Men and Things by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 8, 1872

Men and Things.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

LOSING INFLUENCE.

SOME persons are exceedingly fearful of losing their influence. When the Sabbath, or any other cross, is presented to them, they hesitate to obey, fearing it will injure their influence. Says Beecher:—“‘Risks losing its influence’—that is a phrase we almost always distrust. What is influence good for but to use it? How can it be used at all on the very men whom you want to reach, those who differ from you, without running counter to their convictions?”

That is the point exactly. What is influence good for but to be used? Men who violate the law of God and their own consciences to save their influence with the world are not those whom God can use in his work. Reformers are never made out of such stuff as that. It calls for men who will dare to do right though they are alone in doing it. These are the men who have influence. Others are mere time servers who will be forgotten as soon as they are dead.

TO MINISTERS.

The following from The Christian is sound in principle, and must be practiced by every minister who truly preaches the gospel.

“When you open your commission,” says old John Berridge, “begin with laying open the innumerable corruptions of the hearts of your audience. Moses will lend you a knife which may be often whetted at his grindstone. Lay open the universal sinfulness of men's natures, the darkness of the mind, the frowardness of the will, the fretfulness of the temper, and the earthliness and sensuality of the affections. Speak of the evil of sin in its nature, its rebellion against God as our sovereign, ingratitude to God as our lawgiver, and contempt both of his authority and love. Declare the evil of sin in its effects, bringing all our sicknesses, pains, and snares—all the evils we feel, and all the evils we fear. Lay open the spirituality of the law and its extent, reaching to every thought, word, and action, and declaring every transgression, whether by omission or commission, deserving of death. Declare man's utter helplessness to change his nature or make his peace. When your hearers are deeply affected with these things, which is often seen by the hanging down of their heads, then preach Christ. Lay open the Saviour's almighty power to soften the hard heart, and give it repentance, to bring pardon to the broken heart, a spirit of prayer to the prayerless heart, holiness to the filthy heart, and faith to the unbelieving heart. Let them know that all the treasures of grace are lodged in Jesus Christ for the use of the poor, needy sinners, and that he is full of love as well as power; turns no beggar from his gate, but receives all comers kindly; loves to bless them, and bestows all his blessings free. Here you must wave the gospel flag, and magnify the Saviour supremely. Speak it with a full mouth, that his blood can wash away the foulest stains, and his grace subdue the stoutest corruptions. Entreat the people to seek his grace, to seek it directly, to seek it diligently, to seek it constantly; and acquaint them that all who thus seek shall assuredly find the salvation of God.”

D. M. CANRIGHT.