Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-06-11

young minister. upon n smaller scale.
Young man, tell you that It is impos-
slble for any consecrated minister. eli
Their in the country or the city, TO be
surrounded by praying working band
Of faithful followers and not have his
life tell nightly for good in the region
in which he lives Ought not such an
influence for good bring n joy, a rap
turous Joy, in the heart of Christ's
preacherss Cannot all truly consecrat-
cd gospel ministers on account Of the
infinite opportunities of usefulness
which have been opened to them ioy-
fully chorus the glad pecan which was
once sung by the sainted Horatius b.
mar:
/ thank thee. Lord, for using mo
For thee to work and speak:
However trembling is the hand,
Tho voice however weak.
For those to whom. through me. thou hast
Some heavenly guidance given,
For some II may be saved from death
And some brought nearer heaven.
A Happy Fellowship.
The gospel ministry is profession
whose members are treated with re-
spect and universal kindness. How
with respect? The very lowest and
most depravcd are generally silenced
at their approach. When the minister
comes around the blasphemer's lips are
closed, the lewd story is untold, tho
evil thought is unexpressed. When the
Catholic priest on an errand Of mercy
enters the lowest dive every head I'M
covers and every cursing tongue Is
stillcd.
How with kindness? Because from
the very moment you step into it there
arc scores end hundreds Of people who
will do everything in their power to
make your life happy. When insta He'd
in charge th" church reception will
show You how many friends you have
and how welcome you are. When your
baby is lick there are always many
sympathi2orS to come around and bring
the flowers and, if necessary, help in
nursing. When the autumnal fruits ar
rive there are the tokens of love in
gifts of ielies and apples. There are
the Christmas presents of chairs and
other knickknacks. These gifts may
not have much money value. but they
show the true beatings of the hearts OF
n loving and sympathetic people. An
aged rcfOrmcr of England when dying
was asked what was the greatest want
of this world. He answered. "Svmpa-
thy The true gospel minister rarely
feels the need of this gift. He has the
sympathy of his people in his church
work. lie finds sympathy, heartfelt
sympathy. wherever he goes. l know
that there are certain churches which
We're started in fiendsh rows and are
now contemplate chrRches and have
i'll treated their ministers for genera
tons. But these mean churches are
the cxCeptions-the rare exceptions
The vast majority are filed 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 fellowship of pulpit and
pew that | welcome the consecrated
young men of this day by welcoming
you into the gospel ministry.
Uplifting Associations.
The Christian ministry is a profess
sion in which the members are shield
ed from many of the temptations that
confront men in other walks Of life.
Richard Baxter once declared that the
minister had to face the greatest of all
ceptional period. and | do not believe
he would have said so had he been liv-
ing in 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
cinl position is under the influence Of
good associates He has surrounding
him some of the best men and women
who are inha bitants of the community
in which he lives. These Christians
are not only praying for his work, but
also for him. We all believe in the
rect result upon the minister's life on
account OF this spiritual association?
When ! 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
crs, carOusers. Another was poorer
society financially, but was composed
for the most part of noble Christian
boys. | said to myself; Il cannot afford
to place myself in a position where |
may be surrounded by men who drink
and gamble. l will join the society
which is poorer financially, but whose
spiritual members will lift me up in
stead of dragging me down" The con-
secratcd gospel preacher in the same
way is always surrounded by good men
and women and not by bad. He can
companions or 20 10 questionable
nmusements or desecrate the Sabbath.
If he did he 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 or
dragging you down.
Hcmmcd with Noble Influences,
Tile gospel minister has the same
temptations as other men. why, that
is absurd. do not believe am what |
am because | am stronger than other
men. | believe am what am because
God has surrounded me by praying
men and women and hcmmed me in