Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-06-15
WRITING A SERMON.
piatine uished Chicago eIerrvman r.v.
HOW Hn uae. 10

How He Does IL.
iou have requested me TO tell voa
now make my sermons. | harris
Anow what to answer, as, in my iudr.
menf' nearly all preachers prenar.
SUBSTANTIALLY in the same way. How
10 painters mix their colorsp How do
prickmakcrs make their brieksp How
no waii builders build their walls; or
shipwrlghts their vesselsp In all .beso
Eases 'here are accepted principles ON
wh'ca these artisans proceed. and tbe
same Is true Of sermon mauufaetr,;no,
II you are anxious to find out Rubens,
secret of coloring. or Beecher's art 81
Illuminating nm idea, or the charm that
hangs over the composition of various
men, you will never be gratilied: for
that is something they themselves can
not explain. even if they try. What
inc public would really like to know Of
the Celebrations of genius can not he
impaired, and what remains NAV ho
learned in any book on homiIetjcs with
simply the undressing addenda as to
whether certain mortals writo or IN
not write, or whether they write only
notes, or in full. These details are nit.
lably indifferent. But as you wish
them IN my case, who have no secret
OF genius to trouble me or others. I
comply with your desire.
Some sermons are born; others. like
Iopsy, grow. Just as the poet has an
inspiration and writes, SO at times a
thought comes to the preacher, and
easily, almost without effort, it shapes
itself on paper. But other discourses
are painfully elaborated. They have
to be carefully planned. sketched,
revised and re-revised before the desired
result is reached. My custom has been
to read the Bible regularly and studi.
ously, and to note any text that i'm.
presses me, appending such ideas as il
may have given rise to; and in some in.
stances that is all the preparation given
to the sermon. The text has taken hold
OF me, reused my entire spiritual and
mental being, has shaped itself, and
appropriate words generally ae found
when the hour comes for delivery
These, however, are exceptional cases.
Usually the marked passage in the
Bible remains for future use; but, By
the daily study OF the book, subject;
for the pulpit are kept on hand IL
abundance. Having text and theme,
then. as rule, pencil rough outline,
jotting down ideas and illustrations.
After the plan is drawn up, if there il
need for the consultation of authorities
| perform that part of my task.
As | read what / have Just put or
paper, | am reminded of story / heart
of celebrated and successful Indian
captain. He was asked what plan h,
adopted when fighting the redskins
He replied: Il have very excellen
one always, and always mean to follow
it, but the redskins disconcert it, an,
have just to let the boys loose on them
with the advice not to miss when the,
fire" So it is with myself. l have al
exalted idea of the way in which a ser
mon should be prepared, and inten'
always to do my best in that line; bu
circumstance; are changing constantly
time can not always be found for clos
study, and ones battle must be decide,
on the inspiration of the moment. NJ
rule is to move like the old captain, anC
if ! can only succeed in hitting some
body or something | am happy, evel
though critics may be shocked, and til
old rifle recoil a little more Violent
than is pleasant.
In conclusion, permit me to add tina
for effective pulpit work rested brail
is the best of all immediate prepare
tons. Had to choose between man
uscript with weary head on my shou
dcrs. and fresh head-not new one
of course-and no manuscript, | woul
select the head. This pre-supposes &c
ucation, experience and the ability t
command ones resources in public
Given these general qualifications, an
contend the speaker will find quie
and repose an excellent library an
desk for what is before him. But be
ginners ought not to presume. The
ought to learn from this fact not
NEGLECT needful rest for mind and body
but. at the same time, they must nc
sorego careful discipline of thought
due reflection. and conscientious CON
hitting of their ideas to paper. DR.. u
C. Lorimer. in Writer.