THE PREACHER'S STUDY
This is not to say, however, that the craftsmanship of preaching is to be belittled or despised. That would be quite a false deduction from our premises. To argue that, because the message in itself is so all-important, we can afford to ignore the mere form of its presentation, would be arbitrary and wrong-headed. On the contrary, it is precisely because the message entrusted to us is of such paramount importance that we should labour at it night and day, sparing no pains to become skilled in our craft and to make the earthen vessel as worthy as we can of the treasure it contains. St. Paul thanked God for the Corinthians, that they were " enriched in all utterance, 'and in all knowledge," for it is essential that those who know the truth of Christ should also learn how to set it forth convincingly for others. In this regard, congregations to-day are much more exacting than they were a generation ago. Probably in no small measure this is due—as a recent writer in the Spectator suggested—to the influence of Broadcasting House, "If people listen to competent speaking on all kinds of subjects during the week, they will ask for equal competence from the pulpit on Sunday." Slovenly work, careless technique, faulty construction and inarticulate delivery have had their day: they will pass muster no longer. And surely the preacher's task, undertaken at God's command for Christ's dear sake, demands the very best that unremitting toil and care and disciplined technical training can bring to it. "Neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing."
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