Quiet Hints, Chapter 9–"Clerical Hamlets”

January 30, 2010


Notes taken from Quiet Hints to Growing Preachers by Charles E. Jefferson, Chapter 9, “Clerical Hamlets.”

“Whatever else a minister may be he must be preeminently a man of good cheer.”

“No man can be masterful as teacher or leader whose spirit is either plaintful or fatigued.”

“It is surprising how many ministers live in a petulant and peevish mood.”

“The world has grown indifferent to spiritual voices, and as it rushes to destruction the poor preacher looks helplessly on and blubbers. But why these tears ? Ours is not the only materialistic age.”

“Preachers are not ordained to preach to golden ages but to ages of stone and bronze and iron.”

“All places are wicked. Men who live in great cities are ready to confess that the devil has made the city his headquarters; but men who live in little country towns declare that towns are even worse than the cities. Sodom and Gomorrah lurk under the thin crust of civilization everywhere.”

“If humanity were clothed and in its right mind the occupation of the preacher would be gone. It is because men have lost their way that a guide is needed.”

“The more godless a community the greater need of a man of God to work in it.”

“A man too thin-skinned to stand newspaper criticism is not a fit man to lead the Lord’s army.”

“Two or three anonymous letters will cause some men to swell up as though they had been bitten by tarantulas.”

“A minister who constantly appeals for sympathy is a minister whom everybody wants to get away from.”

“How can a man who snivels preach the gospel?”

Therefore, O man of God, quit your pining. Stop your moping. Put an end to your brooding. Get out of the slough of despond. Burn up your sermons with sobs in them. “Be converted.” “Be not afraid.” “Be of good cheer.” “Rejoice and be exceeding glad.” This is the language of Christ and his apostles.”

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