The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-10
nY WILLIAM n. ELLrs.


 Honor and power were freely accord ed to the minister of the gospel. But that day seems to have passed. Broad ly speaking. the world disregards the pulpit. or speaks angrily of the att tempts of preachers to mingie in re- form movements. Even n the church the pastor Is nowadays often regarded more as an employe than as a shep- herd and teacher. Reverence for his once has been greatly diminished. The situation Is one of importance and of Interest to the community at large. It n well that the Christian Endeavor So- cieties are to consider some of the factors Involved in 1t.
 sAse of spiritual truth Is the final voice of authority.
 A man who has nothing to say to the hearts of his fellow men has never been called to preach the gospel.
 
 The "modernization" of the ministry has been one of the reasons for its de- cadence. Instead of being shepherds of souls and oracles of God. many min listers have felt forced to yield to the. days tendency to become "all-round u1en"-which means, usually, being experts in organization. parish admin fstrations. errand boys for muititudin- ons trivial church adJuncts, parlor or naments. hail fellows we'll met with all the other men in town. and. also, something in the way of politicians and sportsmen. The progressive" minis- ter nowadays has no time for quiet mornings with books; he must keep s.oflce hours" like business man. He cannot peer quietly into the souls of humanity; he is so driven with petty cares that he scarcely knows whether he has a soul of his own. No long, or does he dwell apart from men. that he may come back to them with a mes- sage of the unseen verfttes. Versa tile and skiilfui and busy tota degree that would have astonished the preach CTS of an earlier day, yet the modern minister seems often to have lost that note of truths certitude, and of spir- ltual expertness. which, after all, is the supreme value of minister of the gospel.
 To relieve a minister of minor tasks. which properly belong to the congre- gAtion. is to have a share in his larger spiritual service.
 Everybody expects the preacher to pray for the people; but few expect the people to pray for the preacher.
 The sorrows of the strong are little understood or comforted. Few persons tilink that leaders may grow faint and discouraged. The helpers often need help. Only the lonely Christ can comprehend the secret burdens uncom- plainfngly borne by those upon whom the weaker ones lean.
 'sThey call me strong because toll
 from early morn till late, Weil-knowing there be no smile to
 meet at the gate: They call me strong because I hide an
 Inward pain with jest. And drive away the care that comes
 unbfdden to my breast. Perhaps 'tis strength-qod xnowest.
 best; He sent the care to me And his-not mine-the strength itnat
 keeps through my Gethserlane" The preacher is in the psrilous posi- ton of having to deal with the delicate things of the spirit. The danger of becoming perfunctory or professional turks ever at his elbow. He needs the opportunity to talk frankly with sim cere souls upon spiritual themes, that he may be kept ever in tune with the exalted theme of vital religion. More than all else, in this particular. he needs the prayers of Christians who perceive that the one Fundamental lack In minister is lack of spirituality. 
 The minister is inspired by every member who is diligently seeking the best gifts. Happy Is the congregation whose people and pastor are unitedly Tn pursuit of the great quest which an anonymous poet has expressed in the following lines:
 God has the best thing for the few
 Who dare to stand the test. God has his second choice for those
 Who will not have the best. 'Tt Is not always open sin
 That risks the promised test. The better sometimes is the foe
 That keeps us from the best. There's scarcely one but vaguely Tn some way to be blessed. It is not blessing. Lord, seek;
 I want Thy very best.
 T want in this short life of mine
 As much as may be pressed, Of service true for God and man.
 Help me to give Thy best .T want amid the victor throng
 To have my name confessed. And hear my Saviour say at last.
 well done! you took the best .Give me, my Lord. Thy highest choice, Though others take the rest. Their good things have no charm for Since I have found Thy best"
 +
 The person who is always in his pew, rain or shine, is a pillar of support to the pastor. Simple faithfulness is 8 greater encouragement than enthusi- astic words of praise.
 Advertising. of a sensible sort, Is coming to be more and more an ad- junct of the modern aggressive church This should be taken from the pastors care by a publicity committed, which will in all ways advertise to the com munity the church's readiness to be of service. and facilities therefor.
 
 News and Notes.
 An effort has been mcIe in Tokio to organize a Japanese Church outside of all denominations MT. K. Matsumura, a well-known Japanese writer on re- ligious themes, is at the head of the movement.
 According to MT. John R. Mott, no less than 1S6 Chinese students in Pek ing University have signed a covenant to devote their lives to Christian ser vice.
 The London Missionary Society is is such financial straits. says The Record of Christian Work, that its directors have reduced their expenditures this year by $20,000. to be followed next year. if the situation does not improve. by further reduction of at least double that amount. The trouble Is due to a relapse from the forward movement of several years ago, which has not been sustained.