The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1867-02-22

OF HE, would De greatly diminished. -
But "Charity begins at home" and the
particular church into which we have been
adopted as the children Of God, the Great
Head of the church universal, is where
our duty begins. How is it prospering,
and what is each one of us doing, with
Gods help, for the advancement Of reli-
gion in our midst? What examples do
We as Older members of Christ's family
set forth for the benefit of those who have
lately passed from death unto life We
complain that many of our young mem
bers are led away by spirit of worldli-
ness; they seem to find more pleasure in
associatiEg with the irreligious than with
the people of God. The assembling them
selves for worship on the Sabbath, appear.
ing with the people of God at the Lords
table, and occasionally attending prayer
meeting, if they have no party Of pleasure
or business on the same night, is about all
the interest they -secr to take in divine
things,
Now, this all seems dreadful to US, but
[ contend that that we are in great
measure responsible for this state of af-
fairs, TO be sure, We are not led away
as the young are by the frivolities of the
day, but we do not make our chief end
the clarifying and enjoying of God, and
although we expect our minister to fulfill all
bis duty to us, we forget there is some
thing due him from us, and seem to think
if we can get up fittle interest in the
church. once in great while, all our duty
is done, forgetting that we are command.
ed to be "Instaut in season and out of
season, rcproviug, rebuking, cxhorting,
with all long suffering, and doctrine"
Now if we felt the zeal we ought to in the
cause Of Christ, our minister would be so
provided for, that he could spend his
whole time preparing and ninistering
spiritual food to us. Is the work of the
Lord Of go much less importance than any
other profession, that we can afford to let
our minister spend six-sevenths of his
time toiling to supply his daily wants,
while we are sitting at ease in Zion, and
spiritually starving? Oh how dreadful
that such state Of Indifference could ex-
list among protesting Christians. Could it
be so if we were really born of the spirit
Would we not be more prosperous if we
would only share with. our minister the
sclf-1enial which he is obliged to prac-
tice? Ought We not as followers of Christ
to take pleasure in the Great Redeemer's
cause, and enable our minister to spend
his whole time in the vineyard of the
Lord? What great spiritual blessing
could be expected to descend upon a
church where the vocations of all are
worldly? Now, the Jews were required
to pay into the treasury of the Lord one.
tenth of all they possessed. How many
of US pay one sixteenth ? I contend that
there arc very few churches that could
not support their minister, in most cases
without any sclf-dsuial and in others with
very little, and without great things done
by the richest people in the congregation.
If ten of our members felt particularly
interested in tho election of some political
candidate, aud by the payment of $1OO
per annum could put and keep him where
they desired, it wouldn't cost them much
time or thought decide what action to
take in the matter. The country is 10
peril and it must be done. The same
individuals could pay governess $500 a
year and board-our children must be
educated $500 for a piano-they must
learn music; and if We belong to some
secret society, SO much must be paid
there, or we lose caste. Now all these,
and number of other heavy expenses,
are absolutely necessary and of infinitely
more Importance than the spread of the
gospel. AS TO our minister, he has house
rcot and DOCTORS bills free; there is no
necessity for bis children learning the
ornamental branches he ought to be
able to teach them all necessary knowl-
edge himself; he gets a good many pre-.
sents, and if his wife was only good
manager, they could get along; he is not
depending on his salary for support,
and if be is faithful in the discharge Of
bis duties, that is the most we have to do
with him.
Now, if the minister had million that
would not release us from our gagements
with the Lord. We who are not heather
have no more right to the services of
gospel minister, unless we do all that lies
in our power for his support, than we have
to expect lawyer to plead our cause be.
fore the civil court free of all charges.
The preacher spends equally as much and
perhaps more time and money to procure his
profession than the lawyer or doctor, and
although God in his mercy has offered us
salvation free, without money and without
price, when lie sent His disciples into the
world to preach His word, told them to
carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes,
for the laborer is worthy of his hire
which shows conclusively that they were
to depend upon their hearers for what
they needed. And again, it is written in
the law of Moses, "Tbou shalt not muzzle
the mouth of the OK that treadeth out the
corn" Seek first the kingdom of God
and his righteousness and all things shall
be added unto you. [ fear we have for
pntton fhia prooiouo nrou;go ,nJ th,ol- q