Practical Suggestions
143
A minister went to his church to preach one rainy morning, and
found that he had only one man for an audience. But he would not
disappoint his hearer, and he preached to him with earnestness and
interest. As a result, the man was converted, and became a missionary,
and through his efforts thousands heard the good news of salvation.
* * * * *
Short Sermons—Let the message for this time be presented, not in
long, labored discourses, but in short talks, right to the point. Lengthy
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sermons tax the strength of the speaker and the patience of his hearers.
If the speaker is one who feels the importance of his message, he will
need to be especially careful lest he overtax his physical powers, and
give the people more than they can remember.
Do not think, when you have gone over a subject once, that your
hearers will retain in their minds all that you have presented. There is
danger of passing too rapidly from point to point. Give short lessons, in
plain, simple language, and let them be often repeated. Short sermons
will be remembered far better than long ones. Our speakers should
remember that the subjects they are presenting may be new to some of
their hearers; therefore the principal points should be gone over again
and again.
* * * * *
Directness—Many speakers waste their time and strength in long
preliminaries and excuses. Some use nearly half an hour in making
apologies; thus time is wasted, and when they reach their subject and
try to fasten the points of truth in the minds of their hearers, the people
are wearied out and cannot see their force.
Instead of apologizing because he is about to address the people,
the minister should begin as if he knew that he was bearing a message
from God. He should make the essential points of truth as distinct as
mile-posts, so that the people cannot fail to see them.
Time is frequently lost in explaining points which are really unim-
portant, and which would be taken for granted without producing
proofs. But the vital points should be made as plain and forcible as
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language and proof can make them.