Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-08-25
The Christian Preachers Pattern.

To his disciples, over and over again,
Christ explained how he came not to be
ministered unto, but to minister, and to give
his life ransom for many. In this conver-
sation with Nicodemus about the new birth,
he showed that as the wounded Israelite
gazed upon the serpent of brass and was
healed, so every one who looketb upon him,
as he hangs on the cross, with the eye of
faith, shall not perish, but shall have ever
lasting life. | need not say therefore, that
every faithful minister following in his
Masters steps, will say, like st. Paul, al
am determined TO know nothing among my
people save Jesus Christ, and him crucified ;"
=" Whom we preach" "Jesus Christ made
curse for us; and also Jesus Christ, the Lord
our righteousness" On this vital topic, how
ever, must not linger, as | wish to mention
another point which is very necessary to be
borne in mind at this time. Our Lord was
a pattern to the Christian minister in his
habits of preaching. 1t has been well said
that the stream of religion in country
flows high or low, according as the banks of
the Sabbath are kept up or let down. We
may make a similar remark as to preaching
the word. With truth we may assert that
a church falls or rises according as preach
ing is neglected or is cultivated. We see
how our Lord esteemed this ordinance
Over and over again we read "Then went
he through all the cities and villages preach
ing" In the house, in the synagogue, on
the mount on the seashore, in the boat, and
daily in the temple, he taught and preached
the gospel of the kingdom. And to help
him in that work, he sent forth the seventy,
and others also, to go and preach in the
cities and towns of Galilee, saying, Repent
ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand"
Peter and John and the other disciples,
after our Lords departure from earth to
heaven, walked in their assembled Masters
steps. The Apostle Paul plainly said that
his great work was, not to baptize, but to
preach the gospel. And what great stress
do we see that same apostle laying upon
this ordinance of preaching At the pres
ent day some men make the administering
of sacraments almost their one and only
occupation; and they can hardly meet
together for any object without participat.
ing in the Lords Supper. Baptism and the
Supper of our Lord, we acknowledge, are
both ordinances of Christ. So is the ordi-
nance of preaching. But every ordinance
must be kept in its proper place. And
what is the proper place of preaching as
compared with the administration of the
tWo HIS 10 pidlHlN Sttu Dy
looking at the epistles to Timothy and
Titus. In those epistles, if anywhere, we
should expect TO find directions for the
clergy as to the due discharge of their mo-
mentous duties Aud yet what do we
there read? We read, "Preach the word.
BE instant in season and out of season.
Reprove, rebuke, exhort." "Do the work
of an evangelist. Make full proof of thy
ministry" "These things command and
teach" "Give attendance to reading, to
exhortation, TO doctrine "Take heed to
thyself and unto the doctrine" "Speak
thou the things which become sound doc
trine." These exhortations, say, we read
but not a single word do we there find on
the subject of the Lords Supper. l need
not say, therefore, if such was the example
of our Lord, and such the practice of his
apostles as to the ordinance of preaching,
how important it is that we as ministers
should frequently say to ourselves, "a dis
pensation is committed unto me; and woe
is me if preach not the gospel" "Who
then is that faithful and wise steward,
whom his Lord shall make ruler over his
household, to give them their meat in due
season? Blessed is that servant, whom his
Lord when he cometh shall find," not doing,
but $50 doing; not agentem, but sic dgenteni,
that is, giving suitable food to his people
milk to babes, and strong meat to them
that are of full age, a word suitable to the
wants of each.-CdnOn Clayton.