Simplicity and Clarity
139
home and urge upon them the danger of rejecting the light upon those
[219]
points. Let the minds of the hearers distinctly understand the bearing
of every point and then urge to a decision.
I was shown that the time that is consumed in so much reading
and study is often worse than thrown away. A large portion of the
time spent over books and in studying should be spent before God
imploring Him for heavenly wisdom and for strength and power to let
the truth, which they do fully understand, shine out before the people
in its clearness and harmonious beauty. There is too little time spent
in secret prayer and in sacred meditation. The cry of God’s servants
should be for the holy unction and to be clothed with salvation, that
what they preach may reach hearts. Time is so short and ministers of
these last days are so few that they should throw all their energies into
the work, and should be in close connection with God and holy angels,
that a tremendous power may be in their preaching—a compelling
power, to draw every soul who is honest and loves the truth right along
to embrace it.—
Manuscript 7, 1863
.
Teachings of the Chief Shepherd—On Sunday, at 11 a.m.,
Brother Wilson of New Zealand gave a most profitable discourse,
beautiful in its simplicity, and in no way savoring of cheapness. The
more plain and simple a discourse is, the more do the teachings of the
undershepherds represent the teaching of the Chief Shepherd.—Lt 82,
1895.
Danger of Soaring Too High—The preacher should endeavor to
[220]
carry the understanding and sympathies of the people with him. Do
not soar too high, where they cannot follow, but give the truth point
after point, slowly and distinctly, making a few essential points, then it
will be as a nail fastened in a sure place by the Master of assemblies.
If you stop when you should, giving them no more at once than they
can comprehend and profit by, they will be eager to hear more, and
thus the interest will be sustained.—
Evangelism, 177
.
Vital Subjects Easily Understood—Our ministers should seek to
make the most favorable presentation of truth. So far as possible, let
all speak the same things. Let the discourses be simple, and treating
upon vital subjects that can be easily understood.—
Selected Messages
1:167
.
Ample Facilities for Reaching People—Ministers, in your dis-
courses do not climb up so high that the people cannot understand