Mexico Missouri message., 1901-11-14
Rom. X, 1871. Nov. II.


tuition of the New Testament
church. Inspired men of the Old
Testament proclaimed the will of
God in Il variety Of forms, but
none of them in the form of
preaching III the New Testament
sense. Moses enacted statutes;
Joshua swOre the nation to ideli-
ty: David sang as an inspired
saint and king; Solomon wrote
proverbs; the prophets foretold
the Messiah, but did not preach
Him.
When Christ came new order
of evangelism was instituted.
Three years were diligently spent
in training twelve men to repre-
sent Him after His death and re-
sulrcction, and We're sent forth on
/ the specific mission of preaching
Him to the world. Preaching is
of divine origin and is the ordai IL
ed means of the worlds CONVEX
sion. There are other incidental
means, but they all center around
this Ms the chief instrumcntality
in this great work. For whose
ever shall call on the name of the
Lord shall he saved. How, then,
shall they call on Him in whom
they have not believed? and how
shall they believe in Him of whom
they have not heard? and how
shall they hear without Il preach
en-? and how shall they preach cX-
ccpt they hc Scntl" Having or
dainCd this means for the cvaugcl-
ization of the world, God has wise
| ly provided large and permanent
arrangements for the continuous
preaching of the word ChapelS,
churches and cathcdralS are Sa-
credly set apart for this specific
work. The proclamation of this
divine message must be freed from
the distractions of ordinary world
ly pursuits.
One day in seven is specially set
apart, one text book prescribed
that meets all the spiritual wants
of men, and men are called of
God to preach this word as they
receive it from Him. This simple
preaching Christ and Him cruel
fled, by men called of God, is the
greatest force that has ever been
brought to bear for the elevation
OF men. 1t is the only infallible
remedy for the ills that atllict hui
mainly. No higher honor could
be conferred upon any man than
| that of being called to be God ;
ambassador to II dying world
"How beautiful are the feet of
them that preach the gospel of
peace and bring glad tidings Of
GOOD things" The Christian min
istry is the highest calling among
men, and will be recognized as
such by all men when the minister
confines himself to his legitimate
sphere, and depOrts himself in ac-
cordancc with the directions given
in the great commission from the
Master. No agency Of mems de-
vice can be substituted for the
gospel and the gospel ministry.
This gosccl ministry is for all men
and for all ages. 1t will never
grow too old for the purpose for
which it was instituted. The needs
of men resulting from their igno-
rance and sinfulncss, can only be
met by this same old gospel that
was first preached at JeruSa lem.
Some modern reformerS may claim
that changed conditions require
new means Of saving men. This
may be so as far as methods are
concerned; but there can be no
improvement on the old story of
the cross as Il means of touching
the hearts, and saving the souls of
men.
The distinction between teach
ing and preaching, between educa-
ton and regeneration, between
civilization and cvangelization
can never, with safety, be lost
sight of by the church. Why is it
that the simple preaching of the
gospel does not have the same eff
feet upon the hearts of men that it
used toH Given the same cause
does not the same effect always
followi Yes, but in estimating the
cause in this case, we must include
the character of the hearers ms