Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-10-02

we must be saved, it is a great re-
sponsibility to preach, when chance
nearer might suppose from what you
say that character could save him and
not Christ.
"If it be true that those who have
not accepted Christ are under condem-
nation, then it is enough to make a
| minister trernb1e for fear that he has
Sighted this important truth mad
vertedly. Then, too, something is re-
quired to qualify a man to preach be-
sides college education, theologi-
cal training and a call to a church.
There must be deep heart expert
ence in the things he breaches. Mr..
Sturgeon used to say: Real preach
ing is Artesian.' 1t wells up from
great depths. One cannot well com
fort another until he has graduated
from the school of suffering.
| There is another reason for this
burden, namely, that it is not easy for
you TO tell what you have been told.
The minds of the people are ordinarily
so fully prepared. If one is TO hear a
Shakespearan play he will study for
days to get into the spirit of it. But
when he comes to hear Gods word it
is ordinarily fresh from the Sunday
newspaper or with his mind filled with
some thought which is utterly foreign
to the bible. If the room is too hot
or too cold his message is effected.
Grace must not be exau1ted to give
latitude to sin. Heaven must not be
preached to the exclusion of hell.
'There is yet another reason for this
position of responsibility resting upon
the minister as burden, namely, that
the responsibility is increased with
every utterance. can never be the
same again after my message tonight;
nor can you, for we are both of us the
more responsible to God, both for the
way we have spoken and the way we
have listened. The pew is responsible
for much of the poor preaching today.
There are times when it is easy to
preach. This is when the people are
in sympathy and the heart answers to
heart. But there are times that if you
like an echo. We hear it said today
that if ministers were only in earnest,
the church would be quickened, but
this does not follow. For the most
earnest preacher that the world has
ever known could do no mighty work
because of the peoples unbelief. 1t
is often said that if ministers would
but preach the simple gospel, great
results would follow. But was He not
simple in His message when ne
1ikened the kingdom of heaven to
mustard seed, and to woman break
ing bread and they crucified Him
The fact is, that the mightiest gospel
sermon that was ever preached may
be all but killed in it's influence by the
way people hear it.
''If want to hear an e1ocutionist I
will study the infections of his voice;
watch carefully his gestures and
criticize his attitudes. But when 1
hear Gods words none of these things
must move me for it is Gods word
declaring con cerning sin and saliva
ton, pardon and peace.
"These thoughts have been pre-
sented that the young people of the
society of the Christian Endeayor
may have some conception of the
burden their pastor bears, and that
they may determine, with Gods help,
to lift that burden so far as it NAV be
possible.
"What will tighten it? First, the
truly sympathetic. If Christ be
preached that He has risen from the
dead, then live the resurrection life,
and as the pastor breaches about
patience and faith let these graces
shine forth in all that you do.
/ Second, don't have the spirit of
criticism. One word spoken at the
dinner table in the family circle or in
the presence of your friends may
undo all that the pastor has ever
accomplished.
"Third, pray the truth home. When
Charles G. Finney accomplished his
mighty work in this country, it is said
that one old man went with him. That
he never attended public service in
this church but that just as soon as
Mr.. Finney began to preach he would
fall on his knees in his room and pray
/ Gods constant blessing upon the
preacher. Who can tell the work he
accomplished. With such spirit as
this abroad in Christian Endeavor
society every PASTORS burden would
be lightened and every society would
be greatly strengthened. 1t is for
this plead and pray"