Simplicity in Preaching.
By William Jay
In one of his charges, Archbishop Usher says to his clergy, "How much learning and wisdom, my brethren, are necessary to make these things plain?" Could he have said anything more fine and judicious than this? Here is the proper direction and exertion of a minister's talents, whether natural or acquired. They are not to unfit him for any part of his office—which they may easily do, at the stimulation of vanity or pride; but to qualify and aid him the better to perform it. It is so to be feared, that some do not employ their abilities to make things plain. If they do, we can but lament their deplorable want of success. But it would seem as if their aim was to dazzle rather than enlighten; to surprise rather than inform; to raise admiration at their difficult composition, rather than, with the apostles, to use great plainness of speech. Even their claim to originality often regards only the mode of representation. The ideas they wish to pass off as new, when examined, are found only common-place sentiments. The well is not really deep, but you cannot see to the bottom, because of their contrivance to make the water muddy. They are not really tall; and so they stand on tip-toe. They have not a native beauty that always appears to most advantage without finery; and so they would make up the deficiency by excess, and complexity and cumbersomeness of ornament.—Wm. Jay.