Morning journal and courier., 1891-05-18
IN THE MINISTRY.
Reasons Given by Dr. Gordon to the Graduates of the Seminary - The Best Professions-InteIle al Limi- tatIons-Loye Mostly Rmpb,. .tzsd

ENTHUSIASm IN THE MINISTRY. Reasons Given by Dr. Gordon to the
 Graduates of the Seminary The
 Best Professions-Intene Limi-
 tatfons-Love Mostly Emphasized.
 The graduating students of the Yale theological seminary last night listened to the regular graduating sermon in Center church, which was preached by Dr. George A. Gordon of Boston. A little be- fore 7:3O the students of the graduating class, as usual, all marched down together and took the seats reserved for them. The pulpit was occupied by Dr. George E. Day, Professors Harris, Braston and Fisher. A number of the faculty and students from the academical- department also attended.
 Dr. Gordon preached on the reasons for enthusiasm in the ministry. 'T mean, II said he, "the love for the salvation of the souls of men. It was ever Christ's ioy to save men. He not only did his work bet ter than all others, but he put such earn estness and sympathy into his work that others longed to do the same, even to walking on the water. There are many reasons why we should be enthusiastic We live by our profession; we receive ma terial reward, and we are bound to give an adequate return. Webster used to say that sermon was the best which took the deepest hold on his conscience. Through the fall of the apple the law of the uni verse was seen by Newton's careful eye In the fall of the sparrow is shown Gods universal love. We receive power to earn eternal life. We live by our calling; let us not live upon it.
 "Again, we must not have more respect for other professions than our own. From such as do comes the vail that the pulpit has lost its power. While we should not underestimate things outside of us, it is just as bad to overestimate them. When Grant first went in command of the army he supposed he had good reasons for fear ing the experienced confederate command CT, but on the lstter's retreat found he had as good reason to be afraid of him. Other ministers hesitate between literary and pro- fessional attraction. All I will say as to this danger is, Remember Lots wife If you hesitate you will be neither cold nor hot. No man having put his hand to the blow and looking back is fit for the king dom of God
 ''The intellectual limitation of our min istry is well known. We can't read half the books we would. The minister must oo loIoNef WoEhluS ou tuc questions UT philosophy and as motives for these stud ies he must long to know the divine char acter and to help others.
 ''We need especially to remember that there is kingdom of God in this world and that for this end we must work. This conception of an order given by God for this world, the conception that is summed up in the one word Love, this vast and thrilling conception must never depart from our remembrance. Our thoughts must have this ideal background, that the reign of eternal love is to be re- established in the souls of men. Much may be done at home, much in the schools, much by books, but these do not in the least supersede the ministry, which is necessary for the truth in hand. I have heard ministers say that they simply discuss the truth and leave the congregation to make their own application of it. Sermons should be nothing but application, for the hearers will see the ideas but forget the application unless it is pointed out; and making a wrong application is an illustration of Bunyan's words, There I saw way to he'll even from the gate of heaven The minister shares in creating character with many cooperating forces. His work is in summing of all the forces; to call into play all the truths of life and complete them 1n one vast ana Deautl1ul appucRtlOn for life.
 ministry ministry of love. Get some thing to do which shall engage your whole soul. If we love our calling it will then be suggestive, and we shall find it the completest means of self-expression. It was thinking doubtless along this line that fellow preacher remarked to me How can those poor fellows get along who are not ministersf
 "The preacher is an artist, too. He has his conceptions of life, duty and beauty. The Psalms are instinct with love and beauty, because they are made by man full of them; and the Tyre is to the psalm what the preacher is to the pulpit. Shakespeare did not write his works for bread and butter, but out of his love for men. Oh, draw your service out of the deep, deep sea of love, which is the law of