The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-04-22

- I11c SUbJeCL Ol NOV pi SaSil-
ers prepare their sermons has long been
an interesting one to hundreds of church
soers, who from Sunday ITO Sunday listen
10 the discourses of their favorite minis
tiers. "A series of questions was recently
sent out by The Times to several promi-
nent Richmond preachers. representing diff
ferent denominations, and their replies viii
doubtless be read with interest by many.
These questions were as follows:
How do you prepare your sermons?
Dou you select the text and build upon
It, or do you prepare the sermon and
select the text to fit it?
How do you get your illustrations?
When and where and under what cir
cumstances did you preach your best SER
mon?
Rev. DR.. Hawthorne's Methods.
Rev. DR.. J. b. Hawthorne the eloquent
pastor OF Grove-Avenue Baptist Church,
said:
Editor of The Times:
sir,-Ycu submit 10 me the following
questions, with the request that l mako
my answers as concise as possible:
u. How do YOU prepare your sermons?
Do you select the text and build upon it,
or do you prepare the sermon and select
the text to tit lt?
Sermons are eSpository and topical. My
expository sermons are based entirely
upon the Scripture selected for a text II
the needs of my congregation call for the
discussion of a topic, / select a text which
accommodates the subject
My texts and topics are chosen with re-
ference to what / conceive to be the spe-
cial needs of my congregation. / begin
preparation by spending a few hours in
reading anything that 1 cam find which
relates to the subject in hand. My next
etep is to outline any discussion. My
analysis provides for a series of clirnaXes..
I reserve what ] consider TO be the most
important feature OF the subject for a
final climax. When my outline or skele-
ton, is finished, dictate the sermon to
stenographer and he returns it TO me
typewritten. This manuscript have be-
fore me in the pulpit, but having made
myself thoroughly familiar with it, make
but little use of it in the delivery of the
sermon.
THE ILLUSTRATIONS.
O. How do You get your illustrations"
They are drawn from many sources.
get my best illustrations from the Bible.
! make liberal use of the classical die
tionaries In almost every chapter of
history there is material for apt illustra-
ton Early in life I made myself quite
familiar wit. the 'Iliad." the "Eanead,
paradise Lost and -Childe Harold"
Frcm these sources have gathered many
of my best illustrations. make frequent
aiSe of the events and experiences Oh ully
own life.
3 .swaen and where and under what
circumstances did You preach your best
segmone
As rule preachers are very unreliable
Judges of their own performances. What
they consider their best may be. In the
Judgment of the auditors. their worst.
Repiying upon the testimony of others. 1
am inclined to believe that the sermon
0.,r,
in, Forth Worth. Texas. before the South
ey.n Baptist Convention. made more
profound and abiding impression than any
other Dreached by me-
Rev. DIR. Stcel's Plan.
Rev. DR.. S. A. Steel the popular pastor
of Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church,
said:
Editor OF The Times:
SRI ann asked to tell how a prepare
my sermons. Well, i hardly know my
eeQf, for / have no definite plan Earlier
In my ministry, l put good deal OF
honest study on my preparation Tor the
pulpit. / took a text and wrote my ser
mon In full But as my work grew and
INV duties multiplied. / gradually disoon-
ttnued this plan. and it has been long
time since wrote a sermon. l have be-.
nours an extenlparaneoiiss speaker.
have no .T,a,rei. ,, The few old written
sermons I have are like damp anamuni-
tion--wont go of.
MY favorite method now is to arrange
a series of subjects in advance, covering
a period of month or TWO. These sub
sects to be related to each other, and TO
naturally suggest each other. Then
bend my reading and study to this line of
topics ] rise early. and get two hours
OF quiet in the library before the house
begins to sir. ] like to sit and mediate
on the subject Ally best thoughts come
20 me in these silent Moments. Some
times while mussng in this way, the whole
subject suddenly opens up. falls into natu-
raj divisions and through the association
of ideas. illustrations come trooping into
the mind. Then seize pencil and jot
down the outlines There is not much
method in this, but It is about all have,
ana Ii serves mo best. aim to keep
brirn full OF constant reading. observation
ana thinking and then, ..pual out the hung
ana lot nature LOOSE
MUST BED EARNEST.
I selducn carry notes 20 he pulpit
don'4 want TO ehink Of the subject on
witch I an to preach 6or at least twelve
e,usass batore tao dina to speak. Having
ssnnaru nuusl1 pEev3ously familiar WITH