search the Scriptures to find the illustrationsthatarerecordedthere.Biblicalallusionsarethemosteffectivemethodsof illustrating and enforcing the truths of the gospel; and the preacherwhoisfamiliarwithhisBiblewillneverbeatalossforaninstanceofthatwhich "is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, forinstructioninrighteousness."TheLordmusthavemeantusthustouseHisWord,otherwiseHewouldnothavegivenus,intheOldTestament,suchanumberoftypesandsymbolsoftruthstobeafterwardsmorefullyrevealedunderthegospeldispensation.

SuchacollectionofillustrationsasIhavesuggestedwillcomeveryhandytoyouinfuturedays,andyouwillbereminded,bythecomparisonsandfigures used by others, to make comparisons and figures for yourself.Familiaritywithanythingmakesusaufaitatit;wecanlearntodoalmostanythingbypractice.IsupposethatIcould,bydegrees,learntomakeatubifIspentmytimewithamanengagedinthatbusiness.Ishouldknowhow to put the staves and the hoops if I stayed long enough in thecooper'syard;andIhavenodoubtthatanyofyoucouldlearnanythingyoudesiredprovidedyouhadsufficienttimeandopportunity.So,ifyousearchforillustrations,youwilllearntomakethemforyourselves.

That brings me to my last point. I began this lecture by warning youagainstthepracticeofmakinganecdotes;Icloseitbyadvisingyouoftentosetyourselfthetaskofmakingillustrations.Trytomakecomparisonsfromthethingsroundaboutyou.Ithinkitwouldbewell,sometimes, toshutthedoorofyourstudy,andsaytoyourself,"Iwillnotgooutofthisroom until I have made at least half-a-dozen good illustrations." TheChinesesaythattheintellectliesinthestomach,andthattheaffectionsare there, too. I think they are right on the latter point, because, you

know,ifyouareeververyfondofanybody,--yourwife,forinstance,--yousaythatyoucouldeather;andyoualsosaythatsuchandsuchapersonisvery sweet. So, too, the intellect may lie in the stomach; andconsequently,when you have been shut in for two or three hours, andbegintowantyourdinnerortea,youmaybequickenedintothemakingofthesixillustrationsIhavementionedasaminimum.Yourstudywouldbeaveritableprisonifyoucouldnotmakeasmanyusefulcomparisonsasthatfromthedifferentobjectsintheroom.Ishouldsaythataprisonitself would furnish suggestions formakingmanymetaphors. I do notwishyoutogotoprisonforthatpurpose;butifyoueverdogetthere,youought tobe able to learnhow topreach inan interestingmanneruponsuchapassageas this,--"Bringmysouloutofprison;"or this, "Hewasthereintheprison.ButtheLordwaswithJoseph."

Ifyoucannotgetyourbrainstoworkinthehouse,youmighttakeawalk,and say to yourself, "Iwillwanderover the fields, or Iwill get into thegarden, or I will stroll in the wood, and see if I cannot find someillustrationor other.Youmight even go and look in at a shop-window,andseeiftherearenotsomeillustrationstobediscoveredthere.Oryoumightstandstillalittlewhile,andhearwhatpeoplesayastheygoby;orstopwhere there is a littleknotof idlers, and try tohearwhat theyaretalkingabout, andseewhat symbolyoucanmakeoutof it.Youshouldalsospendasmuchtimeasyoucanvisitingthesick;thatwillbeamostprofitable thing to do, for in that sacred service you will have manyopportunitiesofgettingillustrationsfromthetriedchildrenofGodasyouhear their varied experiences. It is wonderful what pages of a newcyclopaedia of illustrative teaching you might find written out withindelibleinkifyouwentvisitingthesick,orevenintalkingwithchildren.Many of themwill say things that youwill be able to quote with goodeffectinyoursermons.Atanyrate,domakeupyourmindthatyouwillattract and interest the people by the way in which you set the gospelbeforethem.Halfthebattleliesinmakingtheattempt,incomingtothisdetermined resolution, "God helping me, I will teach the people byparables,by similes,by illustrations,byanything thatwillbehelpful tothem; and I will seek to be a thoroughly interesting preacher of theWord."

Iearnestlyhopeyouwillpractisetheartofmakingillustrations.Iwilltrytopreparealittlesetofexercisesforyoutodoweekbyweek.Ishallgiveyou some subject, and some object, betweenwhich there is a likeness;and I shall get you to try to see the resemblance, and to find outwhatcomparisons can be instituted between them. I shall also, if I can,giveyousomesubjectwithoutanobject,andthensaytoyou,"Illustratethat;tellus, for instance,whatvirtue is like."Or, sometimes, Imaygiveyoutheobjectwithoutthesubject,thus,--"Adiamond;howwillyouusethatasanillustration?"Then,sometimes,Imaygiveyouneitherthesubjectnortheobject,butjustsay,"Bringmeanillustration."Ithinkwemight,inthisway,makeasetofexerciseswhichwouldbeveryusefultoyouall.

Thewaytogetamindworthhavingistogetonewellstoredwiththingsworthkeeping.Ofcourse,themanwhohasthemost illustrationsinhishead,willbetheonewhowillusethemostillustrationsinhisdiscourses.There are some preachers who have the bump of illustration fullydeveloped; they are sure to illustrate their subject, they cannot help it.Therearesomemenwhoalwayssee"likes";theycatchacomparisonlongbeforeothersseeit.Ifanyofyousaythatyouarenotgoodatillustrating,Ireply,"Mybrother,youmusttrytogrowhornsifyouhavenotanyonyour head." You may never be able to develop any vast amount ofimaginationorfancyifyoudonotpossessitatthefirst,--justasitishardto make a cheese out of a millstone,--but by diligent attention to thismatter,youmayimproveuponwhatyounoware.Idobelievethatsomefellows have a depression in their craniumswhere there ought to be abump.Iknewayoungman,whotriedhardtogetintothisCollege;butheneversawhowtojointhingstogetherunlesshetiedthembytheirtails.Hebroughtoutabook;andwhenIreadit,Ifoundatoncethatitwasfullofmystoriesandillustrations;thatistosay,everyillustrationorstoryinthebookwasonethatIhadused,buttherewasnotoneofthemthatwasrelatedasitoughttohavebeen.Thismanhadsotoldthestorythatitwasnotthereatall;theverypointwhichIhadbroughtouthehadcarefullyomitted, andeverybitof itwas told correctly except theone thing thatwas the essenceof thewhole.Of course, Iwasglad that I didnothavethatbrotherintheCollege;hemighthavebeenanornamenttousbyhisdeficiencies,butwecandowithoutsuchornaments;indeed,wehavehadenoughofthemalready.

Finally,dearbrethren,dotrywithallyourmighttogetthepowertoseeaparable,asimile,anillustration,whereveritistobeseen;fortoagreatextentthisisoneofthemostimportantqualificationsofthemanwhoistobeapublicspeaker,andespeciallyofthemanwhoistobeanefficientpreacherofthegospelofChrist.IftheLordJesusmadesuchfrequentuseofparables,itmustberightforustodothesame.

CHAPTERXXVIIITHESCIENCESASSOURCESOFILLUSTRATION

ASTRONOMY

Ipropose,brethren, if I amable todo it,--and I amsomewhatdubiousupon that point,--to give you a set of lectures at intervals upon THEVARIOUSSCIENCESASSOURCESOFILLUSTRATION.Itseemstomethat every student for the Christian ministry ought to know at leastsomething of every science; he should intermeddle with every form ofknowledgethatmaybeusefulinhislife'swork.Godhasmadeallthingsthat are in the world to be our teachers, and there is something to belearned from every one of them; and as hewould never be a thoroughstudent who did not attend all classes at which he was expected to bepresent,sohewhodoesnotlearnfromallthingsthatGodhasmadewillnevergatherallthefoodthathissoulneeds,norwillhebelikelytoattaintothatperfectionofmentalmanhoodwhichwillenablehimtobeafully-equippedteacherofothers.

IshallcommencewiththescienceofASTRONOMY;andyouwill,atthebeginning, understand that I am not going to deliver an astronomicallecture,nortomentionallthegrandfactsanddetailsofthatfascinatingscience;butIintendsimplytouseastronomyasoneofthemanyfieldsof illustration that theLordhasprovided forus.Letme say, however,thatthescienceitselfisonewhichoughttoreceivemuchattentionfromall of us. It relates tomany of the greatest wonders in nature, and itseffectuponthemindistrulymarvellous.Thethemesonwhichastronomydiscourses are so grand, the wonders disclosed by the telescope are so

sublime that, very often, minds that have been unable to receiveknowledge through other channels have become remarkably receptivewhile they have been studying this science. There is an instance of abrother,whowasoneofthestudentsinthisCollege,andwhoseemedtobeadreadfuldolt;wereallythoughtheneverwouldlearnanything,andthatweshouldhavetogivehimupindespair.ButIintroducedtohimalittlebookcalledTheYoungAstronomer;andheafterwardssaidthat,ashereadit,hefeltjustasifsomethinghadcrackedinsidehishead,orasifsome string had been snapped. He had laid hold of such enlargedthoughtsthatIbelievehiscraniumdidactuallyexperienceanexpansionwhich it ought to have undergone in his childhood, and which it didundergobythemarvellousforceofthethoughtssuggestedbythestudyofeventheelementsofastronomicalscience.

Thisscienceoughttobethespecialdelightofministersofthegospel,forsurelyitbringsusintocloserconnectionwithGodthanalmostanyotherscience does. It has been said that an undevout astronomer is mad. Ishouldsaythatanundevoutmanofanysortismad,withtheworstformofmadness;but,certainly,hewhohasbecomeacquaintedwiththestarsintheheavens,andwhoyethasnotfoundoutthegreatFatheroflights,the Lord who made them all, must be stricken with a dire madness.Notwithstanding all his learning, he must be afflicted with a mentalincapacity which places him almost below the level of the beasts thatperish.

Kepler, the greatmathematical astronomer, who has so well explainedmanyofthelawswhichgoverntheuniverse,closesoneofhisbooks,hisHarmonics,with this reverent anddevout expressionofhis feelings: "Igivetheethanks,LordandCreator,thatthouhastgivenmejoythroughthycreation;forIhavebeenravishedwiththeworkOfthyhands.Ihaverevealeduntomankindthegloryofthyworks,asfarasmylimitedspiritcouldconceivetheir infinitude.ShouldIhavebroughtforwardanythingthat is unworthy of thee, or should I have sought my own fame, begraciouslypleasedtoforgiveme."AndyouknowhowthemightyNewton,averyprinceamongthesonsofmen,wascontinuallydriventohiskneesashe lookedupwards to the skies,anddiscovered freshwonders in thestarryheavens.Therefore,thesciencewhichtendstobringmentobowin

humility before the Lord should always be a favourite study with uswhosebusinessitistoinculcatereverenceforGodinallwhocomeunderourinfluence.

The science of astronomy would never have become available to us inmany of its remarkable details if it had not been for the discovery orinventionofthetelescope.Truthisgreat,butitdoesnotsavinglyaffectustill we become personally acquainted with it. The knowledge of thegospel,asitisrevealedtousintheWordofGod,makesittruetous;andoftentimestheBibleistouswhatthetelescopeistotheastronomer.TheScripturesdonotmakethetruth;buttheyrevealitinawayinwhichourpoor, feeble intellect, when enlightened by the Holy Spirit, is able tobeholdandcomprehendit.

