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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
as you commence to speak. Instead of apologizing because you are
about to address the people, you should commence your labor as
though God had something for you to say to them. Some use up
nearly half an hour in making apologies; thus the time is frittered
away, and when they get to their subject, where they are desirous
to fasten the points of truth, the people are wearied out and cannot
see their force or be impressed with them. You should make the
essential points of present truth as distinct as mileposts so that the
people will understand them. They will then see the arguments you
want to present and the positions you want to sustain.
[617]
There is another class that address the people in a whining tone.
Their hearts are not softened by the Spirit of God, and they think
they must make an impression by the appearance of humility. Such
a course does not exalt the gospel ministry, but brings it down and
degrades it. Ministers should present the truth warm from glory.
They should speak in such a manner as rightly to represent Christ
and preserve the dignity becoming His ministers.
The long prayers made by some ministers have been a great
failure. Praying to great length, as some do, is all out of place. They
injure the throat and vocal organs, and then they talk of breaking
down by their hard labor. They injure themselves when it is not
called for. Many feel that praying injures their vocal organs more
than talking. This is in consequence of the unnatural position of
the body, and the manner of holding the head. They can stand and
talk, and not feel injured. The position in prayer should be perfectly
natural. Long praying wearies, and is not in accordance with the
gospel of Christ. Half or even quarter of an hour is altogether too
long. A few minutes’ time is long enough to bring your case before
God and tell Him what you want; and you can take the people with
you and not weary them out and lessen their interest in devotion
and prayer. They may be refreshed and strengthened, instead of
exhausted.
A mistake has been made by many in their religious exercises
in long praying and long preaching, upon a high key, with a forced
voice, in an unnatural strain and an unnatural tone. The minister has
needlessly wearied himself and really distressed the people by hard,
labored exercise, which is all unnecessary. Ministers should speak
in a manner to reach and impress the people. The teachings of Christ