p. 87 | SERMONS.-

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 9, 1864

SERMONS.—

Scarcely anything is of so much importance in preaching as speaking directly to the persons present, addressing them plainly and affectionately as if they alone were concerned in the message. In all ages and countries effective speakers have been among those who address themselves directly and closely to their hearers. Those who would make a deep and lasting impression must speak to them in this manner. Of course it requires considerable thought, effort, and address so to manage and apply what is advanced that the hearers may not be able to shake it off from themselves, but be made, if possible to feel that to them is the word of this salvation sent. If we place side by side a sermon of such men as Bunyan, Baxter, Grimshaw, Thomas, Adams, Shepard, with any sermon of the generality of our modern evangelical preachers, the contrast is as striking as can well be imagined. The latter class of sermons close with a short application—short and feeble enough surely—the former is really an application all through. Our religious congregations utterly disregard a closing application; they seem to feel that it comes in as a matter of course seemingly to ease the conscience of the preacher and save appearances. It is therefore, powerless; it produces no fruit.