The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-12-09
HARD FIELDS.

The experience of every Pastor will sooner
OF later teach him that there Is often long in
terval between the time when he Sows the good
seed Of the Kingdom, and the time when ne
shall come again rejoicing, bringing his sheaveS
with him. So long indeed sometimes as Sc
verely to test his faith and hope and patience.
He is often discouraged too by the apathy
and indifference of those whose sympathy he
had reason to expect by want OF the cooper
alton of those whose active aid he had
right to anticipate and sometimes by the pos
tive opposition of those who were bound by
engagements and obligations as solemn as his
own to be earnest and loving co-wOrkers with
him in advancing every interest Of the Church.
Or his encouragement may arise from an
other cause The field in which the provi-
dence of God has cast his lot may be an un-
congenial one to him; he may not like the eli
mate, or the social development Of the people,
or he may have had family bereavements which
have diSheartened him, and caused him to feel
that could he be transferred to some other field
of labor he might escape from these causes Of
disquiet and dissatisfaction.
A letter from an esteemed and honored bro
Their, who lives in distant frontier State, now
lies before us and in every line we can trace
the yearning of heart which still fondly turns
to its old Virginia home. He writes that he
is much discouraged he cannot feel that
he is in his right plaee-that death has be-
reaved him of dear children, and that if there
is an opening for him in Virginia he wishes to
return.
We understand this feeling, and can sympa-
thise with one who misses the associations which
he once found dear to him, and who misses
still more the children who have been taken
from him in a land where he is comparatively
a stranger.
And yet in this letter he speaks of his large
congregations, and of other agencies by which
he is extending his influence for good, and he
adds, "God has greatly blessed my labOrs in
this State.
Then we would say to this beloved brother,
and through him to others similarly situated,
do not despond because you do not fad in a
border State all that makes society more con-
genial in an old and long settled portion OF the
country; do not infer that Affections are limi'
ted by geographical lines, or bereavementS
n. measured by State boundaries but try and
realize the nearness of God TO you at the post
to which he has assigned you. and remember
that the good soldier of Christ Jesus must en-
dure hardness, as well as the soldier of the
secular government, and go and stay where
u - rbsO,
trials and losses should overtake him in the
performance of his duty This is the spirit
of the Christian soldier and of the Christian
missionary, spirit of supreme devotion
to Christ.
We know of pastors in Virginia who have
been bereaved of more children than this bro
Their, who mOurns the loss of those who lately
stood as olive plants around his table.
The same or greater bereavements might
have oyertaken him in his native State, and
it may be that had he remained here, he might
not have been able to write OF large congrega-
tons and other facilities for usefulness, and
sum up all by saying, as he does now, God
has greatly blessed my labOrs.
This, after all, is the minister's great and
sufficient reeompense. This compensates for
tolls and diSeouragements by the way.
In success he must find his happiness, and
feel that when God is browning the work of
his hands with blessing, then it is his privilege
to be joyful in tribulation, and thankful for
any field where he finds he is winning souls to
Christ and let him look forward with serene
anticipation to the time of final recompenSe
when they that turn many to righteousness
shall shine as the stars forever and ever.