# “Perhaps a dead cat or two” by Charles Spurgeon

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2021/06/29/perhaps-a-dead-cat-or-two-by-charles-spurgeon/
- Published: 2021-06-29T12:00:40-05:00
- Author: tollelege

“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_](https://amzn.to/2Sew3Bp) (London:
Passmore & Alabaster, 1874), 76.

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## Comments

### By: Deborah K Siler

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2021/06/29/perhaps-a-dead-cat-or-two-by-charles-spurgeon/comment-page-1/#comment-29920
- Published: 2021-06-29T12:13:54-05:00

Well said Nick R. and Charles S. . Both of you are clearly understood.