Do you think I am talking fiction? Try it; and if, after trial, you tell me that the Gospel supplies not your wants; go, get you to the world, or to sin, or to whatever you think can serve your turn. "The poor have the Gospel preached unto them." Generally speaking, the minds of the poor are untutored; they know nothing of logic, and next to nothing of reasoning. Hard words they stumble over. But they can feel; they have hearts, and even, if their faces are ground by selfish taskmasters, they will look at you, if you speak gently, kindly, brother-like to them. What must preachers do? How must they act? They must use simple language, simple ideas, kind words, make an assault on the heart. If they reason, and reason they must, they must do it gently, by easy stages, carrying the minds of the poor with them, like shepherds bear lambs in their bosom. 'tis the hardest trade of all to win souls to Christ; and if the souls of the poor, what must be said of the others? Oh! And now, in conclusion, my brethren, let me beg of you, when you go away to-night, to go and think. Religious instruction, no instruction, does us good, unless the good is elaborated by thinking. You can talk the subject over too with your friends, warily, wisely, Christianly. If you have children, or servants, question them; 'tis a good way of binding your vows tight about you. Let me entreat you to think of the Preacher; not of me, a poor stammering sinner, but of Jesus Christ, the Righteous Preacher. Oh! hearken to His sermons I beg you; sit at His feet. He will come to you, whenever you send for Him; to your homes, even to your very closets, and teach you best by His Holy Spirit. "Come with us, Think of the Gospel, the good news. Pardon, peace, eternal life, freedom for all your powers and occupations. And don't forget the poor. They are about in the streets and the lanes. Bring them in that this house may be filled. Say to themand we will do you good." May it be well-pleasing in the eyes of the great Head of the Church, to enable me to help your own preacher and pastor, in setting forward the salvation of your souls. Believe me, if but one poor fellow-sinner is helped but a step further forward towards heaven, by my ministry here, I shall consider myself more than recompensed for any additional labours I may have sustained. Brethren, I commend you to God. THE GLORIOUS NEWS. 1 TIMOTHY i. 11, "The glorious Gospel of the blessed God." THE term "Gospel" is a household word amongst us. As common and familiar as anything we have. Hence we are tempted to overlook its importance; to ignore its presence; to forget its meaning, or to despise its blessings. And There lies on your table, or on your shelf, a Book of inestimable value. Its price is above rubies. yet, perhaps, you take it into your hands but seldom, and less frequently still do you meditate on its treasures. You give it your children and your servants, and treat it with too great levity and familiarity. And perhaps you die (as many have died) without finding out that it contained "the glorious Gospel of the blessed God." |