Tennat’s “Dumb” Sermon

The Rev. William Tennat, of New England, once took much pain to prepare a sermon to convince a celebrated infidel of the truth of Christianity. But in attempting to deliver this labored discourse he was so confused as to be compelled to stop and close the service by prayer. This unexpected failure in one who had so often astonished the unbeliever with the force of his eloquence, led the infidel to reflect that Mr. Tennat had been at other times aided by a Divine power.

This reflection proved the means of his conversion. God accomplished by silence what his servant wished to do by persuasive preaching. Mr. Tennat afterwards used to say that his dumb sermon was one of the most profitable sermons that he had ever delivered.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, ESV © 2016 by Crossway Bibles.
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