Preaching and Preachers

Preaching and Preachersof the church who, though on vacation, was still not out of town.He introduced me, and in responding to the welcome I thought itwould be wise for me to indicate to the congregation my method as apreacher. I told the congregation that my method was to assumegenerally on Sunday morning that I was speaking to believers, to thesaints, and that I would try to edify them; but that at night I would bepreaching on the assumption that I was speaking to non-Christians asundoubtedly there would be many such there. In a sense I just saidthat in passing.We went through that morning service,and at the closethe ministerasked if I would stand at the door with him to shake hands withpeople as they went out. I did so. We had shaken hands with a numberof people when he suddenly whispered to me saying, 'You see that oldlady who is coming along slowly. She-is the most important memberof this church. She is a very wealthy woman and the greatest supporterof the work.' He was, in other words, telling me to exercisewhat littlecharm I might possess to the maximum. I need not explain anyfurther! Well, the old lady came along and we spoke to her, and I shallnever forget what happened. It taught me a great lesson which I havenever forgotten. The old lady said, 'Did I understand you to say thatin the evening you would preach on the assumption that the peoplejjsteningarenot Christians and in themorningon theassumptionthatthey are Christians?' 'Yes,' I said. 'Well,' she said, 'having heard youthis morning I have decided to come tonight.' She had never beenknown to attend the evening service; never. She only attended in themorning. She said, 'I am coming tonight.' I cannot describe theembarrassment of the situation. I sensed that the minister standing bymy side felt that I was ruining his ministry and bitterly regrettedinviting me to occupy his pulpit! But the fact was that the old lady didcome that Sunday night, and every Sunday night while I was there. Imet her in her house in private conversation and found that she wasmost unhappy about her spiritual condition, that she did not knowwhere she stood. She was a fine and most generous character, livingan exemplary life. Everybody assumed-not only the minister but14.8