In some respects young men have an advantage in open-air preaching over those who are older. They are as a rule less cautious, and therefore more ready to take risks that the older would not take. They see visions where the older dream dreams. There is, moreover, a freshness of faith and a simplicity of utterance that has a peculiar charm. They are less conventional, and make mistakes in their early efforts which, though they may raise a smile, are often convincing in a certain way, for to see a young man so in earnest that he does not mind being a fool for Christ’s sake is a strong argument for the truth.
I have watched open-air meetings where young men have been taking part, and blessed God from my heart, not at what they were saying (for it was often doctrinally rather poor), but for the fearless enthusiasm for Christ and earnest desire for the salvation of others. Now these qualities are best seen in the open-air. In a building where the audience is used to well-considered gospel addresses, such efforts often fail. Many a young preacher is as bold as a lion in the open-air, and as shy as a maiden behind a pulpit–free in the one and awkward and constrained in the other. Each in his own sphere.
Obviously, then, the young men should be given scope in the open-air. And they should be encouraged to make new ventures and devise new ways of reaching the people.
The ordinary street corner open-air meeting does not command the hearing it once did. It served the older men in their generation; it is for the younger to meet the demand of their days. But while all this is true, it needs qualification. If the younger are at an advantage in respect of their early love and youthful enthusiasm, they are not so wise nor so experienced in warfare as the veterans. They should therefore be guided as well as encouraged.
Here are some suggestions for young men who are serious about furthering the work of the gospel.
1. Sometimes proper behavior and decorum are lacking. To see a group of young people chatting and laughing among themselves while one of their number is attempting to preach gives the appearance of careless irresponsibility. Eyes are looking on critically and forming judgments from the conduct and behavior of the group. We should be conscious of the dignity of our service as witnesses for Christ. Stand reverently, join in the singing, pray for the brother preaching, and listen respectfully to what is being said.
2. Some young men in the open-air are harsh and even offensive. They seem to want to emulate Elijah and call down fire from heaven, or John the Baptist and denounce their hearers as a “generation of vipers.”
For example, a young girl was seen to smile–possibly quite justifiably–at the preacher. At once he turned on her with the threat: “You may laugh now, but you won’t laugh in hell.” Such conduct is inexcusable and should be sternly rebuked.
3. There seems to be with some young men the idea that one should not prepare for the open-air. Why not, it is difficult to say. If the speaker depends on the inspiration of the moment, he is usually left to the disorderly shouting of texts or uttering of platitudes, which give the impression to the hearers that he has nothing to say, but feels he has got to say something.The open-air speaker should go with a message from the Lord carefully prayed over, the result of exercise of heart and thought.
It was said of a well-known breezy Member of Parliament, that when he spoke in the House of Commons, he did not know what he was going to say when he began, while speaking he did not know what he was saying, and when he sat down he did not know what he had said. Of much I have heard at street corners this has been true.
4. The very first qualification for open-air work is the ability to get a hearing. If no one wants to listen, and those who do turn away feeling it is not worth listening to, then the speaker could do better by more prayer and thought.The conclusion of the whole matter seems to me to be found in the word: “Let these also first be proved then let them [serve]” (1 Tim. 3:10), and “Let every man prove his own work.” For the honor of the Name is at stake as well as the welfare of the assembly. If anything is done in the open-air, let it be done well. Let the meeting be orderly, dignified, and reverently conducted. Let the leader see that what is done will not only commend the gospel, but commend itself to every man’s conscience as a serious and faithful effort to carry the Good News to men. Let the young men have opportunity and scope. If they are showing the right spirit and have a message from the Lord, let them have every liberty for the exercise of their gift and outlet for their love and zeal. If, however, they fail in this, let them be restrained, but encouraged to do better. Many a great soul-winner made a poor beginning, so that more than one opportunity should be given.
The open-air is one of the best training grounds for a young speaker. He must learn to interest his hearers or else they disperse. He must be loving and gracious, and not get angry because he sees a sneer of contempt or mockery on the face of an onlooker. He must keep his temper under control, and keep his head in emergencies, as when a drunken man assaults the meeting or an infidel shouts out taunts or objections. He must learn to speak to individuals courteously and faithfully as opportunity occurs. And, very importantly, he must know when to stop. All this is good training and is acquired by practice in the open-air.
Many of our open-air efforts have not been altogether a success lately. Possibly better ways of getting a hearing may be devised. In some cases, the evening gospel meeting has been held in the open-air, seats provided, and a regular service held. This has been attended with much success. In other cases, a bandstand has been rented and good-sized companies gathered, who find seats ready for them. At other places a tent has been erected on a vacant space with quite good numbers attending. In any case, let us not be content with failure but wait on the Lord and carefully consider and devise fresh means that will reach the masses.