To some devoted men it seems impossible not to be always preaching the glory of "Christ _for_ us"; others can never leave the precious theme of "Christ _in_ us." But if they are not missioners, but pastors, they will assuredly find that a _permanent_ attraction can only be secured by doing what the Word of God does--setting forth _both_ glorious sets of truths in fulness, in harmony, and in application to the realities of sin and of life.
So we have thought awhile about attractive preaching. Need I say again what the sort of attractiveness is which I have in view? It is indeed, on the surface, attraction to the church, attraction to the sermon; but its whole inner purpose is an attraction which neither church nor sermon can in the least degree cause, but which the Eternal Spirit, sovereign and loving, can cause through them--an attraction to Jesus Christ, in true repentance, living faith, genuine surrender, and patient, happy service.
"_Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim, And publish abroad His wonderful Name; The Name all victorious of Jesus extol, His kingdom is glorious and rules over all._
"_Then let us adore and give Him His right, All glory and power, all wisdom and might, All honour and blessing with angels above, And thanks never ceasing, and infinite love._"
_PREACHING_ (iii.).
_Eternal Fulness, overflow to me Till I, Thy vessel, overflow for Thee; For sure the streams that make Thy garden grow Are never fed but by an overflow: Not till Thy prophets with Thyself run o'er Are Israel's watercourses full once more._
Again I treat of the sermon. We have looked, my younger Brother and I, at some main secrets and prescriptions for attractive preaching. What shall I more say on the subject of the pulpit? In the first place I will offer a few miscellaneous suggestions, and then come in closing to the deepest theme of the whole matter--Spiritual Power in Preaching.