The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1895-12-19
TEMPTATIONS OF MINISTER'S.


Some of the peculiar temptations be,
setting the Ministerial office were
pointed out by Rev. DR.. James Stalker.
author of 1.-THE Life Of Christ In re-
cent ordination address in Free st.
Matthew's church, Glasgow. one OF
these temptations, according TO Dr.
Stalker. is that arising from the min
ister's position as a student. There Is
special danger as the student makes
himself familiar with that movement
of thought that goes by the name OF
criticism.
Il do not call this movement skepti-
cal, although a great deal of current
criticism depends on naturalistic prin-
ciples. Opinions differ very much as TO
the probable effect of criticism In the
field of the church, but on this 1 pro-
nounce no opinion at present. what l
wish to point out Is that criticism looks
only at one side Of Scripture-the hui
man side. The Bible has human Side,
and the business Of criticism Is to col
lect all that can be ascertained about
It,. But 1t is possible to dwell SO con-
stantly on this region Of things as prac-
tically to lose the sense and the I'M
preston of the other side of Scripture.
But the Bible has another side, through
whatever human media 1t may have
reached us; 1t Is gift from the Eternal
Spirit, and 1t Is intended to be the
food of the human spirit. For the ap-
probation of this, however, there Is re-
quisite a totally different sense from
that which weighs the pros and cons OF
| evidence as to dates and authorship"
Other dangers which beset the min
lister come to him In his capacity as
preacher and pastor, and one of the
greatest of these Is professionalism. Or
| this DOint DIR Stalker saws:
1.-THE solemnity of even the most sol
| emn scenes may wear off. Through
| constant repetition the scenes which a
| first move the heart to Its depths may
cease to impress. There Is sense II
which minister's work Is business
like that of other people. He must, 1
he Is to retain his position, give certain
hours to study and certain hours t,
| visiting, and he must make certain ap
pearances in the pulpit; and he ma,
come to perform these duties with al
eye to those by whom he Is employed
Thus he may descend from the pulpi
| feeling that he has done his duty an,
| that his task Is over, but with no anx
| iety as to whether or not any spiritua
results follow. Only IL a ministe
yields to this state of mind, his worl
| loses all it's value and his own SOU
dies. He is no longer minister @
| 1ITlSt, Dut olliy TIE HldSk OF a minis
ter; and though his talents may b
brilliant enough to maintain his pos
| ton, his success Is only a soundin
brass and tinkling cymbal. 1t Is onl
when a minister as he visits. reall
carries on his heart the sorrows of hi
people, and as he studies, feeds frs
his own soul with the Word. and q
he breaches, keeps in his eye, first an
last, the spiritual profit of his nearer,
that he merits the name he bears.
sometimes think that the causes {
failures in the ministry are to be foun
mainly in this region. Failure is n,
due to want of ability or lack of dil
, gence, but the unseen flbers whic
should take hold on the divine realitie
have withered; and If this has hal
pened a man may be a respectable e.
clesiastic, or learned professor. or q
eloquent orator, but he cannot be
spiritual power"