"Never man spake like this man" (John 7:46). All believers should preach, teach or talk the gospel, and Christ is our model in matter and manner. Let us study some characteristics of His methods.

1. He spoke with the authority of Divine majesty (and so may we in his name,) and the assurance of absolute and positive truth. He was a personal witness concerning Divine and unseen things. He was not a debator or reasoner, Isa. 55:4:Matt. 5:21, 22; 7:29; John 3:11.

2. He taught much in parables, similitudes and illustrations. Matt. 13:1; 7:24-27; 5:14-15; Luke 7:31-35. The Old Testament scriptures all nature, and all the occupations of man, constituted his cyclopedia of illustrations.

3. He was frank and free from sophistry, and exposed the shams, hypocrisies and wiles of his enemies. Matt 22:15-14; 33:14.

4. He did not seek to excite sensation, or gratify idle curiosity. Matt. 12:39; 13:23-24; Luke 7:24-26. Let this apply to "curious questions" about Old Testament history.

5. He used wisdom and tact in dividing the word of God unto different classes, ever revealing truth to one class, and concealing it from another in the same, assembly by use of parables, John 4:14; 16:12; Matt. 13:10-16; See Luke 4:16-19. He closes the Book at comma, thus dividing the acceptable year and the day of vengeance.

6. He sought no applause from His hearers, John 5:41; Rom. 15:3. The motto of the play-actor is "we study to please," but of the preacher "we study to save."

7. He preached with great boldness, regardless of the fear or favor of man, Matt. 11:20-24; 23:33. Men who want us to "preach as Christ did," are unwittingly asking for almost unparalleled severity.

8. He taught with patience, repetition, self-control, meekness and kindness. Matt. 7:7-8; 9-36; 11:29; 23:37; Mark 9:43; Luke 19:41.

9. He taught with unequaled simplicity, so that the old and young, persons of all grades of understanding and attainment, listened with rapture on His words. He brought to them in the simplest language, the grandest truths that the universe contains, or eternity can reveal. Matt. 11:25-26; John 15:22; 2 Cor. 6:6.

10. He used great plainness and simplicity of speech, and not the fine rhetoric and elocution of the schools. Study any of His discourses and you see that He used the unadorned language of common life. In like manner Paul never wreathed the "Sword of the Spirit" with garlands. Study I Cor. 2:11. He quoted and used the Old Testament Scriptures constantly. Matt. 12:5; Mark 12:26; Luke 24:27-44; John 5:39-46.

11. He taught that the great and constant theme of the Old Testament was His own Divine person and redeeming work.

12. He preached with profound seriousness and intense earnestness. He did not trifle, and people did not expect Him to "entertain" them with the Gospel message, Mark 16:16; Luke 2:49; 12:50; John 4:34; 9:4.

The results of His teaching were:

1. Universal astonishment, Matt. 7:2529; Mark 6:2; it:i8; Luke 4:32.

2. The violent opposition of many, Luke 4:28; 6:11; John 5:16-18.

3. The conversion of some, Luke 4:^5; John 1:40-45; 10:27. Thank God for this and take courage. The duty of all who hear the gospel is found in Acts 3:22, and their danger in Acts 3:23.

— E. P. M.