The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-04-01
For the TIMES.
A Mans Fall May be Gods Call.

N man E3u may % dod'S lait
DR.. Huggins in last weeks "TIMEs" struck
& the key note In every christian heart when
he said s'thc o,usc Of Christ would suffer no
sback-sct from the foil OF q Minister Of this
county"
Men OF vastly more Influence and intelli-
gence have before this had downfall with
out hindrauce to the cause which all chris
tians have so much ut heart. Did Beecher's .
cro,ksdness injurs the Presbyterian Church ?
II &C sms almost travesty to cite this as q
comparis IN. when We consider the great
.difcrcnoe Ia the men, intellectually.
Some people cannot stand prosperity and
adhtation. 1t was notably SC with this man.
Ills dowofa!l came, TO some, like clap OF
thunder from clear sky.
Il may be, God gives woman keener in
tuition than man, for truth compels me to
own l was not ut oil surprised nor am I
cast down. l have no fears that Gods
pu.poso~ will be frustrated or His plan Of
re iempton changed.
earnestly hope this will be lesson to
all churches, of whatsoever denomination, TO
put their trust in God aud not in man.
hanor the noble calling of al ministers,
regardless Of sect or creed but his life
y;hust conform to his preaching. What i, a
: preacher but man? They are no an ,el,.
They, n, doubt, have the same trials, strug-
bles and many Of the temptations that we
have. have much moro confidence in the
sincerity of any mans religion, who will
frankly own he has hard time to keep him
self straight.
Let us drawa veil Of chaity over the
errors OF this once seemingly prosperous
minister. If his call to preach WAS from
God, and he is made Of the right kind of
materisl, he will rise from these troubles a
: better man.. He will realize his own weak.
~ 40 ia md NkoAs So 4.
. preacher 10 sin. and will 20 right to the
foot of the cross for help, comfort aud guild
ance. There he will find sure help, which
neper fails
To his former adorers say, take heart Of
grace, you viii find This Ito you) heavy
stroke Of fate, n blessing in disguise. Your.
church was getting off the right track, and
consider your minister largely, but not
altogether, responsible for it. My heirt goes
out in sympathy for his aged Father, o good,
true christian, believe.
Wrong is wrong, don't believe in that
weak, silly seutimentalty which tries to mako
wrong seem right. To sustain man in his
badness, even though he be your own flesh
aud blood, is not . virtue but weakness.
This applies with just as much force even
though he be or may havo been your pastor.
suppose sometimes it is quite possible for
even minister TO bo u prodigal. am sorry
to say there is q kind Of superstitious halo
thrown around the heads of most prodigals,
doubtless originating from the divine parable
or the human corruption Of It only people
forget how that prodigal son, sftrr suyng
81 will arise," did really arise, leaving be-
hind him his riotous living, his husks and
>bjs swine. He goes to his father, humb!ed
and poor; his father welcomes, loves and
forgives him. But most prodigal sons bring
their husks and their swine with them, nor
ever condesceud to say "I have sinned."
They appear neither hungry nor naked, but
quite cheerful and comfortable It never
occurs to some of them to forsake their sins,
nor feel any more penitence than is pictur-
esque or convenient to show.
Let us hope this ministerial prodigal will
be as honest in his professions as the prodi-
gal of whom the Master tells.
L.C.J.