The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10
FOR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
REMOVING TO A NEW CHARGE.

REMOVING TO A NEW CHARGE.
"tShew thyseF svorkman." Work is
your calling, your element, your power;
may it become your delight. You cannot
have too much of the spirit of work, but it
is quite possible for you to make mistake
in applying your strength. You are mas
ter workman. Therefore do not attempt to
do everything with your own hands. A pro-
verb. says: ''Never ask another to do for
you what you can do yourself" There is
wisdom in the saying if wisely applied. In
another sense the pastors maxim might be,
Never do what you can get others to do as
well" l once heard planter say that he
would not keep in his service an overseer who
would work in the field. If he could not be
more pro6tably employed, he was not fit for
the place. You are an overseer, (episcopOs,)
and have many laborers under you, some in
dolent and some ignorant, whose labors are
to be directed, concentrated and utilized by
you. Success in doing this should be your
aim, and for this purpose you should spare
your strength and time as much as possible
from details. Do not superintend the Sab.
bath School, attend choir meetings, make
collections for benevolent objects, act as
agent for religious periodicals, look after the
sexton, or be responsible for the repairs of
the parsonage, or other miscellaneous mat
ters, If yOu can help 1t. If you cannot
help it, do not be ashamed to do anything,
to light the lamps, or shut up the church.
Have everything done to the veriest minu-
tie, and insist upon its being done exactly
right, but if possible find the right men or
women to see to it. This will relieve you
and profit them at the same time. To do the
work of others is double wrong and rob-
berry. In every church of considerable size,
there is ample material, varied just,so as to
suit the exgences of the work to be done
There are men of experience, wisdom, inhu.
ence, and of greater or less wealth; young
men whose glory is their strength, and whose
power is their enthusiasm; young women,
willing hearted, suggestive, and influential
and many others without special gifts, but
who can do something, and who are ready to
contribute their humble service, if they
thought it would be acceptable.
Now it is for you to energize this mass.
And you can do it. How great the satisfac-
ton to see it begin to stir, and move together
for the same object? Nor will your infu-
ence be entirely expended in its effect upon
your immediate flock. Christianity is effec-
tual especially for the church, but it is great
ly operative upon many outside its pale, who
are all unconscious of its motive power. So
it will be your function and your privilege to
touch potentially with an unseen hand. many
a spring in the machinery of the busy life
about you.
The most important of those whose work
ing power you should endeavor to develop,
are of course the elders. They have been
chosen and ordained as helps, and are under
vows like your own. Therefore, call upon
them for work, and if need be, urge them to
it, without hesitation or scruple. Never ask
them as a matter of favor to yourself to do
anything, but let them see that you regard
it as matter of duty, and expect co0pera-
ton as matter of course.
Here let me suggest to you to apply as
seldom as possible for assistance in domestic
matters, IF your salary is sufficient and
regularly paid, you can rent your house, lay
in your supplies, buy your horse and hire
your servants as we'll as other people. Your
elders and others will be prompt enough to
assist you, but if you ask for help in such
things, you lower your ground in more inn
portant appeals. Besides it is more manly
to take care of yourself and family as others
do.
Elders are to work individually, and COL
lectively-as elders and as a session. Try
and find out what each one is best fitted for,
and keep his hands full of that sort of work,
and spare him elsewhere. Perhaps one may
find it great burden to pray in public
Well, do not press him too hard. His forte
may be finance. One may be especially
adapted to Sunday School work, another to
visiting, and another to keeping records.
One may have influence in one quarter of
your congregation, another in another. Per-
haps some one has heretofore been useful in
nothing, most likely it is because he has
never been set at the right thing. Find out
something for him.
l think that pastors have it in their power
to make their elders much more efficient
than for the most part they are. We elders
are quite aware that we ought to do more,
and often mourn over our inactivity. But
the truth is that we are, most of US, so oc-
cupied with our own affairs, that we think
far too little about the wants of the church.
Now if our pastor would only think for us,