Editorial January 14, 1911 Issue

PREACHING AND THE PREACHER

John B. Willis

The omission of the personal preacher from the Sabbath service in Christian Science churches may seem a surprising innovation to some, but when one recalls the nature of the ministry to which Christ Jesus appointed his disciples, when he comes to understand the purposes actuating Mrs. Eddy in providing the Lesson-Sermon, and when he familiarizes himself with the good results accruing therefrom, he can but realize that this sermon is no less commendable than unique.

All will accept the definition of the meaning of the word ministry which is embodied in the apostle James' pregnant counsel to the early Christians, "Be ye doers of the word." They will agree, also, that the supreme end and aim of all preaching is to awaken and establish that apprehension of Scripture truth which will enable Christian believers to fulfil this injunction. To this end, those who have felt called to expound the Scriptures have provided for a hearing at the hands of those interested, and they have addressed all that have come or that could hear.

As the result of her healing and teaching, Mrs. Eddy was called to preach to a hundred times more than could be accommodated in the largest practicable auditorium, and after a long-time endeavor to meet the demand by other means, she devised and provided an order of service which makes it possible for her teaching to be heard each Sabbath by ten thousand or ten hundred thousand. The sermon she has thus supplied is wholly devoted to the enforcement of that interpretation of the Master's teaching which she found to be demonstrably true, and while her plan is novel, it is to be remembered that progress always demands new methods as well as new ideas.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

PREACHING AND THE PREACHER

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access