The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-09-26
MORAL AND RELIGIOUS.
81 Don't Like the Minister"

{ Man is creature of strong emotions,
with large capacity for liking, but
much larger one for disliking; the latter
may be larger only because oftener ex.
ercised. Because of our intense feel
ings, we are in danger of being gov
erned by our personal prejudice rather
than by a sense of justice and right.
There is no field in all the relations of
life where personal like and dislike
PLAYS 80 important part as when APP
piled to the ambassadors of the Lord
Jesus Christ. 81 like the minister,
therefore," etc. 81 don't like the min
lister, therefore," etc.
81 don't like the minister, therefore
will not go to hear him preach"
Some understand Paul as saying,
"Not forsaking the assembling of our
selves together when Barnabas or Peter
breaches; but should you not like the
laundering tones of the Boanergese
brothers, why, just stay at home and
read the Sunday newspaper; for such
course will impress your children, and
your neighbours children, with the i'm
portance of the sanctuary privileges
and of the necessity of remembering
the Sabbath day to keep it holy "
Because do not like the preacher,
am l justified in violating my solemn
church covenant wherein | promised to
assemble with the church for confer
ence, public worship and the observ-
ance of the ordinances of the gospel7
Because | do notllike the postmaster,
at the Office for the letter that is to no.
tify me of large legacy left me by a
dying friend or of my appointment to a
lucrative public position? The one is as
consistent as the other and in both
cases L would be the greater loser.
Disabuse your mind of the idea that
you are comforting a favor upon the
minister by attending his services, and
you will become more consistent, re-
liable attendant.
" don't like the minister, therefore
l will not help to support him."
A church is good thing-a bene fit
to the community, or it is not. AS.
Stunning it to be good, he who pays to
support a preacher that he likes, but
who refuses to do the same for one he
does not happen to fancy, pays to sup.
port personal friend and not to sus
tain an institution that increases the
value of his property, raises the moral
tone of society in the community and
points out the way to eternal rest.
That the world should be governed
by caprice in giving is not surprising,
but that an heir of glory should refuse
to help bear the expenses of proclaim
ing the truth, simply because he does
not like the messenger, is strange in
deed. Such an attitude must be the re-
suit of mistaken idea regarding Chris
tian giving or paying. The minister is
engaged and should be paid, as much
as your doctor or lawyer; other men
who serve you are paid, although, by
your intercourse with them, you may
learn to dislike them as men.
Further, all are under obligation to
preach the gospel, one as much as an
other; but, as secular affairs must be
attended to, only few are set apart
to the ministry, while the remainder
follow their own vocations. In this
sense the preacher is your proxy; hence
If you fail to pay your part for any
given year, you have failed to preach
the gospel during that year. But if Y GU
have with your gifts helped support the
minister employed by majority of
your church, you have done but your
duty in that direction; and your per-
sonal dislike for the man would have
been no excuse for doing otherwise.
81 don't like the minister, therefore
l may freely malign him."
The most fruitful topic for gossip in
all the world is the minister. He is
served up for dinner, warmed over for
supper and hashed for breakfast. In
making and receiving calls, chow do
you like the minister" opens profit
able (?) subject for conversation during
the half hour. Even the preachers
friends, with a regretful sigh, will
sometimes discourse about some mis-
lake or infelicity in delivery, and un-
Willingly weaken his influence for
good. Do not run down your pastor,
but give him your hearty and loyal
support by word and deed. Remember
that he belongs to you, and that in. in
juring him you injure yourself also;
that his honor is much in your keeping;
that his influence is affected just to the
extent of your influence in the COM
munity and in just the direction you
may be pleased to cast it; that people
WIN haNC iailu III JOu VIII lOOh upOI
him largely according to your represen'
tation. Remember further, that when
you injure the minister whom you dc
not happen to like, you also put per.
manent obstacle in the way of his sue
cessor whom, peradventure, you may
like, besides doing irreparable damage
to the cause of Christ. If you do not
like the minister and cannot possibly
fellowship him for the sake of Chris
and his cause, keep still, do your duty
and wait patiently until the church
calls to its pulpit more congenia
spirit.
81 don't like The minister, therefore
will turn against Jesus and my owl
highest interests"
In politics, if do not like the nomi
nee l will huzza for him at the top o
my voice, lest by any means SHOULD
cast an influence that would endange
the success of my party. But when i
comes to religion and the success o
Christ's kingdom-the salvation of i'm
mortal souls-my loyalty to Jesus il