21 November 2025

‘A sower went out to sow ..’ It is a wonderful text. As preachers we need no other for that is all we are called to do – go out and sow. We know the results. Much of it is fruitless for a variety of reasons. Some of it successful but we know not how!

When Dr. Pringle was asked to preach in London, John Galt tells us that Pringle exerted himself very much in his preparation. That was all to the good but … when he entered the pulpit his hopes withered and his expectations were frustrated.

‘What an inattentive congregation was yonder!’ he writes to his Ayrshire Session Clerk. ‘Many slumbered and slept and I sowed the words of truth and holiness in vain upon their barren and stoney  hearts… I saw them whispering and smiling like the scorners and altogether heedless unto the precious things of my discourse…’

I have seen a fellow worshipper yawn. Another read her I-phone. A third fall asleep but I have yet to endure the whispering and smiling of the scorners. Pringle’s concern was as much to do with his own assessment of his efforts.

‘For I never preached more to my own satisfaction on any occasion whatsoever – and, when I return to my own parish, you shall hear what I said, as I will preach the same sermon over again, for I am not going now to print it, as I did once think of doing …’ Herein is the flaw.

Being satisfied with a sermon is no guarantee that it will produce  fruit in the hearts of those who hear it. The truth is that the harvest belongs to the mysterious working of the Holy Spirit who may move another  by words which we may disregard. The humility of the sower who sows and lets go is our saving grace.