Learning in Private What to Teach in Public

Usefulness is the great desire of our souls if we are disciples of Jesus.

We believe that it will most surely be attained by our making known the gospel. We have full faith in “the foolishness of preaching.”

We feel that we have need to receive that gospel personally from the Lord himself, or we shall not know it so as to use it aright.

We must not run until we are prepared. This verse describes, and by implication promises, the needful preparation of heart. Our Lord will speak in our ear: he will commune with us in solitude.

I. AN INVALUABLE PRIVILEGE. The disciple is associated very nearly with his Lord, and received into closest fellowship with him.

We see before us three important matters.

1. We are permitted to realize our Lord’s presence with us personally.

   • He is still on speaking terms with us: still is he our Companion in the night, our Friend in solitude.

2. We are enabled to feel his word as spoken to us.

   • Immediately: “I tell you.” Personal contact.
   • Forcefully: “in the ear.” Not as thundered from Sinai, but as whispered by “a still, small voice.” Still, very effectually.

3. We are privileged to receive such communications again and again: “I tell you. you hear.”

   • We need precept upon precept, line upon line.
   • Our Lord is willing to manifest himself to his own day by day.
   • We shall be wise to make occasions for hearing his voice in solitude, meditation, prayer, communion, etc.
   • We shall do well to use occasions of the Lord’s own making such as the Sabbath, sickness, the night-watches, etc.
   • We need for a thousand reasons this private tuition, this personal communication with our Commander-in-chief.

II. A PREPARATORY PROCESS. We do not rightly perceive what we have to make known until Jesus personally imparts his holy teaching to our inmost hearts.

We see by reason of personal contact with our Lord—

1. Truth in its personality; living, acting, feeling; for he is “the way, the truth, and the life.” Truth is no theory or phantom in Christ. Substantial truth is spoken by him.

2. Truth in its purity is found in him, in his written teaching, and in that which he speaks to the heart. Truth from man is mixed and adulterated; from Jesus it is unalloyed.

3. Truth in its proportions; he teaches all truth, in its true relations. Christ is no caricaturist, partisan, or politician.

4. Truth in its power. It comes strikingly, persuasively, convincingly, omnipotently from him. It quickens, and sustains.

5. Truth in its spirit. His words are spirit, life, love.

6. Truth in its certainty. “Truly, truly,” is his motto.

7. Truth in its joyfulness. He speaks delight unto the soul. The truth in Jesus is glad tidings.

   • See the advantage of studying in Christ’s College.

III. THE CONSEQUENT PROCLAMATION. What Jesus has told us alone in the dark we are to tell out openly in the light.

Courting publicity, we are to preach “upon the housetops.”

What is this message which we have heard in the ear?

We bear our willing witness that—

1. There is peace in the blood of Jesus.

2. There is sanctifying power in his Holy Spirit.

3. There is rest in faith in our Lord and God.

4. There is safety in conformity to our great Exemplar.

5. There is joy in nearness to Jesus our Lord.

   • As we hear more we will tell more.
   • Oh, that men would receive our earnest testimony!
   • Will not you receive it who hear us at this present hour?

Private Pencilings

Claus Hames, one of the most useful preachers in Germany, once met a friend to whom he told how many times daily he was obliged to speak. His friend presently asked, “But, Friend Hames, if you have so much to say, when are you still? And when does the Spirit of God speak to you?” That simple question so impressed Hames that he resolved from that time to devote a portion of each day to retirement and silent study.

“How is it?” said a Christian man to his companion, as they were both returning from hearing the saintly Bramwell, “How is it that Brother Bramwell always tells us so much that is new?” The companion answered, “Brother Bramwell lives so near the gates of Heaven that he hears a great many things which the rest of us do not get near enough to hear.”—J. H. Hitchens.

Of a certain preacher it was said: “He preaches as if Jesus Christ were at his side. Don’t you see how every now and then he turns around as if he were saying: ‘Lord Jesus, what shall I say next?’ ”

Take my lips, and let them be

Filled with messages from you.

F. R. Havergal.

Then sorrow touched by you grows light, With more than rapture’s ray;

As darkness shows us worlds of light

We never saw by day.

—Thomas Moore.

Men learn in suffering what they teach in song.

Possessors of divine truth are eager to spread it. “For,” as Carlyle says, “if new-got gold is said to burn the pockets until it be cast forth into circulation; much more may new-found truth.”

A servant was desired by his master to carry a present of fish to a friend, and to do it as quickly as possible. In all haste the man seized a basket, and set out; but when he reached his journey’s end he became a laughing-stock, for he had forgotten the fish: his basket was empty Teacher! Preacher! let not the like happen to you.

Often in the South of France have I needed to have a fire lighted; but I have found little or no comfort from it when my wish has been granted. The dwellers in that mild region build their fire-places so badly that all the heat goes up the chimney. No matter how big the blaze, the hearth only seems to warm itself. Thus many professors of our holy faith would seem to get grace, and light, and pious feeling for themselves only: their heat goes up their own chimney. What is told them in the dark they keep in the dark, and that which is spoken in their ear never blesses any other ear.—C. H. S.