NOTHING short of the highest morality and the most perfect subordination can ever secure complete success. Most indispensable is high reputation in all its public functionaries. A religious body whose public organs do not sustain purity of morals, chastity of address, and dignity of character, with most elevated natural and acquired attainments, can never do much towards the purification and elevation of the debased and degraded children of men. So important is this that some rule seems to be necessary to enable us to distinguish those who labor to show themselves off to a good advantage, from those who seek the honor of the blessed Master. It is one thing to preach in such a way as to make the people think of and confess their sins, but it is quite another thing for the mere actor to show himself off, in such a way as to induce the hearers to say, he is the greatest man we ever heard! A fine speaker may present such a beautiful theory on faith, as to delight a popular audience, without producing faith in a single soul, while the most immethodical speaker, whose heart is greatly impressed with the facts to be believed, will throw out the great realities of revelation with such earnestness and zeal as to make believers wherever he goes. Just so fine theories on repentance may be delivered in the shape of sermons, and listened to with applause, without inducing any one to think of repenting, while some old-fashioned preacher reasoning upon righteousness and a judgment to come, in the most immethodical manner, will cause sinners to tremble all around. The reason of this is not that one class has method while the other has not, but one class presents the mighty truth of God, while the other simply presents a fine theory concerning the truth. The result is that in one case the truth itself is believed and admired, while in the other case the fine theory is the only thing seen, and the preacher who delivered it the only object adored.
A Book of Gems, or, Choice selections from the writings of Benjamin Franklin
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About This Book
A curated anthology of sermons, debates, tracts, and miscellaneous religious writings arranged by subject and indexed for quick reference. Selections treat biblical authority, church order and practices (such as baptism and communion), pastoral responsibilities and preaching, moral exhortation, repentance and salvation, missionary effort, and reflections on life’s brevity. Short homiletic pieces blend doctrinal argument with practical counsel and urgent appeals for immediate personal and communal reform, offering guidance for Christian conduct and for those engaged in ministry or church renewal.