The minister is using strange fire when he mixes storytelling with his discourses.... You have men of all classes of minds to meet, and as you deal with the Sacred Word, you should manifest earnestness, respect, reverence. Let not the impression be made upon any mind that you are a cheap, surface speaker. Weed out storytelling from your discourses. Preach the Word. You would have had more sheaves to bring to the Master if you had constantly preached the Word. You little understand the soul’s great need and longing. Some are wrestling with doubt, almost in despair, almost hopeless.... (Ev 210.1) MC VC

God is offended when His representatives descend to the use of cheap, trifling words. The cause of truth is dishonored. Men judge of the whole ministry by the man whom they hear, and the enemies of the truth will make the most of his errors.—Letter 61, 1896. (Ev 210.2) MC VC

Hungry for the Bread of Life—Keep your stories to yourself. The people are not soul-hungry for these, but they want the bread of life, the word that liveth and abideth forever. “What is the chaff to the wheat?”(Jeremiah 23:28)—Letter 61, 1896. (Ev 210.3) MC VC

Burden of Conviction Lost by Cheap Nonsense—After a good work has been done, the ones who have been awakened to a sense of sin should be taught how to take hold of the arm of the Lord. But if the good impressions made are not followed up with true, earnest efforts, no permanent good is accomplished. The result might be very different, did not a desire for amusement divert the mind from the contemplation of serious things.... (Ev 210.4) MC VC