“Brethren, we should cultivate a clear style.
When a man does not make me understand what he means, it is because he does not himself know what he means.
An average hearer, who is unable to follow the course of thought of the preacher, ought not to worry himself, but to blame the preacher, whose business it is to make the matter clear.
If you look down into a well, if it be empty it will appear to be very deep, but if there be water in it you will see its brightness.
I believe that many “deep” preachers are simply so because they are like dry wells with nothing whatever in them, except decaying leaves, a few stones, and perhaps a dead cat or two.
If there be living water in your preaching it may be very deep, but the light of the truth will give clearness to it.
At any rate labour to be plain, so that the truths you teach may be easily received by your hearers.
We must cultivate a cogent as well as a clear style; we must be forceful.
Some imagine that this consists in speaking loudly, but I can assure them they are in error.
Nonsense does not improve by being bellowed.
God does not require us to shout as if we were speaking to three millions when we are only addressing three hundred.
Let us be forcible by reason of the excellence of our matter, and the energy of spirit which we throw into the delivery of it.
In a word, let our speaking be natural and living.
I hope we have forsworn the tricks of professional orators, the strain for effect, the studied climax, the pre-arranged pause, the theatric strut, the mouthing of words, and I know not what besides, which you may see in certain pompous divines who still survive upon the face of the earth.
May such become extinct animals ere long, and may a living, natural, simple way of talking out the gospel be learned by us all; for I am persuaded that such a style is one which God is likely to bless.”
–Charles H. Spurgeon, The Sword and Trowel: 1874 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1874), 76.
Well said Nick R. and Charles S. . Both of you are clearly understood.