The Right Kind of Preaching.
In his article, “The Preacher and Preaching for the Present Crisis,” in the December Homiletic Review, D. S. Gregory, D.D., LL.D., emphasizes, among other good points, the following essentials of effectual preaching:— “First, the divine authority of the Bible as the word of God, by which all light, whether in the church or in the world, is to be judged; and the supreme and sovereign authority of God himself, the Creator, Law-giver, and Judge of the world. This is required in order to restore the faith shaken by the senseless materialism and criticism of the passing time, and to give God his rightful place back of law and conscience and life. . . . Secondly, the requirements and obligations of the law of God. This is requisite, if sinners are ever to understand and appreciate their lost condition, and their need of the Bible salvation as something infinitely different from a mere sentimental salvation, and are ever to ‘flee from the wrath to come,’ to find refuge in Christ as their Saviour. The dreadful lawlessness and consciencelessness of the age emphasize the call for a ‘law-work’ as profound and thorough as in the age . . . when Paul had to deal with Roman sinners in his epistle—and for law-work with a trumpet-call to repentance added. Thirdly, the Bible teaching concerning justification by faith and regeneration by the Holy Spirit as the only way, in any age, to vital piety, and a genuine Christian life.” This kind of preaching would be Biblical and apostolical; and if generally adopted, it would also settle many of the religio-political questions now agitating the world, chief of which is the Sabbath question. Such preaching in sincerity would lead to the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath, the badge of our Lord’s power and authority.