Fromabook*towhichIamindebtedformanyquotationsinthislecture,I learn that the telescope was discovered in this singular manner: "AmakerofspectaclesatMiddleburgstumbleduponthediscoveryowingtohis children directing his attention to the enlarged appearance of theweathercock of a church, as accidentally seen through two spectacle-glasses, held between the fingers some distance apart. Thiswas one ofchildhood's inadvertent acts; and seldom has there been a parallelexampleofmightyresultsspringingoutofsuchatrivialcircumstance.Itisstrangetoreflectupontheplayfulpranksofboyhoodbeingconnectedintheirissue,andatnodistantdate,withenlargingtheknownboundsofthe planetary system, resolving the nebula of Orion, and revealing therichnessofthefirmament."Inasimilarway,asimpleincidenthasoftenbeenthemeansofrevealingtomenthewondersofdivinegrace.Whatacertain individualonlymeant to be triflingwithdivine things,Godhasoverruledforhissoul's salvation.Hestepped in tohearasermonashemighthavegonetothetheatretoseeaplay;butGod'sSpiritcarriedthetruth tohisheart, and revealed tohim thedeep thingsof thekingdom,andhisownpersonalinterestinthem.

I think that incidentof thediscoveryof the telescopemightbeusefullyemployed as an illustration of the connectionbetween little causes andgreatresults,showinghowtheprovidenceofGod iscontinuallymakingsmallthingstobethemeansofbringingaboutwonderfulandimportantrevolutions.Itmayoftenhappenthatwhatseemstoustobeamatterof

pure accident,withnothing at all notable about it,may really have theeffectofchangingtheentirecurrentofourlife,anditmaybeinfluentialalsointurningthelivesofmanyothersinquiteanewdirection.

When once the telescope had been discovered, then the numbers andpositionandmovementsofthestarsbecameincreasinglyvisible,untilatthepresenttimeweareabletostudythewondersofthestellarsky,andcontinually to learn more and more of the marvels that are theredisplayed by the hand of God. The telescope has revealed to us muchmoreof thesun,and themoon,and the stars, thanwecouldeverhavediscoveredwithout itsaid.Dr.Livingstone,onaccountofhis frequentlyusingthesextantwhenhewastravellinginAfrica,wasspokenofbythenatives as the white man who could bring down the sun, and carry itunder his arm. That is what the telescope has done for us, and that iswhat faith in thegospelhasdone forus in the spiritualheavens; ithasbroughtdowntoustheFather,theSon,andtheHolySpirit,andgivenusthehigheternal things tobeourpresentpossession, andourperpetualjoy.

Thus,yousee,thetelescopeitselfmaybemadetofurnishuswithmanyvaluableillustrations.Wemayalsoturntogoodaccountthelessonstobelearned by the study of the stars for the purpose of navigation. Themariner,crossingthetracklesssea,bytakingastronomicalobservations,cansteerhimselfwithaccuracytohisdesiredhaven.CaptainBasilHalltells us, in the book I have previouslymentioned, that "he once sailedfromSanBlas,ontheWestCoastofMexico;and,afteravoyageofeightthousand miles, occupying eighty-nine days, he arrived off Rio deJaneiro, having in this interval passed through the Pacific Ocean,rounded Cape Horn, and crossed the South Atlantic, without makingland,or seeinga single sail except anAmericanwhaler.Whenwithin aweek's sail of Rio, he set seriously about determining, by lunarobservations, the position of his ship, and then steered his course bythosecommonprinciplesofnavigationwhichmaybesafelyemployedforshortdistancesbetweenoneknownstationandanother.Havingarrivedwithin what he considered, from his computations, fifteen or twentymilesofthecoast,hehoveto,atfouro'clockinthemorning,toawaitthebreak of day, and then bore up, proceeding cautiously on account of a

thickfog.Asthisclearedaway,thecrewhadthesatisfactionofseeingthegreatSugar-LoafRock,whichstandsononesideoftheharbour'smouth,sonearlyrightaheadthattheyhadnottoaltertheircourseaboveapointinordertohittheentranceof theport.Thiswasthefirst landtheyhadseenfornearlythreemonths,aftercrossingsomanyseas,andbeingsetbackwards and forwards by innumerable currents and foul winds, Theeffectuponallonboardwaselectric;and,givingwaytotheiradmiration,thesailorsgreetedthecommanderwithaheartycheer.

Inasimilarmanner,wealsosailbyguidancefromtheheavenlybodies,andwe have for a long seasonno sight of land, and sometimes do notevenseeapassingsail;andyet,ifwetakeourobservationscorrectly,andfollow the trackwhich they point out,we shall have the great blessing,whenweareabout to finishourvoyage,of seeing,not thegreatSugar-LoafRock,buttheFairHavenofGloryrightstraightbeforeus.Weshallnothavetoalterourcourseevenasinglepoint;and,aswesail intotheheavenlyharbour,whatsongsof joywillweraise,not inglorificationofourownskill,but inpraiseof thewondrousCaptainandPilotwhohasguided us over life's stormy sea, and enabled us to sail in safety evenwherewecouldnotseeourway!

Kepler makes a wise remark, when speaking about the mathematicalsystembywhichthecourseofastarcouldbepredicted.Afterdescribingtheresultofhisobservations,anddeclaringhisfirmbeliefthatthewilloftheLordisthesupremepowerinthelawsofnature,hesays,"Butiftherebeanymanwhoistoodulltoreceivethisscience,Iadvisethat, leavingthe school of astronomy, he follow his own path, and desist from thiswandering through the universe; and, lifting up his natural eyes, withwhichhe alone can see, pourhimself out inhis ownheart, inpraise ofGodtheCreator;beingcertainthathegivesnolessworshiptoGodthanthe astronomer, to whom God has given to see more clearly with hisinwardeye,andwho, forwhathehashimselfdiscovered,bothcanandwillglorifyGod."

That is,I think,averybeautiful illustrationofwhatyoumaysaytoanypoorilliteratemaninyourcongregation,"Well,myfriend,ifyoucannotcomprehend this system of theology which I have explained to you, ifthesedoctrinesseemtoyoutobeutterlyincomprehensible,ifyoucannot

followmeinmycriticismupontheGreektext,ifyoucannotquitecatchthepoeticalideathatItriedtogiveyoujustnow,whichissocharmingtomyownmind,nevertheless,ifyouknownomorethanthatyourBibleistrue,thatyouyourselfareasinner,andthatJesusChristisyourSaviour,goonyourway,andworshipandadore,andthinkofGodasyouareableto do. Nevermind about the astronomers, and the telescopes, and thestars,andthesun,andthemoon;worshiptheLordinyourownfashion.Altogetherapartfrommytheologicalknowledge,andmyexplanationofthedoctrinesrevealedintheScriptures,theBibleitself,andtheprecioustruthyouhavereceived intoyourownsoul, throughtheteachingof theHolySpirit,willbequiteenoughtomakeyouanacceptableworshipperoftheMostHighGod."

Isupposeyouareallawarethatamongtheoldsystemsofastronomywasone which placed the earth in the centre, and made the sun, and themoon,andthestarsrevolvearoundit."Itsthreefundamentalprincipleswere the immobility of the earth, its central position, and the dailyrevolutionofalltheheavenlybodiesarounditincircularorbits."

Now,inasimilarfashion,thereisawayofmakingasystemoftheologyofwhich man is the centre, by which it is implied that Christ and Hisatoningsacrificeareonlymadeforman'ssake,andthattheHolySpiritismerely a great Worker on man's behalf, and that even the great andgloriousFatheristobeviewedsimplyasexistingforthesakeofmakingmanhappy.Well, thatmaybethesystemof theologyadoptedbysome;but,brethren,wemustnotfallintothaterror,for,justastheearthisnotthecentreoftheuniverse,somanisnotthegrandestofallbeings.Godhas been pleased highly to exaltman; butwemust remember how thepsalmist speaksofhim: "When I consider thyheavens, theworkof thyfingers,themoonandthestars,whichthouhastordained;whatisman,thatthouartmindfulofhim;andthesonofman,thatthouvisitesthim?"In another place, David says, "Lord, what is man, that thou takestknowledgeofhim!orthesonofman,thatthoumakestaccountofhim!Manisliketovanity:hisdaysareasashadowthatpassethaway."Mancannot be the centre of the theological universe, he is altogether tooinsignificant a being to occupy such a position, and the scheme ofredemptionmust exist for some other end than that ofmerelymaking

man happy, or even of making him holy. The salvation of man mustsurely be first of all for the glory of God; and you have discovered therightformofChristiandoctrinewhenyouhavefoundthesystemthathasGodinthecentre,rulingandcontrollingaccordingtothegoodpleasureofHiswill.Donotdwarfmansoas tomake it appear thatGodhasnocareforhim;forifyoudothat,youslanderGod.Givetomanthepositionthat God has assigned to him; by doing so, you will have a system oftheologyinwhichallthetruthsofrevelationandexperiencewillmoveinglorious order and harmony around the great central orb, the DivineSovereignRuleroftheuniverse,Godoverall,blessedforever.

Youmay,however,anyoneofyou,makeanothermistakeby imaginingyourself to be the centre of a system. That foolish notion is a goodillustration,I think.Thereare somemenwhose fundamentalprinciplesare,firstofall,theirownimmobility;whattheyare,theyalwaysaretobe,andtheyareright,andnoonecanstir them;secondly, theirposition iscentral, for them suns rise and set, andmoons dowax andwane . Forthem, their wives exist; for them, their children are born; for them,everythingisplacedwhereitappearsinGod'suniverse;andtheyjudgeallthingsaccording to this one rule, "Howwill it benefitme?" That is thebeginning and the endof their grand system, and they expect thedailyrevolution, if not of all the heavenly bodies certainly of all the earthlybodiesaroundthem.Thesun,themoon,andtheelevenstarsaretomakeobeisancetothem.Well,brethren,thatisanexplodedtheorysofarastheearthisconcerned,andthereisnotruthinsuchanotionwithreferencetoourselves.Wemaycherishtheerroneousidea;butthegeneralpublicwillnot,andthesoonerthegraceofGodexpelsitfromus,thebetter,sothatwemaytakeourproperposition ina farhighersystemthatanyofwhichwecaneverbethecentre.

THESUN, then, not the earth, is the centre of the solar system;whichsystem,markyou, isprobablyonlyone little insignificant cornerof theuniverse,althoughitincludessuchavastspacethatifIcouldgiveyoutheactual figures youwould not be able to form the slightest idea ofwhattheyreallyrepresented.Yetthattremendoussystem,comparedwiththewholeofGod'suniversemaybeonlylikeasinglegrainofdustonthesea-shore,andtheremaybemyriadsuponmyriadsofsystems,someofwhich

aremadeupofinnumerablesystemsaslargeasours,andthegreatsunhimself may only be a planet revolving round a greater sun, and thisworld only a little satellite to the sun, never yet observed by theastronomerswho,itmaybe,liveinthatremotersunstillfartheroff.Itisamarvellous universe that God hasmade; and howevermuch of it wemay have seen, wemust never imagine that we have discoveredmorethanaverysmallportionoftheworldsuponworldsthatGodhascreated.

