How Shall we Preach?

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Aug 7, 1855

How Shall we Preach?

"Not indifferently, for the interests at stake are too vast to allow it. Sent out into a world to rescue souls from endless ruin, time flying, eternity at hand, death and judgment drawing near, he has not a moment to lose. Hell yawns, he cannot temporize. The spirit of the world whispers—mildly, soothingly, learnedly, eloquently!—But God, the Bible, conscience, reply, 'Preach with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven!'—'Not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit, and of power.

"Preach as dying men to dying men. Preach each sermon as if you knew it were the last your lips should utter, or the last some poor sinners before you should ever hear. Preach as for your own lives; and be sure that you preach the cross. All preaching without this is worthless. Be it your fervent and hourly increasing ambition to know nothing among death, judgment and eternity bound men, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Glory in the Son of God. Magnify his grace and power before all men, by humble and prayerful individual devotion of soul, by spending and being spent in his service. Let the world take knowledge of you that you have been with Christ and learned of him. Preach as if you had, and the church will no longer slumber on in false security. Her voice will go up to heaven as the voice of many waters. God will hear her cry—He will come and revive her throughout all her borders. Sinners will call aloud for mercy, and find no peace, till they seek for and obtain it at the foot of the Saviour's cross.