Norwich bulletin., 1913-06-10
PULPlTS INTO LECTURE PLATFORM
This Tendency of Present Day Sunday Evening Church Serv ice Discussed by Methodist Ministers at District Con- ference-Message Denominational Philanthropy in New England From Rev Dr. M s. Kaufman

At the First Methodist church on West Town street. NorW1ch ToWn Monday afternoon there was an at tendance of 22 ministers at the open ing session of the Norwich District Methodist Episeohpal Ministerial asso- citation. This association includes all of the state east of the Connecticut river and also part of Rhode Island.
 The devotional service at o'clock was led by Rev. John Thompson ot Griswold, and was followed by brief business meeting during which the committees were appointed. Distrist Superintendent Rev G. G. Scrivener then introduced Rev. J. E. Priestly ot South Coventry, who read a paper on Robert Burns. This paper illustrated the Sunday evening lecture which is to some extent taking the place of the Sunday evening church service. Ills standing as a poet was given and the appeal to human hearts which his character were drawn.
 Sunday Evening for Evangelism.
 A lively give and take full of humor marked the discussion that followed A glowing description of the beauty of the Scottish hills was given. It was said: If we turn our Sunday evening services into lecture platforms we stand a poor show of seeing men saved. We should use Sunday evening for a special evangelistic message. lsn there enough in the gospel of Jesus Christ without going outside for some thing to draw a crowd?
 Sermon Making.
 The sermon of the afternoon follow ed, delivered by Rev E. A. Legg of panielson, having for it's subject The $ermon-A Product of Industry.
 There are real sources of discourage nent in sermonizing, he said. Orig Gality as to sermon topics is the result Sf the most patient study and careful Investigation. There is a temptatio ! Do carelessness because of many helps Rc be had on every hand. It is a mis- lake to lower the dignity of the profes- lion by story telling. Are we so weak hat we have to hunt through a boo& bor ilIustra tionS of what we dish 70 leach Careful preparation is neces- bary to speaking without notes. Unless sermon is carefully thought out the Congregation suffers the results of the preacher's negligence
 The fundamental process in theN de Welopment of a sermon is industry and more industry. Unless a man can live with a truth long enough to ab Horb it he cannot communicate it. Ser snon construction is first preach 1T construction. The study room of the preacher should be converted into an enteroom of the Holy of Holies. Here he must tarry to receive the power to draw men unto his Christ.
 illustrations in Sermons.
 Afterwards in the discussion these thoughts were brought out by the min isters present. Illustrations are the redeeming features of many sermons. The sermon is one of the ways bv which a preacher is judged. Our methods of work depend upon our per sonal characteristics. Study with all your might and pray for strength to deliver the sermon in the right spirit. How we live with God ourselves will help us to tell men how to live and what to do and be.
 A suggested thought is often more than a polished speech My people have been interested ir sound doctrine and strong sermons. I have preached the Deity of Jesus Christ He'll Heaven. The attention ilas been held more easi- ly from beginning to end than when lighter themes were used. Our four words should be Know, Grow, Glow, Go. Our human hearts should speak to other human hearts to move them in the right way.