The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-12-22
Unreasonable Demands Upon Ministers.


So much is required of ministers nova
days that the brain grows weary, and the
soul is drained of vital force. In some o.
the cases over which We mourn this may have
been the fact, but it certainly was not so in
all. Brethren have gone from US who re
joiced in their service as the war-horse re-
joices in the day Of battle; they took their
labor happily, and their cares sat lightly
upon them; wearied no doubt they often
were but they showed no signs of tagging,
aud bemoaned no physical or mental strain
They fell we know not why, their bones were
full Of marrow, and their bows abode in
strength. The Lord alone knoweth Why and
wherefore He released these His faithful
ones so early from their warfare in the high
places of the field. Yet if but one true
hearted minister has been made the victim Of
unnecessary toll, and has fallen beneath bur-
dens which he ought not to have carried, it
behooves the churches to prevent the recur.
renee Of such csIsS Why cause rs to
ssi's' ':is,'' !. ..' w. ]! e s's ssssas ss%'
every religious service, and compel us to do
30, or else to mourn that the interest flags
and the meeting falls off y? Why bring every
petty matter to US for judgment, when there
are other spiritual men to be found quite
able to decide the question in dispute! Why
hound us to the death to attend readings,
committees, soiieas, conferences, conven
tions, tea fights, ordinations, recognitions,
bazaars, anniversaries, stone.layinga, chapel
openings, achool-treats, ETC., etc.? There
must be an end to this slavery, and it ought
to come, not through the refusal of the op-
pressed worker, but from the generous con-
sideration of his friends.
The practical point of the matter which it
is always well to seek out, lies in the sugges-
ton that we do all we can to dsencumber the
work of our ministers of all that does not
properly belong to it by ourselves fulfilling
our own part of the Lords service according
to our ability. We must no longer leave the
mouth to do the work of the hand, but each
member of the body must fulfil it's Office
The inevitable labor of the pastor is great
enough for the most laborious, wise, talented
and healthy of men; let US not lay upon
them grievous additional burdens, let US not
expect them to do impossbilities, let US not
selfshly demand more of their attention than
is our proper share, let us not harass them
with idle gossip, or tax their time with OBJ
jectless interviews. They have enough anx-
iety in dealing with impenitent sinners,
doubling enquirers, despondng saints, and
miserable backsliders; it is wanton cruelty
to cavil with them about mere words or un-
important doctrines, and it is really brutality
to carry to them the hard speeches Of the
goddess, or the petty quarrels and jealousies
of professed believers. Let US help, and not
hinder them. Let their peace be precious to
US; worry shortens life, and therefore since
we would have them live long and win souls
for many years to come, let US minister to
their comfort. 1t will do US good to be their
active assistants, and it will relieve them of
a great load if they see the various depart
ments of church work efficiently worked by
our earnest efforts.--SpuryeOn.