Quiet Talks with Earnest People in my Study

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Charles Edward Jefferson's advice for Christians draws upon years of experience in the Ohio priesthood, in a time of great challenges, when spiritual guidance of the highest quality was very sought after. The author writes in a conversational style, fulfilling the role of spiritual counselor to a lay person who seeks counsel. Initially he seeks to clarify the position of clergy in society, misconceptions exist, which Jefferson eloquently dispels with clear and determined eloquence. We progress to definitions of the positive traits which ministers and believers should strive for: a sympathetic nature which results in cooperation with others. Where liberty is concerned, we must value and use our freedoms, but be mindful of their limitations - when speaking, a minister should not stray into frivolity, or deviate from God's wisdom. Further cautioning readers, Jefferson explains how the valuable lessons of a typical sermon can be undermined by wrongheaded thinking habits. One must be earnest when attending church, a genuine desire to learn or to refresh one's knowledge is crucial. Likewise a minister must refrain from vapid questions - simply asking whether the congregation liked a sermon is insufficient. A good sermon is not a mere item on display, it is a deep and piercing guidance, a warning of wrongdoing, and an illumination of eternal truths.