Morning Star

For the Morning Star.

PREACH CHRIST.

What can be more disgusting to a devoted mind, than to hear a preacher preaching himself!

This fills the soul with disgust; though the man may be a good preacher in other respects. The child of grace cannot be satisfied with any other preaching than to hear Christ preached. But it is not to be confined to a man's exalting himself, in order to preach self; but if possible a more disgusting manner, is often resorted to. It is not unfrequently the case that we see the preacher take the stand, the congregation expecting to hear him preach "Christ," but to their astonishment he commences preaching his inability to preach! This is not considered by many preaching self. But is it not? to hear a man preach half an hour of his ignorance?

Others I have heard go so far as to say that they had no religion—others that they were backsliders, &c. If they have a dark time in preaching, there is little more to be heard from them in public or private, but to talk of the dark state of their minds. Whether this is right or not, I am satisfied that it is not generally attended with a blessing. What should we think of a beggar, to see him exposing his wounds to our view; and relating every particular that gave rise to his poverty; in order to excite sympathy in us? Would it not fill us with disgust? But let him simply present his petition, and he will obtain relief.

So let the man of God go on "preaching Christ;" and not himself. If he has a good time in preaching, thank God for it, if dark, "watch and pray" the more; and say nothing about it; if ignorant, study the harder, and God will be with you.

T.