The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-05-18

mcnt relates TO what was i'll some way connected
with preparing the world for his coming in the
flesh and all the New Testament relates to what he
did for the world while he was in the flesh, well
as before. and to what he is now doing and will do
for man in all the future. To preach the word,
then it seems to me. is to preach everything that
centres in Chris or that radiates from Him, from
everlasting to everlasting. He laid His right hand
on John in Patmos saying: Fear not; am the first
and the last I am He that liveth and was dead
And behold, l am alive forever more. Amen"
Everything that involves mans origin spiritual
nature and best interests in time aud in eternity is
included in preaching the word. He Who breaches
the word will leave out nothing that is essential,
and embrace all that is 50. lie can never lack
subject nor have to treat one that is unworthy of
the attention of any intelligent creature of God.
He explores by divine aid the great mystery of God
lines into which even the angels desire TO look.
He has enough to do to employ all his powers, and
vet after all exelaims oh the depth the length
the height the width Oh the unspeakable gift /
OH the unsearchable riches e He may tell of 1
whatever the word Of God even alludes TO, as, and
for the purpose for which, the allusion IS made but
if he depart from the word, or attempt to teach con
trary to it. he deludes and fearful to himself and
those who hear him viii be the result of the delu
sion do not say that every word preacher utters
must be Gods word; that he is liberty and has
no right to give in his own language whathe under
stands to be the teaching Of Gods word; but do
say that he is not at liberty that he has no right to
declare ANYTHING as God ord that is not absolutely
such nor to insist upon am views whatever Of his
own which are not In the unqucstioned language,
as well as spirit of the Bible The Acknowledged
flibility OF all merely human Interpretation ought
to make every preacher careful against dogmatisn.
and modest in his presentation OF even his best
studied uttsr4nees. Only when Thus saith the
lord" supports him may he be positively unyield-
ing. But he should never admit OF a compromise
when he has that authority. And just here remark
that il seems to me that no minister can preach
either with comfort to himself or profit his hearers
who is not thoroughly grounded in such evidences
Of the divine authority and inspiration Of the Scrip
lures as fully satisfy his own mind. II he has any
lingering doubts here, his preaching viii be neces
sarily weak ineffective powerless Therefore. dear
brethren sanetify the Lord God in your hearts and
be ready always give answer to every man that
asketh you reason for the hope that is in you, with
/ meekness and fear" Be able always 70 say, with
assurance Of faith ave know that we have not fol-
/ lowed eunningly-devised fables when made
! known unto you the power and coming Of our lord
Jesus Christ We know thatw are born Of God and
have the witness in ourselves by His spirit which
( He hath given unto Us and We know that the son
Of God has come and hath given as an understand
ing that we may know Him that Is true, and we are
in Him that is true. in His SON Jesus Christ
1 This is the true God, and eternal lfe.7 Every
preacher that say these things sincerely. as In
Gods sight carries with him power that no amount
or human talents, or extent Of human learning or
eloquence Of human lips anything else aside from
regeneration by divine grace can supply i Is the
work Of the Holy spirit 10 make and guide and bless
a true minister Of Gods word This is The junction
from above that we must have to be or 10 become
I effective Cod grant % bestow il abandausly upon
/ as all.
/ shall purposely omit Speaking al any consider
able length to-day upon the obviously important
fact that in order to preach the word. must have
knowledge Of IL We must study tpEaysTiHiiy search
IT, mediate upon IT, examine H. not only 10 general
or In particular parts, but whole, with all is
parts, infinitely and In detail. aud comparatively
with itself And In preaching ig We shall then Re
able 10 make prominent what ii H.akcs promiaent,
and avoid the folly Of any time preaching without
preaching the gospel As Nc cannot do u We truly
preach the wurd. There are. indeed. May single
texts upon which We could hardly found discourse
that did make prominent what ought 10 he - In
every sermon; bat there a7e also many otcrs which.
without careful reeaFd 60 what has been called The
analogy % faith might be dwell upon for The time
Of sermon and perhaps cniertainingly and SET net
20 The spiritual proat Of the hearers IS saith the
great ChrySostotn, The church IS noe theaifc that
efaNsN 4t%tfN ii1lfA AAe4 tla JIG aNN4
Z 90 frcu your preaching who can anly say Y was
entertained That Is not the object q prrachins.
