In this way I have discovered whether or not the shots were striking; for the gunnery that hits no one is not worth the powder.
Fishing for compliments is beneath any man of common sense, but it does cheer the pastor's heart to be told, "Your sermon last Sunday brought me a great blessing; it helped me all the week." Or better still, "Your sermon brought me to decide for Christ." In a careful and delicate way, I drew out our people in regard to their spiritual condition, and if I found that any member of the family was anxious about his or her soul, I managed to have a private and unreserved conversation with that person.
It is well for every minister to be careful how he guards the confidence reposed in him.

The family physician and the family pastor often have to know some things they do not like to know, but they never should allow any one else to know them.
This intimate, personal intercourse with my flock enabled me more than once to bring the undecided to a decision for Christ.

In dealing with such cases, whether in the home or in the inquiry-room, I aimed to discover just what hindrance was in the path of each awakened soul.

It is a great point also for such a one to discover what it is that keeps him or her from surrendering to Christ.

If it be some habit or some evil practice, that must be given up; if some heart sin, that we must yield, even if it be like plucking out an eye or lopping off a right hand.