Anecdotes and Humor
173
In Christ’s Stead—Ministers cannot be too guarded, especially
before the young. They should use no lightness of speech, jesting
or joking, but should remember that they are in Christ’s stead, that
they must illustrate by example the life of Christ.—
Testimonies for
the Church 1:380, 381
.
No Jesting in the Pulpit—The minister who is ready to engage
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in frivolous conversation, ready to jest and laugh, does not realize
the sacred obligations resting upon him, and if he goes from such
an exercise to the pulpit, the Lord cannot stand by his side to bless
him.... Flowery discourses will not be sufficient to feed the soul of the
famishing child of God.—
The Review and Herald, June 23, 1891
.
Speech Seasoned With Grace—Let trifling and joking be ban-
ished from the conversation of the minister, but let his speech be
seasoned with grace; let the light and love of Jesus shine in his exam-
ple and precept, that souls may be won for the Master.—
The Review
and Herald, April 5, 1892
.
Abuse of the Gospel—Some who stand in the pulpit make the
heavenly messengers in the audience ashamed of them. The precious
gospel, which it has cost so much to bring to the world, is abused.
There is common, cheap talk; grotesque attitudes and workings of
the features. There is, with some, rapid talking, with others a thick,
indistinct utterance.—
Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers,
339
.
Common Words of Human Devising—The messages of truth
are to be kept entirely free from cheap, common words of human
devising. Thus forcible impressions will be made upon hearts. Let
not our ministers cherish the idea that they must bring forth something
new and strange, or that cheap, common expressions will give them
influence. Ministers are to be the mouthpiece of God, and they must
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eradicate from their speech every expression that is cheap or common.
Let them be careful lest by attempting during their discourse to cause
laughter, they dishonor God.
Our message is a solemn and sacred one, and we must watch unto
prayer. The words uttered must be of such a character that through
them God can make an impression on heart and mind. Let the ministers
of the gospel be sanctified through the truth.—
Evangelism, 211
.
On the Enemy’s Ground—As soon as a preacher comes down
from the position a minister should ever occupy, and descends to the