Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 19
May 4, 1967
NUMBER 1, PAGE 11b-12a

"Smooth Things"

Hoyt H. Houchen

Spiritually, the nation of Judah was at a low ebb in the days of Isaiah. This condition prompted the prophet to rebuke the people for their sins and this he did time after time (Isa. 1:14, etc.) In Isa. 30:8 there is a solemn command of God to the prophet that he write what would follow on a tablet, and inscribe it in a book that it might be preserved for posterity. Here is what God told Isaiah to write concerning Judah: "For it is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of Jehovah; that say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits" (Isa. 30:9, 10). God's own people had come to the point that they no longer wanted the truth. They wanted smooth things.

For a number of years this writer has had in his library an old rare book, "Life of Knowles Shaw, The Singing Evangelist" by William Baxter and published in 1879. This book has been treasured not only as a rarity but because it is a valuable and useful collection of sermon sketches from Knowles Shaw, who lived 1834-1878. Shaw was not only a preacher, but he was also a musician and poet, setting many songs to music, one of his most popular, "Bringing In The Sheaves." More than ten thousand persons obeyed the gospel under his preaching in a span of about twenty years.

Taken from a half sheet of paper, and appearing on page 98 of the above mentioned book, is an outline by Knowles Shaw on Isa. 30:10, "Speak unto us smooth things." Because of its arrangement and force, we are submitting it to our readers, along with some comments of our own. He introduces his subject with the statement: "It is unaccountable that intelligent beings should become so infatuated as to prefer deceit to sincerity, falsehood to truth; and that, too in reference to the most important of all subjects."

The subject is divided into three main points: (1) What is it to speak smooth things? (2) Why people desire it, and (3) Its final results to speaker and hearer.

In answer to the first question, what is it to speak smooth things, the writer points out that it is not to be confounded with speaking kindly or affectionately. The severest rebuke can be spoken with kindness and affection, without being rude, harsh and abusive. Secondly, to speak smooth things is not to be confused with a prudent presentation of truth, so as to avoid offense. What is disagreeable to the hearer may cause him to be offended, but the speaker does not have to be unkind or abusive. Isaiah did not go out of his way to be offensive to the people of his day, but he did not hesitate to tell them what they needed to hear, and in words plain and pointed enough to be clearly understood. Then our writer points out a third thing as to speaking smooth things and that is, such speaking is not to be confused with an appeal to candor and generosity, as Paul to Agrippa.

What is it to speak smooth things? "The Singing evangelist" well observes: "To speak smooth things is not necessarily to teach error, nor yet to adulterate truth... Truth may be preached in such a way that it will never save a soul; but it is, to keep back everything disagreeable to the hearers." This scribe recalls in his preaching experience one opportunity (a rare one indeed) to preach to a denominational group at a Sunday afternoon service. Points of agreement were not emphasized but rather the points of disagreement. Complete "satisfaction" was given as there was no invitation to return. Faithful preachers will discharge their duty in preaching not only part of the truth but all the truth that needs to be preached on the occasion. But the denominations are not alone in wanting to hear smooth things. Remember that it was the people of God who wanted smooth things in Isaiah's day. The author of this article was engaged in a gospel meeting at Alachua, Florida, a few years ago. The issues were preached upon and he was "canned" before the meeting closed because the elders disagreed with what was preached. It was not pleasing to their ears. A preacher or any other Christian should be complimented when his services are no longer needed because he preaches the truth. When this is the case, he is in good company; he is in the company of Jesus, Peter, John, Stephen, and Paul.

In his outline, Knowles Shaw presents three things as to what speaking smooth things is: (1) It is to avoid a too searching process with the consciences of men, and the following examples are given: "Not to offend the covetous by speaking against worldliness. Not to offend the pleasure-taker by showing the incompatibility with holy things. Not to offend the formalist by urging a spiritual religion. Not to offend the latitudinarian by declaring the woes threatened against those who preach another gospel. Not to mortify the pride of the haughty, nor assail the vanity of the ostentatious bigot. Not to arouse the careless, nor alarm the indifferent. Not to humble the spirit of the self-righteous, nor denounce hypocrisy and intemperance, nor expose the heartlessness of the selfish. (2) But it is to speak smooth things; to speak the truth in such a general way that none present will think that they are meant, or condemned by it. (3) By neglecting to enforce the threatenings of God's word, and dwelling only on the sunny side."

The evangelist then proceeds to give some examples of those who wanted smooth things in the following: "Balak wanted just such a prophet, to gratify his malevolence. Ahab wanted such a prophet, after killing Naboth. Herod and his unlawful wife wanted such a preacher. The Jews would never have rejected Christ, if he had preached only what they wanted to hear, and Stephen might have escaped martyrdom had he spoken smooth things."

Having elaborated somewhat on his first main point of the outline, What is it to speak smooth things? he makes his second main point and that is Why people desire it. His answer is: "Because it suits a corrupt heart and life. Because it effects an agreeable compromise with a sort of religion and their sins."

The third main heading of the outline is given and that is, Its final results to speaker and hearer. He states that the results of such preaching are: "It grieves the Spirit of God; is opposed to the conduct of God's people in all ages; condemns Moses for his course toward Pharaoh; Nathan for reproving David; condemns the course of John the Baptist to Herod; Noah for warning a guilty world, and Paul for his faithful preaching to Felix. It brings ruin to the souls of preacher and people."

This is a sermon that will "soap and lather" and its points should find their place in the preaching by the faithful because it is needed. Good books should be shared with others and while the above is only one example of the prize material that this old book contains, we are happy to share it with others to the end that it may be useful in further advancing the truth.