The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-07-18
REV DIR. MOTIFS ADVICE TO YOUNG CLERGY


During the academic year Of lS505l quite number Of
the students Of the Auburn New York; Theological Sem
mary graduates OF Union College or which the cele
brated DR. Mott was and still Is the distinguished head
Before entering upon the duties Of the ministry they
DESTROYS Of obtaining the counsel Of whose experience
was SO large whose piey rvid aud whose pastoral
services had been long useful and acceptable They
accordingly addressed letter their venerable and
Grated instructor earnestly soliciting worldly well
spiritual counsel for their future guidance The expected
answer was promptly received in which furnished
general summary Of pastoral responsibilities and
cordng to the convictions of the distinguished writer
the true method Of dscharging them. This letter al
though written than four years ago has just been
published in the New York Evangelist and now trans
fer it to columns for the reasons doubtless
which caused the original publication. The letter is
excellent one, both regards and matter and
should be carefully read by the lay well by those
who have assumed the great and solemn responsibilities of
spiritual guides and teachers evident from the whole
spirit and teachings Of this letter that the venerable Doctor
shares the apprehenson which generally felt
by good pous in this country in regard to the wicked
worldly tendencies of too many Of that class who have
formally and solenny dedicated themselves the excu
sive service of God
Not word is said by Dr. Mott about the peculiar in
situations of the northern southern States Of the
eellences of this that political paryno word about
volunteering advice in the form OF nsolent dcation, TO
legislators who have sworn to uphold the constitution and
to discharge their high obligations void Of offence
try and conscience. While the pay Of the preacher is
briefly alluded to in spirit Of lofty superiority 10 worldly
accumulation worthy of the early days of the primitive
church Of Christ significant silence is observed about the
fat Offices and pecunary rewards which in store for
the influential political parson In word he tells the
young candidates for the Gospel ministry to let politics
aloneo let religious controversy alone,o let heesy
aloneto strive for the salvation of snnerso do all they
by preaching Christ crucfed and by prayer and
eaye the resi- to Providence But will not further de-
tain the reader from the perusal Of letter from which no
fail rise without increased regard respect
for the writer
UNIoS CoLLEaE, May IL, 1851.
NY son: In your letter Mrs Mott you intimate wish
that wonid give advice to the young under
my care but about to enter professional duties as
ministers of the Gospel say nothing soyeal your
several circumstances unknown and general
manual yon will find it in the letters Of Paul to Timothy
and Titus can only add to live my life again.
should strive to live to Godto be wholly de-
voted to my work
Health is indispensable usefulness and should be studied
in habits Of temperance and chastity and weregu
lated habits of cleanliness and exercise are concerned as
for the rest far Official duties concerned it is better
to .wear out than 70 rust out"
In the early part of my ministry occasionally dined out
with gentlemen of wealth. In the latter part Of it
visited the rich Of my congregation littlethe poor
the sick and afflicted most.
He who bases his standing congregation the friend
ship of few rich families stands nsecnrely be who makes
Judgment in the affections Of the stands securely
The poor only the special of the Saviour but
they the minister's most reliable friends.
1t better be useful than popular 1t bad thing for
yman 10
much II acquires great reputation preacher ii
viii be difficult sustain it, and he viii be under the
temptation labor to preserve his standing rather
than to the souls committed to his charge.
The ministry is noble profession, and rich in interest
him wso loves tito him who does not it is life of drudge
ry,
Considered profeson it not lucrative, bat reputa
BILE and free from the hazards and conflicts which other
professions exposed for the present IL Is meagre in its
rewards, but it has great remuneration In prospect.
Clergymen who need have generally less common
the members Of other professions They often
know much of books, and little of men.
the chief object Of the Clergyman is not money the less
says about pay the better Ii you want to be well sup
ported give your soul to the work Of your ministry and
God will provide for you and yours Those mlEseig
usually best paid who think little and say the least the
subject
Those who put q whole body of divinity into
mon always preach pretty much the thing while
they conne themselves to the illustration and appca
of single point will always be able represent something
the best mode Of delivering sermons, would only
say that any method well executed will be tolerated still
he who speaks extempore speaks with the greater effect
settlement in the country general rple, ID best Tor
young man generally it is the best for fe
n young settles in the city he kill himself by
study sink into obscurty The duties of city minister
be borne by who has not the fruits
Of labor laid up in store.
As general rule minister's visits should be religious
mere social calls worth little Religious calls often tell
ON the conscience they do not and where they
not there will DO 40 complaint because they not
frequent.
Let politics aioneet religious controversy aonelet
heresy the pure Gospefcontinue to preach
tit will be your best defence against error.
If You speak all Of Others dwell the points in which
you agree, and those in which you differ
Never dispute with Baptiss about the mode Of baptism
nor with Epcopalians about church governmentthe
has more water the other form, than you have and
will therefore always gain by debate The Presbyterian
Of power evangelical TRUTH and revival of religion will
do more for him against omass and herecs than years of
labors In word, de- all you preach
ing Christ cruc6ed and by prayer and leave the rest to
Providence.
Yours truly, ELIPPT MOTT.
MORE WITHDRAWALS.
There appears to be no dimnuiion in the number of
Withdrawals from the Tennessee Accommodating lodges In
the last number received Of the Nashville Union find
,ha#r H., d,rJ.