Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-06-13


the Christmas presents Of chairs ana
other knickknacks. These gifts may
not have much money value, but they
show the true bcatings of the hearts OF
a loving and sympathetic people. An
aged rcformcr of England when dying ,
was asked what was the greatest want !
nj 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 churcn |
work. lie finds sympathy, heartfelt |
sympathy. wherever he goes. know |
that there are certain churches when |
were started in ficndiSh rows ana are
now contemplate churches and have
I'll treated their ministers for genera
lions. But these mean churches are
the exccptions-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. 1t is into
ouch a happy fellowship Of pulpit ana
new that welcome the consecrated
Young men of this day ny welcoming
YOU into the gospel ministry.
Uplifting Associations.
The Christian ministry is prolcS'
zion in which the members are shield
sd from many Of the temptations that
confront men in other walks OF ne
Richard Baxter oite declared that the
minister had to face the greatest Oh all
daily temptations. lie lived III IN OK
eeptional period. and | &c not believe
he would have said so had lie been ~
xc in this day. Temptations come To
Me nulpit. but not with tie same v:ru
lance and bitterness rs they assam the
new. The gospel minister Ivy Eis ON
e,oI nosition is under the influence or
rood associates. He has Surrounding
him some of the best men ANA women
,x-ho ore inhabitants of the community
In which he lives. These Christians
are not only praying fof lis work Du'
also for him. We all believe in the
mower of prayer. Is there to be no dl-
rect result upon the minister's HE on
account of this spiritual association :
When | entered college two or three
different secret societies wanted ne 10
ioir their organizations. one was com
nosed of men notorious for their disSi'
nations. They were drinkers, card play
orS corousers. 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 position where J
may he surrounded by men who drinK
and gamble. | will join the society
which is poorer financially, but whose
sniritual 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 by bad. He can
not if he would associate with EVIL
companions or 20 to questionable
amusements or deSecrate the Sabbath
IF no did he would be Immediately de
barred from his pulpit ministrauons
Therefore. my young friend, you
should desire to enter the gospel minis
try for these purifying and holy asso
cations that will lift you up instead OF
dragging you down.
Hemmed with Noble Influences.
The gospel minister has the same
foundations as other men. why, tina
IS absurd. | do not believe am what
am because | am stronger than Othe
mon. | believe l am what am becaus
God has surrounded me by praying
men and women and hemmed me Il
with noble influences and bound m
hand and foot with the golden mana
cles Of their petitions. If these holy as
sociates should be taken away fror
NV life would tremble for what I'd
results might be. Suppose 1 were
moor farmer elected to the state legi
lature Suppose the lobbyists wante
. to purchase the right Of way for a RAJ
road franchise and offered me So.Ol
hribe. Would l take it? do not say
would. but thank God Satan has ne
or been able to tempt me with Il
: chance. Suppose l were a Chicago p
lice captain on q small salary, 1--WE
: every day in fear that my official hea
would be decapitated. Suppose that |
shutting my eyes upon a few houses
. evil resort l could have an income
: $4,000 q year. Would l take it! l
= not say that / would, but l thank G(
-. I have never been placed in such p
sition of temptation where l had u
- chance. Suppose | wanted to become
. physician. Suppose | had to enter OF
of our modern medical schools i'll whl'
are crowded among many students u
; infdel. the blasphemOus and the lew
= If I should take such a medical coul
- would | come out as pure morally as
- did after had lived for three years
!, Christian seminary? My YOU
n friend. if God calls you to be lawy
~ or doctor or legislator or police capita
/, or merchant 20 ahead and be what
intends YOU to be. He will give y
"a strength 10 resist any temptations III
- NAV come in your way if you VIII Oh
es ask him. But If he calls you to be
n. Christian minister and YOU deliberate
turn deaf ear to that call tremDle
~ reference TO your future. l tremble
I your spiritual life when you have
:" face the temptations that beset the
to erage man in the outside world
&c tremble when you shall not have
ed guarding, guiding. protecting iniiueI
lie. Of praying men about you, such as s.
is rounds the average life o. the Christi
Ell minister.
O1 An Appeal to Young Men.
Nv I have preached this sermon, sho
80 ing the joys, the spiritual safegual
On and the infinite usefulness Of the &
q" pei ministry, for two distinct reasol
~ The first there never was a grea
.t need than at the present time