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R. WILLIAM FICKLAND
THE IDEAL
CHRISTIAN SMINISTR Y
<By R. WILLIAM FICKLAND
Printed by the A. M. E. Book Concern, Philadelphia, Pa.
Printed By
THE A. M. E. BOOK CONCERN
•printers anh Publishers
631 Pine Street
Phila.. Pa.
1910
•prrfar*?
The numerous incidents which led to
the writing of this little volume, are more
or less common in the experiences of the
observant and devout minister of the Gos¬
pel ; especially, to one whose ministerial
career has been principally spent in the
large cities, where the glare of depravity
is most manifest and the voice of duty
seems loudest and unceasing.
These have forced the writer to follow
a line of systematic efforts, with the hope
of realizing more appreciable changes in
conditions, among those of his immediate
pastorate and secondly, among those who
might be indirectly affected by such efforts.
Besides, the Christian ministry has so
frequently appeared more blame-worthy
than conditions seemed to justify.
The writer has frequently wondered if
many who don the robe of the ministerial
profession, have thought it necessary to
"do evil that good might come."
iii
PREFACE
But with unshaken confidence in the
sacred purpose of the Gospel, and the divin¬
ity which shapes the destiny of all, and in
the God whose sacred purposes the devices
of the wicked cannot thwart, this little
volume is prayerfully sent forth as one of
the contributaries to the formation of that
formidable current of Christian influence,
now in process of operation against the
strongholds of iniquity.
It is my sincere prayer that the Father
of all goodness may sanctify the thoughts
embraced in its pages to His own glory,
as the contents and subject matter will be
found to be the clearest declaration of the
motives by which the writer was actuated
and his lofty conception of the plan and
purpose of God in the revelation of Him¬
self in the face of Jesus Christ.
iv
JtotroimStim
''Q{ making many books, there is no end,"
or
"In making a great book, there is no end."
Which of these is it that Solomon wrote
- -Solomon, the accepted writer of the Book
of Ecclesiastics (xii:i2). Taylor Lewis,
than whom no better authority existed, says
of the original Hebrew, "It may be render¬
ed collectively or in the singular." Our
answer to the query above is, let those
who raise it answer it. Insofar as we are
concerned either rendition will suit the pur¬
pose we have in view. And yet, with the
authority of the Authorized and the Re¬
vised Versions before us, together with
the English Catholic, Donay, we are free to
confess our preference for the first: "Of
making many books, there is no end." All
readily accept and appreciate what Rev.
Prof. J. R. Thomas says: "It is interest¬
ing to observe how largely study was pur-
v
INTRODUCTION
sued and literature cultivated at the remote
period when this book was written." Nay
more, if we call to mind the story of the
Tell-el-Amarna tablets, we will be all the
more interested, showing as both do that
literature—the mother of book making, has
seemingly been the inheritance of all people.
Says Mrs. E. A. Reed, member of the
Philosophical Society of Great Britain:
"It is now evident that before the Exodus
the Babylonian language and writing were
known, not only in the valley of the Eu¬
phrates, but also in all Palestine. There were
here and there men all through Syria who
could write in this way. It is a strange
discovery that the people of Palestine wrote
to the empires of the east in the cuneiform
characters. But it is still more wonderful
that they wrote thus to the King of Egypt,
and received replies in the same wedge
shaped characters which were used by the
Babylonian and Assyrian scribes, these pe¬
culiar letters being used in writing Ara¬
maic and also a language very much like
our own Hebrew."
vi
introduction
The point we make in all this, is, that
we as a people must keep pace with the
march of the people of all races, ages and
civilization; that is, if it be indeed true that
God has made of one blood all peoples.
With them we, too, must write; we, too,,
make books and improve upon them with
the making. Identified with a nation, of
whom it was said scarcely a hundred years
ago: "Who thinks of reading an American
book?" With it we, too, must haste and
send forth books, that will command at¬
tention in all the realm of literature. This,
in a small way, we are doing. Productions
of the pens of Chestnut, and DuBois; of
Dunbar and Kelly Miller are read by all.
As part and parcel of the great "us,"
we also, as a Church, must do our part, and
this, also, in a similarly small way we are
doing. As writers, Daniel A. Payne, James
Madison Bell and Albury Whitman, of the
past, and W. S. Scarborough and T. G.
Stewart of the present, will make answer.
Others, of course, could be mentioned.
It is pleasant to be asked to write this
vii
INTRODUCTION
brief introduction to a new work, "The
Christian Ministry," a work of more than
average ability, and especially, for what
its author promises to be. When it is re¬
membered that its writer is a man of the
least possible pretention on the line of book
making, we can well afford to give it, if
not a Chautauqua; certainly, a Tawawa
salute.
Benjamin Tucker Tanner.
viii
Stefctraitott
With loving affection, this volume is
dedicated first.
To the memory of my sainted mother,
through whose teaching, I early learned the
path of duty. Secondly, to the young men
of the Christian ministry, who are seeking
to consecrate their lives to holy living,
with a desire to more wisely direct their
zeal and energies for the glory of God and
uplift of the fallen.
Author.
ix
(Eflttfimtia
Page
Frontispiece
Preface 3
Introduction 5
CHAPTER I.
The Ideal Christian Ministry 15
How This Ministry is Constituted 17
The Object of the Ministry 20
The Elements Necessary to Accomplish Its
Purpose 22
(a) Native Endowments 27
(b) Intellectual Aptitude 27
(c) Will Force for Persistent Effort 27
(d) Patience in Long Suffering.... 27
(e) Grace of Personal Bearing 27
(f) Courage in Endeavor, Together with the
Power of Resistance 27
The Christian Ministry in Practical Service 27
The Ultimate End of the Christian Ministry 31
X
CONTENTS
CHAPTER II.
Page
The Function of the Christian Minister 35
(a) As a Teacher of the Truths of the Gospel 36
(b) As a Laborer with the Lord 41
(c) As an Overseer of the Church Committed
to His Trust 42
(d) As a Watchman who Watches for Souls--. 46
CHAPTER III.
The Minister's Emphasis 50
How this Emphasis is to be Placed 51
There Should be no Question in the Mind of the
Christian Minister as to His Selection 52
The Psychic Elements in their Regular Course
of Development 53
He Must Love Humanity 54
The Beauties of Nature 56
xi
CONTENTS
CHAPTER IV.
Page
The Christian Church 58
The Need of Complete Organization 60
The Social Character a Church Should Develop 61
The Cultivation of Love for Unity in Religious
Endeavors, 62
Co-operation in Temporal Movements 64
CHAPTER V.
How May the Dignity of the Pulpit Be
Maintained 67
(a) By a Conscious Recognition of Its Purpose 70
(b) It Must Be the Seat of Knowledge 70
(c) It Should Exhibit the Grace of Christian
Countenance 71
(d) It Should Be a Medium of Light 72
(e) It Should Be a Place of Charming Sim¬
plicity 74
xii
CONTENTS
Page
(f) It Should Not Be Swayed By Mere Senti¬
mentality 75
(g) It Should Be a Place of Becoming Enthu¬
siasm 77
CHAPTER VI.
The Minister's Message to Young Men 79
(a) The Period of Childhood and Youth 81
(b) The Period of Manhood 82
xiii
"He's Christ's Ambassador, that man of God
Steward of God's own mysteries! From on
high
His warrant is: his charge, aloud to cry
And spread his Master's attributes abroad!,
His works, His ark of mercy, and His rod
Of justice; his to sinners to supply
The means of grace, and point how they may fly,
Hell-flames, and how Heaven's pathway must
be trod.
Hold him in honor on his works' account, »
And on his Masters'. Though a man he be,
And with his flock partake corruption's fount,
Holy and reverend in his ministry;
And hark! a voice sounds from the heavenly
mount,
'He that despiseth you, despiseth Me.' "
—Bishop Mant.
14
Steal (Ufiriatiatt iHtmBtrg
CHAPTER I.
Take heed to the ministry which thou hast re¬
ceived in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.—Col. iv:i7-
As the highest possible end of consec¬
rated efforts, in the employment of a new
system for the propagation of truth and
the elucidation of the word of life, the
ministry has been designed.
Its Founder, Christ Jesus, was ideal in
character and thought; practical and yet,
profound. The comprehension of whose
ethical philosophy is the revelation of God,
not only in inspired Scripture, but in the
works of nature, and in the fullness of
whose natural life we behold all phases of
perfection. Perfection in simplicity, perfec¬
tion in humanity, in long suffering and
an essential perfection in the triumph of
the cross.
i5
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
His ability to minister to the needy, alle¬
viating their suffering by reason of the res¬
toration of physical perfection, made it wise
and appropriate that He should say, "The
Son of man came not to be ministered unto,
but to minister." (Mark.x:45). Thus show¬
ing the purpose of His incarnation and the
plain method adopted for the perfecting of
the glory of God.
Christ, therefore, is not only the Founder
of the Christian system, but His ministry
bears upon its face and in all its tenden¬
cies an ideal purpose and character; and for
the perpetuity of which He enjoined grave
responsibilities upon a selected few unto
whom He said: " Go ye into all the world
and preach the Gospel to every creature."
