The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-06-09
CHAPEL OF CUMBERLAND CHURCH r..
 OPENED AND MIR. CRAWFORD INSTALLED
But what might fill an angels heart, And filled a Saviors hands

The great work of the minister is to preach, and in order to do this effectively, he must study. Paul said to Timothy. Study to show myself approved unto God. a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth The pulpit should be the minis ters throne of power. It canot be throne of power. without intense, earnest and prolonged study.
 Since preaching is your great work. the question arises, What are you to preach? answer that you are to preach the Word. Paul said in his farewell message to Timothy, I charge thee, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ preach the Word So I charge you to preach the Word-not scientific discoveries, not phil osophic conclusions. not the speculative thoughts of the age, not he remedies of ! social reformers for the ills of the times. not your views and opinons, but the Word. What is the Word? Tn the begin ming was the Word. and the Word was with God and the Word was God So the Word Is the Master Himself. Preach Jesus.
 Why preach the Wordc
 God has called you to preach the Word. When you were but boy, you felt that God had laid His hand upon you. and you heard Him say, in that still. small voice, Go, preach my Gospel There could be no mistake about it. And when you knocked at the door Of Presby- tery, you were admitted on the evidence which you gave of an internal call to the Gospel ministry. The results of your work give abundant proof that God has called you. Every true minister Of the Gospel today Is called of God To be effi- cient. he must be God-made. Colleges and universities cannot make a minister. They aid in qualifying him for his work but they cannot make a true minister.
 God commands you to preach the Word. You are not to defend the Word; 1t does not need 1t. You are not to dissect 1t or paint 1t, but preach It. The people demand 1t. You cannot substitute anything for the Word. Peo- pie are hungering for the pure. simple Word of God today. Too many return from church, and say That was a beau- tful sermon; 1t was flowery and poetical and entertain ming, but 1t did not feed our hungry souls
 How preach the Word? Preach the Word entire. Proclaim the justice of God, as we'll as His love and mercy. Ministers are tempted to dwell on such pleasing themes as the love of God, and the happiness of Heaven. But We must preach hell as well as Heaven. Preach Judgment to come, as well as joys to come.
 Make the message clear and plain.
 
 every one, including the children, cap understand every word. When Christ was in the world, the children under | stood His teachings; the poor and un- educated understood Him. Hence, we read The common people heard Him gladly Every minister of the Gospel should initiate His example. Preach the Word with Christ-like ten derness and love.
 "RrOther Ora Wford man able and eloquent, can depend upon his | preaching alone for success. More de- l bends upon life as a pastor than upon | your work as a preacher.
 You must visit from house to house | It is said that A house going parson makes church going people. Study the Bible, and spend much time in prayer. Above all. seek the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. 'Ye shall receive pow CT after the Holy Ghost is come upon you.
 "A congregation had assembled for wor- ! ship, the hour for service had arrived but the preacher was not present A messenger was sent to tell him the con gregation was waiting for him. The mes senger returned. and said to those who | sent him: He Is in his room, talking with some one. l overheard him say, I will not go unless you go with me In little while he came, and the other One came with him. He preached and the congregation was moved and melted under his power.
 What We need as ministers above ev- erything else is the other One May He be with you every time you enter the pulpit"
 Rev. N. D. Crawford, father of the newly installed pastor, delivered the charge to the congregation, holding the rapt attention of his audience through out his discourse. His charge was as follows:
 Dearly Beloved, Members and Friends
 of this Church:
 We are in the process of witnessinz r the installation service of the pastor of the first Cumberland Presbyterian n Church Of Montgomery. It now becomes my duty to remind you of the import ance Of the step you are taking, and to caution you against making improper en- gagement and assuming obligations that may prove ourdensome to you in the days to come.
 Prominent am1ng the duties you owe your pastor is to 'eceive him with that love and respect to which he is justly en- titled and without which he cannot suc- cessfully prosecute the work of the Lord Tn your midst, in raising the fallen, cheer ing the faint comforting the feeble minded. encouraging the despairins and OStao'iSHIllS ana generally laOOring for the betterment of this city. Remember he Is your pastor. made such by your own free will and choice and by vote of this conregation. to- gether with the vote of the Preshyterv to which you belong ratifying the same An obligation thus created out of which arises obligations solemn, weighty and important which must be freely met, and Kept with all diligence and fidelity
 oriS relation Is lyalty to your church and pastor You cannot possibly hope for success in pushing your congregational work to any desirability extent, otherwise
 The third duty is promptness in meet ing your financial obligations Nothing so cripples a pastor in influence and work as inability to promptly pay all his in debtedness which will always follow when a congregation Is slow In paving Make him your confident fully unbosom- ing you, trials, temptations and spiritual conflicts of your Christian life to him fully persuaded that you will always find in him d sympathzing friend similar to the tenderness and interest with which a parent guards the interests of a child.
 Learn therefore to highly esteem him in love for his works sake. Finllly have a dxedness of purpose to do everything in your power to aid and encourage him