SERMON-MAKING.

Otago Witness, Issue 918, 3 July 1869, Page 5

SERMON-MAKING.

An American publication, quoted in the New York Tribune, thus describes the way in which Mr Wardßeecher makes hiß sermons : — When he first commenced to preach he wrote out a few of his sermons, until he had enough other writing to correct his stjle. Since then he has never written out a discourse in full. He has an idoa all the week as to what subject he will treat on Sunday. Still, there is no definite plan in his mind until the time arrives. Usually, he does not touoh pen to paper before Sunday morning and Sunday afternoon. Then he somntimes gets so many sermons under way that the one he intends to prepare is neglected until the first bell rings, whereupon he throws aside the incomplete work, and, blocking out a discourse, he hastens to the pulpit. Generally, he writes what would make a quarter of a Bermon, embracing the leading points to be presented. In preparing a sermon he first " blooks it out," and lays the foundation with a part of the framework. At the propor places he cuts windows, through which the audience may see the beauties of the GoapeL The windows are designated by the letters "111.," inclosed in a line thus (III.), showing that an illustration ia to com© in at that particular point. Nono of the illustrations are ever written out beforehand or with the sermon, but they arc given as they occur at tho tlrao when thoy are noodod. Often, when in tho pulpit, ho finds tho windows in tho wrong placo. He always has a variotjj of now sormons on hand, to be used on apodal occasions. Ho said that iiKWd times the housewifo kept a batch of dongh in the pantry, and »mon I brtftd to* required »U »he had to 4°

;waaj:o,gp,toihe.,tray^a,nd,,cut,ol£enough". tor r bakirigT 'So'itTw^ifchjhia £ern}ons. ■'He^Tie^r preaches the sameVone twice, , though" he frequently/uses i,the same text, < but it r is? always in a different mariner. In reply r to $ the question , as ,tp whether, h* , selected! his text' 'first,"' 'or "the 'subject, , applying such' a text as would suit, fie said' that^a teSct may be compared to a* gate ' opening an to » the Lord's garden ;< many ministers, instead of unlatching the. gate and leading their hearers in to pluck the fruit and flowers, content themselves by, getting upon it and, swinging to and fro. , He always makes it. a point to preach his best sermons on stormy, days, for then those wlio are, in attendance say to their friends/ f ' Tou don't know how much you 'missed by , not being present, though it was a stormy day." He well remembered the time when on nearly every .sWbbath during the winter it snowed or rained,, " for ,it came near killing me," said tie, laughingly. , , Some one inquired f if he Btudied' his,, prayers. "Kever," said he, " I carry a feeling with me such as a mother would have for her children were they lost in a great forest. I feel that on .every side, my people are in danger, and that many , oi them are like babes, weak and helpless. My heart goes out in 'sorrow and .anxiety towards them, and at times I, seem to carry all their burdens. X find that when one's heart ia wrapped and twined, aroundihe hearts of > others it is not difficult io pray." Another wanted to. know if it would not be better f or 'Mr Beecher, to travel about the country, that the people of various sections might be benefited by his preaching.'' "No,", .said , he ;v" what would a, stove irithe Arctic regions' be good for if it' were carried from place to place? Beside, more people come to hear me than I could reach should 1 go after them. It is far .better for the United States io go through my church than for me to go through the United States."