Bible Truths Illustrated by J. C. Ferdinand Pittman

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BIBLE TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED
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preach, was asked what she thought of the sermon, and whether
there was not much spirit in it. "Oh, yes," she replied, "it was
all spirit; there was no body to it at all." There must be some
"body" in every discourse, some real sound doctrine, some
suitable instruction for our hearers to carry home. C. H.
Spurgeon.
259. To preach practical sermons, as they are called—that is,
sermons upon virtues and vices—without inculcating those great
Scripture truths of redemption, grace, etc., which alone can
incite and enable us to forsake sin and follow righteousness
what is it but to put together the wheels, and set the hands of
a watch, forgetting the spring, which is to make them all go?
Home.
260. Some of our hearers do not desire to hear the whole
counsel of God. They have their favorite doctrines, and would
have us silent on all besides. Many are like the Scotchman
who, after hearing a sermon, said : "It was very well if it hadna
been for the trash of duties at the hinner end." C. H. Spurgeon.
261. When I was a very young student, perhaps about sixteen
years of age, I breakfasted with Caesar Malan, of Geneva, at
Dr. John Brown's. When the Doctor told him that I was a
"Well, my young
young student of theology, he said to me :
friend, see that you hold up the lamp of truth to let the people
see. Hold it up, hold it up, and trim it well. But remember
this : you must not dash the lamp in people's faces. That would
not help them to see." How often have I remembered his
words ! They have often been of use to me. Dr. Morrison.
262. If one should go into the Louvre at Paris, and see the
Venus de Milo, and begin to have admiration for that highest
conception of a noble woman held by the Greek mind, and his
guide should whisper to him, "It is very uncertain whether this
is the original statue ; in the time of Napoleon it was stolen,
and it is said that it was sent back; but many think that another
was made in imitation of it, and put in its place, and that this
is the imitation," it would kill that man's enthusiasm in a second
and he is not going to say, "I admire that countenance," because
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