King's Business - 1922-09

T H E K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S for that tends to put the emphasis on the wrong place. The important thing is not the number present, but what the preacher does with those who are there. 3. Never say things to evoke a cheer. 4. Never “ stew” or work up perspiring enthusiasm. 5. Never fret. 6. Never talk about the size of the crowd. 7.“ Never be nettled when a meeting is dis­ turbed, when persons rise and go out, or when children make noises. 8. Never preach at people, preach to them. 9. Never emphasize points of antagonisms between you and your audience; find the points on which you agree with peo­ ple. 10. Never grow hysterical or slushy; do not scream at wrongs. 11. Never abuse your members. 12. Never allow a visiting evangelist or preacher in your pulpit to abuse your members. 13. Never combat science. 14. Never be afraid to tell the truth. 15. Never give the chief seat in the synagogue to some minor matter. 16. Never use the editorial “ we” in preaching; make the message personal. 17. Never forget to pray for your people by name. Hell Billed Out by Man’s Refinement Sin, sooner or later, is bound to be punished, either in the person of the one that committed it or else in the graciously provided Substitute. We are getting so refined these days that we consider it a mark of bad breeding or a lack of culture to even make a men­ tion of hell or damnation. We are reminded of the young upshoot who had just returned from seminary. He was asked by his pastor to preach on a cer­ tain Sunday, the pastor having had a call to be out of the city on that par­ ticular day. The young fellow entered the pulpit and when the time came for the sermon, he arose and said, “ My text you will find in St. Mark, chapter 16 and verse 16— ‘He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not,’-^-well, you know the rest of It.” He was too scrupulously nice to utter the word “ damned.” The regular pastor returned and learned what had

933 taken place during his absence. The next Sunday he entered his pulpit and announced the same text, and with spe­ cial emphasis on each word, read, ” ‘He that - believeth- and-is - baptized-shall-be- saved, - but- he- that - believeth - not-shall- be-damned,’ and there is no mistake about it.”— Reitzel. M J8§ MONTHLY ILLUSTRATIONS Destroyers of Faith The “Biblical Museum” tells of a noble­ man of dissolute habits who visited the famous Wedgewood potteries and in the presence of a lad who worked there, spoke contemptuously of religion. The lad, who was the son of pious parents, at first looked amazed, then interested, and at last burst out into a loud jeering laugh. The owner of the pottery, who was a devoted Christian, a little later showed the visitor a wonderful vase, explaining the process of making. The nobleman expressed his delight and just as he reached for it the potter threw it down, shattering it to pieces. The visitor re­ buked him for his carelessness, saying that he wished to take it home for his collection. Mr. Wedgewood replied: “Do you forget, my lord, that the soul of that lad who just left us came into the world innbcent? That parents, friends and all good influences have been at work during his whole life to make him a ves­ sel fit for his Master’s use and that you with your touch have undone the work of years? No human hand can bind to­ gether again what you have broken.” Spiritual Darkness There is a disease called nystagmus which, among other things, makes a person practically blind in semi-darkness. Investigations have revealed the fact that this disease, which is common among coal miners in England and Germany, is caused by their working in inadequate light. Their small lamps, covered owing to danger of explosions, give a poor light

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