144
The Voice in Speech and Song
Those who believe sacred, eternal truth, must put their whole soul
into their efforts. We must be stirred to the very heart as we behold
the fulfilling of prophecy in the closing scenes of this earth’s history.
As our vision extends still further into the glories of eternity—the
coming of Christ with power and great glory, and the scenes of the
great day of judgment—we should not remain tame and unmoved.
“I saw the dead,” John says, “stand before God; and the books were
opened: and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life: and
[227]
the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the
books, according to their works.”—Lt 8, 1895.
Enthusiasm in Things Real and Imaginary—On a certain oc-
casion, when Betterton, the celebrated actor, was dining with Dr.
Sheldon, archbishop of Canterbury, the archbishop said to him, “Pray,
Mr. Betterton, tell me why it is that you actors affect your audiences
so powerfully by speaking of things imaginary.”
“My lord,” replied Betterton, “with due submission to Your Grace,
permit me to say that the reason is plain: It all lies in the power of
enthusiasm. We on the stage speak of things imaginary as if they
were real, and you in the pulpit speak of things real as if they were
imaginary.”—
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 255
.
The Minister a Messenger from God—The minister who has
learned of Christ will ever be conscious that he is a messenger of God,
commissioned by Him to do a work the influence of which is to endure
throughout eternity. It should not be any part of his object to call
attention to himself, his learning, or his ability. His whole aim should
be to bring sinners to repentance, pointing them, by both precept and
example, to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. He
should speak as one conscious of possessing power and authority from
God. His discourses should have an earnestness, a fervor, a power of
persuasion, that will lead sinners to take refuge in Christ.—
Gospel
Workers, 172, 173
.
[228]
Irresistible Power to Move Hearts—The very tones of the voice,
the look, the words, should possess an irresistible power to move hearts
and control minds. Jesus should be found in the heart of the minister.
If Jesus is in the words and in the tones of the voice, if they are mellow
with His tender love, it will prove a blessing of more value than all
the riches, pleasures, and glories of the earth; for such blessings will