The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-03-15
Successful Pastorates.

Successful Pastorates.
There is great deal of nonsense writ
ten on the subject. That and church at
tendance keeps up about an even fire in
the church and out. And, regarding
both, we are willing to risk our reputa-
ton as statlsticians by saying that, taken
all around, ministers are as successful in
their work as those of any profession, and
the people do go to church more than
they go anywhere else.
What is a successful pastorate? A
contributor, last week, made it to con-
sist largely of the power to draw. He
concludes popularity is a secret, and
the popular minister is born, not made
Perhaps so; but gauging pulpit by it's
magnetic qualities, and measuring it by
the ranks in the pews, is not the highest
standard. But, even so, who draws as
the minister does; not the clerical
stars, or comets, or aurora borealis, but
the average minister? Don't talk about
lectures and theatres. Even in our de-
generate cities, when fifty thousand peo-
pie have been to those entertainments
during the week, you will find hun
dred thousand people in the churches
on single Sabbath. And that not to
hear travelling stars, but to hear the
same voice on the same theme year in
and out.
Of course, that is not explained by the
voice, but by the theme, but it is suf-
fcient answer to the tiresome charge of
church and pulpit ineficiency For some
reason or other more people go to church
than go anywhere else. Not attracted
by charms of novelty, or scenic surround
ings or appeals to artistic taste, they 90
to church with persistence unequaled in
any other kind of assembly. OF course.
the common answer is they have moral
nature. They are impelled by that
not attracted by the pulpit. Well, if
they have hungry natures, and go every
week to the same place under the prompt
ings of that hunger, they probably get
bread. What animal would stand an
hour and half in front of an empty rack
every week, year in and out?
Not only is church going a great fact,
but church work is an educational and
moral force, like which there is nothing
in the world. And that means success
full pastorates. But, says the critic, souls
are not converted. Such and such
church is full, but they have no revivals.
That is always to be lamented, but it is
not safe to use it as an argument against
the pulpit. One might as well charge
on the farmer the responsibility of not
having harvests in spring, or hundred
fold every summer. There are various
kinds Of success. The farmer in Kansas
who raises crop of corn this year is a
success. So is that one who plants
forest, though he will never see the
shadow Of it. Some pulpit work is unto
Immediate results. Some is like sowing
acorns. Is the building work of no ac-
count? One minister has a long list of
CONVEX is each year Another has been
educating, organizing, stimulating. He
has put forces at work that will make
harvests in Africa and India, or that will
make harvest of grander living in
America a generation hence. And both
are co-workers with God.
When we talk about popularity onlv |
Or measure communion rolls ONLY or
figure up pew rents only, we are far too
low down among worldly standards to
nc CHS WOIh Vi Jne spirit. 1t Will |
not always respond to those tests. But
lake the measure of a half century OF |
great results in Christ's kingdom. and
hen decide whether the pulpit is fail
ire or the church weakness. Which
S the aggressive side now, infdelity or
religion Which holds its ground, the
new criticism or the New Testament?
Which side is yielding among the ma
lions, idolatry or Christianity? There
has been good work done somewhere.
and a divine blessing has been upon it.
Mayb it has not squared well to rules
IF criticism. Maybe it has flowed in IN
seen places like the sap of the forest but
It is green bannering the world with
new moral and intellectual light. Let
US have done with small aesthetics. The |
ieyil is getting hard knocks these deys
and if so pulpits can afford to be count
ed unsuccessful and churches counted
among the weak and foolish things Of
Me world.-Eaterior
There are three millions of Tsraelites
n Russia The theatre If tbo ,o,.o.,