Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1900-12-26

A Little Exhortatlon to Church Member i,

i #
at this season of the year at con-
ferences, conventions, oonvocations
and similar gatherings of ministers
of the gospel, the younger brethren
get a surplus of advice from superior
officers and their seniors in service
and age. That is all very we'll. If
it does the receiver no good, it oulti-
Yates the self-complacency and the
"Ego" of the giver in wonderful
degree. However competent the
writer is to supplement the advice
thus given, he proposes to turn his
attention to the congregations with
a few feeble remarks.
New preachers appear in many
churches the first of the year. The
old ones will be passing critical
stage of their pastoral experience.
1t is always enough to make a
thoughtful, earnest man pause and
think awhile before he begins the
New Years work. Then when he
is entering on the new century with
all its possibilities and responsible
ties, it is a serious matter. No
thoughtful man or woman, aoknow-
Lodging the guidance of the Holy
Spirit and the experimenting, loving
fatherhood of God, can pass the last
day Of the old century and the first
OF the new without some serious.
earneat, helpful thoughts and resolu-
tions.
The pastors of the churches need
the help, sympathy and cooperation
of every member of the flock. In
the first place let each member de-
termine that he will be an active.
efficient one. Attend public wor-
ship regularly and arrive on time.
DO not break your neck or legs get
ting out of church as soon as the
benediction is pronounced. Give
the stranger in the church welcome
and introduce to them the pastor and
such members as they would like to
meet. Give intelligent attention to
every part of the service. Do not
find fault with the sermon because
you are not in worshipful or atten-
tive spirit. Preachers are only hu-
man. They sometimes feel like stay
ing at home and resting instead of
cons ,nti,>e. services a day II
requires much patience and Christian
consideration to put up with every
thing the preacher says or does, but
put yourself in his place and you will
soon conclude that he has no holiday
job. Above all DO not bespatter
your preacher with flabby, nonsensi-
cal palaver intended as compliment.
If he is weak, vain man that is not
the proper treatment for him. If he
is an humble, strong man he becomes
disgusted with such hapdoodle. But
show an appreciation for your pas
tors work in the home and in tho
pulpit. Do this in discriminating
way, making it clear what thought
in the sermon helped you or what
friendly ministration was beneficial
to some family. Call at his home
and have a ncighborly chat with him
occasionally. Make him feel at home
in your house. Pay his salary
promptly, 80 that he will not have to
go on credit like moncylcss tenant.
DO not find fault with him behind
his back. If you do not like his
ways go to him alone and state your
grievance. If he is the right sort of
man he will thank you for your
honest dealing with him. A poor
congregation makes poor preacher.
a lively, attentive, working, Bible
reading, prayerful congregation may
make an excellent pastor and preach
er out of a common place man.
Carolina Spartan.