The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-07-19
Wednesday, July 10. 1899.

Will some experienced minister or lay yman
tell us how to head man of when gets start
ed to telling wonderful incidents of his Owl
life? We boast of no skill along that line
We have made some calls In cases OF slck
ness sometimes-and have had 10 sPeno inc
time listening to marvellous incidents ~
hunting and fishing and travelling anu au
ventures with cattle, &C., together Wltn some
accounts of fearful cases OF slckness
thrown in for the edifcation OF the patlent
and have gone away feeling that we We 9a1 nnnar ar
tunity for good deal Of gas to be lei on. we
have tried to turn the current OF con versa;
ton or stop 1t, but we have oeen deIeAteu
somettmes and we want some one VINO mas
been successfu' to tell us his plans. Perhaps
there are some others, too. who woulo nnd
this Information useful. There are seVersi
persons here and there tnronsnoI inS Sisiory
and private opinions are interesting 10 every.
body, and who proceed 10 make known Lne
same on all occasions. NOW how 70 conVInce
other subjects might be more profitable, OF
how TO get him to consent 10 fair DIVISION
of time, is the question we want answered.
Associate Reformed Presbyterian.
The Press and Banner Is neither an "experi'
enoed minister or layman," but he Will sug'
gest:
l. That the presence of good man ls
worth much to even the humolest or tne
least informed citizen. There is about the
sincere Christian q halo, and purity In the
atmosphere which surrounds him, that goes
out to bless those whom the good man might
comfort and possibly lead to higher things.
Q. The fact that the minister listens to talk
which Is totally at variance with his own
tastes and sentiments proves that he is good
Samaritan. A good listener, possessed OF
kindly heart, IS q good minister indeed.
8. Suppose the man who was striving TO be
agreeable, had been required to keep SILENT
while the preacher from his own standpoint,
explained the divine plan OF salvation and
the redeeming grace OF our Saviour, or mad
told stories of Milton or related the dreams
of Bunyan, who would have been benefited
The preacher would have had satisfaction IN
presenting gospel truths which his nearer
was unable either 10 appreciate or to compre'
bend, while the man whom he would beneht
and interest would have been fatigued OF
made tired.
4. From the Presbyterisn's own statement
OF the case, we are inclined to the opinion
that his visits, no matter how they seemed to
him, were not without good result, and thai
hs ought not to tire in visiting the sick, even
those who talk OF hunting and other sports.
Our Saviour was never unmindful OF the
humble, and he never turned his back upon
those who were ignorant Of the conventional
tiles.
Even II the preacher so far subjects hiR
own pleasure to the qualification OF
the one to whom he would minister, he
does good by his very presence. and any ap'
parent interest in the matters which Interest
the sick man will draw the afflicted man to
him, and when Christian men have the love
and esteem OF the wayward, or when they
have the confidence and respect OF those who
are ignorant Of the better customs. then may
ministers may exercise the widest and best
influence.
The man who seeks to interest a learned
and devout minister Of the gospel with stories
OF hunting. fishing, or other little uninterest'
ing incidents In bis own life excites pity, and
over whose shortcomings we would throw the
mantle of charity. Such one has need OF
milk, and not Of strong meat.
All men In turn become sick, and there are
few indeed who are not glad to see the preach
or. The preacher by tact should study the
sick man and understand his idiosyn crasies,
80 that his presence may be grateful and In.
spring. BY listening to the sick man the
preacher may in turn enlist his sympathles
and goodwill, and these may have the effect
OF drawing his heart to the source of all good.