The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-30
PASTORS PLAINTALK
ABOUT THE MINISTRY AND
SOME DELUSI0NS.
Says Some Regard Preacher Merely as
Sign-Post to the Happy Land.
Needs Sympathy.

The relationship between a minister and
his congregation and the necessity for SYM
pathy and understanding etwee them in
the work Of the church was the theme Of
the Rev. DR.. James 1. Vance's sermon yes
terday morning in the North Reformed
Church. Or. Vance took his text from II.
Corinthians VIII, 16: II rejoice that In
everything / am of good courage concern
ing you" and upon this constructed one Of
his intimate talks with his congregation,
which was a strong plea for united and
progressive Christian effort.
THE preacher has troubles Of his own, "
said DR.. Vance. THE public some
times forgets this. 1t regards him
as a signpost to the happy land,
and is unmindful of the fact that he him
self may sometimes stand in need OF sym
pathy and encouragement. He has to hight
the same spectres that haunt unordained
humanity. 1t is well for his people not to
forget this. l am not complaining of my
calling when l say this; 1 would rather
die than quit preaching. L nave no sym
pathy with the minister who is everlast-
ingly talking about the hardships of his
vocation and who says the last thing l
would want a son of mine to do is to enter
the ministry. Such a man has missed his
calling.
Nevertheless every preacher is human
enough TO need encouragement. What is
it that makes him a happy minister?
THE answer Is not to be found In the
material compensation he receives for his
work. When he reaches that age at which
the church Is in the habit OF killing OF.
able to withdraw into, modest seclusion and
live on the accumulated surplus of a lean
salary, 1t does nat follow that he is happy.
He has his rights as to compensation, TO
be sure. The laborer is worthy of his
hire. And he has his needs. He is not so
angelic as to be able TO subsist on an at
mospheric diet or to Keep warm IN last
summers sunshine. If a layman ex-
changes his position for another at an in
crease Of salary his friends congratulate
him. But when a minister does 1t they say
he is preaching for money.
The ministry, as a calling, cannot be
charged with the sin of avarice. A true
preacher is after a bigger goal than a
money prize.
Neither is the answer to be found in
personal popularity. Some good people are
under the impression that the happy min-
lister is the preacher who has the good
will of the community. He is a sort OF
popular idol, fed on a diet Of hattery and
adulation. But the minister is to be the
shepherd of the flock, not its pet lamb.
Public applause is a thin diet. The people
who are clamoring for a coronation scene
today may be ready three days hence to
lend a hand at a crucitixion.
lone has not discharged his duty to God
when he has complimented his minister. /
have kno wn saints to slumber peacefully
through a sermon and then saunter for
ward at the close of the service and say,
That was a wonderful sermon it was
wonderful in its soporihc effects, wonder
full as a cure for insomnia.
ut is the spiritual well being OF his
church that makes a minister happy. 1t
is their loyalty to Christ. He is a happy
minister whose people inspire him with
courage. He needs courage. He is not
naturally courageous. He is naturally
timid, sometimes cowardly. His people
should be so devoted to Christ; so SYM
pathetic with all that is Christian. so re-
sponsive to every spiritual appeal, as to
put the soul of a mighty courage In their
leader.
This the minister has the right to ex-
pect, and this. too, even the world ex-
poets Of the church. The world demands
that it be true to its colors: a worldly
church Is a church the world despises."