I’ve been reading an interesting little book that I picked up at a used Christian bookstore, The Thought of the Evangelical Leaders: Notes of the Discussions of the Eclectic Society London During the Years 1798-1814. The book had John Newton on the cover and so I knew it was one I needed to add to my collection. It is proving to be pastor-nerd paradise.
The eclectic society was a group of pastors who started meeting together in 1783. It was formed by Newton, Richard Cecil, Henry Foster, and Eli Bates. If I’m not mistaken, some of their earlier meetings were formative in talks about ending the slave trade in England. The notes, unfortunately, are picked up in 1798. That’s only eight years before the death of Newton and so we miss some very valuable information by not having those notes from 1783-1798.
The format of the meetings were simple. One of the pastors would propose a topic—give a bit of his take on it, and then the other pastors/leaders would comment on the topic. There are things in this book ranging from theological questions to practical questions such as, “the duty and importance of punctuality in all our engagements”. It is interesting to read what these pastors had to say on some of these topics.
I’m only a little ways into the book but I have already uncovered some terrific gems for preaching and also for how to live the Christian life. But there is one thing that I’ve noticed that has really ministered to me, and it is more in what is not said than in what is said.
I bought this book because it was interesting and it would give me a bit more information on Newton. But one thing I’m noticing is that Newton usually only speaks a few pithy lines. Yet, this is speaking volumes to me as a pastor and as a man.
What I’m noticing is that some of the younger men in the eclectic society will speak for a couple of pages on a peculiar topic. One such question was on the temptation of our Lord. A thirty-year old minister gave what appears to be a mini-sermon. He had about nine-points with three or four sub-points under each of these nine. We only have the notes of this but even still it goes on for a solid three pages. To which Newton simply responds, “I was never troubled with these doubts.” And then he gives a few sentences as to why.
This speaks loudly to me. Newton, as an elderly pastor, was mature enough to know what was significant. A younger pastor can ramble on and on and on about disputable matters. And he’s probably correct in many ways. It might even be a topic of relative importance. But there is something to be said for Newton’s swift and concise answers. I want to learn from him. I want to ramble less and quietly speak a few words into a situation. I’m convinced that the few well-timed words of Newton weighed a ton more than the 35 minute mini-sermon of this younger pastor.
Such a thing comes from knowing what is important. Having confidence in the Lord to administer His truth as well as a disregard for making ones name significant. I can think of three times when I’m tempted to ramble on:
1. When I don’t really have anything to say but I feel as if I ought to.
2. When I want to make a name for myself and thus try take control of the room.
3. When my youth passion takes over. As I’ve discovered some truth which is new to me, I act as a young kid but with a foolishness which assumes I’m the first guy who has ever seen this thing.
Rambling, I’m convinced is conquered by having a confidence in Christ and a passion for His name alone. Humility breeds a bit more reservation in opening of the mouth. I pray I learn from Newton and speak only what is necessary.
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