This proclamation pf truth does not bear
the simple idea of a mere declaration, but
the interpretation and elucidation of His
message, in all its scope and meaning, with
application of its force and purpose, there¬
by constituting an organic ministerial force,
which is here termed, The Ideal Christian
Ministry.
16
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
It must be acknowledged an ideal one,
if in its constitution it is capable of exhibit¬
ing the elements inherent and essential in
meeting the needs of the world. For it is
entrusted to mortal man, sacred as it is,
lofty as it is in purpose, universal as it
is in scope of operation, it is committed to
man. And because of its sacredness, its
requirements are great and its demands are
many.
This, therefore, brings us to consider as
its initiatory step:
I. How This Ministry is Constituted.
In the constitution of the ministry, Christ
showed that its work bears ^many phases of
character. And that the selection of those
into whose hands it was to be left, should
be men who by reason of native endow¬
ment, possess a natural fitness, as a neces¬
sary ground-work, for the highest results,
through the spirit of inspiration; and who
by virtue of their inherent powers and en¬
vironments (which have previously con¬
tributed to their development), are best
qualified and can more easily adjust them-
17
CHRISTIAN MINIS'RY
selves to the cause they are called to es¬
pouse.
Hence Christ did not go far in the con¬
stitution of the Christian ministry before
He was forced to point out, with a deep
feeling of sorrow, that one of the chosen
few was totally disqualified—recreant to his
trust—and was soon to play the part of an
unpardonable traitor to his Lord.
Then, too, we remember how the eleven
in the midst of their intense zeal, sought
to supply the vacancy and yet, how in the
meantime God seemingly gave no approval
to their action; which was an evidence that
men cannot select nor choose for the min¬
istry. God reserves the right as He alone
possesses the wisdom sufficient to choose.
When Paul (the persecutor of the
Christian church, on his way to Damascus,
armed with authority from the high priest)
was smitten by the power of the revealed
Christ, and informed that it would be told
him what he should do—what great things
he should suffer for the sake, of Christ—it
for the first time became apparent that God
] 8
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
was acting in the selection of a needed man.
In the ministry of Paul, we have an ex¬
alted life, devoted service, attended with
the most wonderful results. Here we have
the initiatory step in the introduction of a
man richly qualified to fill the vacancy
made in the loss of Judas the traitor. Thus
it appears that God has a standard for
The Christian Ministry, and chooses only
such men who at least possess the native
elements of character, essential in the con¬
stitution of the Christian ministry.
Whether such men ever ascend the
height of fame and distinction or not, or
whether like Philip the evangelist (of
whom we hear but little), drawing the
awakened and admiring multitudes to the
fold of Christ—the fact that they are
chosen of God, is an evidence of fitness to
engage in the work of the ministry. And
they have only to apply themselves discret-
ly, as sacred ambassadors of the Lord, and
the work of their mission will be accom¬
plished.
It is therefore obvious that The Ideal
19
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
Christian Ministry can be maintained and
perpetuated by no other class of men than
those who are divinely called to the grave
responsibility of soul saving through the
preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
(See Romans, x: 14-15O
II. The Object of the Ministry.
The Christian ministry possesses all the
elements of the spirit of reform; and to
all intents and purposes, it means a di¬
vinely appointed agency for the reformation
of the world. Reformation then is its object.
Therefore, as men are essentially a part in
all current events, and whose destiny is
inseparably linked therewith, their well be¬
ing and the well being of the world in con¬
sequence thereof, is the primary object of
this careful modeling of the Christian min¬
istry.
In order to appreciate this thought and
to comprehend its force, we must betake
ourselves back to the spirit of the time
when this ministry was introduced. Ob¬
serve two great opposing forces present¬
ing themselves—Judaism and paganism.
20
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
'We speak first of Judaism, which in its
dying throes, magnified its power to destroy.
Marvellous was its hatred of Christ and the
truth He taught. Only by its complete over¬
throw was the cross magnified. Behold
also the world in pagan darkness, blighted
by the transgression of men, wreaking in
its agony, which was so great that the
Apostle Paul says: "The whole creation
groaneth and travaileth in pain together
until now." But by reasons of the agency
of the Christian ministry, the works of
Satan must here also be destroyed, and by
the ministry of the Word and power of
the Gospel.
First its object is to reflect the life and
character of its Founder, Christ Jesus; to
imbue men with the same spirit and purpose
until all will have conceived and been made,
to realize that He indeed "came not to send
peace, but a sword." A sword of vengeance
to sin and the arraying of the armies of
light against the armies of darkness; and
second, to not only remove the narrow con¬
fines of the spirit of Judaism, but to break
2 I
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
the veil of the temple and render the sal¬
vation of the universe an acknowledged
and glorious possibility.
It is, therefore, in constant pursuit of
these, that he who would participate in its
cause must conform to its plans, and sur¬
render to the will of Him who has declared,
"It shall not return unto me void, but it
shall accomplish that which I please."
(Isa. 1v:ii). Added to this prophetic
declaration of the Old Testament is the fol¬
lowing from the New Testament: "Till
heaven and earth pass, one jot or tittle
shall in nowise pass from the law till all
be fulfilled." (Matt. v:i8.)
For the execution of this plan and the
accomplishment of its end, is the Christian
Ministry designed.
III. The Elements of Character Nec¬
essary to Accomplish its Purpose.
Mere acquisiton of knowledge, essential
as it is, does not of itself constitute com¬
plete fitness. The Apostle Paul possessed
a large store of knowledge, but was equally
sacrificing and submissive to the will of
22
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
God. Peter, although largely enslaved to
the spirit of Judaism, when convinced of
the fullness of God's plan, confessed: "I
perceive God is no respecter of persons."
(Acts x.*34.) In him we find a man of
impulsive characteristics, quick of action
and perhaps lacking in deep meditation,
but of strong conviction; and therefore at
times dissenting in judgement even from
the Apostle Paul.
We may take these two individuals as
model characters, as they seem to have em¬
bodied all the great elements essential to
the success of the Christian Ministry. In
these we meet evidences of intellectual
merit, stability and patience; the quality
for long suffering and firmness of purpose;
persistency in endeavor and fidelity to their
trust. Ever conscious that their ministry
was not of men but of God. Not the con¬
ception of man, in the exercise of his
genius nor the outburst of any idle fancy,
but that which was designed to demonstrate
the power and mercy of the Infinite.
This Ideal Christian Ministry, therefore
23
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
requires men of similarity of character.
Men who possess the spirit of Christ; who
believe and know what they believe; who
are prepared to discern the demands of the
hour and will not shirk from the discharge
of duty: who have convictions of right and
dare to do; who know that all seeming
failures are but the signs of God's test,
and the guiding hand of divine providence
to broader fields of operation.
In the severity of Christian conflict,
where there are wars within our borders
and wars without, it requires not only to
be pious and submissive to rules; not only
to be meek and lowly of heart, but to pos¬
sess the power of resistence in defiance of
the foe and challenge action in defense of
the right. These are absolutely necessary
in the constitution, maintenance and per¬
petuity of the ministry.
It is believed by some that the ministry
should not be aggressive nor yet absolutely
passive, but it should acquire some kind
of middle ground of operation and thereby
accomplish its end. Does this not raise a
24
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
vital question in Qur laws of Christian
ethics, that "right is right because it is
right?" and "that wrong is wrong because
it is wrong?" It is not enough for the
Christian ministry to be defensive. It
must be capable of issuing the ultimatum
and declaring war when the exigencies for
spiritual existence and a proper mainte¬
nance of the same require it. It is not
enough to assume that the ministry is a
mere concilliatory factor, promulgating
peace and seeking to palliate for the ill
practices of life, so long as the agencies
of sin and the advocates of iniquitous prac¬
tices are in constant defiance of the laws
of righteousness. The declaration of Jesus
Christ is brought so forcibly at this point:
"1 come not to send peace but a sword."
This seeming overmeasured right claimed
for an aggressive ministry, is not done with
an unconsciousness of the fact that, minis¬
terial aggressiveness, when stimulated by
an ardent zeal for the triumph of right¬
eousness, must be seasoned with unques¬
tioned love for humanity and a profound
25
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
reverence for the g"lofy of God. When1
He said, "Compel men to come," He meant
not the use of brute force, but a clear and
decisive contrasting of the unholy with the
holy, the impure with the pure, and the
unchaste with the virtuous; coupling with
these is the gentle spirit of persuasion and
earnest entreaty. It is by this means com-
eth the kingdom of our God and His
Christ.
The unkind and inhuman who cannot
enter into sympathy with the lowly and out¬
cast, nor fervently implore divine favor
upon the proud and exalted has mistook
the calling and is lamentably wanting in the
essential elements of the Christian ministry.
If, indeed, such have unfortunately bur¬
dened our ranks, and are capable of a con¬
scious awakening, let them remember that
judicious exhortation found in St. James
(1:5) : "If any of you lack wisdom, let
him ask of God that giveth to all men
liberally and upbraideth not," with a still
further assurance of His constant presence
and aid, as seen in Matt. (xxviii:2o), Lol
26
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
I am with you always, even to the end of
the world. Blended with these is the prom¬
ised evidence of the fruit of the spirit.
(Gal. v: 22.)
Those elements or native and acquired
powers which are most essential to an ef¬
fective ministry, may be enumerated thus:
First—Native endowments.
