1.G 14. Illustrations must be apt

Illustrations must be apt.

Let me say to you, that, in using illustrations, you must be sure to make them always apposite.

If you should undertake to “ work ship “ in an audience where there is a good old sea-captain, and you should make a mistake, and speak as though the taffrail was the rudder, he would feel contempt for you. If I should hear a politician say that Job said, “ Every tub must stand upon its own bottom,” I should laugh at him, and his illustration and quotation would not do me much good. When you are talking about matters that men know about, you must know just as much as they do. Never let a man in your congregation detect you in an in accuracy if you can help it. If you speak about making wine, be sure you know about making it.

(To do that, it is not necessary that you should know how to drink it, however!) Therefore, always be learning.