The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-02
DISCIPLES or CHRIsr.

ent matter. of which we may speak later.
Nor have we yet declared that every SER
mon should be slayishy or entirely writ
ten. The point Is that the preacher should
be on easy terms with mis- pen, and whore
but In the sermon study can this acquaint-
anee be most naturally cultivated, or most
electually utilized? a pen revival would
mean an intellectual revival for many
slipshod, prcachcd-out minister, nor
would the revival stop at the intellectual.
What Is sermon anyhow? Definitions
are dangerous. When we have taken our
first degree IN wisdom, we want to define
everything, When We have taken our last
degree we are afraid to define anything,
Not having taken the last degree myself,
l am strongly tempted TO give you a deh-
milton. But the Bible sets us a very mea-
ger example In the matter of undertaking
definitions, and ! am willing to accept
your standard of what a sermon ought to
be. We certainly agree upon the one
grand object of all preachingto move the
human Will toward God, along the path OF
duty.
II should quicken interest and aid dis
cussion TO bear In mind that while of
speech making there is no end the sermon
is about the only form OF public address
| which appeals TO mans moral nature, It
could hardly be-otherwise. The college pro-
! fessor lectures to impart knowledge the
| platform seeks to entertain. while the po-
| litical rostrum lahora TO persuade, From
/ congress down to the city council, the
| preaching of personal duty by a member
/ to fellow member is not only a work OF
official supererogation, but also an implied
| Insult. Are they not already sworn Ia do
their duty? Their only business is to AS
certain tho best policy, Count In all the
other speakers lawyers, actors. toast
masters, auotioneers and what not-and We
find their legitimate field Is either the dis
l.a al E..ea 81
mere entertainment OF the auditors, This
statement carries nothing derogatory to the
dignity or Importance of secular address.
The only point Is that nothing can super
sede the pulpit in its solemn. awful appeal
to the conscienCes of men. The public re-
former comes nearest our task, but the real
reformer is preacher whether ordained
or unordained
Realizing this unique responsibility OF
calling men to God, no wonder We trem-
bic at the thought Of preaching, Even "a
offer q paper upon the character of such
a message Is half-sacred task. In which
pray Gods help.
sermon supposes n text. II wasn't sc
in the beginning, but the unwrltten Law
OF centuries we do we'll TO obey, A text
, holds the preacher to accountability and
stimulates cooperation in the pew by
giving the people, at the outset, something
, to work upon. When you take a text.
inluh you nhu DtNttI get IL out OF tnR hlplt
the example OF certain much discussed
pulpiteers to the contrary notwlthstand-
Ing. When you take q Bible text, let Il
be broad one for not every verse or hall
, verse OF Scripture was foreordained FOL
. text purposes, Then give your fundament-
, al text. not fanciful but fundamental
: treatment Some years ago | took for
text: "Enoch walked with God" The text
} was good but ! hung my sermon upon the
mere verbiage There were all sorts o.
/ walking '-promenader. tramp, pilgrim
soldier, perhaps. also. goose, In tigh
! place, one day, thought of preaching tn,
, sermon In German. Turning to this pas
: sage Ia the German Bible. found to m,
CONSERVATION that Martin Luther has melt
! cd my sugar trick. There wasn't WORT
: about walking at all II was soberly stat
ed that Enoch led a cody lifa' Thu
I moral Is that texts and their treatment
Z ought to be fundamental enough to surviv,