Smoking Spiritualized
This sermon emphasizes the transience of life and the importance of spiritual redemption, using tobacco as a metaphor to illustrate the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of decay and death.
Ralph Erskine delivers a powerful sermon using the metaphor of smoking tobacco to reflect on the transient nature of life, the vanity of worldly pursuits, the reminder of sin and mortality, and the ultimate return to dust. He encourages the congregation to contemplate on their spiritual state and the need for divine inspiration to ignite their hearts. Through tobacco smoking, Erskine draws parallels to the deeper spiritual truths of life, faith, and the promises of God.
Text
This Indian weed now wither'd quite,
'Tho' green at noon, cut down at night,
Shows thy decay;
All flesh is hay.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.
The pipe so lily-like and weak,
Does thus thy mortal state bespeak.
Thou art ev'n such,
Gone with a touch.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.
And when the smoke ascends on high,
Then thou behold'st the vanity
Of worldly stuff,
Gone with a puff.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.
And when the pipe grows foul within,
Think on thy soul defil'd with sin;
For then the fire,
It does require.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.
And seest the ashes cast away;
Then to thyself thou mayest say
That to the dust
Return thou must.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.
PART II.
Was this small plant for thee cut down?
So was the plant of great renown;
Which mercy sends
For nobler ends.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.
Doth juice medicinal proceed
From such a naughty foreign weed?
Then what's the pow'r
Of Jesse's flow'r?
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.
The promise, like the pipe, inlays,
And by the mouth of faith conveys
What virtue flows
From Sharon's rose.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.
In vain th' unlighted pipe you blow;
Your pains in inward means are so,
'Till heav'nly fire
Thy heart inspire.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.
The smoke, like burning incense tow'rs
So should a praying heart of yours,
With ardent cries,
Surmount the skies.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.
Sermon Outline
- I. Mortality and Transience
- A. The fleeting nature of life
- B. The inevitability of decay and death
- II. Worldly Vanity
- A. The transience of worldly possessions
- B. The futility of earthly pursuits
- III. Sin and Defilement
- A. The corruption of sin
- B. The need for spiritual purification
- IV. Redemption and Hope
- A. The promise of mercy and redemption
- B. The power of faith and prayer
Key Quotes
“Thus think, and smoke tobacco.” — Ralph Erskine
“The pipe so lily-like and weak, Does thus thy mortal state bespeak.” — Ralph Erskine
“The smoke, like burning incense tow'rs So should a praying heart of yours, With ardent cries, Surmount the skies.” — Ralph Erskine
Application Points
- Recognize the transience of life and the inevitability of decay and death.
- Seek spiritual redemption through faith and prayer.
- Cultivate a praying heart that can surmount the skies and experience spiritual transformation.