164
Evangelism
applause of men, being ambitious for a vain show of intellect and
eloquence. Let the minister’s ambition be carefully to search the Bible,
that they may know as much as possible of God and of Jesus Christ,
whom He has sent. The more clearly ministers discern Christ, and
catch His spirit, the more forcibly will they preach the simple truth of
which Christ is the center.—
The Review and Herald, March 24, 1896
.
[182]
“Eloquent” Sermons—The minister may make a high range into
the heavens, by poetical descriptions and fanciful presentations which
please the senses and feed the imagination, but which do not touch
the common life experience, the daily necessities; bringing home to
the heart the very truths which are of vital interest. The immediate
requirements, the present trials, need present help and strength—the
faith that works by love and purifies the soul, not words which have
no real influence upon the living daily walk in practical Christianity.
The minister may think that with his fanciful eloquence he has
done great things in feeding the flock of God; the hearers may suppose
that they never before heard such beautiful themes, they have never
seen the truth dressed up in such beautiful language, and as God was
represented before them in His greatness, they felt a glow of emotion.
But trace from cause to effect all this ecstasy of feeling caused by these
fanciful representations. There may be truths, but too often they are not
the food that will fortify them for the daily battles of life.—
Manuscript
59, 1900
.
Introducing Side Issues—Brethren should not feel that it is a
virtue to stand apart because they do not see all minor points in exactly
the same light. If they agree on fundamental truths, they should not
differ and dispute about matters of little real importance. To dwell on
perplexing questions, that after all are of no vital consequence, tends to
call the mind away from truths vital to the saving of the soul. Brethren
should be very modest in urging these side issues which often they do
not themselves understand, points that they do not know to be truth
and that are not essential to salvation....
I have been shown that it is the device of the enemy to divert men’s
[183]
minds to some obscure or unimportant point, something that is not fully
revealed or is not essential to salvation. This is made the absorbing
theme, the “present truth,” when all the investigations and suppositions
only serve to make matters more obscure and to confuse the minds of