Second—Intellectual aptitude.
Third—Will power for persistent effort.
Fourth—Patience in long suffering.
Fifth—Grace of personal bearing.
Sixth—Courage in endeavor, together
with the power of resistance.
To be thus qualified, bearing the image
of divine impress, one cannot fail to meet
the glorious approval of the Lord and Mas¬
ter.
IV. The Christian Ministry in Prac¬
tical Service.
The service here termed practical does
not mean that phase of simplicity that char¬
acterizes the semi-imbecile, but that unpre¬
tentious and unfeigned love of service,
stimulated by an ardent zeal. The entire
27
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
life of Christ Jesus was one of great sim¬
plicity and practical service.
His birthplace betokened lowliness of
heart, and a freedom from the vain fancy
that idly craves the deceptive luxuries of
this world. His was a life spent in doing
good. He came as we are told in Luke
xix: 10, to seek and to save that which
was lost.
He naturally possessed all the prerequi¬
sites needful to commend Him to the high¬
est social circle. But He chose rather to
seek out the poor and needy; the outcast
and the distressed—such as the leper with
his loathesome disease and a blind Barti-
meus, sitting by the wayside. The help¬
less invalid waiting for the troubling of
the water. The woman longing to touch
the hem of His garment. To soothe the
wounded heart of Mary and Martha
wreaking in agony, over the death of their
brother Lazarus, and restoring the widow's
son to life. These fully demonstrate the
practical life and beneficent service of the
author of The Christian Ministry. And
28
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
now, for the perpetuity of His plan He in¬
augurated the ministry and commissioned
men to go into all the world and disciple
all men.
It is observed that Christ cleansed the
leper, healed the sick and raised the dead.
An apparently physical operation, but mani¬
festly out of the usual course—an operation
over and above the laws of nature and
hence deeds in every sense miraculous.
The Christian Ministry is not an agency de¬
signed to work miracles like those of the
Master, but to become a co-agent, with a
purely moral and spiritual sphere of oper¬
ation; whose work takes carefully into ac¬
count and deals practically with every
psychological phase of life. The implement
in the performance of this service is the
requirement of simple child-like faith and
the most implicit confidence in the inspired
word, which should always richly dwell
within the soul.
Ministers who have eliminated from
themselves the irksome burden of selfish
pride and the inflated conception of self-
29
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
importance; who like their lowly Master
can deny themselves of vain glory—the
fruit of empty pride—to find the path to
the poor and needy, are they who are called
of God, and in whose hands the work must
be most effective.
The bedside of the sick in some distant
cabin, where no ray of sunshine has been
able to penetrate, may have no visible
charm; the pauper in his rags and unchaste
manner of expression may prove repulsive;
the prisoner behind the bars, whose life is
besmirched with many a crime, and who
may never again be able to commend him¬
self to companionship—these nevertheless
come within the range of and therefore,
should be regarded as the most inviting
objects for ministerial endeavor. No high¬
er service than giving solace to the dis¬
tressed, commiseration for the defamed and
outcast, and a sympathetic and helpful
hand in the moral uplift of a debauched
life, can be rendered suffering humanity.
If the Christian ministry would closely
imitate in life and service, that of its Lord
30
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
and Saviour, propagate the doctrine of His
Kingdom and bring the world back to the
vvorshop of His great name, it must not
fail to do these things.
V. The Ultimate End of the Christian
Ministry.
To conceive adequately of the deep de¬
sign of God in the installation of the Chris¬
tian Ministry, we must, if possible, compre¬
hend one of the most profoundly mysterious
works of His hand. Its ideal character, as
has been shown, has grave responsibilities,
with a vast scope for operation, but withal
a final terminating point. That ultimate
end is not the mere making manifest the
power of God in revelation of Himself, but
by reason of that manifestation the real
objective end is reached; which is the
Christianization of the world through the
power of the Gospel and the agency of the
Christian Ministry. The most positive dec¬
larations bearing upon this particular point
might be quoted, but the briefest reference
to a few passages is sufficient. Observe:
"To him every knee shall bow and every
31
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
tongue shall confess;" thus we see the
means for leavening of the whole lump,
through the multiplying of the mustard
seed and the ultimate bringing into cap¬
tivity the kingdoms of this world into the
kingdom of our God and His Christ.
We cannot here conclude our view. Net*
fields of prospective glory loom up before
us. The princely reign of the ascended
Christ in a spirit of tranquilizing beauty
and splendor of His Godhead now charms
our gaze. By what means shall He reign?
Over what dominion shall He reign ? These
are questions of a serious yet reasonable,
character. For it is not by use of physical
sword and spear, nor the slaughter of hu¬
man lives would He proclaim a triumphant
reign of His kingdom, but by means of a
gradual yet effective spread of spiritual
knowledge and the exertion of religious in¬
fluences. "Hear O Israel! the Lord God is
one Lord." This prophetic declaration of
ancient times has been repeatedly resounded
through the corridor of time, losing none of
its force and meaning; with the centraliz-
32
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
ing thought in the supremacy of the Infinite
over and above all, and the final subjuga¬
tion of all hostile forces to His righteous
dominion.
We are not to understand by this subju¬
gation and destruction of all hostility that
this end will be effected by the suspension
of moral agency nor the establishment of
an overpowering relentless reign. The
scheme for the destruction of Satanic influ¬
ences has long since been wrought out and
is in perpetual and effective operation. Yea,
the arduous work of waking the world to
the light and knowledge of the Gospel, and
the arraying of itself in the beauty and
splendor of His glory, is in progress under
the guiding influence of the Holy Spirit.
Then, not until then, will one triumphant
chorus be raised, the thrilling sound of
whose glorious refrain will be heard in one
harmonious chord: The kingdoms of this
world are become the kingdoms of our
Lord and His Christ. (Rev. 11:15.) Is
this not what the prophet meant when he
said: "The ransomed of the Lord shall re-
33
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
turn and come to Zion with songs of ever¬
lasting joy upon their head; they shall
obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and
sighing shall flee away." (Isa. 35 :io.) This
indeed stands in perfect accord with
the Apocalyptic vision of that nameless
number, of every tribe and nation, kindred
and tongue. The recovery of the kingdoms
of the world is the ultimate end of the
Christian Ministry; the bringing to pass the
prophetic vision, in which the triumphant
host, clothed in the beauty of righteousness,
with sweetest music rolling from their lips
in thundertones, like the sound of many
waters. That will not be a mere fulfilment
of a prophetic prediction, but the terminat¬
ing point will be reached in the completion
of the redemptive scheme wrought out in
the God-man, Jesus Christ, the righteous,
through the agency of an ideal Christian
Ministry.
1A
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
CHAPTER II.
The Function of the Christian Min¬
ister.
Make full proof of thy ministry.—II Tim. iv
The capacity in which the minister of the
Gospel is called to serve is one of a most
varied character. In the Holy Scriptures
he is spoken of
(a) As a Teacher of the truths of the
Gospel.
(b) As a Laborer with the Lord.
(c) As an Overseer of the church com¬
mitted to his trust.
(d) As a Watchman who watches for
souls.
The foregoing give us a brief insight into
the real character of his ministerial func¬
tion; a function not of his own designing,
nor one of which he has made choice. It is
his by appointment through Divine author¬
ity, and cannot be vacated at will. It is
35
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
designed to employ his entire life. He is
therefore,
First, A Teacher of the truths of the
Gospel.
This aspect of his ministry is not fulfilled
by merely proclaiming, nor dogmatically de¬
claring, the existence of things, however
real or easy of proof; for he is in the high¬
est sense an instructor, with that particular
phase of his vocation so clearty set forth as
to imply in the strongest possible way the
necessity for the most thorough prepara¬
tion and acquaintance with the things to be
taught. For the Gospel embraces elemen¬
tary principles, which before they can be
used to greatest advantage must first be
mastered. But acquaintance with the
things to be taught is not alone to be ac¬
quired. A knowledge of the habits, cus¬
toms and manners of those he would teach
should be sufficiently comprehensive to en¬
able him to reach their sympathy and
awaken interest in their own enlightenment.
"Go ye therefore and teach all nations"
(Mat. 28:19) is too definite and emphatic
36
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
to be misunderstood or erroneously applied.
A preparation for the acceptance of truth
and the development of Christian faith is
obviously the purpose of the universal
scheme for human redemption. As such,
no opportunity of which the Christian min¬
ister is capable of availing himself should
be allowed to escape; for his commission is
of God and to the nations. This is not to
confuse the thought with the idea that he
is to be a wanderer, unsystematically engag¬
ing himself, nor fruitlessly casting his pearls
before swine, to be trodden under the feet
of men. (Matt. 7:6.) Wisely wrought
plans and carefully executed methods must
be put in practice.
He is not only to seek the lost and stray¬
ing, but, by reason of effective methods in
Christian teaching, compel men (Luke 14:
23) to accept and adopt the same. His
work therefore is definite and scarcely ca¬
pable of misinterpretation. A correct
knowledge of his own efficiency or ineffi¬
ciency is of special importance, since the
various gradation of minds and the variety
37
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
of habits and customs are interesting phases
of obstacles to be overcome, and will con¬
stantly claim his best attention and most
earnest endeavor.
