Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24
THB YOUNG MINISTER.
After His MRSterly Sermon the old
Doctor Gives Him q hit
OF Advice

The doctor, a. he walked slowly
homeward down the village street in
the quiet Sunday afternoon, was Joined
by the young minister, who had
preached that morning in the little
church. lie had been ordained only a
week, and this wac his first sermon
Gnce his ordination.
His friends thought 1t a mastery ef.
FORT" He hoped the old doctor would
say this of it too. The effort had cost
him much study and prayer, and surel,
deserved commendation. But the doc
tor only said: Good morning, Willyi"
and talked of the drought.
The old man had known the young
minister since he was born, had lanced
his first tooth and brought him through
the measles. It was natural that he
should call him Willy. Still he ought
80 recognize the fact that he had be.
come teacher OF men, one whose Office
was TO declare the oracles of God.
The doctor meanwhile eyed askance
the smooth face, with a sad vet half
questioning expression in his gray eyes.
So I've reached the goal at last" the
young man said, presently.
You are fully qualified now to take
charge OF a congregation" asked the
doctor.
We'll, hope so. 1 passed through
college and the seminary with success.
as you know" the lad said, modestly.
II have studied hard. think am
sound in doctrine. No man in nv class
Is better versed in the original Hebrew
and Greek Of the Bible, and have made
myself familiar with modern forms OF
unbelief-ths 'bane and antidote,' you
know"
"Yes. But what do you know OF
menT' gravely demanded the doctor.
What have you learned of sin? That
poor tavern-loafer yonder knows the
depths in the devils power and Gods
patience OF which you never dreamed.
How can you preach to such as hep"
What would you have me to do?"
er1ed the young man in surprise.
go out into the world as your Master
went Mix with men and learn their
temptations and the good and Ill of
their lives. Get close to them. Take
poor outcasts by The hand and try to
lit them up. Feel with the tempted
mans heart, see with his eyes, think
with his thoughts. Then you will be
able TO speak to men who are like him
words that they will understand.
Neither they nor men Of higher moral
character care to listen simply to a
clever literary essay in the pulpit"
you did not approve of my sermon,
then|' asked the minister.
1t was grammatical. terse and in
good taste. The illusions were apt.
The poetry was well recited. You told
MS OF flame which you proved logically
would burn US, of which you had read
In three languages. If you could have
spoken-as trust you may some day
out OF the temptations of your own life;
cut or your own struggles against self
tshness and f1eshly impulses, urging:
Behold, have felt the fire; il RACES in
every nature; 1t burns on every hearth
stone; 1t is ready to burst forth in every
daily act;' and then had proclaimed
Gods method for extinguishing it,
every attentive soul'ir your audience
would have responded in personal sym-
Rathy and desire for the better life"
Young men in theological schools
are sheltered" said Willy, coldly, "and
occupied by their studies, they note lit
tie OF the vice or of the temptations Of
human nature in the world about
them"
And that is the reason" said the doc
Tor, promptly, "that older men and ev-
ery-day business men, who are forced
10 see and note both, and whose daily
lives are filed with besetments, are not
eager to I'LL the pews to hear young men
from the theological schools preach.
The German apprentice, when he had
learned to handle his tools, went out
into the world for year or more-his
Wanderjahr-to enlarge his experience
and from personal observation to learn,
IL possible, how to use them with great
er skill and efficiency. The same Gus
tom would be useful to the young min
Sster."-Youth's Companion.