n to him. He presents his diagnosis and writes his
prescription. The "business doctor" has been at work in the
churches--in _our_ Church. He has looked into many things. He has
made some suggestions. They have not all been foolish, but, as yet, he
has not quite hit upon the very thing. He has, however, not altogether
finished his work. Why should he not come into the preacher's
department, into the pulpit, into the study? Why should he not be
permitted to read some of those treasured manuscripts which have
been--shall we say the joy, or shall we say the discipline?--of so many
congregations? Why should he not be allowed to bring paper and pencil,
and, ensconced in a pew commanding full view of the rostrum, write down
the thing that is true about the part _we_ take in the work of saving
the world? Perhaps he may find that all is well. Perhaps he may find
that all is not quite well. If _this_ should be the case, how
important that we should know it. Discovery is often the starting
point of improvement.

That, in view of the situation referred to, we should, each of us for
himself, _consider his preaching_, is the suggestion we would make to
every preaching reader of the pages to follow. We leave the figure of
the "business doctor," for every illustration is of limited usefulness,
which is a good thing to learn. There is but one authority capable of
conducting this inquiry in such a way as inevitably to make discovery
of the real truth. That authority is surely the preacher's own
conscience as taught, illuminated and guided by the Holy Spirit. At
once we make a confession:--This lecture raises a question, but does
not presume to answer it. We will be satisfied to set men asking and
answering for themselves. Here is the inquiry:--_Am I, as a preacher,
in any way to blame for the decline in Church prosperity, for the lack
of conversions, for such signs and results of spiritual indifference as
are to be seen on every hand_? This question may pave the way for
others:--Is there anything amiss with the substance of my preaching,
with its methods, with its spirit? If there be weakness here or there;
if it lack the true note; if it have lost strength to grip, sharpness
to probe, power to heal; if, in short, it lacks aught of being the
means of grace it was designed to be, can it be brought, once more, on
to the right lines? Our words may be as a river refreshing the Church
of God, and flowing out through the