It is not infrequently the case that the
most stubborn oppositions arise where there
is greatest need of instruction on subjects
of a moral and religious nature. His ef¬
forts therefore must be adjustable to con¬
ditions and the varying circumstances that;
the end to which he aspires may be reached.
It was that which the Apostle evidently
meant when he said: "I' am made all things
to all men, that I might by all means save
some." (I Cor. 9:22.) And when he ap¬
parently discovered his utter inability to
eliminate the weight of responsibility, he
further said: "I magnify my office if by
any means I might provoke to emulation
them which are my flesh, and might save
some of them." (Rom. 11:14.)
To be absolutely pliable and adjustable
to conditions is imperative. A mutual con¬
sent on the part of both teacher and pupil
is required to bring about desired results,
38
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
such as the ministry of the Gospel antici¬
pates ; but the minister must know how to
effect the needed mutuality and responsive-
ness to the new influence. This process of
ministerial labor is naturally of a slow, char¬
acter, but impatience nor misunderstanding
should be allowed to produce pessimists and
hence unsuccessful guardians of the Mas¬
ter's interest. The assurance of the triumph
of truth, regardless of the superficial growth
of thorns and thistles, is too abundant to
despair of the effectiveness of the instru¬
ments or the agency of the Divine Spirit.
The Kingdom of God widens in its do¬
main only in proportion as individuals be¬
come enlightened and exalted in their con¬
ception of God through the instruction of
the Gospel Ministry. And this is depen¬
dent upon the discretionary measures and
methods he may bring into exercise, to¬
gether with persistent efforts he may allow
to mark his endeavors. With such efforts
he may look forward to the sway of Chris¬
tian influence sweeping over whole com¬
munities, changing forms of sentiment, and
39
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
working a complete reformation in lives
hitherto antagonistic to Christian thought
and principle.
Evidences of the fruit of his labor in this
respect may at times appear exceeding
scarce, but that should not be regarded as a
contradiction to that declaration of Scrip¬
ture which says: "My word that go'eth forth
out of my mouth, it shall not return unto
me void, but, it shall accomplish that which
I please, and it shall prosper in the thing
whereto I sent it." (Isa. 55:11.) This be¬
speaks ability on the part of the Author of
these words to not only sustain the integrity
of His word, but to uphold in perfect se¬
curity His commissioned servants. Again,
it is utterly impossible to estimate with any
degree of accuracy the scope of influence
which a Christian man exerts upon the life
of a community, to say nothing of those
brought immediately in contact with the
individual. God alone, who holds the re¬
pository of every good deed, and measures
the scope of Christian influence and knows
its possibility, can estimate its worth.
40
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
Second, As a Laborer with the Lord.
That' 'we are laborers together with God"
(I Cor. 3:9) is no less concise and definite
in its description of ministerial function. In
other words, God is desirous for the world's
enlightenment upon the subject of its Cre¬
ator, and the minister of the Gospel is His
appointed agent, whom He has taken into
communion with Him, inspiring his heart
with holy zeal, enlightening his thought and
giving power to his utterances. But be¬
cause of this use of him, he is not to be
thought of as a mere tool in the hand of the
skilled workman. He is rather the inspired
instrument which, in proportion to the dis¬
cretion exercised, the larger the sphere of
operation and the greater the results ac¬
complished. His work therefore is that of
a laborer upon whom is entailed the care of
souls through the spread of the Gospel and
co-operative service rendered the Divine
Spirit. And because of Divine selection he
can no more relieve himself from the bur¬
den bf his care than could the Apostle who
from a deep consciousness of its claims
41
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
said: "Woe is unto me, if I preach not the
Gospel." (I Cor. 9:16.) Thus recognizing
Divine authority and the severity of the
penalty in case of an attempted evasion or
dereliction of duty. He should therefore
never become lax in his zeal nor allow his
interest in the salvation and well being of
souls to know any restraint. For in this he
is exalted above and made chief among his
brethren, although the more accountable to
the source of his authority for having made
him the recipient of wisdom and an en¬
viable fecope of knowledge. But, in order
to give evidence of his selection, there must
somewhere appear evidences of God's ap¬
proval in the alertness he displays by quick
discovery of the adroit and stealthy inroad
of the foe, the wisdom he evinces in meth¬
ods employed and the fruit that accrues
therefrom. In all this is involved the im¬
provement of his talent and a proper em¬
ployment of the same.
Third, As an Overseer of the church
committed to his trust.
To be charged with a responsibility so
42
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
grave and of such great magnitude is to
force upon one the realization of the ques¬
tion of his inability to perform so great a
task.
It may be said with the idea of oversee-
numerous aspects of responsibility
come to our observation, and under this
head the social, moral, material, political,
intellectual and religious welfare of the peo¬
ple are involved in his supervision. Their
well being in each of the above appeals to
the Christian minister, invoking his care
and deepest interest, because he is the over¬
seer. The religious aspect, however, is
chief est among all, while others are more or
less contingent, growing into greater or less
importance as circumstances may serve to
promote them or threaten their existence.
Whatever the character of circumstances
may be, the Christian minister is neverthe¬
less bound by a conscious tie to those over
whom he presides.
The words we read in the Holy Scrip¬
tures, credited to the Apostle Paul as their
author, seem to lose their human phase
43
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
with the appearance that only God could
say, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves,
and to all the flock over which the Holy
Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the
Church of God which He hath purchased
with His own blood." (Acts 20:28,) This
does not imply physical sustenance, but the
ability to meet every condition and state of
mind with the living bread of heaven. If by
overseer we are to understand the care of
the flock of Christ, it means sympathy in
error and rebuke for presumption; to sor¬
row with the sorrowing, and to rejoice with ,
those who do rejoice.
The Apostle Peter spoke thus: "Feed trie
flock of God which is among you, taking
the oversight thereof, not by restraint, but
willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready
mind; neither as being lords over God's
heritage, but being examples to the flock.
And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear,
ye shall receive a crown of glory which
fadeth not away." (I Pet. 5 :2.)
These declarations of the Holy Scriptures
are clear and emphatic, not only entailing
44
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
responsibility, but equally forceful in their
warning and reassuring in promises of re¬
ward.
It is obvious, therefore, that with every
exaltation comes the weight of responsibil¬
ity, and the warning against the abuse of
power; and, although the Christian minister
is over all, it is only in that of authority,
but by no means above all unto whom he
has to minister the word of eternal life.
He is to be to the flock an example of stu-
diousness and sincerity of heart and right¬
eousness of purpose, thereby exemplifying
in every trait those finer graces which give
beauty and dignity to Christian character.
But these epistles of the Apostles are all
found to rest upon the words of Jesus in
that He said: "I will give unto thee the
keys of the kingdom of heaven, and what¬
soever thou shalt bind on earth shall be
bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt
loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
(Matt. 16:18.) This is authority and
power; the power that can only be effectu¬
ally exercised under the guiding hand of
45
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
the Spirit of God; otherwise it is made void,
and it were therefore as if no act had been
performed. Singleness of purpose with an
eye to His glory is the only assurance of
Divine approval and the fulfilment of
promise.
Fourth, As a Watchman who watches for
souls.
This phase of the minister's Christian ac¬
tivity bears such close relation to the pre¬
ceding ones that it may at first appear as
but one and the same with them. A little
examination, however, into the merit and
force of the term "Watchman" at once
opens a new field for thought. Upon thi>
new phase of his labor depends the security
of all with whom he is concerned. He is
not only to watch for the defects and im¬
perfections of those with whose cares he
is burdened, but watch the signs of God's
providence and read the expressions of His
will and acquaint the people with the same.
This is indeed the real function of his office,
to guard with strictest care their various
interests. It is not strange that the people
46
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
should not see as much, nor concern them¬
selves as greatly in their own security,
either morally, religiously or otherwise, as
he who stands upon some lofty height, tak¬
ing a full survey of every movement of the
enemy and the varying trend of current
events.
The watchman (Ezd 33:2), therefore,
must not only be able to see, but be an in¬
terpreter of the providence of God, as a
philosopher of events. For the people have
learned to esteem his position and to place
a high estimate upon his service; he must,
therefore, be guilty of sending out no un¬
certain sound nor false alarm, but secure to
himself the confidence and love of those
over whom he watches, and thus evince the
integrity of his heart. For he is God's
appointed watchman and in large degree
the medium of communication of God's will
to man, by way of inspiration and the en*-
dowment of knowledge to interpret the in¬
spired word.
In the book of Ezekiel we read: "I have
set thee a watchman unto the house of
47
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word
of my mouth and warn them from me."
(Ezek. 3:17.)
There is this distinct difference between
the watchman of the prophetic age and that
of the Christian era, viz: God communi¬
cated His will to man directly, in that of
the former, whereas, in the latter, while he
is no jess a watchman upon whom the peo¬
ple depend for warning and the communica¬
tion of the will of God, the fullness and
completeness of the Holy Scripture has be¬
come the source of his knowledge and the
embodiment of God's will for all needful
instruction. ( Mat.2 )
The providence of God nevertheless is
also a medium expressive of His will, and
the Christian minister, His watchman, is
charged with a duty of interpreting His
will as shown in approval or disapproval of
the actions of sinful men. For the enforce¬
ment of this thought the Christian minister
is the responsible man, watching not only
for the approach of the foe, and to learn
the schemes and methods of his approach,
48
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
btu watch for opportunities for the increase
of the flock and for the safeguarding of the
same. For all this he has the promise
of wisdom sufficient to devise the means
thereto and the presence of God as mani¬
fested in the face of Jesus Christ the right¬
eous to guide him.
