Daily Republican., 1879-02-18
Yesterdays News.l
PKEAlAERA' MEETING.
" hat Constitutes n Good aud Sac
resstui Mintster.

resstui Minister.
The Methodist ministers Of this city
held their regular Preachers meeting
this II orning At st. Paul'sM +. church,
Rev. J. b. Mann, presiding. The ques-
ton discussed was What consti- |
tutes a good Minister II the Gospel.
Rev. Mr.. Thatcher thought We were
often mistaken when W. measure
minister by one, tive, or even hall
dozen sermons. A good minister he
said should be called of God to preach
the gospel, and should turn out work
and lots of t,and when he was in bust
ness, he considered good workman,
one who turned out good job and did
it quickly.
He was of the opinion that the less a
preacher bad to do with finances and
business the better for him and his
work. The sole business OF a minister Is
to have that power from on high, to
understand the scriptures thoroughly,
so that he may b- able to -xpound the
truths of the gospel to the people I'm
d.rstandiugly. lie hoped no minister
would ever become rich by preaching,
and said that it was the duty OF the
laity to provide for the wants of the
minister; they should never have their
minds bothered, but left perfectly clear
to preach the gospel.
Rev. J. l.. Houston said there was a
grade of good ministers, and he did not
think minister should be kept on a
small competency. The speaker held
if minister had $1,000 worth of tai
ents it was just worth as much rs a
lawyer, or as any other persons fees.
! He thought preacher ought to have
. thousands of dollars worth OF books in
his library to enable him to pitch into
Bob Ingersoll and other intidels,
Rev. Mr.. Thatcher was Of the opinion
that too many ministers have their
hearts fixed on riches, and contended
tn at a minister ought to have nothing
to do with it and the further he was
away from it the better.
President Williams stated that a
minister should be converted and in
addition to genuine conversion he
u, should have all the mental store he
a could bring together. A sermon, he
said, should be made as attractive as
o possible, consistent with the plain prac-
teal earnest presiding OF the truth
. He thought it was the duty to make
sacrifices in order to secure better ed.
usatioL. We all need faith, and stated
. thal the young men would be greater
blessing to the world If they had less
u ambition and greater faith. He believ
ed it was better for a man to wait unit
: he was IS or 80 before he enters thu
}, ministry, than it was for him to enteI
! at 20 or % years Of age.
II The speaker believed in sanCtitiet
t learning, and of rounded development
: of the head and body. He believed il
religion first, and the best possible ed
= ucation second. The best pastor is Ii.
J. who carries on his work systematically
u The minister should be soundly con
y vert-d and should have good common
- sense.
y Rev. Mr.. Thatcher thought minis
l. ter, when called by God to preach tn
J. Gospel, had plenty of time to educat
e himself, aud did not believe it required
much book learning for man to preacl
= the Gospel. Some OF the preachers tall
r in such a manner that the people d
!, not understand, and he was of til
D. opinion that the minister was unabl
l. to understand himself He was in ia
Is vor of the learned men preaching to tn
III people underrtandiDgly.
n Rev Mr.. Machnichol stated that h
De did not desire to live as long as som
~ ministers if he held the same view
C. they did. When he was called
~ preach, God laid it on his heart ths
H. he would prepare himself. He was
u ignorant boy, and God laid it on Iii
it to furnish himself for this work.
ny education is a crime before a man Ell
~ tiers the ministry, it is a crime ate
u, wards. tod designs that every ma
III shall cultivate that which is With
NJ him, no matter what h- is, he is to in
oe prove the mind that God gave him.
'h every profession the call is for educate
o. men. The law of God teachrs a ma
NO not only to educate his brain but h
heart. He thanked God tor years
hard study and thanked tod that !
nm was under no obligations to any lna
,al tor his money.
All Rev. J. b. Mann said that mlnlst
NJ of the Lord Jesus Christ should be a
nf educated man in order to succeed. |
cd thought there were great MANY ed
Gated ounces and there were some sci
- taught ounces, and there were Inen
elk the conference who would spoil ever
=. thing they touched. 4 minister shou
- as" b- man Of observation.
Lo The, rlD.lng hour having arrived Il
II. meeting adjourned with the b+nrdi
I'd ',ol Ny President Williams.
~. Paui's song service.
Philip Phillips ,"ng service la
!, uisit al ct. paul's NJ. i. Church was ;
10 tended by about 1900 people the chur
b.in. crowded to it, utmost capacit
a. and hundreds being compelled t"
w. away without gaining admittance. I
r. exercises consisted of singing famll
ne pieces OF music interspersed wi
W. scriptural readings. Mr. PHILLIP
~ singing had good effect, and the V;
VI congregation would have gladly Ii
xerri another hour and listened to Il
sweet singer in Israel. Revival me
to in.s will continue during the wee
lo3 Rev. G. +. Sheppard preaching I'll
on evening and Rev. {. NJ. Pesg to-morr
ire evening.