The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1876-09-07
Mis- ella n g q u =
Earnest Words to Preachers

We fnd the following excellent
advice to the clergy in the Christ
ian. ~ss-F~ rs -
Make no apologies. II You have
the Lords message declare it ! il
not. hold your peace. Have short
prefaces and introductions' Say
your best things first, aud stop be-
fore you get prosy. Do not'spoil
the appetite for dinner by too much
thin soup Leave self out of the
pulpit, aud take Jesus in. Defend
the Gospel, and let the Lord defend
you and character. II you are lied
about thank the devil for putting
you on your guard, aud take care
that the story never will como true.
Do not get excited too soon. Do
not run away with your hearers. En-
gine drive wheels whirl fast on an
icv track, but when they draw any.
thing they 60 slower. 1t takes a
cold hammer to bend hot iron.
Heat up the people, but keep your
hammer wet and cool. Do not bawl
and scream. Too much water stops
mill wheels, ana too much noise
drowBs sense. Empty vessels ring
the loudest. Powder is not shot.
Thunder is harmless. Lightning
kills. Do net scold the people. DO
not abuse tho faithfnl souls who
come to meetings rainy days, be.
cause others are too lazy to attend.
Preach the best to the smallest as
semblies. Jesus preached to one
woman ut the we'll and got all Sa-
maria out to hear him the next time
DO not repeat sntences saying, "As
] said before" lfyou said it before
say nothing else after. Stop preach
ing aud talk to folks. Come down
frosA youesstilted ways .and saoretl
tones and become "as little child
Tell stories Jesus did, aud common
people heard him gladly. Relate
your experience Paul did, aud You
eau hardly do better than he. One
fact that you lave seen or felt is
worth a bushel Of mouldy ideas dug
out OF mouldier books. Change the
subject il it goes hard. Do not tire
yourself and every one else out Do
not preach till the middle of your
ermon buries the beginning, and is
buried by the end. Beware, Of long
prayers, except in your closet.
Where wearineae begius devotion
ends. Initiate your lungs. It is easier
10 run saw mill with full pond than
nm empty one. BE moderate at first
Hoist the gate little way. When
you arc half through, raise it more.
When you are nearly done, put on
the full head of water. Aim at the
mark bit. Stop aud look where the
shot struck then fre another broad
side Mark your words like bullets.
A board hurts man worse when II
strikes him edgewise. A pound OF
feathers is az heavy rs pound OF
lead, but it will not kill as quickly.
An ounce bullet will kill quicker
than a sack Of wool. Know what
you are talking about then you will
make Others understand you. Stand
tor God, il you stand alone. Keep
out. q the clutches Of party hacks
and religious politicians, Preach
2 straight gospel, aud live up to it.
Keep your distance from sin. d.
not play with edged tools, nor fool
with temptations. Speak to the
people like your Master, as they are
able 10 hear. DO not feed bones te
babies. Do not abuse people fol
oslisving what You once believed
Tourself. Respect honest coovic'
aons. Judge no man. Be patient
ovards all. Make friends with the
eldrsn. Be cheerful with the
oang.sg 80 s9aEns yii9 p1H ~