The Pulpit Commentary — Ecclesiastes — Section 314

(John xi. 31), gi,c expression to their sadness by going about the streets in the garb of sorrow. 2. ExciNng the sympathy of the living. 'l'his is one reason why private griers are parnded in public. The heart in times of weakness, such as those occasioned by bereavement, instinctively craves the compassion of others, to whom, accordinuly, 0 it 11pprals by the visible cerements of woe. . Learn : 1. The mercy of God as seen in the gradual approach of death. 2. The ·wisdom of improving the seasons of youth and manhood. 3. '!'he solemn mystery of death. 4. The duty of 1ireparing for a life beyond the gmve. 5. The lawfulness of Christian mourning. Vers. 9, 10.-.A_ 'TJU)del preacher. I. A wrsE MAN. I. Possessed of secular knowledge. Gathered as prec10us spoil from all departments of human learning and experience. As much of this sort of wisdom as possible; the more of it the better. All knowledge can be rendered subservient to the preacher's art, and may be utilized, by .him for the instruction of bis heare.rs. 2. Endowed with heavenly wisdom. If that, much more this, is indispensable to an ideal preacher. The wisdom that cometh from e,bove as much superior to that which spriugeth from below as heave!). is higher than earth, and eternity longer than time. A preacher without the former wisdom may be rude ; without the latter he must be ineffective. II. A DILIGENT STUDENT, Like Koheleth, he must ponder, seek •. out, and set in order the truth he desires to communicate to others; like Timothy, he mus.t give attendance to reading (1 Tim. iv. 13). In particular, he should .be a student: 1. OJ the sacred Scriptures. These divinely inspired writings, beiug the• principal source of heavenly wisdom accessible to man (2 Tim. iii. 16), should be the preacher's vade mecum, or constant companion. 2. Of human nature. Having to deal directly with this, in the way of bringing to bear upon it the teachings of Scripture, he ought to acquaint himself accurately with it, by a close and patient study of it in himself and others. :Much of a preacher's efficiency is derived from his knowledge of the audience to which he speaks. 3. Of the matei·ial, creation, Like Job (xxxvii. 14), David (Ps. viiL 3; cxliii. 5), and Koheleth (eh. vii. 13), he should consider the works of God. Besides having much to tell him of God's glory (Ps. viii. 1; Rom. i 20), the physical universe can impart to him valuable counsel of a moral kind concerning man and his duties (Job xii. 7; Prov. vi. 6; :Matt. v. 26). III. A SKILFUL TEACHER. As Koheleth taught the people knowledge, as Ezra caused the people to understand the reading (Neh. viii. 8), as Christ accordiug to his Word taught such as listened to him (Mark x. I), as the apostles taught the things of the Lord to their hearers (Acts iv. 2; xi. 26; xviii. 25), so must a model preacher be an instructor (1 Tim. iii. 2; iv. 11; vi. 2; 2 Tim. ii. 2). To be -this successfu\ly, in addition to the wisdom and study above described, he will need four kinds of words. l. Words of truth. These must constitute the burden of his discourse, whether oral or written. What he publishes to others must be objectively true, and no mere guess- work or speculation. Such a word of truth was the Law of. G.od. in .the. Hebrew Scriptures (Ps. cxix. 43), and is the gospel or the doctrine of Christ in the, New Testament (Eph. i. 13; Col. i. 5; 2 Tim. ii. 15; Jas. i. 18). ·2. Words,of uprightness. Whether he writes or speaks, he must do so sincerely, with perfect iutegrity of heart, "not handling the Word of God deceitfully" (2 Cor. iv. 2), but teuching out of honest personal conviction, saying," We believe, therefore do we speak" (2 Cor. iv.13). 3. Words of delight. Selected and intended, not to gratify the hearer's corrupt inclina- tions and perverted tastes, or minister to that love of novelty and sensation which is the peculiar characteristic of itching ears (2 'l'im. iv. 3), but to set forth the truth iri 1mch a way as to win for it entrance into the hearer's heart and mind. For this purpose the preacher's words should be such as to interest and sway the listener, arresting his attention, exciting his imagination, instructing his understanding,' moving his affections, quickening his conscience, and impelling his will. Dulnees, darkness, dryness, deadness, are inexcusable faults in a preacher. Vers. 11, 12.-Reading, writing, speaking. I. "READING MAKES A FULL MAN." l. Pushed to excess, it becomes hurtful to the body. "Much study is n weariness to the tlesh," and as a consequence, relle;dvely, iujurious to the mind. 2. Pursued in on. xn. 1-14.J ECCLESIAS'fES; OR, TRE PREACHER. 311