True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-05-26
MISCELLANY.
Paragraphs for Preachers.

| NGHDoM Or OPlNION' nc
man for not thinking as you think. Lei
every one enjoy the full and free liberty
OF thinking for himself. Let every man
use his own judgment, since every man
must give an account of himself TO God,
Aohor every approach, in any kind OF
degree, to the spirit of persecution. II
you cannot reason or persuade man into
the truth. never attempt to force him into
it. Iflove will not compel him, leave
him to God, the judge Of all. John
Wesley.
You said, I recollect, that "as you were
going 10 remote country village, it would
be easy to satisfy your rustic congregation;
that you did not apprehend they would
make large demands on preparation; and
that simple truth, expressed in simple
language, would be quite enough for
them. Enough | am sure, if the words
be rightly understood; only I fancy that,
if that be the case, it will be found that
"simple truth, expressed in simple Ian.
guage," must involve very careful prep.
ara'ion. "Simple truth" must not mean
common place, nor ''simple language"
any plain words that come to hand. IF
you would produce any lively or durable
impression on any audience, (rustic or
polished matters not you must give
them thoughts that strike, and these must
be expressed in apt words; and to speak
in this fashion will require, depend on it,
very careful study. Take heed Of the
fallacies lurking in the terms ''simple
truth" and "simple language" for they
are rocks on which many man has
struck Henry Rogers.
In one of his discourses, John Newton
has this pithy remark:
"Many sermons, ingenious in their
kind, may be compared 10 letter put in
the post Office without direction. Il is
addressed to nobody, it is owned by no.
body, and if hundred people were to
read it, not one of them would think
himself concerned in the contents.
"Such a sermon, whatever excelences
itmay have, lacks the chief requisite of
sermon. 1t is like sword which has
polished blade, jeweled hilt, and a
gorgeous scabbard, but yet will not cut,
and, therefore. 10 all real use, is no sword.
The truth properly presented has an edge,
II pierces to the dividing asunder of soul
and spirit, it is a discerner of the thoughts
and intenls of the heart"
WHEN John Brown, D. D., first settled
in Haddington, Scotland, the people of
his parish gave him a warm and en,hu,
siastic reception; only one Of the members
of that large church aud congregation
stood out in opposition to him. The
Rev, Doctor tried all the means in his
power to convert the solitary dissenter 10
unity Of feeling which pervaded the whole
body, but all his efforts to obtain an inter.
view proved aborative. AS Providence
however, they happened one
day TO meet in the street, when the Doct-
or held out his hand, saying:
"My brother, / understand you are
to my settling at Haddington."
Yes. sir" replied the parishioner.
"Well, and if it be fair que estion, on
what grounds do you object to me?" 4
Because, sir" quoth he, II don't
think you are qualified to fiji SO eminent
a post"
THAT is just my opinion" replied the
Doctor, "but what, sir, is the use Of you
and me setting up our opinions in opposi.
lion to a whole parish?" sss. /,
The brother smiled, and their friend
ship was sealed forever. How very true
'Orcible Gods word, ga, soft answer
urns away wrath" IN s.g N,
SoMR preachers might learn something
,,ro6table from the following, Says one: