The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-03-07
A PAPER BEAD BEToKE THz MINISTERIAL
ASSOCIATION OF soNEEsET, By REV. -.
BRrsrow, OF TEE PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH.

Inc ialthfui minister, being IN toucn
with Christ and in fellowship with him,
finds ample spiritual refreshment, but the
human mind, with which be works 50
intensely and continuously, needs recre-
alton, and the Creator made it 50.
The best secular reading we can COM
mand will furnish much Of this recuper-
alton, for mental idleness is not rest, it IS
rather a torture to well disciplined
mind. It has been we'll said that q
change Of occupation affords the best
rest.
Apart from the refreshment to the
mind in good literature there viii accrue
many advantages in improvement Of
style and facility of illustration in our
public ministry. In scientific works not
requiring intense study, We can find
much food for the mind and stimulus TO
helpful thought.
In astronomy, as the glorious universe
opens up to our vein, and We consider
the heavens the work of his fingers in
geology, as the interesting study Of the
strata Of tie earth claims our attention,
We can find
sermons in stones,
Books In the running brooks.
And good in everything
In botany we may find .efreshment,
as We see how wonderful and beautiful
are the plants and flowers; and so we
might 90 on, for this is a story without
an end.
But the sciences might be too serious
at all times to give recreation to the toll
worn mind. The best works of fiction
may be helpful, especially such as are
founded on fact. To the masters in this
line We owe more than We are willing 10
eoncede. A child will listen with eyes
rounding out with interest, as good stO-
~ is told, and "we are children Of
larger growth" that is all. There are
novels and novels; some of them ought
to 90 direct from the printing press into
the fire; some are commonplace and
vacuOus; while others ara good, and
might take their place by the Bible it
self Robinson Crusoe" and "Uncle
Toms Cabin" will never die while the
English language is spoken The poets
will afford rare enjoyment, that is if We
ourselves are not all prose. Foremost
among them is William Shakespeare"
whose wonderful creations Of character
and facility in the use OfNEords, was
marvellous. How much every preacher
owes directly or Indirectly to his way Of
putting things A minister once reprOv-
ing his people for reading Shakespeare"
thus gave himself away" And what
will you think Of having read Shakes
peare' when you reach that undiscoyer-
ed country from whose bourne no tray-
eler returns?"
First among the mighty in literature is
the Bard OF Avon" Wendell Holmes
was not far from right when replying TO
the question of young man what
books should l study? "The Bible,
Shakespeare and Webster's Dictionary"
We can take the gentle masters of Song,
and get much recreation by reading
aloud their works. "CIn read from the
treasured volume the poem ofour choice.
and lend 10 the rhyme Of the poet,
The beauty Of the voice.
And the night shall be dlled with music,
And The cares that iufest the day,
shall fold their tents like the Arabs,
And a silently steal away"
Strong minds have been moved and
greatly benefited by the perusal of the
best authors in fiction.
The we'll known story Of O'ConnelP'
is to the point here. He had been much
interested in Little Nell," a charming
character in one of Charles Dickens
works. The child dies in the story and
when the reader came to the pathetic
description Of her departure, ne Aung
down the book, exclaiming: Charles
Dickens Ye spIlpeen, YOU had not ge-
MUS enough to keep that chill alive." In
the high class magazines and reviews
there Is much to interest and stimulate
the mind. We may not endorse all con-
tanned in them by any means. Il is, how
ever, great advantage to have access to
them and Gull what sill be helpful. A
famous preacher, when hard pressed for
time, said he read the Bible" and the
q newspaper" We may, by iudiious Sc
lection, get much healthy recreation
here. do not like to see a man become
a newspaper" preacher, working into
his discourses al! the news Of the week,
but the minister is 10 understand the
times" and this he cannot do without
newspaper reading"
A minister who does not have access
to the current literature and newspapers
has 20 make bricks without straw"
andis much to be pitied.
We may fi1d recreative reading all
about Us, andlhsye facilities for mental
comfort at our doors. The preacher then
can do better work and more Of it, in Sc
riOus study, in the prosecution Of his
calling, if he permits bis mind to have
healthy change.
"Thea age viii nos withsr.
Nor cnstJm stale
His indnite variety"
! knew minister, "Rsv. Paxton
Hood" who had two tons Of books, and
be had read most Of ;hem. They en-
Draced every kind Of good literature,
and when his brain and heart wss tired
he turned 10 these friends Of bis for com
'ort and inspiration. We are human and
need human sympathy AS well as divine.
Mr.. Spurgeon once said There are
books in OoT Libraries clothed in sheep
kin, If not in goatskiD," doubtless
hey often find US afflicted and torment
d." And all book lovers will add, they
,ring Us comfort, too.
There is so much that is good in litter
Iture" that We may have Of the best,
md e our people know this is our habit,
ne example will do them good.
We can hold fellowship with the greatest
minds Of all ages, and no one worthy Of
ur calling will 90 otherwise. We shah
md rest in so doing and also keep SAL Q
q religious matters. There will follow
90 a manly utierAnce without the sane
imOuious tyang Of the PhaFisees- and