The daily gazette., 1880-04-05
FIRST. EDITION.
Pastor and people.

THEIR MUTUAL DUTIES, AS EXPLAIN
ED BY THE PASTOR OF GRACE
CHURCH.
The newly-appointed minister of
Grace M. e. Church, Rev. George N.
Miller, preached the first sermon of
his pastorate here, yesterday morning.
There was a large congregation in at
tendance, and after the usual services
the pastor announced his text, as fol-
lows |:
"And we beseech you, brethren, to
know them which labour among you,
and are over you in the Lord, and ad-
monish you. -sn
"And to esteem them very highly in
love for their works sake. And be at
peace among yourselves. First Thes-
salonians, 5th chapter, 18th and 18th
verses. Ni
H The sermon opened with an allusion
to the importance of the ministry
the human ministers, which is design
cd to touch the minds and reach the
hearts of the people. Hence the Lord
assumed the shape of humanity when
he preached on the earth, and after
wards his real presence was with
drawn, SO that his spiritual presence
could be distributed among men who
succeeded him in the preachers work.
And 80 1t has spread, and the ministry
Is filled by living men, because by no
other means could the work be per-
formed. They are under the dominion
and inspiration Of the truths they
preach.
The sermon next proceeded to de-
lineate the apostolic idea of the rela-
tions that should prevail between pas
tor and people. The minister must
give himself utterly to the work he
has to do-the sublime work of bring
ing his people to state of perfect
manhood and perfect womanhood,
after the image of the Lord. The
ceaseless and tiring character of the
minister's work was also alluded to.
The people may stay away from divine
service whenever it so suits their in
clinations, but it would create the pro-
foundest kind of a sensation If the
pastor stayed away without good and
sufficient reaSon. He must enter into
the joys and sorrows of his people, and
bear the burdens of the whole congre-
CATION. This is hard labor, and calls
for more gentle and earnest sympathy
on the part of the people than it gen
orally receives. ..--
Then the minister's duties are Of an
overseeing nature. He is to 'admon-
ish his people," duty which is very
unwillingly received. and not at all
likely to be appreciated by the people.
He must deal with wrong tendencies
and practices, and make no compro-
mise with evil in any shape.
The duties of the people were next
referred %. They have an obligation,
as well as the pastor, beyond the
the special performance of their church
duties. They should kn0to their pas
tor, and make q just and wise estimate
of his strong points and possibilities.
They should not attempt to fashion
him after their own model, but to ac-
cept him as he is. They should ten.
der him words of encouragement and
commendation, as we'll as receive them
from him. They should observe his
daily trials. He needs their prayers
and sympathies in the discourage.
ments incident to his work. They
should esteem him truly, uphold hi
hands, and help him in his work witt
their thorough sympathy and en-
couragement. He withdraws himself
from all worldly traffic or chance o
gain, and devotes all his energies t.
the work of explaining the Teachings
of the Lord, and in these labors hi
people should ever lend him sustain
ing hand.
In conclusion, the pastor hoped tina
from the commencement Of this pas
torate, his experience might be unit
that he had just portrayed, and the re
lations between him and his people b.
those of heart to heart and soul Il
soul. With such beginning he coult
have no doubt that the end would b.
but the closing Of season of abun
dant success.