LETTER TO AN EVANGELIST
LETTER TO AN EVANGELIST
I was glad to get your letter as to my paper on the relation of the gospel to the church, and to find that you in the main agree with it. As to the two objections you make: I do not object to earnest appeals, far from it; but you yourself disavow human wisdom; and if you do, I think you must not approve of human eloquence. I think a man must feel a thing deeply himself, or he cannot make others feel it; but if you address the human mind you interest it, and many are impressed just because the human mind is acted on, and it is like the seed upon the rock. The evangelist’s business is to bring the light of God into the conscience, and there is seldom much depth of feeling where there is much impassioned expression. I think the work is too solemn to be treated in the levity of eloquence. Every one knows that human eloquence can work a man up to a desired conclusion. It has often been practised. Even christians are greatly moved by an eloquent discourse; they are excited and pleased; whereas when it is purely spiritual, when heart and conscience are touched, they are subdued and solemnised; they have to do with God. The human mind cannot go beyond the human mind. You may get an assent from many without any real work of God. When you address the mind you get a mental assent to the [p. 482] truth, but when you have touched the conscience you have brought God in. When a servant is in the power of the truth, he does not address the old man, for he knows that the old man can have nothing to do with the grace of God.
Next, as to Apollos. I did not mean to convey that he was more fully in heart for the Lord when he was refreshing the saints than when he preached the baptism of John, but that though he had then but little light, he was blessed to souls. We find eventually that he was not really an evangelist but his service was to the saints. I believe the gift of the evangelist is a great gift. I do not say that he may not get another gift, as Paul had; but as a rule, as far as I know, I have not seen an evangelist give up his proper calling, and settle down to teach, who has not lost his power. I look upon a gift as some special presentation of Christ to the soul, and as has been truly said - when an evangelist stands up to teach, he is sure before long to preach. On the other hand, if a teacher stands up to preach, he is soon drawn into teaching. The Lord bless you much. Come from the Lord, and come for the Lord, and you are sure to be blessed.