The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-08-09
Thanking the Minister.

1T lS strange now rev persons III the aV-
erage congregation feel called on to thank
their pastor for any sermon of his which
brings to them word of comfort, stimu-
lus or instruction. They perhaps value
his ministrations, but they do not tell him
so. Indeed, some of them think it would
SAVIOR of forwardness or flattery for them
to say in so many words that they were
helped by the truth he preached to them,
and that they are grateful accordingly.
Yet these same persons would feel it no
more than their simple duty to say 81
thank you," if the man who is their pas
tor should direct them ON the street to
some place which they wanted to reach,
but of the location of which they were in
doubt; or if he should assist them into or
out of crowded street-car, or point to
them some danger of which they had been
unohservant. Why then should they hest
tate to express their thanks as freely when
he has sought earnestly and prayerfully to
prepare that which will direct, or assist, or
warn or cheer them, and has brought it
to them in the hope that it will prove
timely and serviceable?
Many pastor feels the lack of these
words of thanks more than is commonly
supposed. 1t is hard for him to work on
month after month in behalf of those
whom he loves and would fain help, with
out ever being assured that he has met
their needs or excited their gratitude.
The very effort of preacher to fill his
place acceptably tends to exhaust his
nervous forces, and to bring doubt if,
after all, he has succeeded in the work to
which he was set. When. therefore, not
one Of his hearers acknowledges help re-
ceived, or expresses thanks for acquired
benefit, the sensitive preacher is tempted
to depression lest his work was failure.
Said venerable pastor, have been
preaching to one people for more than
thirty years, and there are members of my
church who have never in all that time
told me that any word had spoken was
of service to them, or that they were CRATE
full for its speaking." How could sach
an experience be otherwise than depress.
ing y, .....
to go on faithfully in his appointed work,
without being dependent on warm words
for his encouragement OF course he
0nght To-; and most pastors do this; but
that does not relieve any nearer of his
duty to speak fitting words of thanks and
cheer. "A mother ought to be faithful to
her children, even though nome of them
ever thank her for her kindness; and a
wife should be true, and un.iring in her
home duties while her husband fails to
say anything in recognition OF her fidelity;
but those children and that husband ought
to be ashamed of themselves for never
thanking her who, loves and helps them
and a church member who does not thank
his pastor for speaking wise and fitting
words in the pulpit has reason to be hear
tily ashamed of his thoughtless and neg
:lectfnl silence. asM ,sas; :.
It isn0t praise, nor compliment, that a
good pastor needs for his encouragement
It il arecognition Of his special service to
nearer, with thanks for the timeliness of
lis well-chosen words. He wants to know
who has been helped by each particular
phase oftruth. that he may the better shape
his preaching to the necessities of those
before him. And he Graves the assurance
that the message he brings has touched
some heart and made it newly grateful.
Ifa man stops at the door of friends
house to tell an item of good news which
he fhinkA will give pleasure there, he does
not care TO be told that he delivered it
gracefully; but he is glad to be thanked
for bringing the intelligence to those
whose hearts it would tighten. Thanks /
~ HVA UNNECESSARILY uhttefy ne IeCelpt
sf them will hardly endangeri a clergy
mans spiritual standing.
: There arc warm hearted and thoughtful
persons who have this truth in mind, and |
who are always prompt to speak of the
help they have had from q sermon or = |
prayer-meeting talk, from teachers in
strnctions. d. superintendent lesson re- !
view, and to thank whoever has thus min
istered to them for what they have gained /
from him In any church, or school or !
class, such persons are power for good. |
They do much to promote good preaching |
and good teaching. Even stranger COM
ing into their field of influence feels the in |
Epiration Of their thoughtful and conside- |
rate recognftions of faithful service, and |
Is made glad and made stronger accord /
lngly. The number of such persons ought |
70 be multiplied. twill be it those who have
hitherto RETAINED from expressing. in such
uses, the gratitude they have hsd in their
hearts, viii henceforth say plainly 70 their
pastor, or teacher or occasional minister, /
What words Of his have come home to
hem for their good, and will be free to
hank him heartily for each special service
y which he has given:to them assistance
u enjoy Sunday School Times.