Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-09-09
HOW no tiHTGODD PREACHING

is feryent and his mind enlightened by the Hol,
Spirit which is given in answer to prayer.-"Pra,
for u.s. said Paul to the church at Ephesus, 'tha
utterance may be given unto me, that l may opel
nv mouth boldly to make known the mystery o
the Gospel" If Paul. with all his extraordinary
gifts, felt his need Of the prayers of Christians thai
he might preach as he ought how much more dC
uninspired ministers need such prayers. Before
you complain, that the discourse delivered by your
pastor, was dry and uniuteresting, put to yourself
the question-'Dd during the week earnestly
pray for him, that the Holy Sp rit would enable
him to preach the wOrd?' If you did not, then
repent of your own sin, before you complain of the
sermon. A praying church will make preaching
minister.
Pray for yourSs.f for yOur brsthren, and for he
impeateat. PRAY for yourself; for as the minister
cannot preach without the Holy Spirit so you can
not hear profiably without the same influence. The
mind divinely Illuminated sees the excellency of
divine truth; and the warm heart feels its power.
The same discourse which at one time would be
] heard with little or no interest, would at another
time be exceedingly refreshing.-Nay, you must
do more than pray. You must gather in your
thoughts frcm their wanderings abroad, dismiss
worldly cares from your mind, and get your mind
and heart in a state to hear the truth. Read the
parable of the sower and learn how often the state
of the heart destroys the power Of divine truth
Pry for oilers. For it is easy to preach to en-
lighteued minds aid warm hears, and to anxious
sinners; but it is truly difficult to preach good
sermon to an inattentive or lukewarm eoDgrega.
tion. OAly think, Christian reader, how much
the character of the preaching and the success of
the Gospel depend upon your earnest prayer.
Be constant hearer and doer Of the i0ord. Your
pastor can prepare better Sermon if he his reason
to believe that little rain, or cold, some matter
Of curiosity, will not deta;u his people from the
house Of God; and he can preach it better, when
as be looks over the church, the presence and the
countenances of bis people seem to say, Thou hast
well done that thou art come. Now, therefore, we
are all here present before Cod to hear all things
that are commanded thee of Goa" Few things
are more discouraging to a faithful pastor, than
to look over the congregation and find one-fourtb
OF one-third of the members Of bis church absent
without any good reason. Such discouragements
ministers are accustomed to, particularly in the
services during The leeek, such as prayer-meetings,
lectures. and sacramental meetings The pastor
knows that his people could generally attend. if
the love Of the word were not more powerful in
their hearts, than the love of Christ. Their alb
sence, therefore, is proof positive that his Iabors
are of little advantage to them.
Bat still more disheartcning is it, when the pas
tor finds the great majority, or large proportion
Of his people little more than hearers. They are
net ehargable with any immortality; but they do
nothing to promote tie cause of Christ. They
seem to give as reluctantly, as many who make no
profession and they viii not deny themselves that
they may be instruments in winning souls to Christ.
The wicked are Jealous in opposing truth and right
eousness but these professed friends of Christ have
little or no zeal. But what an encouragement to
the pastor to preach when he finds his people ready
to hear aud obey the word. Tie knows he is not
laboring in vain; and he IS confident God viii
bless the church. Forit is wrtten-"WhOsO look
eth into the perfect law OF liberty, and coninueth
therein, he being not forgetful hearer, but doer
of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed"
Let the means now suggested be tried; and see
HuttuSl SlCttI IA ptCdChtlE "
your pastor will not be witnessed But you say
Il am but an obscure individual and what can /
do?" You know not the value Of the prayers of
single faithful soul; nor DO you know how it re-
freshes and encourages the heart of devoted min
lister to find even one earnest soul in his church
A little leaven, he hopes, will leaven the lumr.
But whatever else may happen, it Is great ma
Il. :, 81, i Lco. 4La Id s.IT
DONE good and faithful servant" Let the unfaith
funess of Others excite you to greater diligence
st. Louis Presbyterian
WAYS OF CoMMITrINa SUIcrDE.-Wearing thin
shoes on damp nights in rainy weather.
Building on the 'air-tight" principle.
Leading life of enleeblng, stupid laziness, and
keeping the mind in round of unnatural excite
ment by reading trashy novels.
Going to balls in all sorts of weather in the
thinest possible dress. Dancing till in q complete
perspiration, aud then goirg home through the
damp air.
Sleeping on feather beds in seven by nine bed
rooms
surfeiting on hot and very highly stimulating
dinners.
Beginning IN Childhood on tea, and gong on
from one step to another, through coffee, chewing
tobacco, smoking and drinking.
Marrying in haste, getting an uncongenial com
panion, and living the rest off in mental dis |
satisfaction
Keeping children quiet by teaching them to
suck candy.
Eating without time to masticate the food.
Allowing love of gain to SO absorb our nj nds, |
as to leave no time to attend to our health.
Following an unhealthy occupation because |
money can be made by it.
Tempting the appetite with niceties when the |
stomach says no.
Coniriving TO keep in a continual worry about /
something or nothing.
Retrir at midnight and rising at noon.
GOrmandiZHg between mra!s.
Giving way to fits of anger.
Negiecring TO take proper care of ourselves when |
q simple disease first appears.
MARIIAGE.-We clip from DR.. Edward ThOmp /
sons Letters from England, the following racy
remarks on the different views which obtain rcspec
ting marriage:
One says
81 wish to take advice about Il serious matter