New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-08
BEST METHODS OF PREACHING.
ny PROF DANIEL p. KIDDER, DID. d.

cannot invent some new mode OF preaching which viii
improve upon possibly supersede the orlgina pan'
but rather whether cannot by means OF scripture
and experience and the AID OF the Holy Spirit 80 com
prehend and up 10 the intent OF The orenai
plan AZ that hereafter Christian preaching may be
made to attract all ears impress an minds. and wln All
hearts. These are not the days OF miracles put OF
prayer and Christian work. Let MS, therefore, WIN
practical ends view, proceed to brief analysis seek
ing TO determine what the essential elements OF that
preaching Which appointed by the great
Head OF the Church for the eyangehTa.
Fundamental idea ia based upon The social nature OF
man and his inherent desire OF communications from
his fellow-nen. Hence human lips are employed 70
address human and human hearts. We here strike
the clue to series of elements which have always peeh
found the successful preaching Of the past ana whch
need TO combined IN greater degree and more thor
oughly intensified in the preaching OF the present ana
future.
1.-THE POWER To'ARREsr AND COMMAND ATTENTION.
Men are naturally 10 Christian truth they
prefer entertainment, excitement OF the fancy amuse-
ment indifference, anything that Will leave them To
the nclnations Of their hearts or the waywardness OF
their lives. 1t is the preachers business to break the
spell that binds them, 20 disturb their sefsatlsacuon
aud disengage their auxetles from the worhness tht
absorbs them; This Is not TO be accomplished oy pet
attention for the moment but usually they VIII react
both against the preacher aud his message True aud
effective preaching demands a manner worthy OF inc
truth il seeks proclaim. That manner nusi De dlgl
fed though austere. IL must indicate conscious
OF the supreme importance OF tue insa-e 70 y.
yered and the necessities OF those VINO ougt
IT, u
as an mpernence scarcely less Olerable than friYOty
itself Ii will appeal alike TO the selfrespect ana the
conscious wants OF the bearer and having arrested his
attention will tend TO fasten IL upon the growing ln-
terest OF the theme No preacher can hold the attenoh
OF an audience who has not important thoughts TO utter
and who cannot them in manner worthy OF their
import and design Distnctness OF articulation ski IN
livery ali have for this object and well com
bined ought TO deepening interest to the
truth uttered In application 10 tue herl anu o """
destiny Of the nearer.
1.-THE QUALITY OF MPARrING INSTRUCTION
One OF the mportant phases OF Chrisrs eharac'
ter was which ne appeared as the worlds great
Teacher In His teaching Office He not only exploded the
errors which, through mans apostasy and love Of sin,
had long brocded like thick darkness the minds OF
both Jews and Genties, but He introduced sYs'
TEN CT pure and positive truth adequate 10
n clear light many truths previously but dimly re-
vealed and some that had been partially obscured
Illustrated His own declaration, 81 the way, the
truth and the S In the ess Oe hs
their work the Instructors OF men by double stress
go teach al nations, teaenlng Inn ~ ~ oriy
that they can claim his added promise. "Lo am with
you Away to the end OF the world Apt to
teach" was also the requirement of a repre-,
to commit the teaching office, 1t is still required Of
the church TO do, them who shall be aole 70 tosch
others also" Tie perpetual renewal Of human society
by successive generations Of the young and nexpe,
rienced make perpetual the necessity OF the task 81
less depths and infinite extension Of Christian truth
demand for IL ever new applications 10 1ne cn"ng
% e Oos n wS ne o
tory exhasts itself with special occasions and even Ven
science becomes "a tale that 10 told, the woru ahd
truth OF God alike perennial fountains. eyf send
ing forth streams of freshness and beauty IL IS inc
privilege Of the preacher TO ever draw rom tnoe ioubt
aims and minister the waters OF life TO thos that nun
ger and thirst after righteousness" whatever else
preaching lack, II ought never, considering tne
or nnfruitfu Of profitable instruction in reference TO
the things Of the Kingdom Of God"
m.-PREAcHMG SHOULD CONVINCE THE JUDGMENT
knowing the terrors OF the law" said Paul. we
persuade men," 1t the compolsion Of persuasion
which Savior enjoued upon his disciples means
OF inducing men to in. that his Fathers house
might be filed Hence the control OF attention and tho
importation of instruction. however important Of them
nevertheless ~ be regarded as means 70 tho
higher end OF convincing men OF spiritual truth and
religious duty AS God has Implanted reasoning iacut
es ~ every mind n i e ss6S % s,e pd asu IL ~
that they may be enlisted In Its reception ana study
trate its influence not only in his fe but In his modes
OF reasoning No mental reservations must d. nlloWcu
peach his candor eyasons TO betry his lack OF
confidence in the truths he assumes 10 utter Has motto
in showing forth the reasons for the ath that Is IN b
he will not fail to persuade others also
V-PREAcHISG SHOULD AROUSE THE CONSCIENCE.
1t was especially designed to reach and quicken that
silent and often sienoed monitor OF every breast which,
however its may be, seldom fails To re-
spond reasoning In Temperance righteous
ness, and judgment 70 come" Powerlcss and value
less for true religious eject those sermons which
awaken no echoes in the chambers OF conscience.
Whereas the faithful word which stares into action
dormant consciousness Of guilt before God, aud
fronts careless soul with its own shortcom ngs aud
their consequences, OF priceless value ia the moral
history that soul when the conscience Is properly
aroused II becomes auxiliary OF untold power ~ and
preacher in his further work 1t supplies the listen
ing ear the tender heart, and the conserving will Thus
it that through the oriee Of preaching COD work;
within men TO WIN aud 70 do o. las own good
pleasure" and yet in perfect harmony with their indi
yidual freedom OF choice and action.
v.-PREAcHISG SHOULD MELT TIE sESsInILTTIEs
As embraces in bis nature the varied overs
and suseeptibilues, 50 preaching designed TO ad
dress and influence every faculty Of his being To-
tensey faacous therefore, is the theory OF thai
preaching should only address the Judgment That IN
deed TO be done manly aud faithful manner; but
the more delicate task OF warming the heart and
kndling the emotions Is to be lett uudone For this
there Is power equal " q right exercise aud an IN
affected precision OF the religious affections How true
is the classic precept Of Horace, Weep yourself you
would others weep" compared with the heart utter
ances Of the Hebrew prophets aud ps.l~i.t Listen %
waters aud eyes a fountain OF tears that might
weep day and night Tor the sn Sf bt toe Ss &
They shall reap in Joy lie that goeth
come again With rsjoicise bringing his with
hun" Inc preacher who chershes or Illustrates cold.
would repress every that does not freeze IN It's
utterance, Ia poor representative OF hun who shed
arus n Glove Is the fulfilling OF the law" aud Il
Christian faith works BY love add purnes tue hesrt
then lot no preacher OF tue Gospel fear fail To
a consumins love for has feow-men, and 70 UNDUE ma
messases with q warmth Of sentiment which MI soften
frigId hearts and melt down the obdurAey impeni-
fence Well has it been said that lie who loves most will
preach best
u-THE GREAT END, AIN. AND RESULT OF PREACHING
SHOULD az TO LEAD SINNERS TO The SAVIOR.
All other elements focsnse In this. Hence, whether
by instruction, persuasion conviction, or entreaty On
by all combined the preacher must by ali means strive
10 save men. Hence that method, or copbna,,oo
OF methods which will save most Is without question
the best. At this point tho controlling purposa NJ IN.
preacher will greatly influence tho chAracer OF h.
preaching Moral and spiritual results rarely ensue by
accident. The laws Of intellectual aud spiritual inan