THE LANGUAGE OF PREACHING.
By Dr. Lathan
IN making the offer of the gospel to the world there are two extremes. The one is to use the slang of the uncultivated multitude, and the other is to use the technical language of theological schools. In both these classes there are men of world-wide fame. Notwithstanding this, both modes are to be avoided. The language of the Bible, especially the language of the New Testament, should be our mode in this matter. There is not a single sentence of slang in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, neither are there any metaphysical discussions. In the use of slang in the pulpit there is a seeming want of reverence for the place and business in hand; and in the use of technical words and expressions, in an ordinary sermon, there is at least the appearance of an effort to make a display of human learning. It is an evidence, however, of a want of Bible knowledge. As a general rule, the man who has a thorough knowledge of a subject can speak to the edification of others in plain, simple words. Drs. Archibald Alexander and Gardiner Spring were learned men, yet a schoolboy never has to read a sentence twice which either of them wrote in order to understand what he meant. The pulpit has a powerful effect upon the masses in the use of language. If the preacher uses slang, his hearers will either be disgusted or fall into the use of slang. If the preacher uses metaphysical expressions, his hearers will either not be edified, or follow their preacher in the use of words and phrases to which they can attach no intelligent meaning.