Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-22
PASTOR VS. PREACHER
The Former is What the Faithful
Minister Will Ever Aim 10 Be
If HE WISHES TO HELP HIS PEOPLE
Mr.. MOOdy's Very Successful Visit to
Princeton College,
NEWSY ITEMS OF RELIGIOUS WORK

What true minister as there that likes t.
be introduced to strangers as ''ous preacher
Whatever other title may be chosen he feel
that while preaching is a very essential par
of his life work, still it is far from being the
one thing he ought to do. He soon realize:
that if he only gives his Sabbath to the peo'
pie, they will fail to even give that much tc
his ministrations.
The CongregationdliSt has an article on
this subject by the Rev. S. Baker, of Lowell,
Mass, which many minister might read
to his benefit, in which he says: "The pas
tor was never more needed than now. The
minister needs the pdStordte for his own
sake. He cannot do his best work as student
or preacher without the experience OF the
pastor. The preacher must know his peo-
pie and in order to know them he must see
them, and in order to see them he must visit
them at their places of toll and in their
homes
''The preacher is not a mere lecturer to
unfold the truth, but his work is higher.
His question must be, how can 1 so present
this as to help the people in the struggles of
the Christian lie? Next to the Word of God.
the most important book for the preacher is
his parish, and in order to have the benefit
of that he must be pastor. The invisible
minister during the week is apt to be both IN
comprehensive and unhelpful on Sunday. Six
hours good work in the study and three hours
good work pastor each day, help both the
preachers brain and heart. All study makes
dull preaching; all visiting makes thin preach
ing; but together they make clear, tender and
helpful sermons.
The preachers influence depends upon
whether the people consider him a mere
preacher or sincere sympathizng Christian
brother seeking 20 help them heavenward.
Just IN proportion as the people realize that
the minister is their personal friend and that
he takes them into his heart and holds them
with sincere eatfecton-just in that proportion
VIII his spoken words have power over their
souls. The office of the preacher has lost
much of its power because too many ministers
are merely official in their methods. 1t has
been the minister and not the brother who has
called upon the people. 1t is well that the
mere dignity of the Office has lost its influence
but the manly, unSelhSh. brotherly pastor has
lost none of his; he is loveG and honored as
much now as ever. When the people feel that
the minister has come not only to preach, and
in patronizing way visit them, but rather as
one who enjoys their Joys and shares their sor-
rows. then his preaching may be plain and
simple, but his influence Will be increasingly
great.
1T is sad to hear minister speak of paroch-
ial calling as hard work. kind of drudgery,'
which they must do When the pastor feels
thus the people will see it ana he is no longer a
pastor to them. A minister must be glad to see
his people; it must be real gladness. Equally
unwise is the remark that this running round
among the people is a waste of time When a
minister is SO small a man, SO cold a man, that
the call at the home does not do him good,
then he would better resign.
Let the pastor be impartial not yielding to
the delightful temptation of calling upon a
few select and leading families; rather let the
pillars take care of themselves and let the
pastor shepherd the uncertain ones. Be 4
pastor of the men well as of the women. The
pastor who thus ministers to the people is
blessed more than he blesses. The people need
shepherding'"