EFFECTIVE PREACHING by Arthur S. Pierson

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 20, 1888

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 14, No. 16.

EFFECTIVE PREACHING.

By Arthur S. Pierson

THE maxim of Paul, "Preaching of Christ crucified; not with wisdom of words, lest the cross be made of none effect," is a golden milestone from which many roads lead—and into what fields of thought they open!

The church is largely leavened with the world, adopts worldly maxims, and robes the gospel in worldly charms, seeking by making it attractive to make it effective. The pulpit sometimes becomes a platform for lectures more fit for the lyceum, and sometimes a stage for dramatic acting more fit for the theater! The service of sacred song is turned into a display of art, in which an appeal to aesthetic taste takes the place of the divine savor and flavor of worship. In his house, where "the Lord alone shall be exalted," classical music is exalted, pagans and papists are hired to lead us in praise; or a profane, drunken organist sometimes uses the keys of the grandest of instruments to play out the congregation, and play out the impression of the gospel. We build Gothic cathedrals, furnish them with crimson and gold, adorn them with the pencil and chisel of art; then we have concerts and lectures, fairs and festivals, entertainments and excursions; and we say, "Surely we shall draw the people to the house of God." But they do not come. The writer went to a splendid church, on the Pacific Coast, where a silver-tongued preacher had his throne, and a choir of artists warbled music; there were seven performances by organ and quartette, and then a grand oration, but the church was more than half empty.

Such charms do not permanently draw the eyes of men to God's house, and their feet to his altars and feasts. Zion's attractions are peculiar to herself; they "are not of the world, even as He is not of the world." The church, robed in the world's charms, instead of drawing the world to herself and to Christ, takes the infection of the worldly spirit; therefore her Master bade her keep herself "unspotted from the world," "hating even the garment spotted by the flesh!"—Arthur S. Pierson, D. D.