Theearth,andalltheplanets,andallthesolidmatteroftheuniverse,arecontrolled,asyouknow,by the forceof attractions.Wearekept inourplaceintheworld,ingoingroundthesun,bytwoforces,theonecalledcentripetal, which draws us towards the sun, and the other calledcentrifugal, which is generally illustrated by the tendency of drops ofwaterona trundledmop to flyoffata tangent fromthecircle theyaredescribing.

Now,Ibelievethat,inlikemanner,therearetwoforceswhichareeveratworkuponallofus,theonewhichdrawsustowardsGod,andtheotherwhichdrivesusawayfromHim,andwearethuskeptinthecircleoflife;but, formypart, I shallbeverygladwhenI canpassoutof thatcircle,andgetawayfromtheinfluenceofthecentrifugalforce.Ibelievethat,themoment I do so,--as soon as ever the attractionwhich drawsme awayfromGod is gone,--I shall bewithHim inheaven; that Ido not doubt.Directlyoneorotherofthetwoforceswhichinfluencehumanlifeshallbeexhausted, we shall have either to drift away into the far-off space,throughthecentrifugalforce,--whichGodforbid!--orelseweshall flyatonce into the central orb, by the centripetal force, and the sooner thatgloriousendof lifecomes, thebetterwill itbeforus.WithAugustine,Iwouldsay,"Allthingsaredrawntotheirowncentre.BethoutheCentreofmyheart,OGod,myLight,myonlyLove!"

Thesunhimselfisanenormousbody;hehasbeenmeasured,butIthinkIwillnotburdenyouwith the figures, since theywill convey toyounoadequateideaofhisactualsize.Sufficeittosaythat,iftheearthandthemoon were put inside the sun, there would be abundance of room forthem to goon revolving in their orbits just as they arenowdoing; andtherewouldbenofearoftheirknockingagainstthatexternalcrustofthesunwhichwouldrepresenttothemtheheavens.

Ittakesabouteightminutesfor lighttoreachusfromthesun.Wemayjudgeofthepaceatwhichthatlightcomeswhenwereflectthatacannon-ball,rushingwiththeswiftestpossiblevelocity,wouldtakesevenyearstoget there,andthata train, travellingat therateof thirtymilesanhour,and never stopping for refreshments, would require more than threehundredandfiftyyearsbeforeitwouldreachtheterminus.Youmaythusformsomeslightideaofthedistancethatwearefromthesun;andthis,Ithink,furnishesuswithagoodillustrationoffaith.Thereisnomanwhocan know, except by faith, that the sun exists. That he did exist eightminutes ago, I know, for here is a ray of light that has just come fromhim, and toldme that; but I cannot be sure that he is existing at thismoment. There are some of the fixed stars, that are at such a vastdistancefromtheearth,thatarayoflightfromthemtakeshundredsofyears to reachus; and, for aughtwe know, theymayhavebeen extinctlongago.Yetwestillputthemdowninourchartoftheheavens,andwecanonlykeepthemthereby faith, foras, "throughfaithweunderstandthat theworldswere framedby thewordofGod," so it is onlyby faiththatwecanknowthatanyofthemnowexist.Whenwecometoexaminethematter closely, we find that our eyesight, and all our faculties andsenses, are not sufficient to give us positive conviction with regard totheseheavenlybodies;andthereforewestillhavetoexercisefaith;soisittoahighdegreeinspiritualaffairs,wewalkbyfaith,notbysight.

That thesunhasspotsuponhis face, isa factwhicheverybodynotices.Justso;andifyouaresuns,andareneversobright,yetifyouhaveanyspots upon you, you will find that people will be very quick to noticethem,andtocallattentiontothem.Thereisoftenmuchmoretalkaboutthe sun's spots than there is abouthis luminous surface; and, after thesame fashion,morewillbesaidaboutanyspotsand imperfections thatmenmaydiscoverinourcharacterthanaboutanyexcellenciesthattheymayseeinus.Itwasforsometimeassertedthattherewerenospotsorspecks whatever on the sun. Many astronomers, with the aid of thetelescope,aswell aswithout it,discovered theseblemishesandpatchesonthefaceofthesun;buttheywereassuredbymenwhooughttohaveknown, namely, by the reverend fathers of the church, that it wasimpossible that there could be anything of the kind. The book I have

previouslyquotedsays:"UponScheiner,aGermanJesuit,reportingtheevidence of his senses to his provincial superior, the latter positivelyrefusedtobelievehim.Ihaveread,saidhe,Aristotle'swritingsfromendtoendmany times, and I canassure you that Ihavenowhere found inthemanythingsimilartowhatyoumention.Go,myson,andtranquillizeyourself:beassuredthatwhatyoutakeforspotsinthesunarethefaultsof your glasses, or of your eyes." So, brethren, we know the force ofbigotry,andhowmenwillnotseewhatisperfectlyplaintous,andhow,evenwhenfactsarebroughtbeforethem,theycannotbemadetobelievein them, but will attribute them to anything but that which is the realtruth.IamafraidthattheWordofGoditselfhasoftenbeentreatedjustin that way. Truths that are positively and plainly revealed there arestoutlydenied,becausetheydonothappentofitinwiththepreconceivedtheoriesofunbelievers.

Therehavebeenagreatmanyattempts toexplainwhat thespotsuponthe sun really are.One theory is, that the solar orb is surroundedby aluminous atmosphere, and that the spots are open spaces in thatatmospherethroughwhichwesee thesolidsurfaceof thesun. Icannotseeanyreasonwhythattheoryshouldnotbethetruth;and,ifitbeso,itseemstometoexplainthefirstchapterofGenesis,wherewearetoldthatGodcreated the light on the first day, thoughhedidnotmake the sununtil the fourth day.Did he notmake the light first, and then take thesun,whichotherwisemighthavebeenadarkworld,andputthelightonitasaluminousatmosphere?Thetwothingscertainlymightverywellfitin with one another; and if these spots are really openings in theluminousatmospherethroughwhichweseethedarksurfaceofthesun,theyareadmirable illustrationsof thespots thatmensee inus.Weareclothedwithholinessaswithagarmentoflight;buteverynowandthenthereisariftthroughwhichobserverscanseedownintothedarkbodyofnaturaldepravitythatstillisintheverybestofus.

It is a dangerous thing to look at the sunwith unprotected eyes. Somehaveventuredto lookat itwithglasses thathavenocolouring in them,and they have been struck blind. There have been several instances ofpersonswhohave inadvertentlyneglected touse aproper kindof glassbeforeturningthetelescopetothesun,andsohavebeenblinded.Thisis

anillustrationofourneedofaMediator,andofhownecessaryitistoseeGod through the medium of Christ Jesus our Lord; else might theexcessivegloryoftheDeityutterlydestroythefacultyofseeingGodatall.

Theeffectofthesunupontheearth,Ishallnotdwelluponnow,asthatmay rather concern another branch of science than astronomy. It willsuffice tosaythat livingplantswillsometimesgrowwithout thesun,asyoumayhaveseentheminadarkcellar;buthowblanchedtheyarewhenexisting under such circumstances!Whatmust have been the pleasurewithwhichHumboldtenteredintothegreatsubterraneancavecalledtheCuevadelGuacharo,inthedistrictofCaraccas!Itisacaverninhabitedbynocturnal,fruit-eatingbirds,andthiswaswhatthegreatnaturalistsaw:"Seeds,carried inbythebirds to theiryoung,anddropped,hadsprungup, producing tall, blanched, spectral stalks, covered with half-formedleaves;butitwasimpossibletorecognizethespeciesfromthechangeinform,colour,andaspect,whichtheabsenceoflighthadoccasioned.Thenative Indians gazed upon these traces of imperfect organization withmingledcuriosityandfear,asiftheywerepaleanddisfiguredphantomsbanishedfromthefaceoftheearth.

So, brethren, thinkwhat you and Iwouldbewithout the light ofGod'scountenance. Picture a church growing, as some churches do grow,withoutanylightfromheaven,acavernfullofstrangebirdsandblanchedvegetation.What a terrible place for anyone to visit! There is a cave ofthatsortatRome,andthereareothersinvariouspartsoftheearth;butwoeuntothosewhogotoliveinsuchdismaldens!

What a wonderful effect the light of God's countenance has uponmenwhohave thedivine life in them,butwhohavebeen living in thedark!Travellerstellusthat,inthevastforestsoftheAmazonandtheOrinoco,youmay sometimes see, on a grand scale, the influence of light in thecolouring of the plants when the leaf-buds are developing. One says:"Clouds and rain sometimes obscure the atmosphere for several daystogether, andduring this time the buds expand themselves into leaves.But these leaves have a pallid hue till the sun appears, when, in a fewhours of clear sky and splendid sunshine, their colour is changed to avivid green. It has been related that, during twenty days of dark, dullweather, the sun not once making his appearance, the leaves were

expandedtotheirfullsize,butwerealmostwhite.Oneforenoon,thesunbegantoshineinfullbrightness,whenthecolouroftheforestchangedsorapidlythatitsprogressmightbemarked.Bythemiddleoftheafternoon,thewhole,formanymiles,presentedtheusualsummerdress."

That is a beautiful illustration, it seems tome, that does notwant anyopeningup;youcanallmaketheapplicationof it to theLordJesus foryourselves.AsDr.Wattssings:

"IndarkestshadesifHeappear,Mydawningisbegun;Heismysoul'ssweetmorningstar,AndHemyrisingsun."

Thenwebegintoputonallsortsofbeauty,astheleavesarepaintedbytheraysof thesun.Weoweeveryatomofcolourthatthere is inanyofourvirtues,andeverytraceofflavourthatthereisinanyofourfruits,tothosebrightsunbeamsthatcomestreamingdowntousfromtheSunofrighteousness,whocarriesmanyotherblessingsbesideshealingbeneathHiswings.

Theeffectofthesunuponvegetationcanbeobservedamongtheflowersinyourowngarden.Noticehowtheyturntohimwhenevertheycan;thesunflower,forinstance,followsthesun'scourseasifhewerehimselfthesun'sson,andlovinglylookeduptohisfather'sface.Heisverymuchlikeasuninappearance,andIthinkthatisbecauseheissofondofturningtothesun.Theinnumerable leavesofacloverfieldbendtowardsthe sun;andallplants,moreor less,paydeferencetothesunlighttowhichtheyaresodeeplyindebted.Eventheplantsinthehothouse,youcanobserve,donotgrowinthatdirectionyouwouldexpectthemtodoiftheywantedwarmth,thatis,towardsthestove-pipe,whencetheheatcomes,norevento the spot where most air is admitted; but they will always, if theypossiblycan,sendouttheirbranchesandtheirflowerstowardsthesun.ThatishowweoughttogrowtowardstheSunofrighteousness;itisforoursoul'shealththatweshouldturnourfacestowardstheSun,asDanielprayedwithhiswindowsopentowardsJerusalem.WhereJesusis,thereisourSun;towardshimletusconstantlyinclineourwholebeing.

