An abundance of suitable material is essential to successful preaching. However excellent the plan of the sermon, the structure is weak unless supported with first-class material. In some countries, architects are employed to examine everything that goes into an edifice. How carefully the preacher should weigh the texts, the arguments, the illustrations, the applications, that go to make up the sermon upon which depends the salvation of souls!
Of first importance is the Biblical material; and of this, that which the preacher has gleaned from daily, personal study of the Scriptures for his own spiritual life is of greatest value. His experiences are common to humanity. The person who preaches out of his own soul's struggles and victories, out of his griefs and encouragements, will never become theoretical or tiresome. The texts that have helped the preacher will surely help the audience.
Concepts of truth are to be formed. The people must understand clearly the great facts of Christianity—truth concerning the Godhead, the divinity of Christ, the atonement, the law of God, the nature of man, the state of the dead, the reward of the saints, as well as the prophecies of the Bible. Happy the congregation whose minister has dug deeply in his study of these, subjects. The preacher must not do superficial or shallow work here. He has a decided advantage if he has a knowledge of the original languages of the Bible; but should he not have, there is no excuse these days for slipshod, careless exegesis of Scripture. With the many analytical concordances to be had, every preacher may do thorough work in Biblical study and interpretation;
But Scriptural evidence is not enough for successful preaching. Truth must be converted into living, concrete examples. The Bible abounds in this material. The Oriental mind was highly imaginative, and employed common, everyday figures to illustrate truth The preacher should have a large fund of Biblical illustrations.
In addition to Biblical material, the gospel minister should be constantly adding to his supply of historical quotations taken as far as possible from original sources—quotations on every subject requiring such evidence. The large place that prophecy occupies in our message requires thorough work in this field. Current history has its place in the pulpit. While hours should not be spent with newspaper and periodical to the neglect of Bible study, yet a knowledge of the day's events is imperative to present-day preaching. The minister who can refer to what has happened today will have an interested audience. Quotations should be marked with the name of the periodical and the date, and should be properly filed for instant use.
In the gathering of this special material, one should not overlook the large variety of books prepared on special topics. The later the book, usually the better. Pamphlets and small books are cheap, and the preacher would do well to be on the alert for such material. A few years ago the writer picked up a valuable one-shilling book in London entitled, "Rome, Germany, and the War," which has some unusually good quotations for pulpit use. Our own 25-cent books contain a wealth of material for young preachers.
Thus far only heavy material has been suggested. Perhaps many in the audience would not be interested simply in facts, proofs, etc. Illustrations woven into a sermon add interest and reality to truth. The best preachers of the Christian era have been men who used illustrations freely. It has been said of Beecher that he was continually watching for illustrative material. Provided they are suitable, everyday experiences are usually most interesting. These should be carefully chosen and preserved. Travel provides an excellent source. Bible history and scenes should be studied with a view to using them as illustrations. Books of illustrations are available, but such illustrations are not comparable to those gained by personal experience.
As preachers, shall we not be constantly alert to gather a better and larger supply of material, that the Holy Spirit may bring these things to our remembrance? Shall we not strengthen our preaching by working better material into our sermons?
South Lancaster, Mass.
