The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-09-30
THE MINISTER.
Mr.. Malvern Says He Is Gods Business
Man Doing Gods Business on Earth.

Gardiner, Sept. 29-At the Free Will
Baptist convention here this evening Rev.
Lewis Malvern, of Portland, delivered an
address on Business Methods in the
Lords Business" Mr.. Malvern said that
he did not suggest the subject, which
was given him by the committee on as
signments. But he cheertully accepted
the topic, believing it to refer to what is
only second in Importance to the spiritual
work of the church. In what he had to
say it should be understood that his re-
I4arks applied to Christian Endeavor and
other societies as well as to the church,
Every body knows, said Mr.. Malvern,
that an orderly and we'll regulated family
with bills all paid goes a long way to
create happiness. Every commercial en-
terprise having first class credit, taking
advantage of all discounts, with assets
far exceeding liabilities, all things being
equal, will do larger business and with
less friction than firms lacking these es-
sentials. And certainly it is greater
pleasure to work for such a firm than for
one which is always wondering how
they can make both ends meet. What Is
true in worldly business Is equally true
in church business. Let us try and real
Use that we are Gods business men and
women; Eot merely sentimentalists.
real cheerful men, women and children
doing business for God.
The Master said: 'sWist ye not that
must be about the Fathers business?"
'fLet us be diligent in business, fervent
in spirit, serving the Lord"
A pastor for his church should not be
one whit behind the man in business in
his business methods. For Gods bust
ness, Brother Ministers, we ara God g
business men. Standing on the street
one day thought to myself, "Oh, wish
I were business man." The thought
came to me like flash Of inspiration:
'sI'ts your business to N axe one of God S
business mon. You cannot tell what a joy
| came into my heart for thai experience.
l said, by the grace of God. will, and
from that hour my heart has gone out
after business men,,
l
make good business men. Then you must
| act as a manly, business man acts and
gain the confidence of business men. You
may say what you like, but our churches
| have to be supported by business men
and one of the notices of business men is
''Does my investment pay?' ''Do l get
value received for money laid out?'
| And if they do, business men willingly
make the investment. 1t takes great
deal of good, sound common and bust
| ness sense to be a successful pastor. /
| believe ths t he can be successful pastor,
who, if God permitted him to go into
business or profession, would be equally
successful. For there is no calling that
| calls into active use all the powers of q
man in tact, wisdom, knowledge, body,
mind and spirit, as does the pastorate of
the present day. / have no respect for
my ministerial dignity; but have all
| the respect in the world for my Christian
character. l will ask no man to do for
| me what he is not willing to do for any
other man under similar circumstances.
There are no men in the world who re-
turn to the world SO much for what he
gets out of 1t as the humble minister of
Jesus Christ, doing business for God on
earth. We have to take into account his
personal life and influence, his family's
life and influence, his ministry to the
sick and discouraged, his words of
| warning and advice to all ages, classes,
and conditions the innumersble acts of
kindness of which no possible account can
be made, but which are of daily OCCUR
| renee, the funerals he attends when his
own heart is lacerated and some dear
parish Toner is called away.
Mr.. Malvern then went on to speak of
| certain practical methods of work in the
church and in the societies connected
| with it.