'The theology that should be preached to make the pulpit what it should
be, should be based on obvious and honest principles of Scripture
interpretation. The preacher is the interpreter of a book, and he should
be the voice, the organ, of its true and natural meaning. Nothing should
be misquoted; nothing should be perverted or misapplied. His
interpretation should be seen and felt to be in harmony with the scope,
the drift, the spirit, the aim of the Bible. The success of preaching
has been greatly hindered by false principles of Biblical
interpretation. In interpreting other books men have gone on rational
principles; but in interpreting the Bible they have gone on principles
quite irrational. They have sought for double senses, and mystical
meanings, and used texts as proofs of doctrines, that had no reference
to the doctrines whatever. Metaphors and symbols have had all possible
meanings forced on them. Infidels and men of the world are approached
with arguments that are little less than insults to their
understandings. They are disgusted, instead of being convinced. They are
led to look on the Bible with disdain. They are willing to remain
infidels, rather than become idiots. One is pained and sickened that
such a multitude of impertinent and inapplicable texts should be brought
as proofs of Christian doctrine;--texts applicable to anything else
rather than the points under consideration.
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