The colored American., 1902-05-24

OF Christian ministers; but if you
travelled around and would meet some
ministers whom l have met at rail
road stations, IN the streets and other
places where they should have been
tidily clad, but were not, you would
discern the reason l make these re
marks. In this same connection il
seems fitting that l remark that the
habits of smoking on the streets, in
public places; loud talking, and
similar conduct should never be in
dulged in by a minister. 1t is need
less to say it is nothing less than
slow but sure paralysis to ministerial
influence. and stumbling stone to
ministerial success.
Permit me a few more words along
another line which l hope you may
receive in the same spirit in which
they are offered. Brethren, l find
there is great necessity in our minis
ters making efforts to win men and
women as individuals In other
words, we should go out after men.
or a man. as the case may be. use
every righteous means, and put forth
our most earnest efforts to secure his
or their attendance upon the services,
and ask that he or they ally them
selves with the work of the church
in some open or distinctive way.
This is not said to have you go out
after any particular class, but | want
you to strive to save men and women
as individuals. In taking such
course you have the most eminent eX-
ample in the ministry of our Lord
and Master. the Blessed Christ. |
know of some denominations that are
largely built up through such plan.
The minister leads off and the mem
bers follow his example. AS ministers
we must make our services interest
ing, and our sermons pointed and
forceful. Do not misunderstood me :.
I do not want you to doctor or dilute
the Gospel with show of wisdom,
or by preparing and giving the people
essays. You want to prepare to preach,
but always prepare a Gospel sermon
which is always the power of God
unto salvation to all that believe it;
and it will always prove effective when
preached by a truly called and fully
cOnsecrated preacher. If you write
your sermons preach them; if you
study them out and do not commit
them to manuscript, preach them. Do
not read the Gospel, but preach the
Gospel whether you use a manuscript
or go to your pulpit without one. The
more you can free yourself from the
manuscript the better; but see to it
that you give the people wholesome
Gospel food, served in such style that
it will be we'll received and heartily
relished. Do this and you will have
hearers, save souls, and build up your
churches. There was never a time
when there was greater need of a
great religious awakening than now.
Let Zion's Watchmen awake.
One more suggestion and | leave
this line of thought. Brethren. keep
abreast of the times by reading and
allaying yourself with such move
ments and taking interest in such
matters as will enable you to improve
yourselves. Let no occasion pass
where you have an opportunity to dc
good or push your church to the front
Do all the good you can, to all the
people you can, in all the ways you
can, and every time you can.
} OUR CHURCH AND THE CAUSE OF EDUCA
TION.
[ The A NJ E. Zion Church was or
ganiZed as separate and distinct race
organization to demonstrate the ca
pacity of the Negro, to prove his right
and merit to enjoy equal privileges
with other Christians, and to demon
strate his ability to develop, operate
and control his own affairs.
| think all fair-minded persons vii
agree that she has had more thar
!. ordinary success along the above lines