Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-05-06
sunbap Reaomg,
The Young Pastors Temptation.

Eleven years ago in tic commencement Of his
ministry, young pastor entered his pulpit with
more than usual trembling. He had endeavored
carefully and prayerfullyto prepare himself for the
solemn services he had selected his text from one
OF the most interesting portions of the evangelical
prophet in which the richness and freeness of the
provisions of the Gospel are foretod. in the glow
ing language Of him "whose hallowed lips were
touched with fire." The herald of mercy auticipa-
ted for his own soul "a feast OF fat things" and
joyful season in preaching Christ the bread OF life
to his perishing fellow-sinners
1t was beautiful morning in midsummer; the
grove in which the temple Of God was situated
was melodous with the songs of birds. which d~elt
in safety there; the zepbyrs that played through
the courts of the Lord, came perfumed with the
fragrance of meadow and field the hush and qui-
etness of the Sabbath morn were over all ma
ture itself seemed subdued, and holy awe and
calm serenity to impress every pious heart.
A large and solemn congregation waited upon
the ministry of the youthful pastor The service
commenced, and with the anthems of praise and
the offered prayer his confidence increased his fears
subsided, and with calm assurance he rose and an
nounced his text "When the poor and needy
seek water, and there is none, and their tongue
faileth for thirst, the Lord will hear them, the
God of Israel will not forsake them. / will open
rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst
of the valleys l will make the wilderness pool
of water and the dry land springs of water" lisa.
xii. l7,l8. On reading these words he cast his
eyes over the congregation, when in distant part
of the house he noticed the intelligent countenance
of gentleman from the city of B---n, whose
position in society and cultivated mind he knew
we're such as would qualify him to notice and ap-
preciate the deficiency of the speaker.
Impressed with this thought, Satan, always
ready for our haulting took advantage ofhis weak
ness, and the fear of man. which bringeth snare
took possession of his mind. He commenced his
sermon with hesitancy, and although he used every
effort to overcome his embarrassment, it was some
time before he could rise superior to the depressing
influence Of fear. 1t was barren season. Dissat-
isfed with himself as he came down from the pull
pit, he felt ashamed to look his brethren in the
face as they clustered around him, lest he should
discover in their looks the failure of his sermon.
He was tempted to make a resolution never to at
tempt TO preach again. but from this tempt
alton he was mercifully delivered. The solemn
duties of his Office pressed upon him, and through
grace he vas led more humbly to preach the Cos
pe "not with excellency of speech" nor with en-
tcing words Of mans wisdom, but in demOnstrs-
ton of the Spirit and of power :" his desire now
was, not only to please man, but "by manifesto
tiOn of the truth, to commend himself TO every
mans conscience in the sight of God"
1t was not many weeks before God was pleased
10 pour ont his Holy Spirit upon the church and
congregation; believers were quickened, their
graces were revived, and sinners were converted.
A revival vas enjoyed which extended to several
Of the neighboring churches, and in the course of
q few months it was the privilege Of the young
pastor to welco ne ftysight precious souls to the
communion of the church. Among the first con-
verts received was Mrs. T, the mother of
several children in giving the relation OF the deal
ings OF God with her, she stated in substance as
follows:
Il was not accustomed to attend of the house
Of God but on a certain Sabbath last summer /
was induced to come to this place, hoping to meet
a friend that I greatly desired to see. had no
wish nor expectation to be profted by the
religious services, but as soon ss / entered the
house I felt that God was iu the place and when
the pastor named the text when the poor and
needy seek water" etc. my attention was arrested
by those beautiful words, and as the minister pro-
ceeded in his discourse my interest increased,
for l felt that every word was addressed to me,
and that the speaker knew and was describing my
case: became very uneasy my sins began to rise
as thick clouds before ms, and 10 weigh heavily on
my soul saw l was in a perishing condition.
oh, what will become of my poor soul was now
my earnest err. With downeast eyes and heavy
heart returned TO my home, but not to enjoy
comfort and peace; with tears and cries, for weeks
l sought the mercy Of God. l was almost in des
pair till at length was enabled to exercise faith
and to look TO Calvary, and to yield myself to him
who died for our SINS and rose again for our jast-
fcation. Thea did fnd that when the poor and
needy truly seek water, and turn away from the
broken cisterns Of this world, the gracious Lord
will hear their cry and open to them rivers in high
places and fountains in the midst Of the valleys"
for to my thirstng soul the river Of life has come
and with joy lave I drawn water from the wells
Of salvation. praise God for having led my feet
to the house of God on that blessed dsy, when so
precious sermon was preached which proved
to be word in season, and the power OF God to
ny salvation"
Then did the minister bow his head and weep,
while he lifted his heart to God in prayer, that he
might never djstrust himl again. but that "his
strength might be male perfect in weakness" and
that ever after he might preach the gospel with
an eye single to Gods glory.
Sow in the morn thy seed.
AT eve hold not thy hand
To doubt and fear give thou no heed.
broadcast it DER the land
Thou canst not toll in vain,
Cold, heat and moist and dry,
Shall foster and mature the grain
For garners in the sky"
DAVIES.
Am Mes.
A Time to Die.