Not very long ago Imet with the following remarkable instance of thepower of rays of light transmitted from the sun. Some divers wereworking at Plymouth Breakwater; they were down in the diving-bell,thirtyfeetbelowthesurfaceofthewater;butaconvexglass,intheupperpart of the bell, concentrated the sun's rays full upon them, and burnttheircaps.AsIreadthisstory,IthoughtitwasacapitalillustrationofthepowerthereisinthegospelofourLordJesusChrist.Someofourhearersarefully thirty feetunder thewatersof sin, if they arenot evendeeperdownthanthat;but,bythegraceofGod,wewillyetmakethemfeeltheblessedburningpowerofthetruthswepreach,evenifwedonotsucceedin setting them all on firewith this powerful glass. Perhaps, when youwereaboy,youhadaburning-glass,andwhenyouwereoutwithafriendwhodidnotknowwhatyouhadinyourpocket,whilehewassittingveryquietlybyyourside,youtookoutyourglass,andhelditforafewsecondsoverthebackofhishanduntilhefeltsomethingratherhotjustthere.Ilikethemanwho,inpreaching,concentratestheraysofthegospelonasinnertillheburnshim.Donotscatterthebeamsoflight;youcanturntheglasssoastodiffusetheraysinsteadofconcentratingthem;butthebestwayofpreachingistofocusJesusChrist,theSunofrighteousness,rightonasinner'sheart.Itisthebestwayintheworldtogetathim;andifhe is thirty feetunderthewater, thisburning-glasswillenableyoutoreachhim;onlymindthatyoudonotuseyourowncandleinsteadoftheSun,forthatwillnotanswerthesamepurpose.

Sometimes the sun suffers eclipse, as you know. The moon intrudesbetweenusand thesun,and thenwecannotsee thegreatorbofday. Isupposewehaveallseenonetotaleclipse,andwemayseeanother.Itisaveryinterestingsight;but itappearstomethatpeopletakeagreatdealmore notice of the sun when he is eclipsed than they do when he isshiningclearly.Theydonotstandlookingathim,dayafterday,whenheispouringforthhisbrightbeamsinuncloudedglory;butassoonaseverheiseclipsed,thentheyareoutintheirthousands,withtheirglasses,andevery little boy in the street has a fragment of smoked glass throughwhichhewatchestheeclipseofthesun.

Thus,brethren,IdonotbelievethatourLordJesusChristeverreceivesso much attention from men as when he is set forth as the suffering

Saviour,evidentlycrucifiedamongthem.Whenthegreateclipsepassedover theSunofRighteousness, thenall eyeswere fixeduponHim, andwelltheymightbe.DonotfailtotellyourhearerscontinuallyaboutthatawfuleclipseonCalvary;butmindthatyoualsotellthemalltheeffectsofthateclipse,andthattherewillbenorepetitionofthatstupendousevent.

"Lo!thesun'seclipseiso'er;Lo!hesetsinbloodnomore."

Speaking of eclipses reminds me that there is, in the book I havementioned,a striking description of one given by a correspondentwhowrotetotheastronomerHalley.HetookhisstandatHaradowHill,closeto the east end of the avenue of Stonehenge, a very capital place forobservation, and there hewatched the eclipse.He says of it: "Wewerenowenvelopedinatotalandpalpabledarkness, ifImaybeallowedtheexpression.Itcameonrapidly,butIwatchedsoattentively thatIcouldperceiveitsprogress.Itcameuponuslikeagreatblackcloakthrownoverus, or like a curtain drawn from that side. The horses we held by thebridleseemeddeeplystruckbyit,andpressedcloselytouswithmarksofextreme surprise. As well as I could perceive, the countenances of myfriends wore a horrible aspect. It was not without an involuntaryexclamationofwonder that I lookedaroundmeat thismoment. ItwasthemostawfulsightIhadeverbeheldinmylife."

So, I suppose, it must be in the spiritual realm.When the Sun of thisgreat world suffered eclipse, thenwere allmen in darkness; andwhenanydishonour comesupon the crossofChrist, oruponChristHimself,theniseachChristianhimself indarknessofahorriblekind.HecannotbeinthelightifhisLordandMasterisintheshade.

OneobserverdescribeswhathesawinAustria,where,itappears,allthepeople made the eclipse a time for keeping holiday, and turned outtogether on the plain with various modes of observing the wonderfulsight. This writer says: "The phenomenon, in its magnificence, hadtriumphed over the petulance of youth, over the levity which somepersons assume as a sign of superiority, over the noisy indifference ofwhichsoldiersusuallymakeprofession.Aprofoundstillnessalsoreignedintheair:thebirdshadceasedtosing."Themorecuriousthingisthat,in

London, after an eclipse,when the cocks found that the sun shone outagain, they all began crowing as though they joyfully thought that thedaylighthadbrokenthroughthegloomofnight.

Yetthiswonderfulphenomenondoesnotappeartohavealwaysattractedthe attention of all persons whomight have witnessed it. History saysthat,atonetime,therewasabattlebeingfought,Ithink,inGreece,and,during its progress, there came on a total eclipse of the sun; but thewarriors went on fighting all the same, indeed, they never noticed theextraordinaryoccurrence.Thatshowsushowstrongpassionsmaymakeusforgetsurroundingcircumstances,anditalsoteachesushowaman'sengagementsonearthmaymakehimobliviousofallthatistranspiringintheheavens.Weread,justnow,ofhowthosehorses,thatwerestandingidly onSalisburyPlain, trembledduring the eclipse; but anotherwritertellsusthatthehorsesinItaly,thatwerebusilyoccupiedindrawingthecarriages, do not appear to have taken the slightest notice of thephenomenon,buttohavegoneontheirwaythesameasusual.Thus,theengagementsofaworldlymanareoftensoengrossingintheircharacterthattheypreventhimfromfeelingthoseemotionswhicharefeltbyothermen,whosemindsaremoreatlibertytomeditateuponthem.

I met with a very pretty story, concerning an eclipse, which you willprobably like to hear. A poor little girl, belonging to the commune ofSièyes, intheLowerAlps,wastendingherflockonthemountainsideatsix o'clock on a bright summer morning. The sun had risen, and wasdissipating the vapours of the night, and everyone thought that therewould be a glorious, unclouded day; but gradually the light darkeneduntil thesunhadwhollydisappeared,andablackorb took theplaceofthe glowing disc, while the air became chill, and a mysterious gloompervaded the whole region. The little child was so terrified by thecircumstance,whichwascertainlyunusual, thatshebegantoweep,andcriedoutloudlyforhelp.Herparents,andotherfriends,whocameathercall,didnotknowanythingaboutaneclipse,sotheywerealsoastoundedand alarmed; but they tried to comfort her as best they could. After ashort time, the darkness passed away from the face of the sun, and itshoneoutasbefore,andthenthe littlegirlcriedaloud, in thepatois ofthedistrict,"Obeautifulsun!"andwellshemight.WhenIreadthestory,

I thoughtthat,whenmyhearthadsufferedeclipse,andthepresenceofChristhadgoneforawhile,andthenhadcomebackagain,howbeautifulthe Sun seemed to me, even more bright and fair than before thetemporarydarkness.Jesus seemed to shineonmewithabrighter lightthan ever before, and my soul cried out in an ecstasy of delight, "ObeautifulSunofrighteousness!"

Thatstorymust,Ithink,closeourillustrationsderivedfromthesun;forwewantalsotolearnallwecanfromhisplanets,andifweintendtopayavisittothemall,weshallhavetotravelfar,andtotravelfast,too.

Thenearestplanet thatrevolvesaroundthesun isMERCURY,which isabout 37,000,000 miles from the great luminary. Mercury, therefore,receivesafargreaterallowanceoflightandheatfromthesunthancomesto us upon the earth. It is believed that, even at the poles ofMercury,waterwouldalwaysboil;thatistosay,iftheplanetisconstitutedatallasthisworld is.Noneofuscouldpossibly livethere;butthat isnoreasonwhyotherpeopleshouldnot,forGodcouldmakesomeofhiscreaturestoliveinthefirejustaswellasHecouldmakeotherstoliveoutofit.Ihaveno doubt that, if there are inhabitants there, they enjoy the heat. In aspiritual sense, at any rate, we know that men who live near to Jesusdwellinthedivineflameoflove.

Mercury is a comparatively small planet; its diameter is about 2,960miles,while thatof theearth is7,975.Mercuryrushesroundthesun ineighty-eight days, travelling at the rate of nearly 110,000 miles in anhour,whiletheearthtraversesonly65,000milesinthesametime.Fancycrossing theAtlantic inabout twoor threeminutes! It isan instanceofthewisdomofGodthatMercuryappearstobethedensestoftheplanets.You see, thatpart of amachine inwhich there is themost rapidwhirl,and the greatest wear and tear, ought to be made of the strongestmaterial;andMercuryismadeverystronginordertobeartheenormousstrainofitsswiftmotion,andthegreatheattowhichitissubjected.

This is an illustration of how God fits every man for his place; if Hemeans me to be Mercury, the messenger of the gods, as the ancientscalledhim,andtotravelswiftly,Hewillgivemeastrengthproportionedtomy day. In the formation of every planet, adapting it to its peculiar

position,thereisawonderfulproofofthepowerandforethoughtofGod;andinasimilarmannerdoesHefithumanbeingsforthespheretheyareeachcalledtooccupy.

IliketoseeinMercuryapictureofthechildofGodwhoisfullofgrace.Mercury is always near the sun; indeed, so near that it is itself veryseldomseen.IthinkCopernicussaidthatheneverdidseeit,althoughhehad longwatchedfor itwithgreatcare,andhedeeplyregrettedthathehadtodiewithouthavingeverseenthisplanet.Othershaveobservedit,andithasbeenquiteatreatforthemtobeabletowatchitsrevolutions.Mercuryisusuallylostintheraysofthesun;andthatiswhereyouandIoughttobe,soclosetoChrist,theSunofrighteousness,inourlifeandinourpreaching,thatthepeoplewhoaretryingtoobserveourmovementscanscarcelyseeusatall.Paul'smottomustbeours:"NotI,butChrist."

Mercury,also,inconsequenceofbeingsonearthesun,isapparentlytheleastunderstoodofanyoftheplanets.Ithas,perhaps,givenmoretroubletotheastronomersthananyothermemberof theheavenly family; theyhavepaidgreatattentiontoit,andtriedtofindoutallaboutit;buttheyhavehadaverydifficulttask,foritisgenerallylostinthesolarglory,andneverseeninadarkportionoftheheavens.So,Ibelieve,brethren,thatthe nearer we live to Christ, the greater mystery shall we be to allmankind. Themorewe are lost inHis brightness, the lesswill they beabletounderstandus.Ifwewerealwayswhatweshouldbe,menwouldseeinusanillustrationofthetext,"Yearedead,andyourlifeishidwithChrist in God." Like Mercury, we ought also to be so active in ourappointedorbitthatweshouldnotgiveobserverstimetowatchusinanyoneposition;andnext,weshouldbesoabsorbedinthegloryofChrist'spresence,thattheywouldnotbeabletoperceiveus.

