Earnestness in the pulpit is so rare in these days that an earnest preacher excites remark, and is a subject of criticism. Men can be earnest in every other profession and command favor, but the minister of the Gospel must be calm and precise. Theodore Cuyler was a popular pastor in a leading denomination, and so earnest in his delivery of the messages and so intent upon winning souls, that critics remarked, "As he flings his arms and gesticulates, he makes one think of an old-fashioned Methodist exhorter." But where will we find men who did more effective work for God than these same old-fashioned Methodist preachers? Cuyler says, "The preaching of the Gospel is spiritual gunnery." When the old Methodist preacher went gunning he went "loaded for bear." He "aimed" to hit something, to arouse the indifferent, to warn the careless, to rebuke the faithless professor, as well as comfort the sorrowing, strengthen the weak, and edify believers. Many an ordinary discourse has produced an extraordinary effect by an intensely earnest delivery, and it is equally true that many an excellent discourse has failed to produce any impression on account of the dull and motionless manner of the speaker. If the preacher does not "warm up," he may be sure his congregation will not be warmed under his preaching. One of the Christian philanthropists of New York City died a few weeks ago. He was a cultured business man, a constant attendant upon the Sabbath services and the prayer meetings, and Dr. Buckley said of him in an editorial in the "Christian Advocate," "He liked sermons that instructed him and aroused his emotions."
The preacher whose soul is red hot with a holy love of Jesus and dying souls will arouse his hearers, and if he does not succeed in moving them toward a better life, his effort is a failure. The earnestness of purpose of the fiery Paul, apostle to the Gentiles, is marked in emphatic declaration, "This one thing I do," and is seen in his addresses, leading his hearers to say, "Thou art beside thyself; much learning hath made thee mad." Rowland Hill said, "Because I am in earnest men call me an enthusiast," but he lives today in the lives of hundreds of his spiritual children while his critics are forgotten. Charles Simeon kept the picture of Henry Martyn in his study. Move where he would throughout the apartment, it seemed to keep its eyes upon him, and ever to say to him, "Be in earnest, be in earnest," and the good Simeon would bow to the speaking picture and say, "Yes, I will be in earnest, I will. I will not trifle, for souls are perishing and Jesus is to be glorified." It was said of John Wesley, "In his preaching he had clearness, force and earnestness-the qualities that produce connection." When he preached in the prison at Bristol, men dropped on every side as thunderstruck, while God bore witness to His Word, and the convictions were so lasting that in the prison the corridors "rang with cries." Wesley exulted in these experiences. When the Word of the Lord is as fire in a man's bones, he will be in earnest, and the fire in his own soul will not only kindle his tongue but also the hearts of his hearers. The sermons of Frederick W. Robertson were models of clearness of thought and read well today, but they owed much of their power to the fact they were delivered "with a fiery glow." Where is the minister who has not seen his congregation marvelously moved under a sermon, but upon preaching that same sermon elsewhere, produced no impression whatever? Was not the difference in the preaching? Do not be afraid of earnestness when it is the result of the unction from the Holy One. Dr. Duff's eloquence would sweep his audience like a hurricane, yet an admirer says of him, "Such outlandish contortions of gestures as his I never witnessed before. A distinguished lawyer has said, "The two best qualities of a sermon are simplicity and earnestness," and he added, "If I had a student in my office, who was not more in earnest to win his first ten-dollar suit before a justice of the peace than some ministers seem to be in trying to save souls, I would kick such a student out of my office."
Downright earnestness to save souls "hides a multitude of sins" in all preachers. If a preacher is in earnest, has a passion for souls, makes their salvation his one object, his hearers will forgive many blunders and mistakes. Load your gun with uncompromising truth, take aim and FIRE, let God take care of results. Preach for souls, preach for eternity; the more soul you put into your preaching, the more souls you will win for Christ. Baxter preached while his heart burned within him, and while he was speaking a live coal from off the altar fired his sermon with seraphic fervor. He had a large mind, an active intellect, a melting heart, a kindling eye and a moving voice, and he called on all that was in him to aid him in his preaching. The only teacher that gave him lessons in action and attitude was feeling, real, genuine, holy feeling; and this taught him how to look, how to move, how to speak. He believed with Paul that "it is a good thing to be zealously affected always," and consequently that earnest, fervid preaching is truly apostolic. Two lines Baxter wrote reveal the preacher:
"I'll preach as tho' I ne'er should preach again, And as a dying man to dying men."
Ryle says of him, "He always spake like one who saw God and felt death at his back." George Whitefield was a burning example of the earnest minister. He had preached 18,000 times, though he died at the age of fifty-six. He lived to win souls for Christ. He made everything bend to that one great purpose. He was not in the same class with John Wesley, had neither the depth nor the knowledge, yet he was the greater preacher. He was something that brings to mind the Word: "His ministers a flaming fire." He lived, he prayed, he read, he wept, he rejoiced to accomplish this one great purpose of his life. How few ministers preach with all their might, or speak about everlasting joy or torment in such a manner as to make men believe they are in good earnest! The blow falls so lightly that hard-hearted sinners do not feel it.
People do not need to have their heads stoved so much as to have their hearts touched, and they stand in the greatest need of that sort of preaching which has the greatest tendency to do this. An earnest heart in the preacher will produce an earnest manner, and as he sows so shall he reap. How can a man be earnest for souls, and overlook the invitation to the convicted sinner? Are camp meetings and revival services the only time for reaping? We have heard men preach sermons that stirred the hearers, and have seen them sit down, without an altar call. The one object of the Gospel is to get men to God. "He that converteth a sinner from the error of his ways saveth a soul from death and shall cover a multitude of sins." If but one soul responds, it will set all the joy-bells of Heaven ringing and make the heart of God glad. The earnest preacher will be a SOUL-WINNER.
