Anecdotes and Humor
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ment, his attitude, his gestures, should be of such a character as will not
strike the beholder with disgust. Ministers should possess refinement.
They should discard all uncouth manners, attitudes, and gestures, and
should encourage in themselves humble dignity of bearing. They
should be clothed in a manner befitting the dignity of their position.
Their speech should be in every respect solemn and well chosen. I was
shown that it is wrong to make coarse, irreverent expressions, relate
anecdotes to amuse, or present comic illustrations to create a laugh.
Sarcasm and playing upon the words of an opponent are all out of
God’s order.—
Testimonies for the Church 1:648, 649
.
Amusing Stories—My brother, you need to examine more closely
the discourses you present to the people. The object of your ministerial
labors is not to amuse. It is not to convey information alone, not
merely to convince the intellect. The preaching of the Word should
appeal to the intellect and impart knowledge, but it comprises much
more than this. The heart of the minister must reach the hearts of the
hearers. Some have adopted a style of preaching that does not have
a right influence. It has become a habit with them to cheapen their
discourses by the relation of anecdotes. The impression thus made
upon the hearers is not a savor of life unto life. You should not bring
amusing stories into your preaching. The people need pure provender,
thoroughly winnowed from all that is not food. “Preach the Word,” was
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the charge that Paul gave to Timothy, and this is your commission.—Lt
61, 1896.
No Clowns in the Pulpit—I warned you against clownishness in
the desk or before the people. Do you not sometimes bring this acting
into the sacred desk? You please the world; you attract the world. Is
this an evidence that you are having a deep spiritual piety, sanctified
to God through the Spirit?—Lt 9, 1889.
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