Reaching Congregations Through Personal Effort
REV. DR. THOMPSON, of New York, writes: “No preacher can hope to interest the same congregation for any considerable period, who adopts a sensational style, or addresses himself chiefly to the emotions. Man is pre-eminently a reasoning creature, and the preacher who speaks to the understanding, and gains the conviction of his hearers, will also be most effective in his appeals to the heart. Nor is this true only of cultivated congregations. In this country, at least, ‘the masses,’ as they are sometimes called, must be reached as intelligent thinking persons—not by mere hortatory harangues, but by good, strong common-sense arguments.” In a church in New York State, not long since, the pastors and elders met to consult together in reference to the great spiritual necessity of their people. After prayerful consideration, it was determined that elders should go forth, “two by two,” conversing and praying with each family, and soon the pastor was to follow them with the same direct personal effort. What was the result? In a few days the presence of the Spirit was so manifest that extra meetings were called for, which resulted in the conversion of over one hundred souls.