49
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
CHAPTER III.
The Minister's Emphasis.
Woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel.—
I Cor. ix:i6.
In the use of the term, emphasis, its pri¬
mary definition is at once forced upon us,
and the wisdom for accommodating it to a
purpose of wider scope; but, to say "The
Minister's Emphasis" will need special ex¬
planation, as it implies a definite line of
thought.
In all the professions some particular
phase of each stands out pre-eminently
above all others; because in that is the
essential or most helpful element for the
successful execution of the duties of the
profession.
The lawyer • places his emphasis upon
his detective skill and quick comprehension
of things; the physician upon his ability to
discover the causes producing certain effects
in the physical constitution of men and the
5°
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
remedy to avert their course; the merchant
upon how he may best please his customers
and win their patronage; the agriculturist
upon his knowledge of the soil, its produc-*
tive powers, and the best season for sowing
in order to secure the most satisfactory re¬
sults.
The Christian minister, as we may readily
see, cannot be void of these powers of
thought, and the ability to comprehend the
fitness of things, both in man and material
substances. His sphere is one that is almost
unlimited, but even with that, to effect the
highest end of his mission, the primary
purpose must not be mistaken, nor the
Author of his authority disassociated with
the purpose and end of his mission.
His emphasis must be placed, (a) on the
glory of God in the salvation of men, (b)
upon the extension of the Kingdom of God,
through the effect of the Gospel upon the
lives of men.
This leads us to the thought:
I. How this emphasis is to be placed.
In the Epistle of Paul to the Romans,
51
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
10:15, it is asked: "How shall they preach
except they be sent?" A question leading
us to contemplate the value of souls, Divine
'selection, and the character best fitted to
fashion men for God's Kingdom.
Divine authority is the absolute need, and
must somewhere be made evident, in orde;r
to make effectual the effort of the minister
in the salvation of men.
II. There should be no question in the
mind of the Christian minister as to his
selection. From time immemorial God has
demonstrated His will toward man, and His
choice of men for the propagation of truth;
and the enunciation of those unmistakable
principles of righteousness have been
equally clear and decisive.
The placing of his emphasis, therefore, is
by Divine guidance; unfailing guidance,
when there is simple trust and willingness
of heart to submit to the will of God.
Since exceedingly few men possess the
capacity of mind or the power of adjust¬
ment to apply themselves diligently to the
study of more than one particular line of
52
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
thought, or successfully execute more than
one line of work, the concentration of en¬
ergy is an important factor, and an almost
absolute necessity in the execution of life's
chosen work.
It is obvious, therefore, that a blessed
knowledge of Divine call and guidance, and
a willing submission to the same, cannot
fail in a correct placing of "The Minister's
Emphasis."
In this busy age of ours, when the re¬
ligious, social and political aspects are ever
present, all presenting certain moral phases
more or less intricate in character, and
therefore demanding special attention on
the part of the minister, it is a temptation
for him to become absorbed in some one
particular phase to whicfy popular thought
has given current, other than his own pro¬
fession, and thereby become the demagogue
rather than the man of lofty conception, un¬
questioned bearing, and an exemplified
minister of the Gospel of Christ.
III. The psychic elements in thejr regu¬
lar course of development bear a close re-
53
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
semblance to plant life. They may be
trained to move as naturally in a given
direction, by reason of habit, as if there
was an absence of consciousness,—the force
of external influence so affecting their ten¬
dencies.
With a consciousness, therefore, of the
objective end of the Christian Ministry, its
Divine origin, the gravity of its purpose,
and the certainty of its accomplishment, the
minister will be impelled to pursue the
course God has intended, and in this the
strength of his life will be displayed.
No minister, therefore, should neglect to
make the closest observation of the tenden¬
cies of his own mind, and thereby enable
himself to know how thoroughly he is in¬
clined toward a devotion to his calling, for
it requires not a mere fancy for, but a de¬
votion to his vocation, in order to eliminate
needless encumbrances and make the fairest
show of his best efforts.
IV. He must love humanity. Yes, love
humanity—with all of its faults, its imper¬
fection^ and most corrupt propensities; he
must love humanity.
54
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
He cannot assume the attitude of the
pessimist, beclouding his own thoughts, de¬
stroying his own hope and blinding his eyes
to the unfailing promises of Jesus Christ,
nor the virtue of His vicarious blood which
cleanses from all sin.
In order to touch the hearts of men he
must feel the thing he would communicate
to them: he must possess the knowledge he
would impart; he must have a clear vision
of the thing he would describe, and a vivid
conception of the virtues of its character.
Then, too, he must know the remedies for
the affected and a method by which, to
effectually apply the same.
He must possess the art of ingratiating
himself into the hearts of the most obdu¬
rate of men, thereby winning their esteem,
their confidence and their love. To do this
it must be his aim to make better the world
with his whole life's energy; like the un¬
varying finger board that points to the road
which leads to the city.
Such fixedness of purpose cannot come
short of its object, nor be once questioned
55
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
for its integrity, nor fail to impress itself
upon the most casual observer. In this he
becomes the prophet of hope and his life a
declaration of peace, full of inspiration and
satisfying joy.
V. The beauties of nature which charm
the botanist and ravish the soul of the ar¬
tist, and the thoughts advanced along the
line of speculative science; these all hold
out strong inducements to the Christian
minister who is possessed of literary aspira¬
tions ; but the Bible is his "Book of Books."
The interpretation of its truths, the decla¬
ration of its principles, and the promotion
of the kingdom which it so beautifully de¬
scribes, are to be chiefest in the course of
his investigations, for it expresses the will
of Him who is unerring in counsel.-
Through its aid we chance to see mir¬
rored God in his beauty, humanity in its
corruption, and the urgency of the com¬
mand, "Go—preach my Gospel to every
creature." (Matt. 28:19.)
That we may be able to realize with what
definiteness we should seek to place the em-
56
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
phasis of this vocation, we observe the vary-
ing gifts of men in every sphere of life.
The financier is a genius in the manipula¬
tion of business enterprises; the orator in
inventive power and fluency of speech; the
songster in his gift to woo and delight the
soul; but it remains for the Christian min¬
ister, the messenger of Almighty God, to
tell the awfulness of sin and the blessedness
of salvation. The horrors of eternal pun¬
ishment and the unfailing glory of a bliss¬
ful eternity.
His is the gift sanctified to lofty purposes
and the glory of God. By means of these
the force of his emphasis is realized in the
conviction of men and their return to seek
and obtain the salvation he proclaims; so
that not only is he permitted to realize the
end of his mission, but to see the result
upon those in whose lives the glorious effect
has taken place.
S7
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
CHAPTER IV.
The Christian Church.
The joy of the whole earth Is Mount Zion.—
Psa. xlviii: 2.
The common acceptation of the term
church has such a significant bearing upon
the minds of all people, that it appears
superfluous to attempt a definition; and yet
with such a term as "Ecclesia" in mind, in
order to appreciate to the greatest possible
degrees its significance, a definition may
not be out of place. Hence "Ecclesia,"
among either the Greeks or the Latins,
meant to call out or assemble the select for
matters of importance. But later authors
have accommodated the word church, there¬
by signifying the assembly of all the peo¬
ple who would meet to worship and adore
the Most High.
In a previous chapter I have endeavored
tc set forth in as forceful a manner as pos¬
sible the minister's duty toWard the church.
58
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
But, inasmuch as the church is constituted
by believing worshippers, it must therefore
sustain a relation to the Christian Ministry
that is no less important in character.
The Apostle Paul, to whom it was given
to indoctrinate the church and to set forth
the duty which the church and minister owe
to each other, said: "How then shall they
call on Him in whom they have not be¬
lieved ? And how shall they believe in Him
of whom they have not heard? And how
shall they hear without a preacher?" (Rom.
10:14.)
In this we have, a clear recognition of the
fact that between the church and minister
exists a unique relation, that the church is
not without the minister nor he without the
church. His is the work of message-bear¬
ing, while the church is regarded as the re¬
cipient of the message; and the message
thus received is not of men, but of God.
These two are to work in unison, in order
to effect the end for which the Gospel is
designed; and this unanimity of the two
may be set forth as follows:
5 9
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
I. The need of complete organization.
One of the problems of modern philos¬
ophy is, how to prevent the waste of energy,,
by a proper employment of the same, there¬
by accomplishing the greatest good.
The world has learned in a large degree,
by the efforts of the foregoing, the utility
of organized forces. This cannot be ap¬
plied solely to the material side of life, but
to the spiritual as well; therefore, wherever
a church organization is most complete,
with an eye to the concentration of energies
toward the accomplishment of definite lines
of work, the most satisfactory results are
realized.
