St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-04-09
Answer to "A Case for Advice"
rThe Vermont Missionary for APRIL

think me presumiug albeit | may seem 10
he more wise than yourself. After read
mo A Case tor Advice in the March MIS-
sroNARY had feeling toreply. Brother
Rrav sets before us the case OF the Ola
Parish church as needing a minister. 1t
annears to be one of no uncommon KIND.
II NAV be difficult for an outsider to give
nertinent advice. However, few sug.
gestious NAV not be amiss. We are told
that their pastor, after about three years
Of service. left the field, and are assured
she was a real good man and generally
liked"
SUGGESTION first. Seek for a man to
fill the vacancy, not so thoroughly goo1d
as the late pastor. Let the line be wisely
drawn at this point. Goodness is indis'
pensable in its place; but beware, lest
TOO much be found in the modern pul pit.
1t did not work we'll in old Isaiah's time
nor vet in the days of James the Just, to
saw nothing of the later experiences OF st.
Paul. of Savonarola, or OF John Huss.
| Place therefore, upon your ministerial
committee, men of large callber, having
business side, a side for summer board
ers and another side for winter sports
and popular festivities, not to speak OF
progressive euchre or the promenade.
Instruct them to see that the candidate
is smart, good size, and sound, but by
all means, magnetic, even unto all draw
ing and no pushing. Goodness is
growth.
And as to the few characteristics here
thrown in by Brother Bray as possible
objections to their former minister, let
it be remembered as an incentive in Sc
Letting successor, that gray hairs and
great goodness usually keep close COM
panv, and that love tor the heather stands
for the same grace in the home field.
Therefore keep clear of him who advo-
Gates a world wide gospel, or says much
on the subject of six benevolences for the
year. In other words, fit be noted that
the prospective minister betrays long
ing for all souls, not willing that any
should perish, go and hear the next man.
$50 we sent in the minister's resigna-
| ton, passing resolutions on the elo-
quence Of his sermons and efficiency OF
his preaching. We wanted to make it
as easy for him as we could"
Sugge stion second. Don't make it too
easy for the minister. To be sure he may
be only beginner, but all the more open
to the dangers of flattery or the glitter
ing generalities of half uttered truths.
Why, then, pat him on the shoulder and
whisper cunning love in his ears, daring
the next day to inform other people OF
his minimum qualities and his maximum
faults? eve have a good little minis
ter, indeed, too good to be smart"
But, seriously we want to see men in
our Vermont pulpits of sterling integrity
thoroughly Christian, cultured kind
hearted, keen and brave. This manliness
OF character is not all birth. The beau
ty and symmetry thereof come not alone
of high.born parentage, but are hewn
from the original by blows OF steady and
patient toll. Therefore, let parishoners
take the minister by the hand, look him
full in the face and thank him for the
virtues personifed in his life, gently re.
tnindng him of possible improvements
But, stunning a sickly sentimentalisn
in intercourse with the minister, beware
of its counter evil Of harsh criticism. The
writer recalls an instance in point
The pastor had preached a downright
saucy sermon, because he was minis
terially mad. For once he ventured to
eliminate the maladv by a flank move
ment on the unsuspecting pews, He did
his duty snappingly after the manner o.
men. Shortly after he met Bro Wiseman
They had few words of conversation
when with undisguised abruptness hi
drew his blade Of criticism and thrust il
through his pastors soul, remarking a;
| 3 ba +h,,rIar Col tIa iri, AZ IA
"Never preach another such sermon az
you did last Sunday" He Immediately
retreated and so did the minister. Re
covering from the shock the pasto
dropped his resentment and then unused
Vengeance belOngeth unto Cod AnC
he has lived to see it so.
"A whole lot of applications came, say
ing what fine preachers the candidate
were, but how on account OF their owl
or their wives healths, they wished tC
live in the bracing air OF good old Yer
mont"
Suggestion third. Let the tables b.
turned on candidating, by having il
mind first that the evil in its incpiency i
with the candidate himself. AS it is il
things civil, reprehensible enough, so too
often is it in the church. For, in tn
; modern indetensibe sense of selfseeking
. the candidate steps apart from the spir
itudl law concerned, running before he il
: sent. Let candidates look first for tn
plain path of providence rather than TO-
a Larger field" or more remunerativ
: service. When the ark moves, move on
Second, by the church exercising its owl
J choice. This involves the initial right t
t seek the man. 1t implies also as the fun
. damental thing, that the templeship o
: spiritual gifts is in the heart of tn
church, Its living Head gave to thu
church, first, apostles. Therefore tn
body bearing his name has functions 81
important it behoves her to recogniz
and use them. Let the church know it,
needs and seek unto God in prayer, ask
ing for wisdom to look out men whom
He would approve and honor. Let hel
use means in proper harmony with thi.
right, and learn as among the first thing.
thereof, that her high mission demand.
that no man be allowed to enter the pul
pit whose standing is not known, anc
that this credentlal right, like a sentne
at the door, cannot be thrust aside will
impunity. Anything less than this i.
usetully suicidal and wicked, -Congrega
tionally wrong and spiritually democrat
5 izing.
Suggestion four. Do not mix things
as OF minister, parsonage, salary, out
siders. Things that have the power O
seltregulation need little mention, anc
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