Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-07-23
THE MODERN MINISTER

ern minister" The very fact that these
subjects are discussed Is an indication
of the dissatisfaction, felt in the Chris
tIan world. with the systems into which
Chrlstendom is divided. and also with
the preachers and "divlnes' who stand
before the world as the exponents OF
religious doctrines
The tendency of modern thought In
reference TO religion Is away from that
dennlteness Of instruction and that pos
itlve authority, which characterized the
ministratlons OF the disciples OF the ga
vlor, whom He sent into the world with
a specific mission. The teachings Of the
present day are offered chiefly by way
OF opinion and they are presumed to
be interpretations Of the writings OF
dead prophets and apostles, without
anyhpparent attempt to obtain direct
information from the source from
which those divinely inspired writer's
obtained their light and power.
In a recent address given by Profess
for Emerton OF Harvard University,
the qualities which should be possessed
by the modern minister. and the func-
ton he should fulfil in modern society,
were outlined as he and others under
stood them. His address has been re-
viewed with comments. by writer oc-
cupying the leading column in the edit
oral page Of the Worcester Spy. The
Idea conveyed s that while II would
be a misfortune TO abolish the modern
church and its ministry. yet a change
In both Is absolutely Unnecessary. They are
TO be regarded In the future without
that sanclty and authority with which
they were formerly invested. They are
necessary, but simply az helpers and
leaders In the things OF the spirit"
Religion is defined by these advocates
of a modern church and ministry as
simply the natural expression Of
mans higher light II this Is correct,
their Ideas concerning the functions Of
the Church and OF Its ministers
might be regarded az right.
But the notion itself is new.
when contrasted with the theory set
forth In the Bible, whether in the Old
or the New Testament, and Ia altogeth-
or different from that which was pre-
scented to the world In the light OF d.
vine inspiration. Religion was obedl-
ence 10 the word and win Of the Lord
The writer in the Spy says
''But many Of the ideas which invest
cd the minister OF the old DAYS with a
power and sanctity that set him apart
from other men. cannot BE- allowed TO
form any part OF the equipment OF the
modern minister
This new kind Of minister must dis
card all priestly assumptions and func-
lions. He must not attempt 10 stand
between men and God as the solitary
channel through which the water "
life may flow. Neither must he as.
sumo either the tone or the role OF a
prophet. utterlng oracles of God hidden
from other souls. He must be a man
among men. In the world, and OF II,
and yet above g."
This Is indeed a new kind Of minister
for the Church Of Jesus Christ. Nothing
like him appeared In that Church as the
Master established IT, He may be- suit.
ed to the sectaries OF the present age.
and to the societies which they have es-
tabllshed according TO their varied no.
tons, as predicted by the Apostle Paul.
that the time would come when the
people would not endure sound doc
trine" but would heap TO themselves
teachers, having itching ears THE min
listers Of old who were sent Of God aid
not preach "by The entlclng words Of
mans wisdom, hut In the demonstra-
tion and power OF the Holy Ghost"
II the modern minister must throw
away all priestly authority and func-
lions. and must not assume the tone or
the role OF prophet nor utter the ora
cles Of God, then he viii be utterly un-
worthy Of the name Of minister Of
Christ. He will be simply the paid ser
want OF the people to whose views and
opinions he must pander, whose church
IA man-made, whose doctrine Is mere
opinion. whose ceremonies are not a..
vine. and the whole Of which Is simply
society arrangement without any
thing corresponding TO that organlza-
ton which the Savior called His
Church.
II il astonishing that persons pro
Tossing to regard the Holy Scriptures
as the only guide TO salvation. should
entertain the idea that such a specimen
Of the modern minister would In any
way supply the place of any Of the min
listers placed in the Church by its dlyln,
Founder In writing to the Corinthians
Paul said:
"And God hath set some IN the
church: first apostles seconiarily
prophets. thirdly teachers after thst
miracles. then gifts ~ healing helps,
governments. diversltles ~ tongues
Cor. xii 2S.
And 10 the Epheslans Paul said:
"And H. gave some apostles, ana
some prophets. AMI some cVangelIe.
and some pastors and teachers Tor the
perfectlng ~ the Saints. for the WORK
81 the ministry. for the edifying ~ the
body u Christ tili We al come IN the
unity ~ the faith and Of the knowledg,
~ "a. Son NJ Cod INTO a uprfocf man.
unto the measure ~ the stature Of thu
fullness Of Christ Nv, s. :.
These ministers set in the church by
divine authority declared the word OF
the Lord. They had no opinions to Of