The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1874-04-09
po rot lIEr ,oon MINISTER.


iu tbr eaarse Of . long sol varied Iite,
have Often bern struck with the uutae
importance that mos, professional men
attach 10 pablo opinion, and have often
tells inclined to hnd fault with the feel
mg which much observation has at last
convinced me IS both natural aud prop,
e..
Another thing has greatly troubled rue.
The prosperity OF aII our public interests
seem 80 depend oa the popularity Of tic
persons iu charge Of them. lfa teacher
{, not liked, bi, school might as well be
dismissed. II he is ss wise a. Solomon
bis know edge will not avail him ifpiued
AgaiusI prejudice aud misconstructiou.-
A general ~ DO is cordially hated Is not
gety likely TO lead his armies uu to vie
loi 8, aud physician win dnd bis mcdi,
cine powericss Go cure iB community
who have no confidence ia Kim. But
there Is no professional mau " ho il so
seriously injured by lhe lack Of public
sympathy - the preacher Of the gospel,
far ia no other calIiug are sueh high aud
holy interests involved tie does not
preach for the praise Of man, yet lac very
seldom, il ever, succeeds without the
hearty sppruyal and cooperation Of bis
people, Colduess aud forced eivility tic
his hands more checiually than the sneers
..tt4 ,Y.r.as sts.,t Of tt.. t,,,s.,,lt,,
II requires but litlIe effort on the part
of the leading members Of the church to
made a minister OF inferior talent both
beloved aud useful. A Kind word in his
favor judieiously spoken, and Jealous CO.
operation with him in his work, will soon
give him 8 position aud influence that
superior gifts on his pat would not com
maud II unaided. Did you ever think Of
his real situation? Groaniug beneath his
sense OF the value Of the undying souls
committed to bis charge, aud his own
responsibility concerning them, his very
soul cries out for the prayers aud active
sympathy Of his brethren.
There are two parishes in New Eng
land, of nearly the same size, and not far
distant from each other. Quo enjoys
precious seasons of prosperity, the other
remsius as 1t was when the fathers fell
asleep ] used to be very much puzzled
with the difference, But have found
out al about it, aud it is no credit to my
old brains that did not see 1t sooner. Ia
one parish the church sustaius its pastor
No matter who he is, or what his talents
are, they make the best OF him Not on
1 ly SO, they make him feel that they yalle
/ him. They invite him 10 meet other
friends at their homes, they contriye little
social interviews ut the parsonage, they
speak cheerfully Of the prospects that
might otherwise dishearteu, aud in every
way try to make him feel at home with
them. II the beauty Of the summer in
yites them to spend social day in the
green woods, the pleasure is not consid.
cred complete unless the pastor joins Ia
it. II u trip to the cool sea board is in
contemplation, they are eager 10 induce
him to avail himself of the proposed iu-
noccnt recreation. In little things they
show their inerast.in him. They cannot
offer him large salary, but the constant
Offering of love and esteem that find their
way to his table or his wardrobe, enable
! lfY,, ~, lf,sn tUtt thnnt ,.~tn al aY
Iaches value to these little tokens that
exceeds beyond all calculation their
money value. They tell him that he is
remembered and appreciated, So with
courage in his heart he labors, aud God
gives the increase.
Ia the other parish, the preacher can
do whatever il right in his own eyes, No
one opposes and no one encourages. .-
lie stauds alone. Ia the middle of the
great African desert his isolation from
human sympathy would not be more
complete. Long habit brings the people
to the house Of God, and he breaches q.
well as be eau under the paral, zing cir.
cumstauce3, with what effect he never
knows. The word may toe treasured up
bat Il it is, il is pat up like ielles in seal.
ed bottles aud hid ~ dark cupboards ---
The idea of associatng with their pastor
IN their most innocent pleasures seem
never 10 have occurred 10 them. Theil
houses are llled with the good things oi
life, bat uo little testimonial Of esteem
goes 10 gladden. the heart OF the pastor. .-
Yet, in their way, they appreciate and
honor him They would be astoEishcd II
| should tell them that dislike to hin
was lbe cause OF their apparent neglect
they would be still more amazed II
.houid assert lhat that neglect was the
primary cause Of the spiritual dearlh IL
their midst. But should only tell then
the truth IN the latter respect, aud I wist
bad courage enough to ride out tier,
Tomorrow aud tell H. am very sur,
they dau't mcau to neglect him. didH'
think was the little bay. exause, aud q
would be lhoir apo,agv. But lna minis
ter lhiuhs. ~ thiuks $50 he (, who'll,
cast down sud discouraged. Grace doc,
great deal tar mau. Lucky II doc-.u
he would be quite destroyed. Eut grace
does uaI destroy the nerd Of good food UD
the craving TOR bomau - miatht. 81
uol gaod tor preachers Zee D. alone ii
tbelf wetk Gut ii i- se5fceit tar whel
he as. lab5rei under sush eifeum.tsuse
SIS 10 render success imgossjbls, uniess bt
m.raculon. lulepa,ili5n. Ca tnraw fa
responsibility ot iajiure upon hi- -h,a
aegs, r. war fhr .asl strm lt.af hen
flte camef- bers as. met ~ urt
eauu2 msh instead af hrlp'a~ -pHsa.
aaate. ! would aei aH q cNs lBr al la,