Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1903-06-12

Richard Baxter once declared tnat Inc
minister had 20 face the greatest OF all
daily temptations. lie lived In an ex-
ceptional period. ana l do not believe
he would have suid SO had he been liv-
ing I'm this day. Temptations come to
the pulpit, but not with the same viru-
lence and bitterness as they assail the
pew. The gospel minister by his off,
ciaI position f. under the influence of
good associates. He has surrounding
him some OF the best men and women
who are Inhabitants of the community
In which he lives. These Christians
are not only praying for his work, but
also for him. We all believe i'm the
power OF prayer. Is there TO be no di-
rect result upon the minister's life on
account OF this spiritual association?
When I entered college two or three
different secret societies wanted me to
join their organizations. One was COM
posed of men notorious for their dissi.
pations. They were drinkers, card play
ers, carousers. Another was poorer
society financially. but was composed
for tie most part OF noble Christian
boys. said TO myself: IL cannot afford
to place myself IN n position where l
may be surrounded by men who drink
and gamble. l VIII join the society
which is poorer financially, but whose
spiritual members will lift me up in
stead of dragging me down." The con-
secrated gospel preacher in the same
way is always surrounded by good men
and women and not 10y bad. He can
not IL he would associate with evil
companions or go TO questionable
aIpusemcpts or desecrate the Sabbath
II he did lie would be Immediately de-
barred from his pulpit ministrations.
Therefore, my young friend. you
Should desire TO enter the gospel minis
try for these purifying and holy ASSOC
Citations that will lift you up instead of
dragging you down.
Hemmed with Noble Influences.
The gospel minister has the same
temptations as other men. Why, that
is absurd. do not believe I am what I
am because L am stronger than other
men. ! believe ! am what am because
God has surrounded me by praying
men and women and hemmed me In
with noble influences and bound me
hand and foot with the golden mana
cles of their petitions. II these holy as
sociates should be taken away from
my life would tremble for what the
results might be. Suppose I were a
poor farmer elected TO the state legis-
iature. Suppose the lobbyists wanted
10 purchase the right Of way for rail-
road franchise and offered me q $1,000
bride. Would take III do not say I
would, butsI thank Sod Satan hes new
er been able to tempt me with the
chance, Suppose i were a Chicago po-
lice captain on a small salary, living
every day ia fear that my Official head
would be decapitated. Suppose that by
shutting my eyes upon few houses OF
evil resort l could have an income of
$4,000 a year. Would L take il? / do
not say that would, but thank God
I have never been placed In such q DO
sition of temptation where L had the
chance. Suppose wanted to become a
physician. Suppose had to enter one
of our modern medical schools I'm which
are crowded among many students tho
infidel, the blasphemous and the lewd.
If I should take such medical course
would L come out as pure morally as I
did after ! had lived for three years In
Christian seminary My young
friend, If God calls you to be lawyer
or doctor or legislator or police captain
or merchant 90 ahead and be what he
intends you TO be. He will give you
strength 10 resist any temptations that
may come in your way IL you will only
ask him. But IL he calls you to be n
Christian minister and you deliberately
turn deaf ear TO that call tremble I'm
reference to your future. tremble for
your spiritual life when you have TO
face the temptations that beset the av-
erage man i'm the outside world.
tremble when you shall not have the
guarding, guiding. protecting influence
or praying men about you, such as sur
rounds the average life Of the Christian
minister.