It should be brief; if lengthy, it will steep
Our hearts in apathy, our eyes in sleep;
The dull will yawn, the chapel lounger doze,
Attention flag, and memory's portals close. It should be warm; a living altar coal,
To melt the icy heart, and charm the soul;
A sapless, dull harangue, however read,
Will never rouse the soul, or raise the dead. It should be simple, practical, and clear;
No fine-spun theory to please the ear;
No curious lay to tickle letter'd pride,
And leave the poor and plain unedified. It should be tender and affectionate,
As His warm theme who wept lost Salem's fate;
The fiery laws, with words of love allay'd,
Will sweetly warm and awfully persuade. It should be manly, just, and rational,
Wisely conceived, and well express'd withal;
Not stuffed with silly notions, apt to stain
A sacred desk, and show a muddy brain. It should possess a well adapted grace,
To situation, audience, time, and place;
A sermon formed for scholars, statesmen, lords,
With peasants and mechanics ill accords. It should with evangelic beauties bloom,
Like Paul's at Corinth, Athens, or at Rome;
While some Epictetus or Sterne esteem,
A gracious Saviour is a gospel theme! It should be mixed with many an ardent prayer,
To reach the heart, and fix and fasten there;
When God and man are mutually addressed,
God grants a blessing, man is truly bless'd. It should be closely, well applied at last,
To make the moral nail securely fast.
Thou art the man, and thou, alone, will make
A Felix tremble, and a David quake!