it is harmless; but forked lightning is something to be dreaded and avoided.  For instance, a man may preach most eloquently and acceptably on the three “R’s” if he does not apply the subject too pointedly, by telling the people, both in the pulpit and out of it, that they are now ruined and lost; and that, having been redeemed, they are responsible before God; and that, if they will not be regenerated by the Spirit, they will be damned.  They do not object to your laying, “You hath He quickened,” but to turn these same words into a personal question is too often considered impertinent; though, indeed, it is the sincerest kindness and truest Christian love.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15).  He came, and is spiritually present now, everywhere, for this purpose.  His real presence with power is particularly promised to the preacher of the Gospel (Matt. 28:20).  The Lord Jesus is ever present to take especial interest in the result of preaching.  How disappointing then must it be to Him, to find His servants so often spending their time and energies upon other objects, however great or good they may be!  When they do preach the Gospel, it must grieve Him to see that their object is too often not the same as His; and when He does apply the Word by the power of the Spirit, it must also grieve Him to see that they are afraid of the result.

Gospel preaching should not be to entertain people, nor even to instruct them; but first to awaken them to see their danger, and to bring them from death into life, which is manifestly the Lord’s chief desire.

This was the definite object of my work:  I preached for and aimed at it; and nothing short of this could or would satisfy my longings.  In the church, in the school-room, or in the cottages, we prayed that the Holy Spirit would bring conviction upon sinners, and then we sought to lead them to conversion with the clear ringing testimony, “You must be born again, or die to all eternity.”

CHAPTER 10

The First Christmas, 1851-52.

The first Christmas-day, during the revival, was a wonderful time.  The people had never realized before what this festival was, beyond regarding it as a season for domestic rejoicing.  It surprised many to see that their past Christmases were a true representation of their past lives that they had cheered and tried to make themselves happy without Christ, leaving Him out of their consideration in His own world, as they had on His own birthday.  What a Christless and hopeless life it had been!  What a Christless religion!  Now we praised the Lord together for His marvellous goodness to us, and desired that we might henceforth live unto Him, singing in heart and life, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will towards men.”