Chapter 27—Address to Ministers
A great and solemn truth has been entrusted to us, for which we are
responsible. Too often this truth is presented in cold theory. Sermon
after sermon upon doctrinal points is delivered to people who come and
go, some of whom will never have another as favorable opportunity
of being convicted and converted to Christ. Golden opportunities are
lost by delivering elaborate discourses, which display self, but do not
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magnify Christ. A theory of the truth without vital godliness cannot
remove the moral darkness which envelops the soul.
Most precious gems of truth are often rendered powerless by the
wisdom of words in which they are clothed, while the power of the
Spirit of God is lacking. Christ presented the truth in its simplicity; and
He reached not only the most elevated, but the lowliest men of earth.
The minister who is God’s ambassador and Christ’s representative on
the earth, who humbles himself that God may be exalted, will possess
the genuine quality of eloquence. True piety, a close connection with
God, and a daily, living experience in the knowledge of Christ, will
make eloquent even the stammering tongue.
As I see the wants in young churches, as I see and realize their
great need of vital godliness and their deficiency in true religious
experience, my heart is sad. I know that those who bear the message
of truth to them do not properly instruct them on all points essential to
the perfection of a symmetrical character in Christ Jesus. These things
may be neglected too long by the teachers of the truth. Speaking of
the gospel, Paul says: “Whereof I am made a minister, according to
the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the
word of God, even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and
from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints: to whom
God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery
among the Gentiles [mark the explanation of the mystery]; which is
Christ in you, the hope of glory: whom we preach, warning every man
and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man
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