Chapter 48—Oratorical and Theatrical Display
Eloquent Orations As Sounding Brass—The life renewed by
divine grace and hidden with Christ in God is eloquent in its sim-
plicity. The orations and speeches made by apparently learned men
are in God’s estimation as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal in
comparison with the words which come direct from a heart refined
by belief in Christ as a personal Saviour. Those who are eloquent in
God’s sight are willing to walk in lowly paths. They are unappreciated
by those who are constantly striving for the supremacy, who have no
sense of what it means to walk in humble subjection to God’s will
and way; but God declares: “To this man will I look, even to him
that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word” [
Isaiah
66:2
].—
Manuscript 176, 1899
.
Ministers, Not Actors—Unless men are led to value the truth as
a choice possession, to receive it as that which will sanctify the soul,
no lasting good has been accomplished. He who presents eloquent
words, simply causes the people to forget the truth that is mingled
with his oratory. When the excitement passes away, it is found that
[284]
the word of God has not been fastened upon the mind; nor have the
simple gained in understanding. The people may go away from the
church and may speak in admiration of the oratorical powers of the
man who has preached to them, but they may not be convicted by the
truth or brought any nearer to the point of decision. They speak of the
sermon in the same way as they would of a play, and of the minister
in the same manner as they would of an actor at a theater. They may
come again to listen to the same kind of discourse, and may again go
away unimpressed and unfed.
People should not be encouraged to prize oratorical display. This
kind of sermonizing has the same kind of effect upon the mind as does
the reading of an exciting story. It has a stimulating effect, but does
not transform the character. The influence of this kind of preaching
has been made plain in the results that have followed. The people are
attracted to the man, and think no one is equal to him; but I have been
180