WhenMercuryisseenfromtheearth,itisnevervisibleinitsbrightness,foritsfaceisalwaysturnedtowardsthesun.Iamafraidthat,wheneveranyofusareseenverymuch,weusuallyappearonlyasblackspots;whenthepreacherisveryprominentinasermon,thereisalwaysadarkness.Ilike gospel preaching to be allChrist, the Sunof righteousness, andnoblackspotatall;nothingofourselves,butalloftheLordJesus.If thereareanyinhabitantsofMercury,thesunmustappeartothemfourorfivetimesas largeashedoes tous; thebrightnesswouldbe insufferable to

oureyes.Itwouldbeaverysplendidsightifonecouldgazeuponit;andthus,theneareryougettoChrist,themoreyouseeofHim,andthemoreHegrowsinyouresteem.

ThenextplanettoMercuryisVENUS;itisabout66,000,000milesfromthe sun, and is a little smaller than the earth, its diameter being 7,510miles,comparedwithour7,975.Venusgoesroundthesunin225days,travelling at the rate of 80,000 miles an hour. When the Copernicansystem of astronomy was fairly launched upon the world, one of theobjectionstoitwasstatedthus:ItisclearthatVenusdoesnotgoroundthesun,because,ifitdoes,itmustpresentthesameaspectasthemoon,namely,itmustsometimesbeacrescent,atothertimesahalf-moon,oritmustassumetheformknownasgibbous,andsometimesitmustappearas a complete circle. But, said the objector, pointing to Venus, she isalwaysthesamesize;lookather,sheisnotatalllikethemoon.Thiswasadifficulty that someof the earlier astronomers could not explain; butwhenGalileowas able to turn his newlymade telescope to the planet,whatdidhediscover?Why,thatVenusdoespassthroughsimilarphasestothoseofthemoon!Wecannotalwaysseethewholeofitenlightened,yetIsuppose it is truethatthe lightofVenusalwaysappearsabout thesametous.Youwillperceiveinamomentwhythatis;whentheplanet'sface is turned toward us, it is at the greatest distance from the earth;consequently,thelightthatreachesusisnomorethanwhenitiscloset,buthasitsfaceatlastpartlyturnedawayfromus.Tomymind,the.twofacts are perfectly reconcilable; and so is it, I believe,with someof thedoctrines of grace that perplex certain people. They say, "How do youmakethesetwothingsagree?"Ireply,"IdonotknowthatIamboundtoprovehowtheyagree.IfGodhadtoldme,Iwouldtellyou;butasHehasnotdoneso,ImustleavethematterwheretheBibleleavesit."Imaynothavediscoveredtheexplanationofanyapparentdifferencebetweenthetwotruths,andyet,forallthat,thetwothingsmaybeperfectlyconsistentwithoneanother.

Venus is both themorning star and "the star of the evening, beautifulstar." It has been called Lucifer, andPhosphorus, the lightbringer, andalsoHesperus, the vesper star. You perhaps remember howMilton, inParadiseLost,referstothisdoublecharacterandofficeofVenus:

"Fairestofstars!lastinthetrainofnight,Ifbetterthoubelongnottothedawn;Surepledgeofday,thatcrown'stthesmilingmornWiththybrightcirclet:praisehiminthysphere,Whiledayarises,thatsweethourofprime."

Our Lord Jesus Christ calls Himself, "the bright and morning star."Whenever He comes into the soul, He is the sure harbinger of thateverlastinglightwhichshallgonomoredownforever.NowthatJesus,theSunofrighteousness,hasgonefromthegazeofman,youandImustbelikeeveningstars,keepingascloseaswecantothegreatcentralSun,and letting theworld knowwhat Jesuswas like by our resemblance toHim.DidHenotsaytoHisdisciples,"Yearethelightoftheworld"?

ThenextlittleplanetthatgoesroundthesunisTHEEARTH.Itsdistancefrom the sun varies from about ninety-two to ninety-five millions ofmiles.Donotbediscouraged,gentlemen, inyourhopesof reaching thesun, because you are nothing like so far away as the inhabitants ofSaturn; if thereare any residents there, they are about ten times as farfromthesunasweare.Still,IdonotsupposeyouwillevertakeaseatinSol's fiery chariot; at least,not inyourpresentembodied state; it is fartoowarm a place for you to be at home there. The earth is somewhatlarger thanVenus, and it takesmuch longer to go round the sun, it istwelvemonthsonits journey,or,speakingexactly,365days,6hours,9minutes,and10 seconds.Thisworld is a slow-going concern;and I amafraiditislesstothegloryofGodthananyotherworldthathehasmade.I have not seen it from a distance; but I should suspect that it nevershines anything like so brightly as Venus; for, through sin, a cloud ofdarkness has enveloped it. I suppose that, in the millennial days, thecurtainwillbedrawnback,andalightwillbethrownupontheearth,andthat itwill then shine to the glory ofGod like its sister stars that haveneverlosttheirpristinebrightness.Ithinktherehavebeensomecurtainsdrawnupalready;everysermon,fullofChrist,thatwepreach,rollsawaysome of themists and fogs from the surface of the planet; at any rate,morallyandspiritually,ifnotnaturally.

Still brethren, though the earth travels slowly, when compared withMercury and Venus, yet, as Galileo said, it doesmove, and at a pretty

goodrate,too.Idaresay,ifyouweretowalkfortwentyminutes,andyouknewnothingaboutthespeedatwhichtheearthistravelling,youwouldbesurprisedifIassuredyouthatyouhadinthatshortspaceoftimegonemore than 20,000miles; but it would be a fact. This book, which hasalreadygivenusmuchusefulinformation,says:"Itisatrulyastonishingthought that, awake,asleep,athome,abroad,weareconstantly carriedroundwiththeterrestrialmass,attherateofelevenmilesaminute,andare,atthesametime,travellingwithitinspacewithavelocityofsixty-sixthousandmilesanhour.Thus,during the twentyminutes consumed inwalkingamilefromourthresholds,wearesilentlyconveyedmorethantwentythousandmilesfromoneportionofspacetoanother;and,duringanightof eighthours' rest, or tossing to and fro,weareunconsciouslytranslated through an extent equal to twice the distance of the lunarworld."

Wedonottakeanynoticeofthismovement,andsoitisthatlittlethings,whicharenearandtangible,oftenseemmorenotablethangreatthingswhicharemoreremote.Thisworldimpressesmanymenwithfargreaterforcethantheworldtocomehaseverdone,becausetheylookonlyuponthethingsthatareseenandtemporal."But,"perhapsyousay,"wedonotfeel ourselves moving." No, but you are moving, although you are notconsciousofit.So,Ithinkthat,sometimes,whenabelieverinChristdoesnot feel himself advancing in divine things, he need not fret on thataccount; I am not certain that those who imagine themselves to begrowingspirituallyare reallydoingso.Perhaps theyareonlygrowingacancer somewhere; and its deadly fibres make them fancy there is agrowthwithinthem.Alas!sothereis;butitisagrowthuntodestruction.

Whenamanthinksthatheisafull-grownChristian,heremindsmeofapoorboywhomIusedtosee.Hehadsuchasplendidheadforhisbodythat he had often to lay it on a pillow, for it was too weighty for hisshoulderstocarry,andhismothertoldmethat,whenhetriedtostandup,heoften tumbleddown,overbalancedbyhisheavyhead.There aresomepeoplewho appear to grow very fast, but they havewater on thebrain, and are out of due proportion; but he who truly grows in gracedoesnotsay,"Dearme!IcanfeelthatIamgrowing;blesstheLord!Let'ssingahymn,I'magrowing!I'magrowing!"IhavesometimesfeltthatI

wasgrowingsmaller,brethren; I think that isverypossible,andagoodthing, too. Ifwe are very great in our own estimation, it is becausewehaveanumberofcancers,orfoulgatherings,thatneedtobelanced,soastoletoutthebadmatterthatcausesustoboastofourbigness.

It is a good thing thatwedonot feelourselvesmoving, for, as Ibeforereminded you, we walk by faith, not by sight. Yet I know that we aremoving,andIampersuadedthatIshallreturn,asnearlyas theearth'srevolutionpermits, to this exact spot this day twelvemonth. If they arelookingdownatme fromSaturn, theywill spymeout somewherenearthis same place, unless the Lord should come in the meantime, or heshouldcallmeuptobewithHim.

Ifwe did feel theworldmove, it would probably be because therewassomeobstructionintheheavenlyroad;butwegoonsosoftly,andgently,andquietly, thatwedonotperceive it. Ibelieve thatgrowth ingrace isverymuchafterthesamefashion.Ababegrows,andyetdoesnotknowthathegrows;theseedunconsciouslygrowsintheearth,andsowearedevelopinginthedivinelifeuntilwecometothefulnessofthestatureofmeninChristJesus.

WaitingupontheearthisTHEMOON.Inadditiontoherdutyasoneoftheplanetsrevolvingroundthesun,shehas the taskofattendingupontheearth,doingmuchuseful service for it, andatnight lighting itwithher great reflector-lamp, according to the allowance of oil she hasavailableforsheddingherbeamsuponus.Themoonalsooperatesupontheearthbyherpowersofattraction;andasthewateristhemoremobilepart of our planet, the moon draws it towards herself, so making thetides;andthosetideshelptokeepthewholeworld inhealthfulmotion;theyareasortoflife-bloodtoit.

Themoonundergoeseclipse,sometimesveryfrequently,andagreatdealmore often than the sun; and this phenomenon has occasioned muchterror.Amongsometribes,aneclipseofthemoonisanoccasionforthegreatest possible grief. Sir R. Schomberg thus describes a total lunareclipse inSanDomingo: "I stood alone upon the flat roof of the housewhich I inhabited, watching the progress of the eclipse. I pictured inimaginationthelivelyandextraordinaryscenewhichIoncewitnessedin

the interiorofGuiana, among the untutored and superstitious Indians,howtheyrushedoutoftheirhutswhenthefirstnewsoftheeclipsecame,gibberedintheirtongue,and,withviolentgesticulations,threwuptheirclenchedfiststowardsthemoon.When,asonthisoccasion,thediscwasperfectly eclipsed, they broke out in moanings, and sullenly squattedupon the ground, hiding their faces between their hands. The femalesremained,duringthisstrangescene,withintheirhuts.When,shininglikea sparkling diamond, the first portion of the moon, that haddisencumbered itself from the shadow, became visible, all eyes wereturned towards it. They spoke to each other with subdued voices; buttheir observations became louder and louder, and they quitted theirstoopingpositionasthelightincreased.Whenthebrightdiscannouncedthat the monster which wanted to stifle the Queen of Night had beenovercome, the great joy of the Indians was expressed in that peculiarwhoop, which, in the stillness of the night, may be heard for a greatdistance."

