The lynx. (Panola, Mi. [i.e. Miss.]) 1845-1845, 1845-11-22

value al all, Tor they do nothing to sus-
tain the Iaborers. The neglec, is rare
y, if ever named in their conferences,
and if some one should chance to be
more thoughtful on the subject, and in
troduce it, he is apt TO speak of it as
aims or charity. That 1--WE must. give
something TO our poor Minister, be
cause he is poor aud needy.".
This is an insult upon the Ministerial
office, and q sin agains, God; for we
are fought in his word that those who
preach the gospel shall live Of the
gospel; that the labor is worthy Of his
here. Here it is apparent that the sup,
port of the Ministery is a duty which
we cannot omit without offending God.
Fhe displeasuro Of God Is now rest
ing upon many Of the churches for a
failure TO discharge their duty on this
point. Look around and see the church
es and neighborhoods which are desti
tute Of preaching. Consider the re-
moval, by affection Of some Of our
Ministers from their fields of labor
Why is it thus? 1t is chastsemcn.
from the hand Of God, for dsobediencc
on the part of Church Members.
We must here step beyond our limits
n ,UprI naor
thren, are you clear Of fault in this
matter? Have you declared to your
churches the whole counsel of God p
Have you fully taught them what is
their duty in supporting The spel?-
Have you urged them to discharge of.
that duty? Have you required it at
their hands? Have you visited, con-
ycrSed and prayed with your nocks?-
Have you enforced the precepis Of the
gospel by your God!ike Department.
Have you been punctual in attending
10 your appointments? Have you de-
voted all the time you could to the work (
Of your high vocation? If you have
failed in any Of these matters, a part .
Of the fault must rest upon you. I'm
faithful service on the part Of his Min
listers cannot be acceptable with God
But to return, it is not only the duty
Of churches TO contribute 10 the sup
port Of their Ministers, but 10 support
them entirely; 10 loose their lands, so
that they may devote their whole time
to the work OF the Lord. Whether
they lie rich or poor, your duty to-
wards them is the same.
You have no more right to receive or
require the Iabors Of any Minister
whether rich or poor, without adequate
compensation, than you have to require
his servants to labor in your cotton
neds wflhou; pay.
Ministers arc Frequently called upon
TO visit distant churches, for the pur-
pose Of holding protracted meetings.
They 60 and preach, perhaps Tor sew
cra days; md those who invited them,
and among whom their labofs have
been disposed, do not even pay them
enough to shoe their horses, to say
nothing Of COM ensation for their
time and labor This IS an outrage
upon the Minister, it is palpable VIC
lation Of an obvious duty, and sin
against Heaven, for which the punish
ment due will most assured be nfct
ted.
SO long as Church Members remain +
inactive and fail to discharge their duty
towards their Ministers, leanness and
barrenness Of sowl will attend them;
the churches will languish, and anti
christ gain strength, 1t would be vain, I
yes, it would be inconsistent and pre-
sumptuous for us to pray TO God, TO
send forth more laborers into his vine
yard, whilst we are starving those he
has already sent.
Nearly allied to this duty is that OF
giving the gospel 10 those who are des:
tltutc. Thousands in our own country, +
and tens Of thousands in heatehn ma
lions are without the mercy Of grace.
Hundreds Of families even in our own
State have not Bible, and many Of
Them have not heard gospel summon
in ten years-some who have grown
mp to years Of maturity have never
heared the glad tidings Of salvation.
Must they remain in this wretched
CONDITION? No, they must not; it is
your duty, as christians, TO send them
the gospel.
The present population of the earth
is estimated at one thousand millions:
It