Catch Men When You Preach
"He it is that brings sinners into the net which ministers spread; and if he be not with them to drive the fish into the net, they may toil all night, and day too, and catch nothing...[the men/fish that you are trying to catch] may see the bait, and play about it as pleasant, but this is not enough to catch them..."Be concerned then, in the first place, O my soul, for the presence of God in ordinances, and for His power that will make a change among people (Ps 110:3)...When thou studiest, send up ejaculations to thy Lord for it. When thou writest a sermon, or dost ruminate on it, then say to God, 'Lord this will be altogether weak without thy power accompanying it'...
"Acknowledge thine own weakness and uselessness without it, and cry incessantly for it, that the Lord may drive the fish into the net, when thou art spreading it out...
"What an honourable thing is it to be fishers of men! How great an honour shouldst thou esteem it, to be a catcher of souls! We are workers together with God, says the apostle."
early in the break of day, as i enjoy to gain knowledge of more and more.