Birmingham age-herald., 1895-03-25
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man, yet he was as much premier among his brethren as Gladstone is among Eng lishmen. The reverence and affection men who knew him had for him was phenome- very spot where I now stand, this singular power was strikingly illustrated. The great Southern Baptist convention was in session, the burning question was concern ing the establishment of board to publish our own southern sunday school litera- ture. The convention was divided. The committee brought in compro misc report satisfactory to no one. The great battle was about to begin. Before word could be said pr. Broadus sprang forward and out discussion. His request was instantly granted by thousand delegates and no man opened his mouth. The greatest orator in Dixie who was loaded to the gunwales for the discussion, said be had prepared for the effort of his life, but he could not find it in his heart to refuse the request of Dr. Broadus that the question might not be discussed.
 When one sat and looked up into the face of Charles H. Sturgeon and thought of his holy life and loving and unselhsh work his every word weighed pound. So of John A. Broadus.
 s'2. Another of his characteristics as a preacher was his simplicity. Most people, were disappointed in him. Having read and heard oi him as one of the most learned men in the world, and one of it's greatest preachers, they expected graud effort and brilliant display or oratory. It IS said when the great court preacher, Bossuet, made preaching tour through France the people expected @ dazzling exhibition of rhetorical pryotechnics, aud were greatly disappointed at the simple, earnest words of the man who preached to the king and his splendid court.
 "Simplicity is the characteristic of ge- nius. It is the clearness of the limpid brook and the intensity of the unbeam. It is the familiar words that tell. Words derive their meaning, not so much ety.. mologically as from association. It seemed anybody could talk that way. How viv- idly remember the first time ever heard him preach. He talked to us about being like Jesus. How my heart smote mel How it burned within me to be better mani But as we walked back to the sem- inary-a company of his students-one of the group pspoke up and said confidently, "I could have beat that sermon.' Last week that man wrote me asking me to please help him to secure a little church in Ala baIna as pastor.
 s'3. He preached Christ and him cruci- fied-not his vast store of learning. Upon one memorable occasion he delivered the commencement sermon for great univer. sity. Before him were the learning and the elite, the culture and great characters of the land. He arose and announced his text; 'One Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul affirmed to be alive.' He was a doctrinal preacher. But although Bap- tist and preaching honestly what he be. lieved was the whole truth, he realized that tue lend of the commandment was love, and SO granted all other men the same privilege, and he so loved all that all gave him loving esteem in return. While he lay awaiting burial on Sunday morning, a noble lsraelite made him the subject of lofty eulogy in his pulpit.
 '4. He possessed that peculiar unction- the anointing of the Holy One. la his soul was kindled the fire of a consuming zeal for Christ. His heart went out to men in unfeigned love. The gospel was like fire in his bones. he could but speak. It was not with effort that he preached. Some one asked a great poet: Is 1t not very diffi- cult to make verses? Mo- was the reply, it is either very, easy or impossbleP His lations. Like Jesus, he reached all classes, the learned and the little children, saints and sinners, the high and lowly. Woe to that preacher who boasts that he breaches the Christ. Men knew the voice to be that of the shepherd. It has been my privilege to hear a half dozen of the worlds greatest preach ers, but John A. Broadus came nearer preaching like I think Jesus must have preached than any of them. His pathos was the most melting l ever heard from human lips. It must have approached the loving tenderness of Jesus when he beheld the city and wept over it., or when he said these shall go away into everlasting pun ishment. s.sBut he has gone. We shall see the venerable form no more, nor hear the tone of the sympathetic, musical voice. You who never knew him cannot know how much we old pupils rsverenced and loved him.. suppose there is not one of his old students, who sat once at his feet, who did not weep when he died. It was dark day to me when last Friday week picked up the Journal and read the great black headlines, 'Dr. Broadus Is Dying!' The heavy mists blinded my eyes. He knew how deeply I venerated and loved him. I had often written him and thanked him for all the blessing he had been to me. But went down to the telegraph office and wired my profound sympathies 10 the heart broken wife and requested that she give him my love. But he was too far down in the valley to hear the message, but shall tell him in heaven.
 "He loved to preach, but he denied him. self that he might help others to preach better. He said at that great day he would have part in the rejoicing of bis students when they gathered to the Redeemer the souls they had won. Let us try to preach better! Let us realize more what true preaching Is that will save the souls Of lost menl He loved the Saviour and wanted to persuade every body else to love Him. When closing his great commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, his last words were:
 "Jesus, the very thought of Thee
 With sweetness fills my breast;
 But sweeter far Thy face to see,
 And in Thy presence rest.
 Grant me while h ere on e arth l, stas
 Thy love to feel and know,
 And when from hence pass away,
 To nc Thy glory show.'
 The services were closed with the bene- diction by Rev. w. w. Harris.
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