The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-04-29
CHARGE TO THE PEOPLE.
Delivered at the Installation of Rev. Dir
McElmoyIe over the Presbyterian
Church of EIkton, Md, April
10Th 1898. by Rev. ). w.

Delivered at the Installation of Rev. Dir.
McElmoyIe over the Presbyterian
Church of EIkton, Md, April
10Th 1898. by Rev. ). w.
Reigart, ID. ID.
You have Just listened to recital of
the duties incumbent upon him who has
been installed pastor over you; why
should not these services end right here?
Why add another charge to the one you
have lust listened to? It's the minister
who has to do the preaching. It's the
minister who is to VISIT the sick, and
feed the lambs of the flock, What have
the people to do but to listen to his
preaching, to enjoy his administrations,
and pay his salary? Well, are not these
important duties? Do congregations
never overlook them? Is there no need
Of their being reminded of them? The
trainers of our church government
evidently thought there was, or they
would not have made provision for this
double charge. And is there any duty,
my friends, eujoined upon your pastor,
which does not impose a corresponding
obligation upon you? The covenant
entered into this day is a mutual covon
ant. There are two parties to 1t, as in
the marriage relation, and il the hus
band is to protect the honor and welfare
of the wife, the vile is to protect the
honor and welfare of the husband. Now
our brother who is today installed over
you, is, in the frs p!tc9. preacher
He ia chargeable with the great work of
preaching to you the Gospel, What
then is your duty to him III this char
acter? Meekly to receive the word at
his lips, TO be in your places when that
word is preached and to listen to It, as
the word of God. the same bell which
calls him to the place of prayer, calls
you to the place of prayer. Tho same
excuse that would keep him from his
place in the pulpit, may keep YOU from
your place in the pews, but no other.
When the sun shines TOO hot, or the rain
falls too fast, or the wind blows too hard,
or the snow lies too deep, for your pastor
|
may read sermon at home; or when your
neuralgia, or influenza, or rheumatism is
80 severe that on week day it would
keep you from all appointment for busi-
ness or pleasure with a friend, thea it
may keep you from your appointment to
meet tha Lord in His temple for worship.
| Otherwise you should honor God aud
encourage your pastor by your presence
in the congregation. The very sermon
you fail to hear, may have been specially
prepared for you. 1t may be the very
message your soul needs. When
in your place, take heed hOW ye hear.
| Hear with both ears. Hear with your
own ears Don't tind fault if the SER
mon is i lie lengthy. Don't get angry
if it's toD pointed. II the shoe fits, wear
! it, and I've thankful that the preacher
has taken your measure. Don't take
| out your watch to see if the sermon has
| exceeded thirty minutes. Don't fall
| asleep during It's delivery. The young
man who fell asleep while Paul was
| preaching was saved only by miracle.
| Remember the sermon is not done. when
| the preacher has reached his finally, my
brethren" 1t is not done until its teach
| ings have been transmitted into your
| character and conduct. Don't consider
the benediction a summons to pat Oh
| your cve.a rat, and don't 90 out without
! Ii oil
and giving as many as are within reach,
especially il they are strangers, hearty
| shake OF the hand Hand shaking is
means Of grace. SO is polite usher in
| church II 4 sermon does you good, tell
your pastor. 1t will do him good to
know that his preaching is not in vain.
| When man does his duty, it doesn't
| hurt him to let him know that his efforts
are appreciated. 1t will encourage him
| to try to do still better. Invite others 70
come to church with you. A proselyting
spirit is detestable, but in every COM
munity there are non church goers wait
ing an invitation to come to church.
"Let him that heareth say, Come"
| Avoid a spirit of criticism. Nothing
Injuries PASTORS Influence so much as
faul uding You can talk a man up,
or you can talk him down. II you want
to fill up your church, and encourage the
preacher, talk him up. This will help
him in his work. But, again, your
minister is not only a preacher, but
pastor, that is shepherd. He is your
leader, guide, counsellor and friend. He
bears you on his heart. He prays TOR
you. He is ready to comfort you in
trouble. He needs comfort himself.
He needs your prayers. He needs your
co operation. Give him all the help you
eau in his work Take to him your
troubles and trials and difficulties, but
don't pour into his ear all tie gossip of
the neighborhood Don't inform him OF
all the unpleasant things that occur in
the congregation If any body says any
thing unkind about him, it isn't neces-
say to run and tell him. One blue
Monday in the week is enough Don't
expect your pastor to build up the church
while the member folds their arms and
look on. Don't expect him to do all the
preaching aud all the visiting, and all
tbs praying Tor the congregation. Don't
expect him TO do any work that you can
do. The church is a workshop in which
every man has his work. Find out what
YOURS is. ard do 1t. Remember the
\ PASTORS wife is not included in the call.
, She draws no part of the salary. She is
t under no more obligation to run the
f Missionary Societies, and the Mite
Society, and the Aid Society, and to
f visit the sick and to teach class in the
/ Sunday School than any other woman in
!. the CHI urch Don't expect omnscience
r in your pastor, or complain if you are
K sick day, ard he hasn't been to see
0 you. Treat him as you treat your ply
d siciau, when you want him. Remember
e the advice of James. is any sick? Ls
o him call for the Elders of the Church
II and leS them pray over him." Dom
t neglect the prayer meeting, and then
d wonder why the church is so cold. L
!. the victory is to be won over Amelek
- Aaron and Hur must hold up tn,
It leaders, hands. The front seats il tai
t prayer meeting are as strong as those ii
e the rear. HE that hath ears to hear
:. Let him hear" h that hath voic
} to sing, let him sing, when the peopl
1t praise the Lord The man who enter