Wantoffaithcausesthemostextraordinaryfear,andproducesthemostridiculousaction.Amanwhobelievesthatthemoon,thoughtemporarilyhidden, will shine forth again, looks upon an eclipse as a curiousphenomenonworthy of his attention, and full of interest; but themanwhoreallyfearsthatGodisblowingoutthelightofthemoon,andthatheshallneverseeitsbrightraysanymore,feelsinastateofterribledistress.PerhapshewillactastheHindoosandsomeoftheAfricansdoduringaneclipse; they beat old drums, and blow bullocks' horns, and make allmanneroffrightfulnoises,tocausethedragonwhoissupposedtohaveswallowed the moon to vomit it up again. That is their theory of aneclipse, and they act accordingly; but once know the truth, and knowespecially the glorious truth that "All things work together for good tothemthatloveGod,tothemthatarethecalledaccordingtohispurpose,"andwe shall not be afraid of any dragon swallowing themoon, nor ofanythingelse that the fearsofmenhavemade them imagine. Ifweareignorant of the truth, every event that occurs, which may be readilyenough accounted for fromGod's point of view,may cause the utmostterror,anddriveus,perhaps,intothewildestfollies.

ThenextplanettotheearthisMARS;fieryMars,generallyshiningwitha

ruddy light. It used to be thought that the colour of Mars' "blood-redshield"wascausedbytheabsorptionofthesolarrays;butthis ideahasbeen refuted, and it is now believed to be due to the colour of its soil.Accordingtotheformeridea,anangryman,whoislikeMars,thegodofwar,mustbeonewhohasabsorbedallothercoloursforhisownuse,andonlyshowstheredraystoothers;whilethemoremodernnotion,thatthesoil of the planet gives it its distinctive colour, teaches us that, wherethereisafierynature,therewillbeawarlikeexhibitionofitunlessit isrestrainedbygrace.Marsisabout140,000,000milesfromthesun;itismuchsmaller thanourearth, itsequatorialdiameterbeing4,363miles.Travelling at the rate of 53,600 miles an hour, it takes 687 days tocompleteitsrevolutionroundthesun.

BetweentheorbitsofMarsandJupiter,thereisawidezone,inwhich,formanycenturies,noplanetswerevisible;buttheastronomerssaidwithinthemselves,"TheremustsurelybesomethingorotherbetweenMarsandJupiter."Theycouldnotfindanygreatplanets;butastelescopesbecamelarger,andmorepowerful,theyobservedthattherewasagreatnumberofASTEROIDSorPLANETOIDS,assometermthem.Idonotknowhowmanythereare,fortheyarelikesomeofourbrethren'sfamilies,theyaredaily increasing.Somehundredsof themhavealreadybeendiscovered;andby theaidof telescopicphotography,wemayexpect tohearof thefindingofmanymore.Thefirstasteroidwasidentifiedonthefirstdayofthe present century, and was named Ceres. Many of them have beencalled by female mythological names, I suppose because they are thesmallerplanets,and it is consideredgallant togive them ladies'names.Theyappeartovaryfromabout20to200milesindiameter;andmanyhave thought that they are the fragments of some planet that oncerevolved between Mars and Jupiter, but that has been blown up, andgonetopiecesinageneralwreck.

Those meteoric stones, which sometimes fall to the earth, but whichmuchmore frequently,atcertainseasonsof theyear,areseenshootingacross themidnight sky,may also be fragments of the aforesaidworldwhichhasperished.Atallevents,sincethefathersfellasleep,all thingshavenotcontinuedas theywere; therehavebeenchanges in thestarryworldtoletmenknowthatotherchangeswillyetcome.Theseblocksof

meteoricmatterare flying throughspace,andwhen theygetwithin therangeofouratmospherethereisanopposingmedium;theyhavetodrivethroughitatanenormousrapidity,andsotheybecomeburninghot,andthus they become visible. And, in likemanner, I believe that there areplenty of good men in the world who are invisible till they get to beopposed,andbeingopposed,andhavingtheloveofGoddrivingthemonwith tremendous momentum, they become red-hot with holy fervour,theyovercomeallopposition,andthentheybecomevisibletotheeyeofmankind.Formypart,Iratherliketopassthroughanopposingmedium.Ithinkthatweallwanttotravelinthatkindofatmospherejusttogiveusthesacredfrictionthatwillfullydevelopthepowerswithwhichwehavebeenentrusted.IfGodhasgivenusforce,itisnotatallabadthingforustobeputwherethereisopposition,becauseweshallnotbestoppedbyit,butshallbythatveryprocessbemadetoshineallthebrighteraslightsintheworld.

Beyondthespacewhich isoccupiedby theasteroids, is themagnificentplanet,JUPITER,thebrighteststarwhichwesee,exceptVenus;andyethe is very, very far away. His mean distance from the sun is about475,000,000miles;thatis,morethanfivetimesasfaroffasweare.Evenhere,wearesofarawaythatwedonotoftenseethesun;butJupiterisfive times as far from the sun, and it takes him 4,333 days, or nearlytwelveofouryears,togoroundthegreatluminary,travellingataspeedof27,180miles anhour.The reasonwhy Jupiter is sobright is, partly,becauseofhisgreatsize,forheisnearly90,000milesindiameter,whilethe earth is less than 8,000, and itmay be partly because he is betterconstitutedfor reflecting,orelse,at thatdistance,hismagnitudewouldnot avail him.And brethren, if you and I are put in difficult positions,whereweseemtobeunabletoshinetothegloryofGod,wemustasktheLordspeciallytoconstituteussothatwecanbetterreflecthisbrightness,andsoproduceasgoodaneffectasourbrethrenwhoareplacedinmorefavourablepositions.

Jupiter is attended by four moons.** These satellites were discoveredsoonafterthe inventionof thetelescope;yet therewereseveralpersonswhowouldnotbelieveintheirexistence,andoneofourexcellentfriends,theJesuits, of course,was strongest inhisdetermination thathenever

would, by anyprocess, be convincedof thatwhichothers knew tobe afact.Hewasaskedtolookthroughatelescopeinordertoseethatitwasreallyso;buthedeclinedbecausehesaidthat,perhaps, ifhedidso,hewouldbeobligedtobelieveit;andashehadnodesiretodoso,herefusedtolook.Aretherenotsomewhoactthustowardthetruthsofrevelation?Sometimeafter,theJesuitfellundertheangerofgoodKepler,andbeingconvinced that he was in the wrong, he went to the astronomer, andbegged his pardon. Kepler told him that he would forgive him, but hewouldhavetoinflictapenanceuponhim."Whatwillitbe?"heenquired."Why,"saidKepler,"youmustlookthroughthattelescope."ThatwasthedirestpunishmenttheJesuitcouldpossiblyreceive;for,whenhelookedthroughtheinstrument,hewasobligedtosaythathedidseewhathehadformerlydenied,andhewasobligedtoexpresshisconvictionofthetruthoftheastronomer'steaching.So,sometimes,tomakeamanseethetruthisaveryseverepenaltytohim.Ifhedoesnotwanttoseeit,itisagoodthingtocompelhimtolookatit.Thereareagreatmanybrethren,whoarenotJesuits,andwhoyetarenotanxioustoknowthewholetruth;butI hope that you and I, Brethren,will always desire to learn all that theLordhasrevealedinHisWord.

ThiswastheargumentofSizzi,anastronomerofsomenote,whotriedtoprovethatJupiter'smoonscouldnotexist.Iwonderwhetheryoucanseetheflawinit:"Therearesevenwindowsgiventoanimalsinthedomicileof the head, throughwhich the air is admitted to the tabernacle of thebody, to enlighten, towarm, and to nourish it; whichwindows are theprincipalpartsof themicrocosm,or littleworld, twonostrils, twoeyes,twoears,andonemouth.So,intheheavens,asinamicrocosm,orgreatworld, there are two favourable stars, Jupiter and Venus; twounpropitious,MarsandSaturn; two luminaries, the sunand themoon;and Mercury alone undecided and indifferent, from which, and frommanyotherphenomenaofnature,suchasthesevenmetals,etc.,whichitwere tedious to enumerate, we gather that the number of planets isnecessarilyseven.Moreover,thesatellitesareinvisibletothenakedeye,and therefore can exercise no influence over the earth, and thereforewould be useless, and therefore do not exist. Besides, as well the Jewsand other ancient nations, as modern Europeans, have adopted thedivision of the week into seven days, and have named them from the

sevenplanets.Now,ifweincreasethenumberoftheplanets,thiswholesystemfallstotheground."

Ithink,brethren,thatIhaveheardthesamekindofargumentadvancedmanytimeswithreferencetospiritualmatters;thatis,anargumentfromtheoryagainst fact;but factswill alwaysoverturn theoriesall theworldover,onlythat,sometimes, it takesagoodwhilebeforethefactscanbeabsolutelyproved.

It isasingular thing,andanother instanceof thepowerandwisdomofGod,thatthoughthesatellitesofJupiterareconstantlybeingeclipsed,asisnaturalenoughfromtheirrapidrevolutionsaroundhim,yet theyareneverall eclipsedatone time.Onemoonmaybeeclipsed,andperhapsanother,oreventhreeoutofthefour;butthereisalwaysoneleftshining;and,inlikemanner,GodnevertakesawayallthecomfortofHispeopleatonce,thereisalwayssomerayoflighttocheerthem.

There is a great deal more to be learned from Jupiter; but havingintroduced you to him, Iwill leave you to examine him for yourselves,andtogetallyoucanoutofhim.

Far, far beyond Jupiter is SATURN. That respectable planet has beenvery much slandered, but I am happy to inform you that he does notdeservesuchtreatment.Heisnearly900,000,000milesfromthesun.Iwonderwhetheranybrotherhere,withalargemind,hasanyideaofwhatamillionis;Idonotsupposethathehas,andIamsurethatIhavenot.Ittakesavastdealofthinkingtocomprehendwhatamillionmeans;buttorealize what is meant by a million miles, is altogether beyond one'smentalgrasp.Amillionpinswouldbesomethingenormous;butamillionmiles!Andherewearetalkingofninehundredmillionsofmiles;well,IgiveupallthoughtofunderstandingwhatthatissolongasIaminthisfinitestate.Why,whenyouspeakofninehundredmillions,youmightaswell say nine hundred billions at once; for the one term is almost asincomprehensibleastheother;andyet,pleasetorecollect thatthisvastspaceistoourgreatGodonlyamerehand's-breadthcomparedwiththeimmeasurableuniversethathehascreated.

IsaidthatSaturnhadbeengreatlyslandered,andsohehas.Youknow

that we have, in our English language, the word "saturnine", as a veryuncomplimentary description of certain individuals. When a man ispraisedforbeingveryheartyandgenial,heissaidtobejovial,inallusionto Jove, or Jupiter, the brightly-shining planet; but a person of anopposite temperament is called saturnine, because it is supposed thatSaturn is a dull planet, dreadfully dreary, and that his influences aremalignantandbaneful. If youhave read someof theastrologicalbookswhichIhavehadthepleasureofstudying,youhavetherebeentoldthat,ifyouhadbeenbornundertheinfluenceofSaturn,youmightalmostaswellhavebeenbornundertheinfluenceofSatan,foritwillcometoaboutthe same thing in the end. He is supposed to be a very slow sort ofindividual,hissymbol is thehieroglyphicof lead;buthe isreallyaverylightandbuoyantpersonage.Hisdiameterisaboutninetimesasgreatasthatoftheearth,andwhileinvolumeheisequalto746worldsaslargeasours, his weight is only equal to 92 such globes. The densities of theplanetsappeartodiminishaccordingtotheirdistancefromthesun,notinregularproportion,butstillverylargelyso;andthereseemstobenoreasonwhy thosewhich aremost remote, and travel slowly, should bemade so dense as those which are nearer the central orb, and revolvemorequicklyaroundhim.

