Helping Young Preachers

HELP STRUGGLING YOUNG PREACHERS
By Duane V. Maxey, Using An Edited Story
From The History of Primitive Methodism

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       Some Older Preachers would do well to be more concise and less lengthy in their preaching.  However, it would also be wise for older older Preachers to encourage Young Preachers, when they become quickly "speechless" when trying to preach, and are unable to continue but a few minutes, before being forced to sit down in embarrassment!

       I remember how an older Preacher related what happened to him one time, when he exhausted all he had to say quickly. He said something similar to this: "I said, 'Thank God for sense enough to know that I have nothing more to say', and I sat down!"

       In his History of Primitive Methodism, H. B. Kendall told of the first attempt at preaching, by young William Alcock, who seemed to the camp meeting fathers as anything but promising. He made two attempts, and each time quickly ran out of anything to say, soon after giving out his text.

       Kendall thought perhaps young Alcock's text had something to do with his poverty of ideas and abrupt failure of utterance, for the text was, "He had nothing to pay," etc. Whatever the case, twice after he began, Alcock soon became "Speechless"! -- WITH NOTHING TO SAY!

       On standing up after prayer to make yet a third attempt, William Maxfield cried out to Alcock, "TELL US YOUR EXPERIENCE!" This encouraging piece of advice was at once acted upon with the happiest results. As he fell back on his personal experience, the Lord gave William a weighty exhortation, and he even succeeded before he sat down in preaching more from his text!

       Concerning the occurrence, Hugh Bourne said: "Upon the whole, it was a very powerful time. Later that night I discoursed much with William in order to strengthen his hands and direct him. O Lord, bless him! I believe he will be a useful man."

       A little later, when Bourne had a mistaken presentiment that his own life would be short, he said: "If it were God's will I should like to live till F. Horobin and W. Alcock are fairly yoked in preaching." His prayer was answered; his prophecy fulfilled, and his wish gratified. He did live to see William Alcock, his son in the gospel, become a useful and laborious preacher of the Word.

       Thereafter, William Alcock gave himself more and more fully to the work. In 1818 we find his name standing on the Tunstall circuit plan. Then he retired from the ranks and, it is said, located in Derbyshire. Alcock lived to write a few words about Hugh Bourne, the friend of his youth and prime, and his remarks are found in Walford's "Life of Bourne."

       At age 83, though I have forgotten much, I still have vivid memories of remarks made to me on certain occasions.  Thus, reader, it may be that even just a few encouraging words you give a struggling young preacher, by help him to persevere, and linger in his memory to his dying day. Selah.