Chapter 1. The Call To Preach

¶601. The following questions are to be asked concerning those persons who profess to be moved by the Holy Spirit to preach:

(1) Do they know God as a pardoning God? Have they the love of God abiding in them? Do they desire noting but God? Are they holy in all manner of conversation and life? Are they growing in grace? Are they evangelical in spirit?

(2) Have they gifts, as well as grace, for His work? Have they a clear, sound understanding, a right judgment in the things of God, a just conception of salvation by faith? Do they speak justly, readily, clearly, winsomely?

(3) Have they fruit? Have any been actually convinced of sin and converted to God, and are believers edified by their preaching?

These we receive as sufficient proof that they are moved by the Holy Spirit and called of God to preach the true Gospel of Christ.

Chapter 2. The Matter And Manner of Preaching

¶611. This is Section XI of the 1804 Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church:

Question 1 -- What is the best general method of preaching?

Answer 1 -- To convince, to offer Christ, to invite, to build up, and to do this in some measure in every sermon.

Question 2 -- What is the most effectual way of preaching Christ?

Answer 2 -- The most effectual way of preaching Christ is to preach Him in all His offices, and to declare His law, as well as His Gospel, both to believers and unbelievers. Let us strongly and closely insist upon inward and outward holiness in all its branches (See John 15).

Question 3 -- Are there any smaller advices which might be of use to us?

Answer 3 -- Perhaps these:

( 1) Be sure never to disappoint a congregation.

( 2) Begin at the time appointed.

( 3) Let your whole deportment be serious, weighty, and solemn.

( 4) Always suit your subject to your audience.

( 5) Choose the plainest text you can.

( 6) Take care not to ramble, but keep to your text, and make out what you take in hand.

( 7) Take care of anything awkward or affected, either in your gesture, phrase, or pronunciation.

( 8) It is recommended to the yearly Conferences to caution and restrict our preachers from improper publications.

( 9) Do not usually pray extempore above eight or ten minutes (at most) without intermission.

(10) Frequently read and enlarge upon a portion of Scripture, and let young preachers often exhort without taking a text.

(11) Always avail yourself of the great festivals by preaching on the occasion.