Make the Application

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 6, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 30.

Make the Application

“THOU wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26 : 3, 4.

Make the Application.

WE once heard a minister preach an excellent, practical, searching sermon, but at its close he thanked God that it was not applicable to his present congregation. There are many such sermons preached, true enough, perhaps, but which have very little reference to the real spiritual needs of those who hear them, and to the practical duties of life which devolve upon them. All preaching should have but one object, and that is to so present the truths of God's word as to savingly influence the hearts and lives of men.

Both doctrine and duty must be combined. Abstract doctrines, without a practical application of them to the every-day duties of life, are of little importance; and to attempt to enforce practical duties without a basis of doctrinal truth, would be like attempting to build an edifice without a foundation.

The great doctrines of the gospel should be preached, and then they should be faithfully applied, so as to influence the every-day life and conduct of the people. And truths applicable to those addressed, rather than truths applicable to some other class, should be selected and enforced. The principles of the gospel should be brought to bear upon the present aspects of society, the practices, pursuits, indulgences, pleasures, and occurring events of life. The truths of the gospel constitute the great rule that is to be applied to all the principles and practices of men, to test their correctness. What is wanted in preaching is the plain, practical application of the great doctrines of the gospel to every phase of human life and character, and this affords a sufficient range to prevent dullness and monotony.—Sel.