The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-05-23
A Good Way to Proceed If No Con-
versions Are Desired.
A SERIES OF RULES. WHICH, If
FOLLOWED, WILL RESULT IN
THE END TO WHICH SOME
MODERN PREACHERS SEEM TO
BE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES FoP-
ULAR1TY VS.. THE GOOD OF
THE CHURCH-MoRE Cos PEI.
PREACHING NEEDED.

The design of this article is to pro-
pound several rules, by steady con-
tormity to any one of which man NAV
preach SO as not to convert ANYBODY. IT.
is generally conceded at the present 1av
that the Holy Spirit converts souls to
Christ by means of truth adapted to that
emu. lt follows that n selfish preacher
WIN not sKliltuily adapt means to con
vert souls to Christ for this is not his
end. NV ''S
huie lst Let your supreme motive be
TO secure your own popularity; then, of
course, Your preaching will be adapted to
That end, and not to convert souls to
Christ.
I'd. Aim at pleasing, rather than at con-
verting your hearers.
I'd. Aim at securing for yourself the
reputation of n beautiful writer.
4th. Let your sermons have the follow
ing characteristics
Let them be written with n high degree
of literary finish.
Let them be short, occupying in the
reading not to exceed from twenty to
twenty five minutes.
Let yDur style be aowery, ornate and
quite above the comprehension of the
common people.
BE sparing of thought, lest your SER
mon contain truth enough to convert a
soul.
Lest your sermon should make saw
ing impression, announce no distinct
proposition or heads, that will be remem.
bered, to disturb the consciences or your
hearers.
Make no distinct points, and take M
disturbing issues with the consciences of
your hearers, lest they remember these
issues and Lecome alarmed about their
souls.
Avoid logical division and snb-divis-
ion of Your subject, lest you should too
thoroughly instruct your people.
Give your sermons the form and sub
stance OK a flowing, beautifully. written.
nnt neyer-to be remembered essay; SO
that your hearers will say, sslt was a
beautiful sermon, - but can 4gi &c no fur.
Their account of it.
Avoid preaching doctrines that are
offensive to the cnrnal mind. lest thew
should say OF You, as they did OF Christ.
This Is hard saying. Who can hear
IT, and that you are injuring your in
fluence.
Denounce sin in the abstract, but make
no allusion 10 the SINS of your present
audience
Keep the spirituality of Gods holy law,
by which is the knowledge of sin, out of
sight, lest the sinner should see his lost
condition and flee from the wrath to
come.
Preach the Gospel.as II remedy, but
conceal or ignore the fatal disease of the
sinner.
Preach salvation by grace; but ignore
the condemned and lost condition of the
sinner, lest he should understand what
you mean by grace, and feel his need
of it.
Preach Christ as an infinitely amiable
and good naJured being; but ignore those
scathing rebukes OF sinners and hypo.
critics which so often made his hearers
tremble.
Avoid especially preaching to those
who are present. Preach about sinners,
and not to them. Say they, and not you,
lest any one should make personal and
saving application of your subject
Aim to make your hearers pleased with
themselves and pleased with you, and be
careful not to wound the feelings of any
one.
9th Preach no searching sermons. lest
you convict and convert the worldly
members of your church.
9th. Avoid awakening uncomfortable
memories by reminding your hearers of
their past sins.
18th. DO not make the impression that
eod commands your hearers now and
here to obey the truth
Sth Do not make the impression that
you expt ct your hearers to commit them
selves upon the spot and give their hearts
to God.
9TH Leave the impression that they
continue OH seventh pare