Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-07-03
CALL TO THE MINISTRY.
BY J. GOING.

The churches should look out among
them young men of piety and gifts and q
desire for the ministry. and encourage
them, to devote themselves to the work Of
preaching the gospel. Lei us not be mis-
understood; we cordially subscribe to the
doctrine ever maintained in our denomin-
alton, that in order for man lawfully to
enter into the ministry he must be inter
nally called by the Holy Spirit to preach
the gospel. OF course we utterly object
to the conservation of unconverted youth
to the work, or the introduction to this
holy Office, of any man. however learned,
if not pious, or of any man however pi-
Gus, who is aot otherwise 6ued for il, and
called to it. At the same time, il is NOR
ally certain that grievous mistake must
exist on The subject of a call to the minis
TRY, for there are. some in the ministry
who are unqualified for it, and unprofita-
! bic and unacceptable, while others have
never entered into the work who ought 10
have done it, and might have been useful;
| and further. most Of those who give evil
dence of a lawful call TO the work have
been introduced into il without due ment-
al discipline and attainments, so that they
have ali along labored under serious dis
advantages, regretted as much BY them
selves IS by Others. While the greatest
caution should be used that only sound.
pious. and otherwise suitably qualified
men be admitted into the ministry, similar
means should be employed in calling them
TO preach, as are proper in calling saints
J. to the performance of other duties, and
sinners 10 repentance. In all cases the
Z Holy Spirit must be acknowledged as the
4 efficient cause of all holy action, while
human instrumentality is necessary Es-
pecially should pious young men of talent
be reminded Of the detestable situation of
nearly 1000 churches in the country. and
more than 1000 Of these in the West; of
the mutitudes Of those who are without a
preached gospel in our own country, and
; the millions in state Of heathenism IN
other countries of The duty of all Chris
tians to do all the good in their power, Of
the desirableness of part 10 the ministry
as affording opportunity for more direc,
q and extensive usefulness than any other
sphere Of action and of the consequent
: duty Of every man to preach the gospel,
; who can do it, notwithstanding the priva.
: lions and sacrifices incident to II. These
0 and similar considerations should be press
ed upon their attention. ~.
. The officers and leading members D
The church should feel that this thing
: belongeth to them and realize the i'm.
: portanee ola judicious discharge OF The
J. duty: Especially minisiersuNho are bes
e abIeao Judge of ministerial qualifications
e and who have the most favorable opportu
5 mites for observation, should consider thi.
y labor Of love an important part Of their Of
e fetal duty We fear that there isSalterly
IS fault among us in regard to :his thing
y land earnestly hope that 1t may be correct
E. ed. ssscfs . .s-sr =, s..,.
When believer is ma state OF com
I'd fort and prosperity, he can read othe
I'll books beside the Bible; but when ne j
i K ng Temptation or burdened with distress
he betakes himself to tho Bible alone
81 He wants pure wine. without any mix
ture of water. This shows the worth {
~ The Bible above all other books ---Serlc.
Some emplqyments may be better tina
se others; but there is no employment $
n bad as the having none at all; the min
IT. will contract rust, and an unfiiness f.
ke every good thing; aud nan must ei.ht
'ai fill up his time with good. or at least inn
" cent business, or n will run TO the wor
mn sort OF waste-to sin and vice. -BaTAet
as .fl
,.r THE LIFE OF MAN. ~