Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-05-30
"FINDINGp SERMONS.

We remember to have heard, some
gears ago, plain Intelligent Christian
man from rural district say OF GER
tain sermon, AIT found me- At the
time we took this phrase to be pro-
vincial expression, confined to par
ticular and remote section of the couu-
try. We have since learned better. 1t
has a good standing in English litera-
ture, being used by so eminent an
authority as Coleridge, and may be a
very old style of speech. Possibly
Ahab's question to Elijah suggested it
Hast thou found me, o mine cue
my?'' .as7 = I
However it may be rs to the origin,
age and prevalence Of this peculiar use
of the word .'find." it certainly denotes
In picturesque and forcible way that
quality which causes q sermon to take
hold of US with firm grip to become
a message addressed TO our particular
consciousness andneed. When q hearur
says or. feels that 6 the sermon
''fnds" him. he does not simply
mean that it ''hits" him, as touch
ing some weak spot, uncovering
and rebuking some besetting sin.
1t is not merely that it has a de-
tective character and cxcitcs lively in
terest, so that it is impossible under it
to plan q house, or complete a bargain,
or make a journey. Above and hey ond
this, the nearer means that the sermon
S1tts has case, comes to him in fitting
and helpful manner, and is an inspira-
ton and comfort as well as revelation
and rebuke. This, surely,;s about .he
highest and finest quality of n genuine
sermon. Robert Hall said that the
audience should feel the hand of the
preacher moving among them and lay
ing hold of their hearts and conscien es.
The truly winding" sermon does even
more than this; it has a strengthening,
enriching, uplift ne, as well as detec-
tive and constra ming force. 1t is great
thing for one to he able to 90 away from
the. house of God. honestly saving:
'that sermon found me. In so say
ing he testities that he is invigorated
for Christian, service and consciously
helped in attaining noblcr character
and life. t-
1t is curious to observe how sermons
differ at this point. We may take two
men of equal ability and apparently
equal spirituality. In plan, construc.
ton, power of illustration, effectiveness
of delivery, their SCI mons may have the
same grade of excellence. But some
how the preaching or the one Finds,
us; that of the other does not. The ser
mons of the one seem remote, vague,
unreal, as if addressed TO a far-away
congregation. They are sort of shot
in the air, or bomb unskillfully aimed
that bursts without effect. The ser
mons of the other, no better on the
whole perhaps in many respects not
so good come right home to mems
bosonis and business, and make an APP
probable add ton to their spiritual
strength and resources. II is worthy
ambition in the preacher to belong to
the Finding" class. To be Of this class,
or not to be, makes all the difference
between success and failure. People
like to be ''found." They like the SER
mon that comes home to them, even
when it rebukes and pinches. They
like 1t still better when along with mer-
tied exposure and rebuke it is a, minis
try of encouragement, stimulus and
comfort.
1t would be a great mistake to sup
pose that one can become a finding"
preacher by simply making his address
very direct and personal - by say
ing, ''brethren,I mean you.' This
may not help matters at all. 1t may.
indeed, work just the other way, and
seriously mar them. There is nothing
more wearisome and improbable than
mere personal exhortation.. 1.-The 'find,
ing" quality of sermon is subtle
and pervasive element lying in the sub
stance, spirit and tone of the DISCOURSE
1t is born OF the preachers spiritual ex-
perience and earnestness, his deep
knowledge of human nature in its
strength and weakness, and the wide
and delicate symDathies which make
him brother to all men. The find
ing" preacher is e,s rapport with his
audience through kind of .'mind-
reading" faculty. and by virtue of sub
tie threads of connection along which
the magnetic current of communica-
ton and interest freely passes. He has
not much occasion to make formal zap
pfications." His sermon, from first to
last, applies itself, because it is dealing
with eternal truth in its relations TO cur
surest consciousness and deepest need.
No doubt the rare and fine ability of
which, we treat depends good deal
upon individual constitution and TEN
permanent; but it is a power that all
preachers can cultivate TO considera-
BILE degree. The more fully it is enter
tanned, the more-truly-eflact must
preaching becqme,-M Y. Examiner.