Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-09-08
CLOSING COUNSELS.
A Sermon delivered by Rev. J. S
Norris in the First Congrega
tional Church, Grand
Rapids, Wis,
Aug %

Norris in the First Congrega
tional Church, Grand
Rapids, Wis,
Aug. %.
l Cor. 16:10.-''Noao If Ttmotheus come, see that
he may be NTH you WITHOUT fear; for he ,OOrksth
the work Of the Lord, as alse do.''
Corinth, situated between the
lonian and Hgean seas, was in Paul's
day the capitol of Achaia and seat of
the Roman Proconsul. 1t was famed
for It's wealth and commerce, and was
notorious for its RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Among primitive Christians it was
counted an extremely difficult field for
minister Of the gospel. For the
reason that the people of that parish
placed such a high estimate upon
learning, culture and eloquence. Man
ners, with them, were superior to NOR
ais, and miraculous gifts more desired
than spiritual graces.
1t was not every one that dared 90
to Corinth; the brethren were such
tremendous critics, and the much
needed plain and forceful presentation
of Bible doctrines was quite distaste.
full to them. What they wanted was
speculations; something new, curious,
startling and wonderful. And at the
same time, they were exceedingly
slack about filling the Lords treasury,
paying the preacher, assisting poorer
brethren and giving to missions. 1t
was useless for any pastor of theirs to
attempt to do what no man ever did
in any place--suit them all. One
said. 81 am of Paul." another, 81
am of Apollos;" while another would
say, 81 don't fancy either Paul or
Apollos, [ like Peter They wanted
a minister, in fact, who was absolutely
perfect. One who would combine in
himself the dignity of age with the
strength and vivacity of youth; man
of fine physique and commanding
presence; eloquent as Demosthenes,
wise as Solomon and meek as Moses;
patient as Job, fiery as Ezekiel and
sublime as Habakuk; logical as Paul,
gentle as John, jealous as Peter, and
above all, rich as Cr9sus, SO that he
could support himself and give all his
time to them. Paul, himself, had had
quite an experience with the Corinth-
ians. With all his wisdom and expo
rience, his ability and nobleness of
spirit, he was far from reaching the
required standard. He was a DENIM
utive weakly man physically, and used
great plainess of speech. He very
we'll knew that poetry and philosophy
would never save soul from sin; but
he had unbounded faith in the wond-
rous cold, old story of Jesus and his
love-" So he determined to know
nothing else among them, save Jesus
Christ and him crucifed." In conse-
quence, Paul was to them what the
Savior had been to the Jews, ga root
out Of dry ground, having neither form
nor comliness. Instead of profting
by his counsels and admonitions, they
despised and decried him. Said they,
His bodily presence is weak and his
speech contemplate"
The grea thearted, loving and care.
full apostle feared that his Son in the
gospel, the youthful Timothy, who
was coming to them, would have like
experience and become discouraged;
and, knowing the sad paralyzing effect
of fear, he wrote them, in the words
of our text, "Now if Timotheus come
see that he may be with you without
fear" &c.
THAT WHICH A TRUE MINISTER
FEARS.
Having in view the wellbeing of this
Church and the good of my successor,
whoever he may be, [ wish to speak,
IN the first place, of that which a true
minister fears. And negatively. it is
not poverty on his own account, pres
ent or prospective, He feels that
sit is enough for the servant to be as
his Lord Were he alone, if it were
necessary he could endure that and
never murmur. Neither is it the oppo-
sition of men, in or out of the Church,