The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-05-14
eye Want Nothing but the Fire."


The ministry of Rev. Burnish Brighter
produced a sensation in Ease-in.Zi
His preaching became popular. The in
vitation committee, with few exceptions,
thought they had made fortunate hit in
securing such man for the circuit. Ger
tainly he was not the kind of a man
Father Damper wanted. He was ornate,
both in person and in preaching. His
garb was faultless in its ecclesiastical
cut, and his sermons were like his gar
ments, prepared and finished with much
care; only, as in his attire the tailor was
as manifest as Rev. Burnish Brighter, SO
in his discourses there was not the ser.
mon only, but the sermon.maker; or per-
haps better illustration of the reverend
gentleman's sermons would be well.
trimmed pleasure garden, laid out and
kept very nicely, beds and borders full of
flowers and colors, with nothing natural !;
that is to say, the work showing more of
the hand of man than of the hand of God.
Nevertheless, Rev. Burnish Brighter was
popular man. The local newspaper
frequently gave glowing reports of his
services, and congratulated the Metho-
dists of Ease-in-Zion on having secured
q pastor whose gifts commanded such inn
portant influence in the town.
Elias Power was close observer of Mr..
Brighter's ministry. He believed it to
possess qualities which, if ruled and vital
lied by the Holy Ghost, would make his
preaching powerful, both to the edifca-
tion of the church and the salvation of
sinners. He felt that mental glow was
substituted for the function of the Holy
Ones" and believing as he did that no
preaching in the absence of divine in.
fuence could be right in its aims or salts
factory in its effects, he was greatly exer.
cised in mind upon the subject. He de-
termined to seek an interview with his
pastor, in the hope that an honest CONVEX
sation with him might lead to good re-
suits. After special prayer that he might
be enabled to approach his minister wisely
and lovingly, that nothing should escape
his lips to chafe or irritate, but that their
mutual conversation might be over.ruled
to the divine glory, he went and was
duly introduced to Rev. Burnish Brighter
in his study. "Good morning to We, sir"
said Elias; aye must forgive me taking
up yere time, for know it's precious; but
something in my heart has been pressing
me so hard, l could not rest without com.
ing to ye."
"What is it, Mr.. Power ?' asked the
minister.
In that moment Elias followed the ex-
ample of Nehemiah, who, when questioned
by the Persian king, said, So prayed
unto the God of heaven" The lips
were silent: nevertheless, communication
passed between his uplifted soul and
heaven. In the strength Of the heavenly
answer he replied:
GIVE been praying for ye, sir, ever
since ye came to Ease-in-Zion, that God
would do for ye what st. Paul asked the
people to pray God to do for him, namely,
open to him a door of utterance;' I've
been trying on my side to get that door
to open to ye; and thought if ye tried
on yours, it would open all the sooner"
81 thank you very much," said the
minister, that you pray for me. 1 hope
you ever will but do you think my SER
mons too short, that you pray for utter
ance 2"
"No, mol" replied Elias, good milk is
made no better with watering, nor good
meat with over-roasting. A short shot
will often hit the bulls eye when long
one flies wide of it,
"Then do you complain of my Ian.
guage ?" asked the minister.
81 DON'T" said Elias IL find no fault
with what ye say, yere words are right
enough"
"Then do you object to my thoughts
MIR. Power? Do you consider my mind
too feeble to deal with divine things 2"
"No, sir, I'm sure ye don't spare yere
brains to find us thoughts"
"Then what is the utterance that YOU
30 much wish to be opened to me 2"
Its the utterance of the Holy Ghost,
replied Elias eye come into the pulpit
with nice fuel, and ye lay it very nicely
plenty OF shavings, plenty of timber, ant
plenty OF coal but forgive me, sir, if
say-ye never get it fred, and 80 no hea
comes out of it. Don't ye think that il
ye sought for the fire as much as for tn.
fuel ye would preach all the better for it
Ye know, sir, the timber burns Just a!
well, and throws out as much heat, wher
used little in the rough, as when til
placed 30 smooth. Ye want nothing bu
the fire, sir, nothing but the fire "
Are you quite sure" asked the Rev
Burnish Brighter, "that you judge mi
fairly in thinking my ministry TO be des
titute of fire Don't you think that scr
mon well-prepared and carefully though
out is in itself fire ?"
cay, sir; but when is sermon we'll
prepared without fire 2"
"Then do you really think" enquiries
the Rev. Burnish Brighter, that thought
full, brilliant preaching is powerless with
out the fire ?"
l do" said Elias eye may build
sermon as ye build machine, every bi
of brass and steel so polished that We ma
see yere face in it. The waters in tn
boiler, and the coal in the tender, but tn
piston never moves inside the cylinder
and why: Because ye have no fire, an
therefore ye have no power. Withou
fire to boil the water, and bring the steam
yere beautiful engine is as helpless as
cold tin-kettle; and without the unctio
OF the Holy Ghost, yere Thoughtful preach
ing will have no spirit and life in it. Blu
don't mistake me- sir God don't war