Semper Ubi Sub Ubi

On the Role of Preacher In Worship

In a wonderful book of sermons, entitled "The National Preacher", encompassing sermons from 1826 to 1828 (the tail end of the Second Great Awakening), I found some advice to pastors as they go about leading in worship. (The book is a steal, published by Solid Ground Christian Books.

The sermon is by a New York pastor, John Mason, and in it he takes to task the ministrations of pastors who neglect some of the weightier matters of the Scriptures:

Disregarding the mass of mankind, to whom the gospel is peculiarly fitted; and omitting those truths which might revive the grieved spirit, or touch the slumbering conscience, they discuss their moral topics in a manner unintelligible to the illiterate, uninteresting to the mourner, and without alarm to the profane. This is not 'preaching Christ'. Elegant dissertations upon virtue and vice, upon the evidences of revelation, or any other general subject, may entertain the prosperous and gay; [recall of course the era in which this was preached!] but they will not mortify our members which are upon the earth; they will not unsting calamity, nor feed the heart with an imperishable hope. When I go to the house of God, I do not want amusement. I want the doctrine which is according to godliness. I want to hear of the remedy against the harassings of my guilt, and the disorder of my affections. I want to be led from weariness and disappointment, to that goodness which filleth the hungry soul. I want to have light upon the mystery of providence; to be taught how the judgments of the Lord are right; how shall I be prepared for duty and trial - how I may pass the time of my sojourning here in fear, and close it in peace...Where [these matters] are habitually neglected, or lightly referred to, there may be much grandeur, but there is no gospel; and those preachers have infinite reason to tremble, who, though admired by the great, and caressed by the vain, are deserted by the poor, the sorrowful, and such as walk humbly with their God.

Pastors, neglect not the whole counsel of God. Comfort the afflicted, and afflict those who are comfortable in themselves. The Lord is most pleased and most glorified when HE is presented as the only hope, the only foundation, and the only way of peace. Without such a presentation, his honor and person are maligned.