Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-19
PRIDE IN THE STUDY.
characteristics Demanded of Pastors
Who Would be Successful.
FROM ENVY, HATRED AND MALICE
Good Lord, Deliver Us, is Prayer Essen
tial for Ministers.
DoINGS OF CHURCHES AND PREACHERS

A very high standard was that held up
by the Rev. S. L. Palmer as the one for the
true pastor to attain, in his paper read be-
fore the Presbyterian ministers meeting on
Monday morning on ''The Bible Ideal Of a
Christian Minister" Among many other
Rttainments essential he said:
The first important work to be performed
in the construction of any building is to lay
8 good foundation. "a bishop should be
the husband of one wife" the general idea
of which is he should have but one at a
time. But there existed among the Jews
and heathen a strong prejudice against a
second marriage. The question, however, is
one that need not call forth much discussion
now. The fact that it is commonly prac-
ticed without harm being wrought as to its
influence upon the public is sufficient to give
each one liberty TO act according to the dictates
OF his own conscience But II Paul were mere
to-day we would be hard pressed, no doubt,
20 hud any reason for thinking that he
would not apply the rule to US as closely
rs he did to the Gentle bishops of his day and
say as he did to Timothy, let "a bishop be the
husband Of one wife" He must ever be on
the watch. keenly alive to see what ought to be
done. He must be able to exercise cool, dis
passionate reason. self-controlled self-pos-
sessed, capable of restraining himself, and
avoid showing undue excitement HIS tcne,
look and general appearance must be in keep
ing with his profession, as outward appearance
has more to do with ministers influence than
we think. He should not spend all his time
and means in entertaining the members of his
church, his neighbors or his friends. but he
should have a noble. generous heart that
would respond TO the call of strangers or
friends. To turn away in coldness when op-
portunity was offered to extend the hospitality
of a home to a brother in need was not in the
when
expressed this thought. He must have not
only a fitness to teach, but also dis
position, a readiness that will make
when offered A minister might have all
the education and culture possible to secure,
ana be lacking in the earnest desire ana readi-
ness, and all other preparations would go for
nsught No one of experience Will deny the
assertion that it requires not little executive
ability to govern well a household. To draw
the line between love and duty is not trihe
If the minister then fails to govern well his
own house, how can he be expected to possess
in greater measure the same qualifications
which are required to influence the church? |
The minister who is given to the use of wine in |
any form, not only fails to come up to the Bible
standard, but falls far below that of common |
people and common morality. and that is say |
ing much. He must not strike either with hand |
or tongue. Mr.. Moody did once set an example |
by threshing young man in the Sunday school, |
but 1t would not be well, perhaps, to try to imi-
tate Mr.. Moody in everything. Ministers are /
sometimes very severe critics on each others |
gifts, and ov their remarks bring themselves in |
to contempt with people who would /
otherwise be benefited. The surroundings |
of ministers expose them to many temptations.
young men," said wise bishop to gradua-
ting class, you may be both ugly and dull, but |
there will be at least some silly woman ready to
tell you that you are SO smart and SO hand
some" Once tainted by this spirit the next
step is jealousy. A young and generous mind
reTolts from such things and suspects the sys-
ten that produces them Verify in despisnc
each others gifts, in speaking lightly of each
other preachers do the devil service. From
envy hatred and malice, good Lord, deliver
u.s." He must not be a novice. Pride goes |
with ministers to their studies. it chooses their
subjects, their words and ornaments. God
bids us be as plain as we can, but pride stands
by and contradicts ALL it dishonors our sermons
with childish conceits. Thus it makes mean
sermons, and what pride makes the devil
makes. When pride makes the sermon it goes
also into the pulpit and forms the tone.sets them
In pursuit of vain applause, it makes
them seek themselves and deny God. When the
sermon is over pride goes home with them and
makes them more eager TO know whether they |
were applauded, than whether they prevailed |
with any to the saving of their souls. Ministers
are to ask wisdom of God that they be kept
from falling, to be made prudent careful of
Bvery word and act and thus fill up the measure
Of PauPs last injunction and secure good re-
port Of them which are without"