# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_Juni 1855_S187
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

On the Writing of Sermons. 187

for these parts (and subdivisions), brief indications intended to provide the connection. Dr. Müller, in his Orat. eccl., p. 52, prefers this method to others. Others, including learned theologians, write out the sermon word for word. Still others note only the main points in Latin or German words and omit all further elaboration and proof, or at least add these in only a very few words. Others, finally, take the middle course and, following a precise method, summarize the truths of which they intend to speak, yet in a brief, concise style, as it were in outline; they record the proofs needed to develop each part and each acknowledged truth, together with the relevant passages and examples from Holy Scripture; they also note the manner in which they intend to form the connections, and reserve the rest for meditation. Those who note only the main points of the sermon seem, in the judgment of Dr. Aeg. Hunnius in his Meth. conc., T. 3, col. 1039, not to fulfill their official duty completely. By contrast, writing out the sermon entirely, word for word, is the most advisable course, especially at the very beginning of this exercise, and is not merely useful but even necessary for younger and less practiced preachers, partly so that they may gain greater confidence in delivery, partly so that they may acquire a greater wealth of words, and partly for the sake of memory. For in this way the mind is induced to dwell longer on the subject, and while the sermon is being written on paper, it is at the same time impressed upon the mind. As time goes on, however, one may, in my opinion, proceed differently. Those who have had many years of practice and have acquired a wealth and store of material and words may—especially if their other vocational duties leave them no alternative—carefully record the main points, the proofs and development of the individual parts, and testimonies and examples from Holy Scripture, while also adding expressions and words appropriate to the subject. In delivery, however, they need not bind themselves so closely to the words; for in this way, when the subject requires it, they will be able to move much more freely and, by means of a sudden turn of phrase (one that did not occur to them during meditation), to arouse or calm the emotions much more readily. Those who have a good command of the passages of Scripture, know how to speak coherently, and through practice have reached the point where one or a few expressions readily remind them of what follows can spare themselves a great deal of work in writing. But those who add something to the completed manuscript and remove something else, insert some things and strike out others, always dissatisfied with themselves, gain nothing from their untimely, excessive care except that they double the work of memorization and, through the care-