Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-27

The regular call service of the Sec
ond U. P. church was conducted last
evening at the present temporary
quarters in the A. o. U. w. temple, at
Fourteenth and Market streets. The
meeting was exceptionally we'll attend
ed. Rev. DR.. Balph, OF the St. Glars
vile, O., Presbyterian church deliver
ed the sermon. 1t was an excellent and
interesting discourse, replete with the
teachings of the Bible with respect to
the qualifications which are necessary
for a minister Of the gospel to have.
After defining the necessary quail
fications of the ministry, DR.. Balph
advised that it was not within the
power of any minister to secure the
salvation of any one, but that each
aided by the minister, must work out
for himself his own salvation. The
principle that there is can be such a
thing as human aid to DIVINE instru-
mentality is right. In the first place, a
great ministering is given the people.
The aim or end to be attained is the
next thing to be considered. 1t is not
the Office that is the gift of God, but
the man who fills that Office, who is
qualified and by the grace of God sent
out to labor for the master in some
part of the great vineyard of the
Lord.
In the sending forth of the workers,
ordaining some to he pastors or teach
ers, there is conjunction of the Divine
will with the cooperation of Gods
w people. For the people to select
their own divine teacher is a God given
right. Under some conditions it is
necessary to place a minister temper
arily in charge of a people, but it
is not the fundamental principle of
Presbyterianism.
Every minister of the gospel ought
to be not only a prophet but an evan
gelist, in order to present the teachings
of God for the salvation of the church
members in his charge. This is espe-
cially true in the case of the young.
And out of the great storehouse of
Gods word it should be the minister's
earnest work to secure the teachings
for the edifcation of the members in
their charge.
In speaking further of the duties OF
a minister, DR.. Balph said whatever else
may fall to his duty in life, his min
isterial work in primary. He should
not be a politician, a merchant, a busi-
ness man, o a holder of civil Office.
The gospel minister is appointed by
the great Head of the church, to gather
in the souls. There is Christ's prom
ise that there shall be generations OF
the ministry until finally the entire
host is gathered in.
The minister lis also appointed to
perfect the individual saints which
come within the scope of his ministry.
He must remember that he is not
the gift of God to the people, but they
are gifts to him that he may sanctify
them. He should be the busiest worker
in his realm.
In the ISL OF spiritual temple as in
the case of the house of stone, the work
of building must be perfectly builded
on the foundation, which is Christ, and
it is the minister's duty to see to it
that it is so constructed. In conclusion,
Dr.. Balph advised the co-operatioN OF
the pastor and the congregation in the
church for the sake of unity.
The formal call service was then
gone through with. Elder Frank Hare
nominated the Rev. j. H. Littell for the
vacancy. There were no other nomina-
tons, and they were declared closed.
The service was concluded with the
lbenediction.