The method of introducing visiting ministers and speakers in our churches needs to be given greater thought by our workers generally. Especially is this true in case the visitor is an entire stranger to the congregation. It is customary, of course, for the ministers and elders who are to go onto the rostrum to meet and organize for their platform responsibilities. It is determined who is to announce the hymns, lead in prayer, introduce the speaker, etc. But I have observed that often when the public prayer is offered, the one who prays will at great length invoke God's blessing upon the speaker, mentioning him by name, perhaps thanking God for his many years of faithful labor in some particular part of the world,—in fact, saying practically all that need be mentioned in the introduction. There is little left to be said by the one who is to introduce the speaker.
The situation resulting is somewhat disconcerting to the one who has been called upon to present the minister. If much more is said than has been mentioned in prayer, the introduction may appear to be overdone, and may even become embarrassing to the one who is to address the congregation. Would it not be better for the one who prays to remember the speaker in a very special way, but leave out of the prayer that which should be said by the one who is to introduce the speaker? I believe this is preferable to what might be termed a double introduction.
Spokane, Wash.
