The Press., 1890-12-04

of His personality. There was charm to His manhood that became the center of joy, cheerfulness, and sunlight wherever He went.
 In the next place, the pastor ought to manifest an, interest in the general tens p0ral prosperity of his people. Here is another snag on which many pastor has been wrecked. The pastor kept aloof from many of those things in which his people are largely interested. The suc- cessful pastor is always anxious about the secular education of the youth of his flock and should always rejoice in the untold blessings of the public schools. The pas tor is also citizen, and therefore has cer- tain political rights and duties to perform in common with his people. The pastor also ought to identify himself with all mu- nicipal and social reforms. He should never be ashamed nor afraid to speak good word for his country whether in the pulpit or out.
 The successful minister must be largely engaged in general a,osto, ct visitGtion. There is no place where he can make a deeper impression than in the home, and in this work the sick and afflicted have a prior claim to h1s attention. If he can succeed in administering comfort to such he is of priceless worth to any community. What is there any community desires more than to know that the fathers, moth CTS, husband, wives, sons, daughters, are made happy by some angel of light ? Saints and sinners alike are ready to say ''God bless the man who brings sunlight into my home." In parish like this it seems to me to be the minister's duty to call everywhere, and let the light of his own Christian personality be seen and felt in every home. In some form the gospel message ought to be carried into every home, and every non-attendant be invited to the public services of the church. If they fail to respond they will only have themselves to blame. It transfers mighty responsibility from the pastors shoulders to theirs; responsibility that few intel ligent persons care to assume. Let the gospe! of Christ be brought face to face with men let them see and feel the tre- mendous issues of life and death. and l say comparatively few will be found who care to assume the responsibility of reject ing. The church through its pastor can do no more than this.
 I have thus endeavored to outline what I conceive to be the true relation of the pastor to his people. As far as may have the strength and wisdom shall en deavor to carry it out. I think that you will credit the statement with honesty when say that the leading thing that in duced me to come to Somers was the con sciousness that God had orened large work for me to do. I certainly did no seek the position, but the field with it great necessities was presented to me, as believe, by higher power. I come among you with no cast-iron rules to what shal do or shall not do. But, with Gods help shall try to fit myself into the necessitie of the place. come to you in the prime of my strength, with sound physical health disposed to do my duty. I think cal count on able and faithful lieutenants, ant awilling and obedient soldiery. My sue cess is largely in your hands. Give m your hearty support in all reasonabl things, is what I ask. And if. as paste and people, we can work together in sympa thy, we shall zee the glory of God in ou midst. and souls thronging this churcl anxious for salvation. It was only as thu priest was allowed the general oversight o the tabernacle that in the rising incense o the sacrifice of united people common prayer and a common desire were express ed to Jehovah, and Jehovah in return be slowed upon them common blessing. l is the same now as then. While the glor. shall be all His own, the blessing shall b ours.