Mr. Spurgeon on Long Sermons

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jan 6, 1916

Mr. Spurgeon on Long Sermons

ADDRESSING a class of students preparing for the ministry, Mr. Spurgeon gave the following sensible advice with reference to sermons:—

Sermons ought never to be measured by the yardstick or the clock; but they ought to be measured by this one simple rule, “Have done when you have done.” Don’t be particular about how you come to a close, but be a great deal more concerned not to keep on till your discourse dies like a candle which cannot give another flicker. If you multiply words, you will spoil what you have done. Strike while the iron is hot, but do not keep on striking till the iron grows cold; though that is what many do. They hit the nail on the head, and drive it in; and then go on hammering till they split the board, and the nail drops out. They preach their people into a good frame of mind, and then preach them out of it.