The Preacher's Discipline
This extends to everything which has gone before: to the unguarded word which, in private, might reflect discredit on what we say in public; to the little piece of common dishonesty (like avoiding the payment of a bus-fare or using again an unfranked stamp) which casts doubt on the integrity of our pretensions; to the promptings of personal pride or self-concern which make us think unkindly of our brethren or burk an opportunity of witness. " Be careful even of the minutiae of your character. Avoid little debts, unpunctuality, gossiping, nicknaming, petty quarrels, and all other of those little vices which fill the ointment with flies . . . Our care must be to act on the rule, ' giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed.' "59 But it applies also to certain particular practical issues at or about the time of preaching. They are trivial in themselves, but those who have suffered from a neglect of them know how important they can become.

It is thoroughly relevant, then, to the purpose of this chapter to suggest that the speaker who pays a week-end visit on his appointment, and stays in congenial company, should think squarely as to whether he will do all his tasks at full strength next day if he stays very late talking. The same suggestion must be made with the same force to brethren and sisters who take part in Campaigns. The brother who is used to a half-hour nap after lunch may do well to consider whether a large dinner (such as indulgent hostesses delight to furnish) will make him sluggish and lethargic when he comes to speak.

God has been pleased to send His Son to effect reconciliation. He has reconciled us to Himself by the death of His Son.

God has committed to us the ministry of reconciliation. That ministry is restricted to no group among us, to no prescribed method. It is restricted to no time of day nor day of the week. Its message is restricted, certainly, to that which is revealed: " ' I have received of the Lord that which I also delivered unto you,' said Paul, and unless the preacher fulfills that condition he does not truly preach."60 Its object is restricted, too, to glorifying God in bringing men and women by His power to His salvation. But these are restrictions which impose no limit to our learning and set no bounds to our enterprise. The field is broader- than we can ever hope to plough, broader even than the slogan with which the effort which gave rise to this book began, " to make the truth known in every city and town, village and house, in this country," and there is an urgent call for all to help. And all will help who are " not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation unto every one that believeth."61