Thoughts on preaching by J. W. Alexander (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude 'Eloquence of the French Pulpit'.
Firstly, in today's reading, Alexander finishes his discussion of Bossuet's preaching. He then moves to Bourdaloue and finishes the section with Massillon.
Alexander's last sentence forms a good summary of what he intends us to take away from the French pulpit: 'May the time soon come when there shall be multitudes of such preachers; when great 'numbers, embracing the whole truth, without any mixture of superstition or error, shall speak in the sublime strains of Bossuet, with the energy and elevation of Bourdaloue, and with the insinuating grace and melody of Massillon.'
I liked the description of Massillon's directness: 'Instead of wandering in abstract speculation, he has all the liveliness of continued address, and speaks to his hearers, all his hearers, because he speaks to the heart. This is the characteristic of his eloquence — what in others is proof and reason, in him is feeling. For this cause, every one saw himself in the lively picture that was presented; every one imagined the discourse addressed to him, and supposed the speaker meant him only. Hence the remarkable effects of his preaching. No one after hearing him, stopped to praise or criticise — each retired in a pensive silence, and with a thoughtful air, carrying home the arrow which the preacher had lodged in his heart.'
Now that's the effect I want my preaching to have - people going home musing over the sermon.
One sentence final verdict
'Thoughts on preaching' is an eclectic mix of advice about preaching - some of it is rather uneven but when Alexander is good, he is very, very good (e.g. all preachers should read the section on 'Expository preaching').
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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