One of America's greatest preachers spent most of his ministry not as a pastor but as a professor, then president, of a young Baptist seminary.

John A. Broadus, born January 24, 1827 in Culpepper County, Virginia, had planned to enter the University of Virginia to study medicine. After hearing a sermon on the parable of the talents, however, he told his pastor, "The question is decided; I must try to be a preacher."

Following graduation, Broadus taught school while continuing his theological study independently. He served as chaplain of the university and pastor of Charlottesville's First Baptist Church before agreeing to become part of the original faculty of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary when it began classes in 1859. For 36 years--spanning the Civil War and the seminary's move to Louisville--he served as Professor of New Testament and Homiletics, and eventually President, of what was then Southern Baptists' only seminary.

During the difficult days following the Civil War, Broadus and others sacrificed greatly to insure the continued existence of the young seminary. It was also during this period that he produced some of his most significant work, including the classic textbook A Treatise on the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons. That book, which has been revised twice and reprinted many times, is the most widely-used preaching text ever published. In 1889, Broadus became the first (and for the next 90 years the only) Southern Baptist to present the Lyman Beecher Lectures on Preaching at Yale University.

Broadus' commitment to teaching withstood frequent attempts to call him to major pulpits in cities of both north and south. He was a popular preacher throughout the nation and was recognized by his contemporaries as one of the most gifted pulpiteers of his age.

His preaching was strongly Biblical, growing out of a deep devotion to Scripture. At the same time, Broadus sought to communicate his message in clear, understandable terms and direct, simple organization. He tried to instill this concern for clarity in his students also; he once exclaimed, "Alas for the education of the ministers of Jesus if it ceases to be true that the common people hear them gladly."

Broadus preached in a conversational tone--he once urged his students to "talk like folks talk"--and used only a few gestures. Though he prepared carefully for his messages, Broadus made only scattered notes, and would not use even them in the pulpit, preferring what he called "extempore delivery."

Though he spent most of his ministry in a classroom rather than the pulpit of a local church, Broadus' commitment to strong Biblical preaching still provides a worthy model for those who would proclaim God's Word. The excerpts which follow provide just a glimpse of the preaching of this gifted pulpiteer.

From "Come Unto Me"

It is worth observing that the gospel invitations, while they extend to all, are so varied. The same bountiful and gracious Being who suits the blessings of His providence to our various wants, does also adapt the invitations of His mercy to the varied characters and conditions of men. Are men enemies to God? -- they are invited to be reconciled. Have they hearts harder than the nether millstone? -- He offers to take away the stone, and give a heart of flesh. Are they dancing gaily, or rushing madly, along the way that leads to death? -- He calls upon them to turn, "Turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die?" Are they sleeping the heavy sleep of sin? -- "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead." Are men hungering with a craving hunger? -- He calls them to the water of life. And are they burdened with sin and sinfulness? -- He invites them to come to Jesus for rest.