Thisusefulvolume,fromwhichIhavealreadygivenyouseveralextracts,says: "Instead, therefore, of sinking like lead in the mighty waters, hewould float upon the liquid, if an ocean could be found sufficientlycapacious to receive him. John Goad, the well-known astro-meteorologist,declaredtheplanetnottobesuchaplumbeousblue-nosedfellowasallantiquityhadbelieved,and theworldstill supposed.But itwastheworkofothers toprove it.Forsix thousandyearsorso,Saturnconcealed his personal features, interesting family, and strangeappurtenances,--the magnificent out-buildings of his house,--from theknowledgeofmankind.Buthewascaughtatlastbyalittletube,pointedathimfromaslopeoftheApennines,theholderofwhich,ininvadinghisprivacy,carednottoask leave,anddeemeditno intrusion."Whenthat"little tube"was turneduponhim,hewas found tobeamostbeautifulplanet,oneof themostvariedandmostmarvellousofall theplanetaryworlds.

Takethatasanillustrationofthefalsenessofslander,andofhowsomepersonsare verymuchbemiredandbespatteredbecausepeopledonotknowthem.Thisplanet,whichwassodespised,turnedouttobeaverybeautiful object indeed; and, instead of being very dull, and what thewordsaturnineusuallymeans,heisbrightandglorious.Saturnalsohasnolessthaneightsatellitestoattendhim;and,inaddition,hehasthreemagnificentrings,ofwhichTennysonhassung:

"Stillas,whileSaturnwhirls,hissteadfastshadeSleepsonhisluminousrings."

Saturn has only about a hundredth part of the light from the sun ascompared with what we receive; and yet, I suppose, the atmospheremightbesoarrangedthathemighthaveasmuchsolarlightaswehave;buteveniftheatmosphereisofthesamekindasours,SaturnwouldstillhaveasmuchlightaswehaveinanordinaryLondonfog.Iamspeaking,of course, of the light from the sun; but then we cannot tell whatilluminating power the Lord may have put in the planet himself; andbeside that,hehashis eightmoons, andhis three shining rings,whichhaveabrilliancethatwecannoteitherimagineordescribe.Whatmustitbe to see a marvellous arch of light rising to a height of 37,570milesabovetheplanet,andhavingtheenormousspanof170,000miles!IfyouwereattheequatorofSaturn,youwouldonlyseetheringsasanarrowbandoflight;butifyoucouldjourneytowardsthepoles,youwouldseeabove you a tremendous arch, blazingwith light, like some of the vastreflectorsthatyouseehungupinlargebuildingswheretheycannotgetsufficientsunlight.Thereflectorhelpstogatheruptheraysoflight,andthrowthemwheretheyareneeded;andIhavenodoubtthattheseringsact like reflectors to Saturn. Itmust be a wonderful world to live in ifthereareinhabitantsthere;theygetcompensationswhichfullymakeupfortheirdisadvantagesinbeingsofarawayfromthesun.Soisit inthespiritualworld,whattheLordwithholdsinonedirectionhemakesupinanother; and thosewho are far removed from themeans of grace, andChristian privileges, have an inward light and joy, which others, withgreaterapparentadvantages,mightalmostenvy.

Journeying again in the heavens, far, far beyond Saturn, we come toURANUS,orHERSCHEL,asitissometimescalled,aftertheastronomer

whodiscoveredit in1781.ThemeandistanceofUranusfromthesunisbelieved to be about 1,754,000,000 miles; I give you the figures, butneitheryounor I canhave the slightest conceptionof thedistance theyrepresent.TobeanobserverstandingonUranus,thesunwouldprobablyappearonlyasa far-awayspeckof light;yet theplanet revolvesaroundthesunatabout15,000milesanhour,andoccupiesabouteighty-fourofouryearsincompletingonejourney.Uranusissaidtobeequalinvolumeto seventy-three or seventy-four earths, and to be attended by fourmoons.IdonotknowmuchaboutUranus, thereforeIdonot intendtosaymuchabouthim.

Thatmayserveasanillustrationofthelessonthatamanhadbettersayaslittleaspossibleconcerninganythingofwhichheknowsonlyalittle;andthatisalessonwhichmanypeopleneedtolearn.Forinstance,thereareprobablymoreworksontheBookofRevelationthanuponanyotherpartoftheScriptures,and,withtheexceptionofjustafew,theyarenotworth the paper on which they are printed. Then, next to the Book ofRevelation, in this respect, is the Book of Daniel; and because it is sodifficult to explain, many men have written upon it, but as a rule theresult of their writing has been that they have only confuted andcontradicted one another. Let us, brethren, preachwhatwe know; andsaynothingofthatofwhichweareignorant.

We have gone a long way, in imagination, in travelling to the planetUranus; butwehavenot yet completed our afternoon's journey. Itwasobserved by certain astronomers that the orbit of Uranus some timesdeviatedfromthecoursetheyhadmarkedintheirchartoftheheavens;andthisconvincedthemthattherewasanotherplanetarybody,notthendiscovered,whichwas exerting an unseen but powerful influence uponUranus.

Thisfact,thatthesehugeworlds,withsomanymillionsofmilesofspacebetweenthem,doretardoraccelerateeachother'smovements,istomeabeautifulillustrationoftheinfluencethatyouandIhaveuponourfellow-men.Whether consciously or unconsciously, we either impede aman'sprogressinthepaththatleadstoGod,orelsewequickenhismarchalongtheheavenwardway."Noneofuslivethtohimself."

The astronomers came to the conclusion that there must be anotherplanet,previously unknown to them, thatwasdisturbing themotionofUranus. Unknown to one another, an Englishman, Mr. Adams, ofCambridge, andaFrenchman,M.Leverrier, set towork to findout thepositioninwhichtheyexpectedtheheavenlybodytobediscovered,andtheir calculations brought them to almost identical results. When thetelescopes were pointed to that part of the heavens where themathematicalastronomersbelievedtheplanetwouldbefound,itwasatoncediscovered,shiningwithapaleandyellowlight,andwenowknowitbythenameofNEPTUNE.

Thevolumebeforemethusspeaksofthetwomethodsoffindingaplanet,theoneworkerusingthemostpowerfultelescope,andtheothermakingmathematicalcalculations:"Todetectaplanetbytheeye,ortotrackittoitsplacebythemind,areactsasincommensurableasthoseofmuscularand intellectual power. Recumbent on his easy chair, the practicalastronomerhasbut to look through the cleft inhis revolvingcupola, inorder to trace the pilgrim star in its course; or, by the application ofmagnifying power, to expand its tiny disc, and thus transfer it fromamong its sidereal companions to the planetary domains. The physicalastronomer, on the contrary, has. no such auxiliaries: he calculates atnoon,when the stars disappear under ameridian sun; he computes atmidnight, when clouds and darkness shroud the heavens; and fromwithin that cerebral domewhich has no opening heavenwards, and noinstrumentbuttheeyeofreason,heseesinthedisturbingagenciesofanunseenplanet,uponaplanetbyhimequallyunseen,theexistenceofthedisturbing agent, and from the nature and amount of its action hecomputesitsmagnitude,andindicatesitsplace."

Whatagrandthingisreason!Farabovethemeresenses,andthenfaithishighabovereason;only,inthecaseofthemathematicalastronomerofwhomwearethinking,reasonwasakindoffaith.Heargued,"God'slawsareso-and-soandso-and-so.ThisplanetUranusisbeingdisturbed,someotherplanetmusthavedisturbedit,soIwillsearchandfindoutwhereheis;"andwhenhisintricatecalculationswerecompleted,heputhisfingeronNeptune as readily as a detective lays his hand on a burglar, and agreatdealsooner;indeed,itseemstomethatit isofteneasiertofinda

starthantocatchathief.

Neptunehadlongbeenshiningbeforehewasdiscoveredandnamed;andyou and I, brethren, may remain unknown for years, and possibly theworldmayneverdiscoverus;but I trust thatour influence, like thatofNeptune,willbefeltandrecognized,whetherweareseenofmen,oronlyshineinsolitarysplendourtothegloryofGod.

Well, we have travelled in thought as far as Neptune, which is about2,748,000,000milesfromthesun;and,standingthere,welookoverintospace,andtherearemyriads,andmyriads,andmyriadsofmilesinwhichthereappeartobenomoreplanetsbelongingtothesolarsystem.Theremaybeothersthathavenotbeendiscoveredyet;but,asfarasweknow,beyondNeptunethereisagreatgulffixed.

There are, however, what I may call "leapers" in the system, which,without the use of a pole, are able to cross this gulf; they are THECOMETS. These comets are, as a rule, so thin,--a mere filmy mass ofvapour,--thatwhentheycomeflashingintooursystem,andrushingoutagain,astheydo,theyneverdisturbthemotionofaplanet.Andtherearesometerrestrialcometsabout,thatIknow,thatgotovarioustowns,andblaze away for a time; but they have no power to disturb the planetsrevolving there in their regular course. The power of a man does notconsist in rushing to and fro, like a comet, but in steadily shining yearafteryear likea fixed star.TheastronomerHalley says, "If youwere tocondensea cometdown to the thicknessof theordinaryatmosphere, itwouldnotfillasquareinchofspace."Sothinisacomet,thatyoumightlookthroughfivethousandmilesofit,andseejustaseasilyasifitwerenot there. It iswell to be transparent, brethren; but I hope youwill bemoresubstantialthanmostofthecometsofwhichwehaveheard.

Cometscomewithgreatregularity,thoughtheyseemtobeveryirregular.Halley prophesied that the comet of 1682, of which little had beenpreviouslyknown,wouldreturnatregularintervalsofaboutseventy-fiveyears. He knew that he would not live to see its reappearance; but heexpressed the hope that when it did return, his prophecy might beremembered. Various astronomers were looking out for it, and theyhoped itmight arrive at the time foretold, because, otherwise, ignorant

people would not believe in astronomy. But the comet came back allright;sotheirmindsweresetatrest,andHalley'spredictionwasverified.

Amongthestoriesconcerningcomet-watching,thereisonethatcontainsanillustrationandalessonalso."Messier,whohadacquiredthenameofthe comet-hunter, from the number he discovered, was particularlyanxiousupontheoccasion.Ofgreatsimplicityofcharacter,hiszealaftercometswas often displayed in the oddestmanner.While attending thedeath-bed of hiswife, and necessarily absent fromhis observatory, thediscoveryofonewassnatchedfromhimbyMontaignedeLimoges.Thiswasagrievousblow.Avisitorbegantoofferhimconsolationonaccountof his recent bereavement, when Messier, thinking only of the comet,answered,Ihaddiscoveredtwelve;alas,toberobbedofthethirteenthbythat Montaigne! But instantly recollecting himself, he exclaimed, Ah!cettepauvrefemme!andwentondeploringwifeandcomettogether."Heevidently lived so much in the heavens that he forgot his wife; and ifsciencecansometimescarryamanawayfromallthetrialsofthismortallife,surelyourheavenlylifeoughttoliftusupaboveallthedistractionsandcaresthatafflictus.

