Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1903-06-08

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? /
am not great man and never will be-
The same gospel success which came TO
these consecrated men upon large
scale can come TO you, q eOnsecrated
young minister. upon q smaller scale.
Young man, tell you that it is impos-
sible for any consecrated minister, ei-
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 joy, a rap
turous joy, in the heart of Christ's
preachers? Cannot all truly conSecrat-
ed gospel ministers on account of the
infinite opportunities of usefulness
which have been opened to them joy
fully chorus the glad pecan which was
once sung by the sainted Horatius Bo-
mar:
thank thee, Lord, for using me
For thee to work and speak;
However trembling is the hand.
The 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 depraved are generally silenced
at their approach. When the minister
comes around the blasphemer'S lips are
closed, the lewd story is untold, the
evil thought is unexpressed. When the
Catholic priest on an errand of mercy
enters the lowest dive every head IN
covers and every cursing 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 a 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, If necessary, help in
nursing When the autumnal fruits ar
| rive there are the tokens of love in
gifts of jellies 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
a loving and sympathetic people. An
aged reformer of England when dying
was asked what was the greatest want
of this world. He answered, ''Sympa-
thy" The true gospel minister rarely
feels the need of this gift. He has the
sympathy of his people in his church
work. He finds sympathy, heartfelt
sympathy, wherever he goes. l know
that there are certain churches which
were started in fiendish rows and are
now contemplate churches and have
ill treated their ministers for genera
tons. But these mean churches are
the eXceptions-the rare exceptions
The vast majority are filled with good
men and women who are doing al
they can for their ministers. At great
personal sacrifice they are denying
themselves in many ways to show theil
pastors love and kindness. 1t is into
such a happy fellowship of pulpit ant
pew that 1 welcome the consecratet
young men of this day by welcoming
you into the gospel ministry.
Uplifting Associations.
The Christian ministry is a profes
sion in which the members are shield
ed from many of the temptations tina
confront men in other walks of life
Richard Baxter once declared that th
minister had to face the greatest of al
daily temptations. He lived in an ex
ceptional period, and l do not believ
he would have said so had he been liv
ing in this day. Temptations come t
the pulpit, but not with the same viru
lence and bitterness as they assail tn
pew. The gospel minister by his off
> cial position is under the influence o
good associates. He has surroundin
him some of the best men and wome
who are inhab itants Of the communit
t are not only praying for his work, bu
: also for him. We all believe in tn
: power of prayer. Is there to be no d
Y rect result upon the minister's life o
{ account of this spiritual association
5 When l entered college two or thre
i different secret societies wanted me
e join their organiZatio One was con
/ posed of men notorious for their diss
s pations. They were drinkers, card pla.
J. ers, carousers. Another was a poOrt
d society financially, but was compose
+ for the most part of noble Christia
q boys. l said to myself: II cannot affoI
e to place myself in a position where
e may be surrounded by men who drin
and gamble. l will join the socie1
n which is poorer financially, but who:
j. spiritual members will lift me up i