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heavenly angels were in our midst. I was blessed in speaking, the
people blessed in hearing. I cannot see but that my message is having
a better impression than on the minds of my American brethren and
sisters.
After the discourse we had a most precious meeting. Our brethren
of all nationalities spoke of being greatly blessed, and of being very
grateful to God for the word spoken.—Lt 23, 1885.
Message on
Matthew 9:28-30
—My text was
Matthew 9:28-30
.
The congregation were, many of them, intelligent men and women. I
presented the truth in its simplicity, that old and young could under-
stand. This was the manner of Jesus’ preaching. He taught the people
in simplicity. He used no large words that the unlearned could not
understand. The unlearned, the veriest child, could understand His
words.
Jesus declared in Nazareth, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He
hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the
captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that
are bruised.”
Luke 4:18
. How many of the professed ministers of Jesus
Christ are copying this example of our divine Teacher?—
Manuscript
55, 1886
.
Preaching on the Parable of the Talents—An appointment had
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been made for me to speak Sabbath afternoon, January 7th, but as I
rode the five miles to the meeting, I was in such a state of exhaustion
that I feared and trembled and was beset with temptations. Looking at
appearance, it was impossible for me to speak. I prayed all the way.
When I stood upon the platform, such an assurance was given me by
the Lord that He had sent His angel to sustain me, that I could not
doubt. These words seemed spoken to me: “Be strong in the Lord;
yea, be strong.” I never spoke with greater ease and freedom from
infirmity. The hearers said my voice was clear and musical, and the
congregation could not but know that the Spirit and power of God was
upon me.
I spoke for an hour upon the parable of the talents, dwelling with
considerable definiteness on the slothful servant who hid his one talent
in the earth, and presented it to the Lord with a bitter complaint,
accusing God of being a hard Master. The Lord spoke through clay,
and hearts were touched. Some were deeply moved. A minister of