The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1900-05-25
TIE YOUNG MINISTER.
After Ills MnsterIy Sermon the old
Doctor Gives Him Bit
of Advice.

The doctor, as 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 o
week, and this was his first sermon
since his ordination.
His friends thought it mastery ef
fort" He hoped the old doctor woulo
say this of it too. The effort had cost
him much study and prayer, and surely
deserved commendation. But the doc
tor only said: Good morning, Willy'
and talked of the drought.
The old man had known the young
minister since he was born, had lanceo
his frs tooth and brought him through
the measles. Ii was natural that he
should call him Willy. Still he oughl
TO recognize the fact that he had be
come a teacher of men, one whose office
was to declare the oracles of God.
The doctor meanwhile eyed askance
the smooth face, with sad yet half
questioning expression in his gray eyes
80 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.
"Well, I hope so. passed through
college and the seminary with success
~ you know" the lad said, mOdestly
81 have studied hard. l think / an
sound In doctrine. No man in my class
is better versed in the original Hebrew
and Greek of the Bible, and have made
myself familiar with modern forms Of
unbelef-the 'bane and antidote,' yol
know"
ayes. But what do you know Of
men?" 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|
cried the young man in surprise.
"Go out into the world as your Master
went. Mix with men and learn theiI
temptations ard the good and i'll OF
their lives. Get close TO them. Take
poor outcasts by the hand and try tc
lift them up. Feel with the tempted
mans heart, see with his eyes, think
with his thoughts. Then you will be
able 10 speak to men who are like him
words that they will understand
Neither they nor men Of higher mora.
character care to listen simply to 8
clever literary essay in the pulpit"
"You did not approve Of my sermon
then?" asked the minister.
1T was grammatical, terse and IL
good taste. The illusions were apt
The poetry was well recited. You told
us of a 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;
out of your own struggles against self
ishness and fieslry impulses, urging'
Behold. have felt the fire; il RACES II
every nature; it burns on every hearth
stone; II is ready to burst forth in every
daily act;' and then had proclaimed
Gods method for extinguishing it
every attentive soul in your audience
would have responded in personal sym
pathy and a desire for the better life
Young men in theological schools
are sheltered" said Willy, coldly, "an'
occupied by their studies, they note lit
tie Of the vice or Of the temptations o.
human nature in the world abou
them
"And that is the reason" said the doc
tor, promptly, that older men and ey
erv-day business men, who are force'
TO see and note both, and whose dali.
lives are filled with besetments, are no
eager 10 ill the pews to hear young mel
from the theological schools preach
The German apprentice, when he ha'
learned TO handle his tools, went ou
into the world for year or more-hi
Wanderiahr-to enlarge his experieno
and from personal observation to learn
if possible. how TO use them with great
er skill and efficiency. The same Gus
tom would be useful to the young min
lister" Youths Companion.