The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-05-12
& the most learned are also edIneq

pnderstap4 him the most learned are also edited
by his preGrhing."
learned preacher. who had delivered a very plain
and simple discourse that he had not displayed
some OF MS learning, he answered by saying Tho
very design OF my learning is TO make things 50
plain thatthey cannot be misunderstood" So Arch
bishop Leighton once In charge 10 minister's said:
How much learning my brethren, is required to
make things plain p
The notion that some have taken up that because
piainness and simplicity Of manner are taught both
by the example and precept Of Christ and his
apostles, therefore learned men are not fit TO be
ignorance has led people While il Is true that ex
teiisive learning is not an essential requisite (else
mad christ called none not possessed OF it to the
ministry 1T may yet be an important adjunct or aid
(else had Christ not called as he did some who
were possessed Of it in a high degree, as st. Paul
men having learning, aud using IL as God designed
and men OF learning who employ IL for mere dis
play of themselves. The first like ST. Paul are en-
honor and ornaments the latter a reproaeh aud
disgrace TO the sacred calling they assume
Nor are we TO overlook the fact that the pfaiuness
and simplicity of Pauls method of delivering Gods
message did not preclude his using every available
proper means of impreSsing and enforcing the truth
by metaphors and illustrations drawn from nature
history. customs of society, art and science:
for these abound in his speeches and writ
ings. But there is constant evidence that these
were only employed to eucidate and never either
to dazzle or to cloud the truth. His preaching
while Il was plain and simple was not less beauti-
full and forcible or, ifyou please even ELOQUENT and
attractive. special Characteristic of Il was that he
dld not soften the words that God babe him declare
preaching OF the cross then, and is now often
sive TO men OF worldly minds-'to the Jews il was a
stumbling block and TO the Greeks fooishness,"
But 1t WAS ever, and ever will be glad idings to
those who feel their lost condition out OF Christ and
long for the salvation he provides and offers 10 ali
penitent aud believing souls.
Other characteristics of Paus preaching were
edTlesnes and zeal, joined with tenderness and ar
lection speaking the truth in lore" was his motto,
and should be that of every minister of the Gospel
We have no record of his discourses any consider
able length at Corinth, 10 which he particularly
alludes in the text, but the account of his
sermons at other places and his epistles give
ample illustrations of the manner as we'll as
OF the matter of his teaching. And We might
easily produce illustrations from the history of
The Church in succeeding times of the fact that
the ministers who have most nearly followed st
Paul and the other early preachers of the Gospel
both In matter and manner have been those most
successful in the accomplishment of the great
object for which the Lord OF the harvest sends
laborers into his vineyard Therefore exhort YOU
my young brethren, TO diligent and constant study
of these early examples of true herads OF the cross
And yet. remember how they said, "Cur sufIicieney
is OF God; we have this treasure in earthen vessels
that the excelency of the power may be of God and
not of u.s." Paul may plant and Apollos may
water: but God giveth the increase" Wherefore
we must be men of prayer and full of the Hoh
Ghost if We would prosper in holy calling,
Here then, this morning, as we shall come together
around the table spread with the emblemS Of the
broken body and shed blood of our Lord Jesus
Christ let us reeonsecrate ourselves to God and de-
termine anew to knoi0 nothing dmsng men sare
Christ aud him cTItcifed.