I FEAR that I have many times indulged in unnecessary lightness of speech, calculated to court a laugh in the audience, not to correspond with the solemnity of the last message of mercy. Sometimes the people will smile at a shrewd turn or point in the argument when we do not intend or desire it; but I am resolved to guard this more in the future. It must appear very inconsistent to the candid listener when we step out of the way to excite levity in the audience.
Every sermon ought to be forcibly applied, or close with an exhortation. But to make amusing anecdotes, and indulge in merry turns, and then exhort till some of the more sympathetic will weep, must be disgusting to men of good sense, for it seeks so much like playing the clown in the pulpit. But for us to think because some weep from mere human sympathy, we are doing good, is the hight of folly. When the Spirit of God is grieved away by lightness and vanity, it is not so easily brought back again.
When I think of the solemnity of our work, and the times in which we live, I think how grave should we be in all our deportment, both in public and in private. Every word should be seasoned, so as to make an impression suitable to our profession. Col. iv, 6. "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." But as that which excites levity is not salutary, but tends to corrupt, it should be strictly avoided at all times, and especially in the pulpit.
Col. iii, 17. "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." But we can no more use lightness in the pulpit in Christ's name, than we can chew or smoke tobacco in his name. Another text says that we should "do all to the glory of God." The apostle says that "knowing therefore the terror of the Lord we persuade men," and in the same connection, "whether we be sober, it is for your cause."
One of the most essential qualifications for a preacher is gravity, or sobriety. In the charge to Titus, the apostle says, "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine." "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded, in all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that can not be condemned," &c. But how can we exhort young men to be grave, except we at the same time set them a pattern? The apostolic rule is that our converts should follow us "as we follow Christ." If converts are made and brought in with a light spirit, they will generally live in the same way, and this is why the apostle insists upon a right pattern being set by those who preach the word. I would that all of us should constantly hear in mind the words of the apostle Peter: "But the end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." Christ was a pattern preacher, and it is recorded in an ancient manuscript that he was often seen to weep, but never to laugh.
But why use lightness in the pulpit? Is it not to amuse and please the hearer? But the apostle says, "Do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." 2 Cor. v, 11, 13.
"For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: but as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness: nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ." 1 Thess. ii, 3-6.
We are God's husbandry, and laborers together with God, and are admonished to take heed how we build upon that foundation laid for us, and we are exhorted to beware of the "wood, hay, stubble," lest we suffer loss.
I once heard senator Harlan, of Iowa, make a political speech. His manner was so grave and solemn it seemed more like preaching, than a political speech. His aim was to address the sober senses, the better judgment; while others aim to tickle their fancy, by exciting mirthfulness. I thought what a contrast between this politician and some preachers. O, what a shame that a minister of Christ should be more vain in his manner of speech than a politician! It should not, it must not be so with us.
That excellent, good man, Barton W. Stone, in the Messenger of June, 1843, says, "I have seen preachers in the earnestness and pathos of Demosthenes in the pulpit, and as soon as they had left the sacred desk, they left also their zeal and gravity—they mingled with the people, and engaged in vain, light, and sportive conversation on trifles; and even on noisy politics; and this, too, on the Lord's day! By such conduct they destroyed all the good impressions they might have made in the pulpit—watered the germ of infidelity—sunk their own influence—and hardened sinners against the fear of God."
While Mr. Stone, in his address to elders and preachers, could speak as above, he also set a good example. His biographer says: "He was grave and dignified in his demeanor every where, but especially in the pulpit. He was too deeply impressed by a sense of the worth of souls, and responsibility of his position as a christian minister, to indulge in levity in the pulpit. He filled that sacred place with the grave, the judgment, and the eternal destinies of a world, full in his view. Any effort at wit, or exhibition of lightness, therefore, in the sacred desk, always met his decided disapprobation. The writer never saw him smile in the pulpit."
6To illustrate what a preacher should, and should not, be, the following from Cowper is appropriate, as quoted by Mr. Stone's biographer:
"He that negotiates between God and man,
As God's ambassador, the grand concerns
Of judgment and of mercy, should beware
Of lightness in his speech. 'Tis pitiful
To court a grin, when you would woo a soul:
To break a jest, when pity would inspire
Pathetic exhortation; and to address
The skittish fancy with facetious tales,
When sent with God's commission to the heart!
So did not Paul.
'No: he was serious, in a serious cause,
And understood too well the weighty terms,
That he had ta'en in charge. He would not stoop
To conquer those by jocular exploits
Whom truth and soberness assailed in vain.
'Would I describe a preacher, such as Paul,
Were he on earth, would hear, approve, and own,
Paul should himself direct me. I would trace
His master-strokes, and draw from his design.
I would express him simple, grave, sincere;
In doctrine uncorrupt, in language plain,
And plain in manner; decent, solemn, chaste,
And natural in gesture; much impressed
Himself, as conscious of his awful charge,
And anxious mainly that the flock he feeds
May feel it too; affectionate in look,
And tender in address, as well becomes
A messenger of grace to guilty man."
I am fully aware that in writing this article, and transcribing such sentiments as the above, I am laying myself under double responsibility in this matter. But I must look to God for help. Our messengers are mostly young men, and in danger on this point. As an individual, I would earnestly entreat the aged and experienced of our brethren to faithfully admonish us as duty may require. Let them not suffer a messenger to go on to the injury of the cause. And shall not the evangelists watch over each other for good? Shall we talk of order, and not be united ourselves? Shall we straightly warn and reprove those who use tobacco, or wear hoops, and at the same time ask indulgence for that which is equally wrong? The tobacco user says, "Give me time, I am trying to taper off; besides, I only use a little for medicine." We reply, that their duty is to drop it at once, cease to do evil, &c. But right here come in the words of the apostle, "Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest not thou thyself?" Let the ministry earnestly and thoroughly reform on the point of levity, and we shall soon see a reform in the church. Let them be united in brotherly love, with living faith, and importunate prayer, and the church will catch the flame. May the Lord help us to weep over our wrongs and repent thoroughly, and at once. Let us not think of asking indulgence for a single hour. May the Lord so fit up his servants that they shall teach his way more perfectly, is my fervent prayer.