Christ s Method of Teaching.
By E. P. Marvin, Locliport, N. Y.
With what reverence, humility and eager attention should we sit at the feet of the Great Teacher. From His infinite and omniscient mind we learn things that lie utterly beyond the reach and range of human research. As teachers and preaehers we must learn from Him our matter and manner. He knows perfectly all the powers and ave- nues of the soul of man. His method is divine (Jno. 7:46). It is not that. of the schools. From Him and not from the schools of human learning must we learn how to administer " t he royal ordinance of preaching." Let us. take a lesson in divine homiletics from His school. 1. He taught with authority of di- vinity and truth. He was a heaven- sent witness, asserting dogmatically what He knéw ,arid had seen. He sel- dom reasoned and never speculated or spoke at random. He was not an .ar- tist, equipped with the logic, rhetoric and elocution of the schools, but an oracle equipped with authority from God, His ambassadors now have similar authority and should pursue a similar method. We need not use "excellency of speech." A gospel sermon is not an oration. A charming sermon never converted a soul, and we are sent to preach rather than to prove the gospel 1 (Isa. 4:5; Matt. 5:21-22; Jno. 3:7; Acts 1:8), . . . . . . . Í 2. He used many parables, simili- tudes and illustrations. He ' ' sighted' | truth most graphically and gave it liv- ing power. His parables were indeed -judgment upon the conceited Scribes and Pharisees, in their willful blind- ness, but a blessed revelation to His disciples. Parable-making requires di- vine wisdom, but we can use those He has given us and multiply similitudes on every hand (Matt. 5:14-15; 13:10- 16, 34). 3. He used no arts of sophistry, but unmasked the sophistry and hypocrisy of others. In order to entangle Him in talk, the Pharisees approached Him concerning their relations to Caesar; the Sadducees concerning marriage in the next life, and the lawyers concern- ing the great commandment. He suc- cessively and successfully answered and
silenced them all (Matt. 22 and 23). 4. He did not seek to excite or gratify idle curiosity, tickle itching ears, or attract by novelties. When asked about the number of the elect He said "Strive to enter it.'* etc., be- cause the Master may soon come and shut the door. Let us, then n>t try to attract by a series of sensationul novel- ties in matter or manner. ' ' O it is pitiful to court a grin when we should win a soul." One of the burning questions of the day is that of ecclesiastical amusements to draw the purse and heart of the world— feasting, peddling, fiddling, acting, hor- ticultural worship, mock piety and "razzie dazzle" with the world. • Since Christ and. the apostles in no way sanction, but in principle con- demn, thè whole practice of trying to make preaching, worship or administra- tion of the church an entertainment for the world, when churches adopt this method: (1) Protest bravely against the apostasy. (2) If your testimony is disregarded, or scorned, and the evil increases to more ungodliness, ask God how soon you should seek fellowship in some other body (Matt. 12:39; Luke 7:24-26, 13:23-24; 2 Tim. 3:1 : 8. , 5. He used divine wisdom in rightly dividing the word of God. He distin- gnished dispensational truth, for Jew, Gentile and Church of God. He saw more than 1800 years in p, comma when He closed the book in the synagogue at Nazareth. He had many things to say that no one was yet ready to re- ceive. He gave each a portion in due season (Luke 4:16-19; Matt. 13: 10-12; Jno. 16:12). 6. He sought no applause. He was absolutely indifferent to the smiles and frowns of the world. He sought only, to please the Father. He preached and wrought miracles without ostentation. Ho humbled Himself and meekly bore rejection and reproach. He took upon Him the form of a servant and not a King. His business was serving and suffering rather than reigning and re- joi"ing. The true bride is in fellow- ship with the bridegroom. Purple and fino linen, crowns and laurels, are a mockery to her now. She waits in humility and rejection for His trium-
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