For this very end is the need of the min¬
ister, who should always be regarded as the
ex-officio head, upon whom the responsibil¬
ity for the completeness of the organization
rests; and as the church at once becomes a
moral and religious factor in a community,
in the molding of sentiment and the forma¬
tion of character, that is either helpful or
otherwise the greater the need of descre-
tion in the directing of its energies.
60
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
But the life of the church as an aggres¬
sive force along either of the above lines
will be only in proportion to the wakefulness
of its head, and its work will be facilitated
greatest where simple, practical sub-organ¬
ized forces are effected; such as needful
auxiliaries for both the temporal and spir¬
itual work of the church. !
But while the thoroughness of these or¬
ganizations is incumbent upon the official
head, the membership of the church is in
duty bound to give its sympathy and co¬
operative service in order that the church
may take the rank of which a complete or¬
ganization is capable, thereby making itself
felt and acknowledge for its good work in
the community.
II. The social character a church should
develop.
It is a prevailing opinion that a minister
should be the most sociable of all public
characters; an opinion by no means falsely
cherished.
But that a large number of professing
Christians feel that this applies exclusively
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
to the minister, rather than to themselves,
is lamentably evidently in nine-tenths of all
religious bodies.
The spirit of pharisaic practice, indicat¬
ing a belief in its own righteousness, and a
manifest contempt for those it would desig¬
nate as the despised publicans, is an evil
that saps much of the life of the church of
to-day. To overcome this evil which is so
prevalent in our church life the church as a
whole cannot be used to greatest advantage.
The organization of a Social Committee
charged with the duty of looking out the
strangers and greeting them with a word
of cheer and welcome, and an introduction
to the pastor, whose discourses perhaps have
been the sole cause of their presence, would
mean much toward winning their confidence
and facilitating the work which the wide¬
awake shepherd of the flock is endeavoring
to do.
III. The cultivation of love for unity in
religious endeavors.
Religious unity does not mean the loss of
individuality, but the sinking of selfiish mo-
62
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
tives for some great good. Unity is always
an evidence of strength, and means the dis¬
play of a degree of power that is difficult to
resist. The Lord and Master expressed it
thus: "If a house be divided against itself
that house cannot stand. . . . No man
can enter into a strong man's house and
spoil his goods, except he first bind the
strong man, and then he will spoil his
house." t( Mark. 3:25-27.) While this ex¬
presses the negative side of unity, it never¬
theless sets forth its absolute necessity.
The Apostle Paul, breathing the same
spirit of zeal and love for the unity of the
church, says: "Endeavoring to keep the
unity of the spirit in the bond of peace."
. . . (Eph. 9:3.) Again, "Till we all
come in the unity of faith and of the knowl¬
edge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man,
uhto the measure of the statue of the full¬
ness of Christ." (Eph. 4:13.)
This shows that the groundwork of Chris¬
tian unity is faith in Christ, stimulated by
the love of God in His believers. Wher¬
ever this spirit is manifested a most envia-
63
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
ble agency for good is found to be operat¬
ing, and the shepherd of such a flock has
the least over which to cherish feelings of
anxiety. Whether the zeal of the minister
is toward some moral reformation, the
heightening of the social standard, or the
increase of the membership of his flock, a
ready and willing co-operation may always
be counted upon.
IV. Co-operation in temporal movements.
It is difficult to imagine that at any pre¬
vious age of the church was the ministry
more severely burdened with the temporal
concern than at the present time.
Together with all the other cares of the
minister, the planning for and the execution
of the same in order to realize the needed
funds to meet pressing obligations is added
to his already weighty responsibility. Too
frequently is it the case that the burden of
this care is almost exclusively his own, and
any failure along this line is often attrib¬
uted to him, with an apparent feeling of
relief by those who should in every respect
share the weight of this burden; forgetting
64
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
the fact that the religious influence of a
church depends very much upon the place-
it holds in the confidence of the business*
world; for indifference upon the part o£ a*
membership that impairs its usefulness is in
itself a declaration of a lack of high sense
of moral obligation and faithul co-opera¬
tion.
The spiritual tide, regardless of enthu¬
siasm, can never run high, nor a church
made in the highest sense subservient to a
community unless there is due regard and
moral consciousness for temporal as well
as spiritual affairs.
Whatever may be the depth of our reli¬
gious natures, Christianity must find a
moral basis upon which to rest and build
its superstructure.
It should never be thought that the bur¬
den of this care belongs to any particular
one, but is the burden of the whole, and
therefore requires co-operation, sympathy
and united action for its discharge; in this
way alone may the work be facilitated and
satisfactorily accomplished, and God glori—
65
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
fied thereby; for we are taught in Holy
Writ:
"Bear ye one another's burdens and so
fulfil the law of Christ." (Gal. 6:2.)
"Help us to help each other Lord
Each others cross to bear,
Let each his friendly aid afford
And feel his brothers' care."
66
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
CHAPTER V.
How May the Dignity of the Pulpit
be Maintained.
"Watch thou in all things, endure affliction,
do the work of an evangelist, make full proof
of thy ministry." (2 Tim. iv:5.)
In church parlance ''the dignity of the
pulpit" is but another term for the dignity
of him who fills the pulpit. Not that they
are one and the same, for each possesses a
dignity distinct from the other, but, in the
main, they are dependent upon each other
in the exercise of their functions, and the
maintenance of their dignity.
The pulpit considered aside from its
occupant, in itself bespeaks exaltation of
rank, a place of authority and power, where
justice and prudence preside, swaying a
silent yet peculiar influence upon the minds
of the people. \
Whether this thought is merely sentimen¬
tal or supported by some inexplicable moral
influence, it nevertheless exists. So irre-
67
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
sistible is this influence, that whenever one
is seen to occupy this elevated position there
is at once a spontaneous outflow of confi¬
dence toward such a one, in the belief that
he possesses the spirit essential for the
qualification of a fit man for that position.
He is at once, therefore, accorded the es¬
teem, respect and love of the dignified, who
is in full recognition of the importance of
his station, the sacredness of the influence
it is expected to exert, and the necessity of
maintaining its dignity in order to meet
Divine approval. How beautiful upon the
mountains are the feet of him that bringeth
good tidings, that publisheth peace. (Isa.
52 7.)
The dignity of the pulpit, therefore, is
maintained only in proportion as it may be
filled with a truly Christian minister, who,
possessing the spirit of Christ, with con¬
secrated heart and purpose, endeavors to
make it subservient to the good of all, and
the advancement of such as seek its benefits.
I11 maintaining its dignity, the writer has
observed a mistaken conception, which,
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CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
while not very widespread, yet, neverthe¬
less, should be pointed out, to prevent its
ill effect upon the less self-possessed
preacher.
This misconception to which I here make
reference is that of an air of vanity, char¬
acterized by a spirit of stiffness in which
the "ego" seeks to display itself, thereby de¬
tracting from the minister's importance, be¬
cause the close observer detects its light¬
ness and stands aghast at its folly.
True dignity, which is required to main¬
tain the exalted position that the Christian
minister holds, and should keep beyond
question, is that which is ever cognizant of
the authority of its power, the gravity of its
mission and the constant demand upon its
service. The minister—as such—in order
to maintain this should study the needs of
the human heart and the purpose of the
Infinite, thereby filling that "aching void"
of which we sing and satisfy the longing of
the soul.
How may this dignity be best main¬
tained?
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CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
I. By a conscious recognition of its pur¬
pose.
The minister must himself realize the
rank he is called to fill; the responsibility
God has entailed upon him and the justifi¬
able expectation of those who look to him
for the words of comfort, hope and salva¬
tion. These expectations must not be al¬
lowed to fall, nor the willing endeavors of
the people discouraged, because of a mani¬
fest and glaring bluntness of the minister's
conception of his important station.
II. It must be the seat of knowledge.
That God has called as his messengers,
in many instances, the unlearned (accord¬
ing to human system in the acquisition of
knowledge) is evident; but, that God has
called the unwise and imprudent, is no¬
where made manifest in the Scriptures;
notwithstanding the Apostle has said: "It
pleased God, by the foolishness of preach¬
ing, to save them that believed." (I Cor.
i :2i), Meaning by that, he employes not
the wisdom of men, nor systems wrought
out by human skill, in the salvation of souls,
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CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
but the simple yet inspiring means which
convinces the world of sin. We are, there¬
fore, taught that, "the priest's lips should
keep knowledge, and they should seek the
law at his mouth: for he is the messenger
of the Lord of Hosts." (Mai. 2:7.)
The prevailing idea that any one may
preach because he feels some peculiarly
awakened emotion, that inclines him toward
such service (regardless of that essential
endowment of spiritual power and knowl¬
edge), should be unhesitatingly condemned.
God still speaks through the pulpit, reveal¬
ing the beauty of His holiness, the light of
His glory and the power of His Spirit.
The people should never look in vain in its
direction for light and understanding of the
perfect way.
III. It should exhibit the grace of Chris¬
tian countenance.
With all the solemnity that should char¬
acterize pulpit dignity, and give to it an in¬
creasing hold upon public recognition and
reverence, it should never be stripped of the
blessing of a cheerful, graceful and smiling
countenance.
7 1
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
It is not the place for frivolity, nor such
immodest levity as is so frequently Indulged
in our pulpits and desecrate their sanctity.
