The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1866-05-09
[FoR THs CENTRAL PREsBYTERAy.l J
A Living Ministry.
(CONCLUDED.)

lNONNLCD1Lsj
From what we have said above, let US
not be misjudged, as asserting that the
pulpit Is a place for intellectual display.
No, we call for no Ostentation of learn
ing, no parade Of natural gifts, but we
ask for spiritual, pertinent, arousing
stimulating Gospel theology, bearing the
impress Of no mean intellect, inyigorated
and expanded by the assiduous study Of
every branch of human learning that can
develop the mind and enlarge the sympa-
thies of the soul. Our ministers should
be our most able, our most learned, our
most liberal minded, as well as our purest
and most pious men. And why not 5!
Do we not recognize in theology the most
profound Of all studies, and in the preach
ING of repentance and sancti6cation the
most glorious of all employments? This
is no field for intellectual pigmies, ana
half-hearted weaklings. To achieve sue
cess in this, rs in all minor callngs, we
must have force and energy at least, il
not ability and learning. The Apostles
il is true, were most of them unlearned
men, but they were men terribly in earn
est, whose wills would not suffer to be
thWarted by the persecution and oppOsi-
ton of a leagued world, and Of them St.
Paul was by far the most successful, who
added to his zeal, the possession of a
powerful and well stored mind.
In our opinion mischief is often done
by friends and relatives, by urging into
the ministry, young men, whose estimate
Of their own gifts and their natural incG-
nation are insufficient to induce them to
enter a calling, whose employments are
the most Joyous Of earth, and its remu-
neration, fulness of heavenly pleasures.
We fear, too, that harm is often done by
cur educational boards, who, by the offer
Of gratuitous scholarships, bring into the
ministry men of inferior type of mind
and a low grade Of piety, who, through
these inducements, see an easy road to
social positions and u respectable iveli-
hood. We say, do not smoothe the way
to success in this ield-do not remove a
single obstacle, that hinders the entrance
to the ministry. Let them grapple with
the difficulties, and 1r0rt out by their own
unaided efforts triumph over every dis
cOuragement, and then we will have, if q
less numerous, a purer, a more powerful,
more devoted, a more successful minis
try, and corresponding development Of
the piety, knowledge, zeal and success of
the church. Let it be our aim to bring
into the ministry, not those easy souls
whose only recommendation is their amia-
bility, and apiety lukewarm us their dis
position, but let US strive to bring about
the voluntary, enthusiastic enlistment in
the service of Jesus, of the very flower
of the intellect of the country. In our col
leges, where our youth are putting on the
armor for life, let US labor with our might,
to bring the intellectual Samsous to Q
conviction Of sin and dedication Of their
maturing faculties to the service of the
God who bestowed the rich gifts upon
them. While we would reject none who
offer their hearts to the service, however
mean their talents, and still less would
receive any who withheld their hearts,
though their minds should be most fur
nishel and able, yet We would greatly
prefer, and would earnestly labor for this
end, to see the richest minds Offering
themselves as living sacrifices to their
Redeemer,
And to those young men who are now
preparing for the ministry, We say
sfady with your might, polish your wea-
pons of warfare. We must have beaten
oil of precious drugs to difuse the white
light of truth in the sanctuaries of OuI
God. Add to your natural gifts the ire
mendous force Of learning. We need to
bring every means to bear upon the
hardened heart of man and he viii be
most successful, eaeterjs parlbus, who
has the rishsSt and most varied attain
msntg.