THE
ART OF ILLUSTRATION
BY
C. H. SPURGEON
NEW-YORK
WILBUR B. KETCHAM
2 COOPER UNION
Copyright, 1894,
By Wilbur B. Ketcham.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE.
The lectures in this volume were originallydelivered to the students of the Pastors' College,Metropolitan Tabernacle, London, England.It is the first of his unfinished books tobe published, and one to which he had himselfgiven the title, "The Art of Illustration."
Of the five lectures included in this volume,the first two were revised during Mr. Spurgeon'slifetime. Two were partially revisedby him before being redelivered to a latercompany of students than those who had heardthem for the first time.
The remaining lecture was printed substantiallyas it was taken by the reporter; onlysuch verbal corrections having been made aswere absolutely necessary to insure accuracyof statement. Mr. Spurgeon has said of hislectures to his students: "I am as much athome with my young brethren as in the bosom[4]of my family, and therefore speak without restraint.I do not offer that which has cost menothing, for I have done my best, and takenabundant pains. Therefore, with clear conscience,I place my work at the service of mybrethren, especially hoping to have a carefulreading from young preachers, whose profitinghas been my principal aim."
W. B. K.
CONTENTS.
| LECTURE I. | |
| page | |
| Illustrations in Preaching | 7 |
| LECTURE II. | |
| Anecdotes from the Pulpit | 32 |
| LECTURE III. | |
| The Uses of Anecdotes and Illustrations | 57 |
| LECTURE IV. | |
| Where can We Find Anecdotes and Illustrations? | 103 |
| LECTURE V. | |
| The Sciences as Sources of Illustration—Astronomy | 137 |
LECTURE I.
ILLUSTRATIONS IN PREACHING.
The topic now before us is the use of illustrationsin our sermons. Perhaps we shallbest subserve our purpose by working out anillustration in the present address; for thereis no better way of teaching the art of potterythan by making a pot. Quaint Thomas Fullersays, "Reasons are the pillars of the fabric ofa sermon; but similitudes are the windowswhich give the best lights." The comparisonis happy and suggestive, and we will build upour discourse under its direction.
The chief reason for the construc