1.I 05. Preparation of the Sermon

Preparation of the Sermon. And first let me speak of written and unwritten discourses. No man can speak well, the substance of whose sermons has not been prepared beforehand.

Men talk of “extemporaneous preaching,” but the only part that can properly be extemporaneous is the external form. Sometimes, indeed, one may be called to preach oft-hand extempore and may do it with great success; but all such sermons will really be the results of previous study. The matter must be the outgrowth of research, of experience, and of thought. Most preachers have intuitional moments, are, so to speak, at times inspired; but such moments are not usual, and no true inspiration is based upon ignorance.

It is not, therefore, a question whether men shall depend upon the inspiration of the moment for their matter, since all who ever speak well must, in some way, have prepared for it; but whether, having something to teach, they shall reduce their instruction to writing, or give it forth unwritten.