It should bear an air of sunshine that glad¬
dens the heart, graced with a chastity of
language and withal pleasing and eccelerat-
ing.
IV. It should be the medium of light.
It should set a precedent for order, style
and gentle bearing. Listen to the com-
jnands:
"Giving no offence in anything, that the
ministry be not blamed:
"But in all things approving ourselves as
the ministers of God, in much patience, in
afflictions, in necessities, in distresses:
"In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults,
in labors, in watchings, in fastings;
"By pureness, by knowledge, by long-
suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost,
by love unfeigned,
By the word of truth, by the power of
God, by the armor of righteousness on the
right hand and on the left.
By honor and dishonor, by evil report
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CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;
"As unknown and yet well known; as
dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened,
and not killed;
"As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as
poor, yet making many rich; as having
nothing, and yet possessing all things." (2
Cor. 6:3-10.)
Many an earnest Christian minister has
grown faithless, hopeless and despondent,
because he has not seen such evidences of
fruitfulness as he expected, and has, there¬
fore, wondered whether it was his style of
delivery, the manner in which he sets forth
the truth, or what it was which prevented
the signs of encouragement. He should
remember that while God loves the beau¬
tiful, the dignified and the charming, He
loves more, the sincere, self-sacrificing and
consecrated. What, then, should be the
question?
Is the truth he preaches attended by the
power of the Spirit? Or is it a mechanical
air of dignity, in which the ego is chief,
without the approval or the attendant
Spirit ?
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CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
Notwithstanding the ever presence of the
Infinite, like the dynamo with its mighty
explosive contents, it is ineffective if never
set off. So the minister of God, while
maintaining an air of dignity, must remem¬
ber that the simple unadulterated truth, to
which God gives power, and of which the
Holy Spirit is the great and effective
dynamo, need not be delivered by the so-
called "big" or little preacher, but by the
servant of God.
With Him there is neither big nor little,
where a true knowledge of His favor is
possessed, a loving obedience is paid, and a
willing surrender to His will is made.
He who possesses this spirit is like the
city set upon a hill, the radiance of whose
light is shed upon the dark pathway of
fallen humanity.
V. It should be the place of charming
simplicity.
Pomposity and arrogance should be re¬
garded with a feeling of abomination. But
with his hand in the hand of the Unseeny
and guided by the Spirit of the lowly Jesus,.
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CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
and touched with the sympathy of the
meekest of men, his life may prove an in¬
estimable benediction to all.
He should never be beyond the reach of
the humblest of men, but be the most ap¬
proachable and sympathetic, seeking to win
and elevate by means of his own simple and
yet earnest life. This will indeed make an
exceptionally dignified pulpit, in that it
looms up before the gaze of men as an ever-
flowing fountain, full and free, giving to all
who seek its supply, and from which none
are turned away or denied.
VI. It should not be swayed by mere
sentimentality.
The minister should stand in dread of the
love of praise, and seek to spurn its alluring
charms, as he can never tell when the dan¬
gerous ulterior may be back of it all.
It is a pleasing thing to be called popular,
but one should never measure the good he
does by the flattering compliment he re¬
ceives.
Very often the so-called popular sermon
does little more than tickle the fancy.
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CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
This is not the end for which the Gospel
is intended. It is, that truth should be sent
to the hearts of men, working conviction
therein and leading them to acknowledge
their ascended Lord.
The writer has been made to sympathize
with some earnest and well-meaning min¬
isters of the Gospel, whom he has seen
struggling to maintain themselves, main¬
tain the dignity of the pulpit, and yet do
honor to their calling. Complaints were
raised that they did not belong to the higher
intellectual and enthusiastic rank, notwith¬
standing their simple, earnest and chaste
character, of which they gave daily evi¬
dence. Under such circumstances one's
own consciousness of the resignation of his
life to the service in which he is engaged,
and the assurance of unfailing help, should
be a boon of hope to him. To please men
should not be his hope or endeavor, but to
please God.
"When a man's ways please the Lord, He
maketh even his enemies to be at peace with
him" (Prov. 16:7), is the declaration of the
76
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
wise and experienced, which the observant
christian has seen verified in his own life.
VII. It should be a place of becoming
enthusiasm.
We frequently hear an abusive use of the
term enthusiasm, which grows out of a lack
of a practical conception of the force of
this word.
Ministerial enthusiasm is essential to the
highest and best results of his labor. Woe
to him who cannot say: For the zeal of
thine house hath heaten me up. (Psa. 69:
9-)
It does not mean a noisy, ranting, aim¬
less harangue, but inspired thoughts, ex¬
pressed with a zeal and purpose: withal it is
the spirit of life, giving energy and expres¬
sions to the emotions of the soul.
He who does not feel this, cannot be
made the medium for conveying it to others,
nor prove to be the instrument of power in
the hand of the Almighty. It is this en¬
thusiasm that engenders love for his voca¬
tion, which ultimately develops into true
devotion, until, like Paul, he is forced to
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say, "Woe is unto me if I preach not the
Gospel."
Not with a spirit of pride or vainglori-
ousness; not with an inflated conception of
self-importance and exaltation, should the
Christian minister laud and magnify him¬
self, but in the spirit of meekness, as the
humblest of men, upon whom the grace of
Divine favor is bestowed should he go
forth, with a cherished hope of a blissful
immortality and a crown of fadeless glory
when the end of his work is done.
For, whatever be the inconveniences of
poverty he experiences, and the compara¬
tively few associates of exalted ideals, he
should never grow faint of heart nor de¬
spair of hope, for "there remaineth there¬
fore a rest," for the obedient, unwavering
and steadfast servant, who, standing in de¬
fiance of popular worldly sentiment, and in
the strength of his faith, patiently waits to
see the coming of the Kingdom of God.
78
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
CHAPTER VI.
The Minister's Message to Young Men.
"Run, speak to this young man.' (Zech. ii -.4.)
These words of the prophet Zachariah
were spoken at a time when a struggling
people were just emerging from Babylonish
capitivity, and were endeavoring to extri¬
cate themselves from their poverty, and the
many superficial ideas acquired by being
contaminated in thoughts and habits by a
-pagan civilization; and were also striving
to re-establish themselves as a nation.
Zachariah was one of those prophets
whose labor was co-ordinate with that of
the prophet Haggai and we might say Ma-
lachi. His prophecy is generally divided
into three great divisions, and embraces
such visions, colloquy and history as are
needful to encourage a struggling people.
The words, "Run, speak to this young
man," have reference to a certain people,
describing their duty, and the presence of
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CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
God as their assistance; it also clearly im¬
plies a duty incumbent upon some respon¬
sible one; and since it is the prophet to
whom the communication is made, he it is
upon whom God imposes the task of mak¬
ing the approach and imparting the mes¬
sage. This suggests to our mind that the
prophet of God has a work that is particu¬
larly that of informing the people of their
duty to God and themselves.
The minister of to-day is not a prophet
in the general acceptation of the term, but
he is the messenger charged with the duty
of warning and directing the course of the
people, and thereby preventing their con¬
flict with the things that contaminate their
minds and threaten their existence.
And now, that the message is directed to
the young man, it is he upon whom we shall
attempt to direct our thoughts, for the en¬
lightenment of his mind, and the mind of
all who hear.
We may divide human life, for our con¬
venience, into three parts: First, that of
childhood and youth; second, manhood;
80
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
third, old age. The first is the period of
impression and instruction, when the mind
is most susceptible to its environments, and
when influences of whatever kind have the
most lasting effect upon the mind of the
individual. This is the first period of de¬
velopment in the acquisition of habits and
the acquirement of style in thought and
action.
It is the period when the world looms up
as a field of duty, with varied responsibili¬
ties and urgent demands, or, as some pano¬
ramic scene of pleasure and frivolity. This
by many has been regarded as the most im¬
portant period of one's life, because it is the
period of preparation; it is the period when
the mind is awakening into a full state of
.its own conscious existence, and the im¬
portance of that existence, and what it owes
to its Creator for having given it existence.
The fertility of mind will reproduce what¬
ever seed may be sown, whether of a good
or evil character: it will absorb that which
is the most accessible; it will imbibe what¬
ever principles are set forth as a rule of its
8 r
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
practice, and therefore incorporate into its
life whatever is offered to it, in the belief
that it is feeding itself and enlarging its
capacities, by that which is capable of prov¬
ing the most profitable. This is truly the
period of building, when the foundation
stone should be well laid and every brick in
the structure should be fitly joined together,
in order that the building may become one
symmetrical whole, displaying architectural
beauty—the wisdom of the builder.
The second period (which is the only one
with which we shall deal), is that period of
active service or work. It is the period of
responsibility; the period when the accumu¬
lated thought and acquired information of
youth, are drawn upon to serve in the faith¬
ful discharge of duty: it is the period of
strength, of pride and ambition, of aspira¬
tion and determination.
The period of choosing between one of
two courses in his career, to which he will
devote his strength and energy. It is the
period when the world will either look upon
him with admiration and praise for the
82
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
spirit of his nobility, or frown, with a feel¬
ing of indignation and contempt.
But God has enjoined a duty upon the
messenger, that the young man may be safe¬
guarded in so far as good advice is con¬
cerned.
