WHAT A SERMON SHOULD BE.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 55, 22 August 1844, Page 3

WHAT A SERMON SHOULD BE.

It should he brief.* if lerjgtby it will st-cp Our hearts in apathy, our eyes in sleep j The yawn, the chapel-lounger doze, Attention flag, and memory's portals close. It should be warm ; a living altar coal. To melt the ic j heart, and charm the soul; A sapless, dull harangue, however read. Will never ronse the soul, or raise the dead. It should be simple, practical, and clear • No time-spun theory to please the ear; No curious lay to tickle lettered pride, And leave the poor and plain unedilied. It should be tender and afiectionate, As his wait" theme who wept lout Salem's fate; Tlie fiery law with words of bwa allayed, Will sweetly warm and awfully persuade. It should be manly, just, and rational, Wisely conceiv'd and well eXpresi'd withal; Not stuff'd with silly notions, apt to stain A sacied desk, and show a muddy brain.. It should possess a well adapted grace, To situation, audience, time, and place; A sermon form'd lor scholars, statesmen, lords. With peasants and mechanics ill accords. It should with evangelic beauties bloc.m, Like Paul's at Corinth, Athens, or at Rome, While some Epictttus or Sterne esteem, A giacious Saviour is the gospel theme ! It should be mixed with many an ardent prayer^ 1 To reach the heart, and fix and lasten there ; When God and man are mutually address'd God grants a blessing, man is truly btess'd, It should be closely, well applied at last, To niiike the moral nail securely fast; Thou art the man, and triou alone, will make A Felix tremble, and a David quake.