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The Voice in Speech and Song
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.—
Gospel Workers, 167, 168
.
The Losing of a Religious Interest—Long discourses and te-
dious prayers are positively injurious to a religious interest and fail
to carry conviction to the consciences of the people. This propensity
for speech-making frequently dampens a religious interest that might
have produced great results.—
Testimonies for the Church 4:261
.
A Little at a Time—Present the truth to the people in its true
importance and sacredness, and be careful not to give them too large a
portion in one discourse. It will be lost upon them if you do. Lengthy
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speeches detract from the efficiency of your labors. To those who are
ignorant of the truth, your teaching is new and strange, and they do
not readily apprehend it. There is danger of pouring into their minds a
mass of matter which they cannot possibly digest. “But the word of
the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept;
line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” We need
to study His method of teaching. We have the most important and
decided testimony for the world, and we must give the people short
discourses, in plain and simple language. Do not think, because you
have gone over a subject once, that you can pass right on to other
points, and the hearers retain all that has been presented.—SpT Series
A, No. 7, Pages 6, 7.
More Emphasis on Bible Reading—Avoid lengthy sermons. The
people cannot retain one half of the discourses which they hear. Give
short talks and more Bible readings. This is the time to make every
point as plain as mileposts.—
Evangelism, 439
.
Pure Wheat Thoroughly Winnowed—Preach the truth in its sim-
plicity, but let your discourses be short. Dwell decidedly on a few
important points.... Keep decidedly to a few points. Give the people
pure wheat thoroughly winnowed from all chaff. Do not let your dis-
courses embrace so much that weakness shall be seen in the place of
solid argument. Present the truth as it is in Jesus, that those who hear