Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

he was just what a husband ought to be: he loved his wife, as Christ loved
the church. As a friend, he was accessible, affable, communicative,
obliging, faithful, and affectionate. It was, however, a maxim with him,
that "proffered sympathy, in the time of deep sorrow and privation,
whether it come personally or by letter, tends to exacerbate the evil which
it wishes to remove." When I was deprived, by death, of a lovely son, he
wrote to me thus: "I know well what it is to bury a child; for I have buried
six: a sympathizing friend may say, 'Well! it is the Lord's will, and they
are better provided for!' Thus I have learned that it is a mighty easy thing
to bury other folks' children!" In every private relation of life he was an
example worthy the imitation of all; nor was he less so in his public
character as a minister of Christ.
Before I make any remarks on the doctor's preaching or writing, I will
gratify my readers with a valuable letter of his to a young preacher, who
had written to him for advice on the subjects of which it speaks —
"My Dear Brother,—I have given many general and particular advices
to my younger brethren in 'A Letter to a Preacher on his first Entrance
into the Work of the Ministry.' If you have not read this little tract, you
should get it without delay. I would lay down two maxims for your
conduct: 1. Never forget any thing you have learned, especially in
language, science, history, chronology, antiquities, and theology. 2.
Improve in every thing you have learned, and acquire what you never
had, especially whatever may be useful to you in the work of the ministry.
As to your making or composing sermons, I have no good opinion of it.
Get a thorough knowledge of your subject: understand your text in all its
connection and bearings, and then go into the pulpit depending on the
Spirit of God to give you power to explain and illustrate to the people
those general and particular views which you have already taken of your
subject, and which you conscientiously believe to be correct and
according to the word of God. But get nothing by heart to speak there,
else even your memory will contribute to keep you in perpetual bondage.
No man was ever a successful preacher who did not discuss his subject
from his own judgment and experience. The reciters of sermons may be