What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Advantages and disadvantages of read sermons compared to free sermons"
Answer
The provided documents emphasize that the effectiveness of a sermon depends less on the mere method (read or extemporaneous) and more on the liveliness, clarity, and spiritual depth of the delivery. A major advantage of oral, free preaching over a written text is the potential to leave a deeper impression through voice and passion, which a purely written form often does not achieve.
A significant disadvantage, however, arises when free speaking devolves into a hurried, unclear “rattling down,” which hinders listeners' understanding. Conversely, it is warned that a rigid or lifeless delivery—such as can occur with pure reading—can suppress the power of truth and fail to reach people's hearts.
The Superiority of the Spoken Word
»Everyone knows the difference in interest between a printed and an oral sermon. How many people would sit down and read a speech by Henry Clay? Only few, of course. Yet if he announced that he would speak from the balcony of the American in this city, the street would be packed for hours.«
Dangers of a lifeless and insecure delivery
»The Word of God must be presented with spirit and life... A lame, insecure delivery will be of no use. Improve your demeanor, your voice, your seriousness, and your confidence... We may possess the most precious truths and present them in exposition in such a lame, insecure, and lifeless manner that all the power to impress hearts and awaken consciousness is drained from the precious meaning.«
Disadvantages of hurried speaking as in a memorized lesson
»Some preachers have taken on the habit of rattling out hastily what they have to say, as if they were repeating a lesson and wanted to finish it as quickly as possible. This is not the best way to speak... When the material is whirled through so quickly, people cannot grasp the points in their minds, and they have no time to receive the impression that is important to them.«
The importance of seriousness versus mere entertainment
»Without thinking, they [some brothers] show a preference for a speaker who displays considerable zeal in his sermon and tells anecdotes that please the ear and enliven the spirit for a moment, but leave no lasting impression. At the same time, they undervalue a preacher who has studied prayerfully so that he can present the arguments of our position to the people in a calm and coherent manner.«
Impact through voice and passionate presentation
»Often the tones and passionate manner of the speaker tend to leave an impression that cannot be produced by the printed page.«
- How to use the voice correctly when preaching
- Effect of lively preaching on the conscience
- Preparation for a calm and logical argumentation in the sermon
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
My hope is that this tool supports personal Bible study, strengthens trust in the original sources, and helps more people discover the message of these writings with clarity, depth, and joy.