that merely Is DO par, Of the object such preaching
Is only accoplshes "a Is NOT oospsi preaching Al
ALL fog il Is The power Of God unto salvation toeyvJ
! one that beileyelh.r Sow, why I Do not dwell 10
day more particularly upon ne important du,y assd
( means Of getting ready 20 preach ihe wofd efec-
lively by constant al gent. pfuyrFfui and enlarged
study. is his The whole purpose q eur Senainary
/ is for this cad. NC have had it ia view In even
/ branch o. study pursued. We have bot taught He
! brew, OF Greek or English grammar or rhetoric.
philosophy history or even theology % atlrsnFs
T to make experts IN these for their Own sake. Our
& whole aim has teen In humble cooperation with
the Holy spirit 10 make all sbese thHSs subsidiary
% your knowledge and understanding q she werd
Of Cod that yoa may be able preachers ag a. MOI lH
the letter only but in the spirit NOS tn theoFT ony
but In the practical exemplseAtiea of IS pawer ~
/ your own hearts and lives. There : only time nov
for some brief observations On the remaining clauses
or my text
( . D. fasaat ia ssas1a. eel q Seussi- Nos aniy
avail yourselves Of ali opportunities opening bre
you 10 preach the word bat slso make other opPoF-
tnnitses and improve them Sos ia The pulpit alone
& aud at your 81 times for preaching although for
these orcasiaas q VIII be your duty aaeai care
fally 10 prepare aud must prHyerfuiy. tool bus Al
&
even in The highways and 5yways. preach tpe wofd.
! SOW beside ali waters Ia the morning slw thg
I SCI q. aud in The evening Withhold not Thy haRd.
+ far thou knewesi not which may prosper, shc;hef
this or that OF whether both may net be alike good
Aud for your special encouragement take this lie
that goeth forth and weepeth. bearing precious seed
shall doubles return again rejoicing bringing BIS
sheaves with hgr- The grand Characteristic % oGF
divine Sariours life that He Nent about doing
4 good. and healing all that were oppressed 81 the
z devil. Ior God was with Him-~
3 -Rsprpuc Fobats. ezhort ss n4 ial ~ sgE7 sisf
docrass In al this stlii preaching the word that
is 10 say. IN Il al having The woFl Of God FOR yuuF
I authority, directory and EHide Alas or any who
/ undertake such work IN their osn name. That
word itself would reprove reiake and exhoFitheaa,
unul they turn hesrtsiek OF such attempts b The
better the only way. q leading men from sia
I 10 righteousness speaking tie Truth in love.
What long suffering Is Heeded In breaking up tue
lallow ground Of mems hearts even IN minister
ing 10 those weak Ia the faith And What constant
study and prayer are needed To be able 10 conduct
ourselves III these critical duties according % sound
doclriae. Truly the minister's work requires ~the
I wisdom Of the serpent combined With the harm
lessnesS Of the dove" Nevertheless be who hath
called US into this service viii supply all the eeed
wisdom and grace to those who with fall eonseera-
ton 90 forth trusting IN and leaning upon Him
~Who is meek and iowly in heart. ard who "onee
for all suffered for sins. leaving example
that we should follow In bis footsteps
Aad nov, my dear brethren, may God Himself in
strucf you and bless you and make you all that His
faithful ministers should be. and give you that
which all such ministers must arienily desire-sue-
cess ia winning souls 10 Christ and establishing
them. By His assistance. ia the Aith and obedience
OF the Gospel. let Us now gather with humble and
revereni hearts around the table Of our Lord and
partake OF the simple elements, appointed By Him
TO be emblenatieal and memorial Of his body
broken and bis blood shed for the remission Of our
sins Iet il be TO u seal Of the covenant, binding
US to Him as our Prophet, Pdestand King, engaging
US anew and forever heaFkcH TO all his words, %
rest within his wounds 10 let him reign in US and
rule over US; for His commandments not griev-
GUS His atonement is complete and absolutely sat
isfactory and His dominion is al! peaceful. and
peace giving and glorious, making il sweet for Us
to say His scrricr is oar dogM which may say not
only here and now, but IN the home prepared for
US By Him, and world without end. Amen
NEsTMIN sTER