This is indeed an important period, be¬
cause, whatever has been neglected in prop¬
erly directing the energy in the period of
youthfulness, must be done now, or the
future is forever a hopeless one. It has been
said, and perhaps truthfully said, "few men
are saved or ever experience salvation be¬
yond forty years of their age." Hence, we
see more clearly the necessity of speaking
now to the young man and emphasizing the
importance of our mission, when opportun¬
ity affords.
We have little reason to believe that God
has at any time laid special charge of lead¬
ership upon the aged and untrained, whose
past life has been corrupted in numerous
ways. Many years in looseness of habit
and abuse of conscience is capable of mak¬
ing one's life as hopeless of salvation as
83
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
that of the rich man referred to by the
Saviour.
Therefore, the tidings of free salvation
through the gift of a blessed Mediator,
should be offered to the young, not with a
listless air, or apparent indifference, but
with zeal and fervency of spirit, because
this period seems to present opportunities
which, if lost, the soul itself may be forever
doomed.
"How careful then ought I to live,
With what religious fear;
Who such a strict account must give,
For my behavior here."
This is the period in which we look for
the greatest results, if the work has been
well done: it is the period when we may be
able to discover evidences of deep reflection,
that demonstrate themselves in forceful
resolutions, and become potent elements in
the betterment of society and the promotion
of Christian integrity; it is the period when
the real image and likeness of the God-man
may be acquired, as the result of deter¬
mined effort to attain to that perfection
which comes from self-denial and an earn-
84
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
est longing after the righteousness of
Christ.
The realization of these things should
not be that of being attainable in old age
only, for if once the habit of correct think¬
ing, correct acting and real devotion is ac¬
quired, there will be permanent growth and
strength realized. God himself recognizes,
and would have us recognize, that seasons
of sowing must be observed, and that the
seasons of cultivation should be no less in
their claim. The harvest is His to attend.
We cannot, therefore, overestimate the im¬
portance of the seasons of sowing and cul¬
tivating. Let it not be said that the laborers
are few, and that men perish for lack of
knowledge as the result of negligence and
unwakefulness on the part of God's min¬
isters.
The ministers of the Gospel (whose di¬
versified work among men entails upon
them the task of dealing not only with the
older class of men, but with the young men
who are in need of constant instruction in
regards to their course in life and the ne-
85
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
cessary preparation for such ardent duty
as God has intended they should perform,
and as man has the right to look for) are
expected more than any other class of men
to feel particularly interested in the young
man. Interested in his moral, his intellec¬
tual, his material and spiritual welfare.
And each of these phases of his character
should be studied out, and instruction, ad¬
vice and encouragement given as each case
may demand. Any people who have
emerged from a state of thralldom, and are
passing their transitory period, will experi¬
ence many uncertainties and perplexing con¬
ditions, such as necessitate the wisest coun¬
sel. We need, therefore, not the ignorant
to speak, but the wise and prudent, whose
counsel may be relied upon for the ma¬
turity of its thought and the safety of its
advice.
The young man, perhaps, has not been
kept in the fold of the Sunday school work
as he should have been, and gradually led
up into a higher life of Christian experi¬
ence. The Sunday school offers an oppor-
86
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
tunity to speak as we may not be able to
speak from the pulpit; it is the place of
immediate contact and social mingling; the
place where we jointly and unitedly read
the sacred word of God, question all its
import and meaning, and blend our voices
in melodious songs together. It is the place
where the instructor and the pupil come
face to face with each other, and where
they may stand with heart touching heart
and enter into each other's sympathy. It is
the place where a young man's heart may
be touched when charmed by an interesting
and sympathetic teacher, whom he is com¬
pelled to feel is interested in his salvation.
The Sunday school work is indeed a field
with many requirements, and if it has not
been thoroughly studied, and the character
of the work well mastered, we may still
look forward to much more incomplete
work with bad results. It is not alone upon
the superintendents and teachers that the
life of a Sunday school depends, but he
who stands at the head, supported in
thought and action by devout men and
8 7
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
women, should indeed be a head, wisely di¬
recting in the most minute manner every
detail of the Sunday school.
The question may seem to arise as to
what shall be said of the young man. I
would answer by asking another question.
What is the state and condition of the
young men you find among you? What
are the demands of the hour? Of what are
the young men capable and what are their
opportunities? If the state and condition
are such as is usually found to be the case
of most young men—one of pity and there¬
fore one to be dreaded—they should be
called upon to awake from their state of
lethargy. If it is found to be one of lustful
indulgences, they should be appealed to, and
urged to practice sobriety and industry. If
one of ignorance and superstition, the path¬
way to intellectual development and moral
greatness should be most vividly pictured
to their gaze, and the fruits of their toils
forced upon their imagination. For want
of this kind of active service and faithful
discharge of christian duty they may yet
perish.
88
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
Run, speak to him; this is not only a
duty, but an urgent duty, requiring haste
in action, because of the possibility of los¬
ing opportunity and immediate results.
It is said in the Holy Scriptures that He
hath written to the young because they are
strong. (I Jno. 2:14.) But where should
we look for strength? It is in the young
man to whom some one has wisely spoken,
and the young man who has had an ear to
hear and a heart to obey. Obey the voice
that counseled the fortification of his moral
character, the development of his intellec¬
tual strength, and the cultivation of his
spiritual nature. The voice that declared
the path of duty and the reward of faithful
service. These are messages of the vastest
importance, to be borne to the young man
who will hear, and whom God will be
pleased to use in the increase of the forces
within His spiritual domain.
The very specific manner in which the
words of the Scripture are given—"this
young man"—may be well construed to
m,ean the man to whom we have access, the
89
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
man whose condition offers opportunity,
and the man whose condition appeals to us
for such instruction as his state requires.
This man whose condition is apparently de¬
plorable, may himself be unconscious of his
state, with no inclination for improvement
and with an unseemly turn of mind; repul¬
sive in manner and haughty in character;
but this is one of the opportunities for the
greatest discretion in the adoption of meth¬
ods to meet the conditions, and persistency
in effort to obtain the end sought. Here
results may not be immediate, yea, exceed¬
ingly slow; but since results and futurity
are the possessions of an Infinite mind,
which comprehends every detail of thought
and action, and recompenses every deed,
good or evil, let us not fail to do well our
part.
The long and trying ordeal of Babylon¬
ish influence, a purely pagan civilization,
through which the Jewish people for sev¬
enty years had struggled, was in many re¬
spects demoralizing in thought and habit.
It needed the combined efforts of all,
90
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
male and female, old and young, in one har¬
monious effort for their own uplift. There
were many needless acquisitions and super¬
fluous practices and habits from which they
had to extricate themselves in order to con¬
form to a truly righteous course, and hence
the prophet could not be too urgent in his
command.
Then, too, a strong antagonistic senti¬
ment, debauched in character and ungodly
in practice, was to be stemmed; while in
the main the Jewish people themselves had
to be constrained to think soberly, and
thereby qualify themselves to be endued
with the spirit of righteousness.
The ancient ceremonial customs of their
temple worship had been abandoned, and
disorder and sacrilegious habits marked
their lives in many instances. To reawaken
a people thus stultified in their religious
habits, and dwarfed in their conception of
the true worship of God, required sternness
in dealing with them and yet tenderness of
love and gentleness of bearing.
Our own condition to-day is by no mean*
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
unlike that of the chosen people of God.
Our experiences have been frequently min¬
gled with clouds of darkness as well as sun¬
shine. The foe has frequently invaded our
ranks, threatening with even death itself.
"But out of all the Lord
Has brought us by His love."
We, too, are facing a condition that has
been previously blighted by a state of phys¬
ical and moral degradation; therefore, to
make our transition from this humble state
to the highest possible summit of moral,
intellectual and spiritual greatness, we can
be no less urgent in our appeal, nor less
persistent in our contention for the accept¬
ance of the message we bring.
We must urge upon its acceptance and
the adoption of the moral laws as the only
safe guide and highest rule of action. For
much of the false philosophy of to-day must
be guarded against, because it does not
breathe the spirit of Christ, nor is it calcu¬
lated to promite the highest ideal of human
practices, nor make simple the life and
teaching of Christian doctrine. Therefore,
since we are encumbered with a duty of
92
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
warning, together with the imparting of
useful instruction, we must not shirk our
duty by evading the grave issue which con¬
fronts us, but sound aloud the message we
bear and urge upon the people for obedi¬
ence thereunto.
The minister should not become discour¬
aged nor faint hearted in his endeavor, but
face the conflict, remembering that only he
is successful, and only he is victorious who
relies upon His God for guidance and de¬
liverance. For no people whose conception
of their duty toward each other is vague,
imperfect and uncertain, can do more than
grope in comparative ignorance and stum¬
ble by reason of their folly. Let us profit
by the imperfection of others. Shun the
pitfalls, because we have seen others fall
therein. Escape reproach, because we have
seen the effect of the reproach of others;
ascend the distant heights of honor, and
walk amid the rarified atmosphere of God's
divine favor and even our mightiest foe
will cease to reproach, and God will set the
seal of approval upon every endeavor.
93
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
"How beautiful it is for man to die
Upon the walls of Zion! To be called
Like a watch-worn and weary sentinel
To put his armor off, and rest in heaven!"
—N. P. Willis.
94