The Crittenden record. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1904-1907, 1905-11-03

picked up in round of calls. And the
next day, in store or bank or wherever
male gossips most do congregate, the
husband says: People don't seem to
like Mr.. Blank as much as they did at
first My wife says" etc. Then each
of the male gossips pluck feather or
two from the plumage of the minister S
once admired virtues, until he is, so far
as character goes, literally picked to
pieces.
People now go to church in critical
mood instead of an admiring one, which
makes deal of difference how ser
mon sounds to one. 1t is so mcuh
easier ~ criticise a sermon than write
one. lie merest modicum of i1tellect
apparently fits one to criticise the
minister's most scholarly efforts. More
often, however, it is not the minister S
sermons which give dissatisfaction. |
have seen-every one has-able men Of
excellent character criticised out of
their pulpits for the most trivial moth
ings. 1t might be some insignificant
personal eccentricity, some popularity
of dress OF bearing or manner. 1t
might be because he was considered to
slight his sermons and spend too much
time running about the parish calling,
or in working in outside charities and
town matters. Or, it might be because
he spent too much time in his study,
writing indeed most admirable sermons
but ut is three months since he called
on Mrs. Jones. "
A wise old physician Of my acquaint-
ance used to say that nothing insured
a young Doctors success so certainly
as a good ''how dye do" This is pre-
eminently true Of the minister. He
may possess all the virtues, be st.
Francis and St. Augustine blended in
one, but, If he has not a good ''how
dye do, woe unto him! II, however,
he has the social graces in a marked
degree, when the wave Of criticism
sets in, the parish will look askanc,
upon his suavity, and wonder il he ],
quite sincere.
Perhaps the minister has ventured u
preach politics or temperance in th'
pulpit, and so offended one or tive
wealthy pew renters to the point Of
withdrawal, or he may have turneC
"mugwump" and voted as he PLEASED
without consulting the parish, Just a
IL he we're a man and not a minister
Or perhaps, very likely indeed, his wifi,
has or has not done something.
parish may not feel quite sure that the,
own the minister, body and soul, bu
few Of them doubt their absolute pos
session Of his wife.
Whatever the special ground of com
plant, the period Of criticism is certain
to come, and the minister may as vel
be mentally prepared to undergo it. II
however, he be good man and true
'let nothing him dismay." Let hir
90 straight on, doing his duty eonscien
: tiously as God gives him to see il, an
J ten to one he viii come out ike Christ
ian, Of pilgrim Progress, when h
espied two lions on the narrow way
needs must go. Mistrust and Timor
Gus had been driven back by then
! But, Christian, keeping Tin the mids
! Of the path" and going boldly OF
heard them roar, but they did him n
!, harm" And, the period Of criticisl
once out-weathered, the minister ma
safely consider himself well settled
70 the saddle for a long trip.
Two or three things il would be we
4 for you folks Of the parish to remen
= Der. First, because you pay the mini
: ter a small sum for services faithful
= rendered. you do not own him. He
not a teetotum 10 be spun at yol
~ pleasure. lie is an independent sou
=. accountable not 10 the parish. but
y God alone for his opinions and the col
scientious use Of his powers. II u
minister's idea Of his duty and his pc
y pies are so radically opposed TO ca,
!. other that compromise is impossibl
then there is but one remedy. l.
n. them part in peace. in mutual digni
and self.respect.
al Secondly, you must remember IN
4. the minister is human, indeed, max
ar no pretention TO be otherwise. Fir
N. class angels are almost as rare in d
o. pulpit as in the pews. The secret
lis his power lies in the very fact III
m he speaks TO you from the level Of O
IN common humanity. Tried and tempt
he as you are, like you not always witho
10. sin, he seeks to share with YOU [
,al strength he has gained in trial. 10 le
nd you TO heights well won from sorr,
We. and temptation. where he would wa
Of with you as a brother and a frier
". Being human, he will necessarily ha
he impcrfections, But do not let yo.
H. selves look at him through a mic
led scope cNaggcrating each little rous
In. ness into mountain. You sho
stand far enough of for proper n