Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-04-27
PASTOR AND PEOPLE.

I
never better than they are now ; no bet.
ter class of men ever chose the ministe.
rial profession than those now engaged
IN 1t SO that it does not appear to be
wholly the fault Of preacr .ers, that they
do not give more gener.al satisfaction,
Some OF them have dorlbtless mistaken
their calling others III their desire and
attempt to please tb cir hearers, have
drltted away from Christian moorings,
and lost their iiIhu ence for good, while
Others fail to keep themselves intellectu-
ally and spiritually in advance of their
hearers, and are unable to interest and
benefit them, But as class, no body
of men is trying more earnestly and
faithfully to discharge the duties which
God and men have imposed upon them,
than ministers and they ought to be
better appreciated, and the difficulties of
their profession better understood.
Tbs reason why they do not always
meet the requirements of the church and
the public is, that too much is required
Of them. Among the many things that
/ the preacher must do to escape blame,
may be mentioned the following: He
must preach eloquently upon all occa-
slons some of his hearers have listened
to the great pulpit orators of the day,
and are not satisfied with any inferior
preaching; he must have great attractive
power, so that his influence shall be felt
beyond his own church he must con-
fine himself strictly to his manuscript,
in order to keep from laundering in wa
tiers that he has not sounded, to suit one,
and must discard notes entirely, to suit
another he must subdue his voice and
his gestures to be agreeable to one, while
another is only affected by vim and ven
geance- His doctrine will be severely
criticised. If it is severe enough to send
the wicked to an uncomfortable region
when they take their departure for an
other world. it will be unpalatable to
many ; If 1t opposes evil practices,
and shaves close to the SKINS of the sor-
did and self righteous, it is too severe :
If 1t is tame and gentle, a class COM
plains that it lacks the terrifying ele-
ment, and is not calculated to brighten
the sinner into repentance. Doctrine
must also conform to the idiociatic opin-
ions of all hearers, and among church
members, especially, fault will be found
1t 1t conforms to the doctrine of any H.
val church. But the minister is not be.
yond censorship when he steps down
from the pulpit. If he is social and
cheerful, these pleasant qualities are
supposed by some to indicate a want Of
religious feeling p; if he mistakes in WORD
or deed, those who ought to forgive and
lit him up, often turn against him.
while Satan and all his allies reioie,
and announce the misfortune to thu
world. His bearing and demeanor mus
be above reproaeh. Besides his clerica
duties, he must visit the sick, comfor
the distressed, bury the dead, heal tn,
differences existing in the church, lif
off the burden of debt resting upon tina
body, and be everything and do every
thing that all men require.
That the pastor can be all an exactin.
church or public demands, is impossible
and the question may be asked, VIVA
ought he to be 4? If he is a true minis
ter of the gospel, he has received hi
commission from the Divine Master an,
: he Is wholly dedicated to His service
10 build up His kingdom is his onl
work, and all the energies of his min,
and soul should be devoted to this work
then, if he fails, the fault is not his ow
! and none should complain. If he lack
: for greatness in the common sense G
the term, he may have what is better
the greatness of goodness /; if he is want
ing In suavity, he may abound in piou
zeal. Whatever be may be, if he is God
man, he Is worthy of the respect of al
Christians. For the good of any partic
i ular branch of Zion," that miDister
t best who has the power to best harmon
lie and invigorate the church itsel
:. There must be complete union, stron
L love and vigorous christian growth,
u there is vital strength in the church
. and power to attract and reform III
Ii world. Hence, greater than oratory an
10 better than manly grace and beauty,
l. that power in the pastor. which can $
- noursh and develop the branch tia
u 1t shall become the tree under who's
b shadow the worlds traveller may fin
rest and shelter.
A successful pastor must do muc
; outside of the pulpit and in estimatin
1t his value or fitness, reference should /
n had to what he has done or is able I
do without. as well as within the pulpit
If he is a good man, good worker. an
RS wlthal, smart preacher, then he is e,
IF erything. But unfortunately these qua
= tiles IN the highest degree are not ofte
n found, and in the necessity of the cas-,
10 most of the churches and most of ii
N hearers must put up with medium preacl
Al ers- The Beechers, Chapins and SimE
s. sons are scarce, and when found are cal
r ed to stations where their spberes of ne.