Thereturnofacometisfrequentlyannouncedwithgreatcertainty.Thisparagraphappearedinanewspaper:"Onthewhole,itmaybeconsideredas tolerably certain that the comet will become visible in every part ofEurope about the latter end of August, or the beginning of Septembernext.Itwillmostprobablybedistinguishablebythenakedeye,likeastarof the firstmagnitude,butwithaduller light than thatofaplanet,andsurrounded with a pale nebulosity, which will slightly impair itssplendour.On thenight of the 7th ofOctober, the cometwill approachthewell-knownconstellationoftheGreatBear;andbetweenthatandthe11th, it will pass directly through the seven conspicuous stars of thatconstellation. Towards the close of November, the comet will plungeamong theraysof thesun,anddisappear,andnot issue fromthem,onthe other side, until the end of December. This prospectus of themovements of a body, invisible at the time, millions of miles away, isnearly as definite as the early advertisements of coaching betweenLondon and Edinburgh. Let us now place the observations of the eyealongsidetheanticipationsofscience,andweshallfindthatsciencehas

provedalmostabsolutelycorrect."

Justthinkofthecalculations,gentlemen,thatwerenecessary,for,thoughacometdoesnotinterferewiththecourseofaplanet,aplanetinterferesvery considerably with the course of a comet; so that, in theircalculations, the astronomers had to recollect the track in which thecometwouldhavetotravel.Thinkingofhimasaway-worntraveller,weremember that he will have to go by Neptune's bright abode, andNeptunewillbesuretogivehimacupoftea;thenhewilljourneyonasfarasUranus,andputupforthenightthere;inthemorning,hewillpayanearlyvisittoSaturn,andhewillstaythereforbreakfast;hewilldinewithJupiter;byandbyhewillreachMars,andtherewillbesuretobearowthere;andhewillbegladwhenhegetstoVenus,and,ofcourse,hewill be detained by her charms. You will, therefore, very readily see,gentlemen,thatthecalculationsastothereturnofacometareextremelydifficult,andyettheastronomersdoestimate the time toanicety.Thisscienceisaverymarvellousone,notonlyforwhatitreveals,butforthetalentwhichitbringsout,andthelessonsitcontinuallyteachesusaboutthewonderfulworksofourgreatFather.

We have done with the solar system, and even with those interloperswhich come to us every now and then from far remote systems, for acomet, I suppose, is only seen for a month, or a week, and thensometimes does not reappear for hundreds of years. Where have theygone all that while? Well, they have gone somewhere, and they areservingthepurposeof theGodwhomadethem,Idaresay;but, formyownpart,IwouldnotliketobeacometinGod'ssystem.Iwouldliketohavemyfixedplace,andkeeponshiningfortheLordthere.IhavelivedinLondonforagoodmanyyears,andIhaveseenmanycometscomeandgoduringthattime.Oh,thegreatlights1haveseenrushby!Theyhavegone off into some unknown sphere, as comets usually do. I havegenerally noticed that, whenmen are going to do so muchmore thaneverybodyelse,andtheyaresoamazinglypompousoverit,theirhistoryis usually pretty accurately described by that simple simile of going uplikearocket,andcomingdownlikeastick.

Idonotknowwhetheryoucan,inimagination,leanoverthebattlementsofthislittlesolarsystem,andseewhatthereisbeyondit.Donotnarrow

yourminds, gentlemen, toa fewhundredmillionsofmiles! If you lookout fora longway indeed,youwillbegin toseeastar. I shouldonlybeutteringmeaninglesswordsifItoldyouitsdistancefromus;yetthereareothers, of those that we are able to see, that are almost immeasurablyfartheraway.Theyhavetakenadealoftroubletosendusarayof lightsuchavastdistance,toinformusthattheyaregettingonverywell,andthat, though they are at such a distance from us, they still enjoythemselvesasbesttheycaninourabsence.

These stars, as the common people look at them, seem to be scatteredaboutintheheavens,aswesay,"anyhow."Ialwaysadmirethatcharmingvariety;andIamthankfultoGodthathehasnotsetthestarsinstraightlines, likerowsofstreet-lamps.Onlythink,brethren,howitwouldbeifwelookedupatnight,andsawthestarsallarrangedinrows,likepinsona paper! Bless the Lord, it is not so! He just took a handful of brightworlds, and scattered them about the sky, and they dropped intomostbeautiful positions, so that people say, "There is the Great Bear;" and,"That is Charles's Wain," and every countryman knows the Reaping-hook.Haveyounotseenit,brethren?Otherssay,"ThatistheVirgin,andthatistheRam,andthatistheBull,"andsoon.

Ithinkthatnamingofthevariousconstellationsisverylikeagooddealofmysticalpreachingthatthereisnowadays.Thepreacherssay,"Thatisso-and-so,andthatisso-and-so."Well,perhapsitisso;butIdonotseeit.Youmayimagineanythingyoulikeintheconstellationsoftheheavens.Ihave pictured a fortress in the fire, andwatched it being built up, andseenlittlesoldierscomeandpullitalldown.Youcanseeanythinginthefire,andinthesky,andintheBible,ifyouliketolookforitinthatway;youdonotsee it inreality, it isonlya freakofyour imagination.Therearenobullsandbearsintheheavens.Theremaybeavirgin,butshe isnot to beworshipped as theRomanists teach. I hope you all know thepole-star;yououghtalsotoknowthepointers;theypointtothepole-star,andthatisjustwhatweoughttodo,todirectthepoorslavesofsinandSatantothetrueStarofliberty,ourLordandSaviour,JesusChrist.

ThentherearethePleiades;almostanybodycantellyouwheretheyare.Theyareaclusterofapparentlylittlestars,buttheyareintenselybright.Theyteachmethat,ifIamaverylittleman,Imusttrytobeverybright;

ifIcannotbelikeAldebaran,orsomeofthebrightestgemsofthesky,ImustbeasbrightasIcaninmyownparticularsphere,andbeasusefulthereasifIwereastarofthefirstmagnitude.Then,ontheothersideofthe globe, they look up to the Southern Cross. I dare say one of ourbrethren from Australia will give you a private lecture upon thatconstellation.ItisverybeautifultothinkoftheCrossbeingtheguideofthemariner; it is thebestguideanyonecanhave,eitherthissideof thetropics,ortheother.

Beside the stars, there are vast luminous bodies which are calledNEBULAE.Insomepartsoftheheavens,thereareenormousmassesoflight-matter;theyweresupposedbysometobethematerialoutofwhichworlds were made. These were the lumps of mortar, out of which,according to the old atheistic theory, worlds grew by some singularprocessofevolution;butwhenHerschelturnedhistelescopeuponthem,he very soonput thenoseof that theory out of joint, for hediscoveredthatthesenebulaeweresimplyenormousmassesofstars,suchmyriadsuponmyriadsofmilesaway,that,tooursight,theylookedjustlikealittledustoflight.

Therearemanywonderfulthingstobelearnedaboutthestars,towhichIhope youwill give your earnest attention as you have the opportunity.Amongtherestisthisfact,thatsomestarshaveceasedtobevisibletous.TychoBrahé said that, ononeoccasionhe foundanumber of villagerslookingupat thesky;and,onasking themwhytheyweregazingat theheavens,theytoldhimthatanewstarhadsuddenlyappeared.Itshonebrightlyforafewmonths,andthenvanished.Manytimes,astarryworldhasseemedtoturnred,asifitwereonfire;ithasapparentlyburned,andblazed away, and then disappeared.. Kepler, writing concerning such aphenomenon,says:"Whatitmayportendishardtodetermine;andthusmuchonlyiscertain,thatitcomestotellmankindeithernothingatall,orhighandweightynews,quitebeyondhumansenseandunderstanding."Inallusiontotheopinionsofsome,whoexplainedthenovelobjectbytheEpicurean doctrine of a fortuitous combination of atoms, he remarks,withcharacteristicoddity,yetgoodsense,"Iwilltellthesedisputants,myopponents, notmyopinion, butmywife's. Yesterday,whenwearywithwriting, andmymind quite dusty with considering these atoms, I was

calledto supper, anda salad that Ihadasked forwas setbeforeme. Itseems,then,saidI,aloud,thatifpewterdishes,leavesoflettuce,grainsofsalt, drops ofwater, vinegar, andoil, and slices of egg, hadbeen flyingaboutintheairfromalleternity,itmightatlasthappen,bychance,thattherewouldcomeasalad.Yes,saysmywife,butnotonesoniceorwelldressedasthiswhichIhavemadeforyou."

SoI should think;and if the fortuitouscombinationofatomscouldnotmakea salad, it isnot very likely that they couldmakeaworld. I onceasked a man, who said that the world was a fortuitous concourse ofatoms,"Haveyoueverchancedtohavenomoney,andtobeawaywhereyou knew nobody who would give you a dinner?" He replied, "Yes, Ihave." "Well, then," said I, "did it ever happen to you that a fortuitousconcourseofatomsmadealegofmuttonforyou,withsomeniceboiledturnips, and caper sauce, for your dinner?" "No," he said, "it has not.""Well,"Ianswered,"a legofmutton,atanyrate,evenwith turnipsandcapersauceincluded,isaneasierthingtomakethanoneoftheseworlds,likeJupiterorVenus."

Wearetold,intheWordofGod,thatonestardifferethfromanotherstaringlory;yetonethatissmallmaygivemorelighttousthanalargerstarwhichisfartheraway.Somestarsarewhatiscalledvariable,theyappearlargeratonetimethananother.Algol, in theheadofMedusa, isof thiskind.Weare toldthat"Thestar,at thebrightest,appearsof thesecondmagnitude,andremainsso forabout twodays, fourteenhours. Its lightthen diminishes, and so rapidly, that in three and a half hours it isreduced to the fourthmagnitude. Itwears this aspect rathermore thanfifteen minutes, then increases, and in three and a half hours moreresumesitsformerappearance."Iamafraidthatmanyofusarevariablestars; if we do sometimes wax dim, it will be well if we regain ourbrightnessasquicklyasAlgoldoes.Thentherearethousandsofdoublestars.Ihopethatyouwilleachgetawifewhowillalwaysshinewithyou,andnevereclipseyou, foradoublestarmaybeverybrightatonetime,and sometimes be eclipsed altogether. There are also triple stars, orsystems,andquadruplesystems,andthereare,insomecases,hundredsor thousands all spinning round one another, and around their centralluminaries.Wonderfulcombinationsofgloryandbeautymaybeseenin

thestellarsky;andsomeofthesestarsarered,someblue,someyellow,allthecoloursoftherainbowarerepresentedinthem.Itwouldbeverywonderful to live inoneof them,andto lookacrossthesky,andseeallthegloriesoftheheavensthatGodhasmade.Onthewhole,however,forthepresent,Iamquitecontenttoabideuponthislittleplanet,especiallyasIamnotabletochangeitforanotherhome,untilGodsowillsit.

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*The Heavens and the Earth. A popular Handbook of Astronomy. ByThomas Milner, M.A., F.R.G.S. Religious Tract Society. (Now out ofprint.)

**InSeptember, 1892, a fifth satellitewasdiscovered through thegreattelescope at the Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton, California.TheVoicesoftheStars.ByJ.E.Walker,M.A.ElliotStock.