The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-11-20
The Coming Campaign.
THREE SUGGESTIONS TO OUR BRETHREN.

JHKEE SUuu ESllONO ~ WI DhLl lhhG-N'
We do not mean the Presidential cam
paign, but the campaign against sin and
Satan. The summer is over. The elec-
tons are over. The fall meetings Of
Presbytery and Synod are over. The
time has come when every minister should
Law out his work for the winter, should
inquire: "What can do to build up
the Church, and to save sinners during
the coming campaign?" :" Willour breth
rem permit us to make one or two sugges-
tons as to this winters work?
l. Do not put foremost in your plan a
series of meetings, or any kind of special
effort. Give greater interest and efficien
cy to the stated means Of grace; magni-
fy the regular preaching Of the gospel;
make people hunger for more, because
what you give them from Sabbath to Sab
bath is as mama to their souls. Magni-
fly the weekly prayer meeting. Let The
demand for extra evening meetings come
from the fullness, the warmth, and the
preciousness of that which has, perhaps,
been small and formal hitherto. There
is no more heat in dozen icicles than In
one, and there is no more spiritual life in
a dozen frigid meetings than in one. The
whole system of getting up areligious in
terest by multiplying meetings is vicious.
Its results are at best superficial, and
TOO often they are blighting and harden
ing. No minister should increase the
means of grace until he and his people are
making the most of those already enjoyed.
One really good sermon is worth more
than half-a dozen poor ones, and one live
prayer meeting is worth more than half-a-
dozen that have to be galvanized by some
special effort or sensational announce
ment.
2. Let broad foundation be laid for
the winters work in systematic doctrinal
preaching. Hasten slowly. Put down
the massive corner. stones of truth
Convince of sin. Expound the law
State and enforce the claims of God.
Do not plant until you have plowed deep.
1t will be well to sub-soil in some places,
where the surface-soil of religious sensi-
bility is nearly worn out. We fear that
many get into the Church during pro-
tracted meetings, who have very imper-
feet views of the nature of sin or of the
state of their own hearts. We certainly
should have stronger Christians if we had
more of what the old divines used to call
"law-work. A conversion may be gen.
uine, and yet not as thorough as it ought
to be. While our great business Is to
bring sinners to Christ, we should try to
bring them in such way that they will
make the best possible Christians.
8. Let there be thorough and system
attic visitation. Not a round of social
of the field. Ti ~ the exact
spiritual condition OF Your people, the
obstacles to work of grace, and the en-
couragements to labor for and expect it.
No department of ministerial duty is so
necessary, yet so frequently neglected as
this. A General never thinks of ad
vancing his lines until he has thoroughly
reconnoitered the ground. What seems
to be safe and advantageous position
may prove, on closer inspection, most
undesirable and perilous one.
Having inspected and explored his field
by a systematic visitation; learned just
what truth is needed, and presented it
with plainness and force; having given
the impression that he is in earnest, that
he means to make a full proof of his
ministry, and that he expects blessing
upon the truth, the minister ought to
watch for indications of special interest.
He ought to cultivate them with all pos
sible wisdom and fidelity. What seems
to be little spark, easily put out, may
be famed into fame that shall kindle
hundreds of souls. The great fires that
have desolated cities have come often
from a single lighted match, and the
great revivals that blessed thousands have
seemed to come from equally small be-
ginnings. The little child, awakened,
fearful and ready to be led to the Sa-
viour, may be the forerunner of a host,
the first fruits of wide harvest which
God will give to the faithful and believ-
ing husbandman.-Chis. Herald.