The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-14

saving so that he can give his boys eol- l lege education for entrance into some pro- l fessional career. But a consecrated minis ter invariably wants his sons to enter the gospel ministry. II you ask your pastor this question, What would you Ike your son to be2' he will in all probability answer. Well l would not like to per- suade my boy to be a minister. If he becomes a minister I do not want him to be man made, but God made, minister. But if the Holy Spirit should ever work upon his heart think the happiest day of my life would be when I could hear him preach in a Christian pulpit. May God give me this joy" When some one asked Henry Ward Beecher why he en- tered the gospel ministry he answered; ''l could not help 1t. Who ever heard of Lyman Beecher's son doing anything else but preach2o The reason all those boys became preachers was because Lyman Beecher instilled Into their hearts what the joys of the Christian ministry might be. Over half of my seminary classmates were the sons of ministers. The happlest day in my fathers fife, l believe. was the day he preached my ordination sermon and finished 1t in voice trembling with emotion and with eyes moist with tears of raptuous joy. Oh. young men who feel today the yearnings for the gospel minis try, l know that, if consecrated you will have the happiest most joyful and the noblest professional life that is now open to any Christian man.
 The Joy of Self Surrender.
 But the joy of self-surrender is not the only reward. The gospel ministry affords more opportunities for usefulness than any other profession. Every true man wants to make the most of his earthly life. If he has ten talents he wants to use them where they will be most effective; if he has only one talent he wants to make that one talent useful. Like capitalist, he wants to invest his mental and spirit
 ual talents where the investment is sure and where he can get the most returns for the principle invested Where can consecrated, educated young man have more influence for good than in the ] Christian ministry?
 When the young man graduates from the theological seminary he immediately takes at the head of a country or city church. What does that mean? Simply this The young man immediately be- comes the leader of consecrated band of Christian workers who are ready to work for Christ in any way the young pastor directs. It means that his indiyd- ual, personal influence in doubled, trebled. quadrupled-aye, q hundredfold increased by the conseorated bands of workers who welcome him into his new charge. 1t means that by the power of his Chris tian co-laborers working with him and for him he can in time absolutely dom mate a whole region for good. Study the history of Jonathan Edwards in North ampton Mass Study Lyman Beechers ministerial career in Litchfield, Conn. After he had been for short time in his new parsonage a mighty revival swept over that town When some one congrat- ulateo him on the results of his new pas l torate this trumpet throated messenger of God answered. Do not congratulate me. It Is not my work, but that of the 25O consecrated praying men and women who are working by my side" Study the 1 life of Moses Hoge of Richmond and of the late Dr. Palmer of New Orleans. But" says some young man, why do you cite the careers of great men? I am not q great man and never will be- The same gospel success which came to these consecrated men upon a large scale can | come to you, a consecrated young minis ter. upon smaller scale Young man, 1 l tell you that It Is impossible for any consecrated minister either in the country or the city. to be surrounded by pray 1 ing working band of faithful followers and not have his life tell nightly for good in the region in which he lives. ] Ought not such influence for good bring joy a raptuous joy, in the heart of Christ's preachers? Cannot all truly consecrated ministers on account of the infinite opportunities of usefulness which have been opened to them joyfully chorus the glad paean which was once sung by the sainted Horatlus Bonar: Vi thank thee, Lord, for using me W For thee to work and speak; v | However trembling Is the hand,
 The voice however weak.
 For those to whom. through me thou hast Some heavenly guidance given;
 For some it may be saved from death
 And some brought nearer heaven.
 A Happy Fellowship.
 The gospel ministry is profession whose members are treated with respect and universal kindness How with re- spect2 The very lowest and most de- prayed are generally silenced at their ap- proach. When the minister comes around the blasphemers lips are closed the lewd story is untold, the evil thought is un- expressed. When the Catholic priest or an errand of mercy enters the lowest dive every head uncovers and every eursing tongue Is stilled.
 How with kindness? Because from the very moment you step into it there are scores and hundreds of people who will do everything in their power to make your life happy. When installed in charge the church reception will show you how many friends you have and how welcome you are. When your baby is sick there are always many sympathizers to come around and bring the flowers and 1 if necessary. help in nursing. When the autumnal fruits arrive there are the tok- ems of love in gifts of jellies and apples There are the Christmas presents of chairs and other knicknacks. These gifts may not have much money value but they show the true beatings of the hearts of a loving and sympathetic people An aged reformer of England when dying was asked what was the greatest want of this world. He answered. sympathy" The true gospel minister rarely feels the need of this gift. He has the sympathy of his people in his church work. He fnds sympathy. heartfelt sympathy. wherever he goes, l know that there are certain churches which were started in fendish rows and are now contemptible churches and have i'll treated their ministers for generations. But these mean churches are the exceptions-the rare exceptions. The vast majority are filled with good men and women who are doing all they can | for their ministers. At great personal sacrifice they are denying themselves in many ways to show their pastors love and kindness. It Is into such a happy fellow ship of pulpit and pew that welcome the consecrated young men of this day by welcoming you into the gospel ministry
 Uplifting Associations.