The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1910-03-05


and they wifi hear us Whep they ais
covery that We are not running Tie
Kings busines Is on d peanut stanl $ba.i
sis. but after the fashion OF q great
department store. a s,st
III by home forces and u little. ntl.
rertisinf you can iii nm out-of-the.way
church building to Overlooking. and
that during .hoase cleaning time, as
was demonstrated last spring, you can
fill an Opera House. where many per-
sons who would not go to a church
building will make their way.
Your minister is far from being n
walking encyclopedia Of knowledge. in
fact. he must be content to remain ig-
iiorant of many things. but he does
profess to know the things that lie
at the base OF the church's welfare,
and Is acquainted with the purpose and
history OF the Disciples OF Christ. and
aim sto Keep himself posted as to
their dolngs. So feel that I have a
right to claim your confidence us
representative of the interests OF the
Disciples of Christ. and can speak with
something OF the assurance and urgen-
cy that the Importance. of our cause
In this city demands While there
may be some on the outer circle OF
our membership not altogether pleas
ell with the ministrations OF your pas
tor. you have acted wisely, in keeping
from expressing your dissatisfaction.
That state OF a Church is sad one
when there ancars a chronic feeling
OF dissatisfaction with the minister. or
when the minister feels cold toward
his people, or feels that he Is misflt.
II actually realized. life has no more
beautiful nor useful relationship than
that CT pastor and people. The pastor
Is minister in all needed things of the
heart and spirit. He breaks tho tbread
OF life to young and old. He watches
as on who must give account for souls.
He Is friend. counsellor and advisor
to people in darkness and trouble. In
all the great and mystic hours OF life
he Is present with the Masters words
heavenly and sncramctal He Is Gods
representative In the importation of
baptism to souls entering the new life.
He touches with heavenly blessings
the hands clasped above the marriage
altar. He helps the over-burdened
heart to keep the long and tender vigil
over the sick and tempted. He buries
those who have fallen asleep and re.
pcats above the grave words OF death.
less hope and eternal promise, learn
ell by him SO we'll In many conflict
with sorrow and death. His people
are to him more than friends and
nclEhbors. His congregation is his
home. the people that make up the
church his family Time ana the
years only can make such n minister.
When criticism, dissatisfaction and
discomfort breaks in upon such rc1a-
tlonship it is nothing less than trag-
cdy. For it not only tend to destroy
the peace and power OF the preacher.
but it surely blights the spiritual life
Of the congregation. The loss Of faith
In ministers would destroy Christian
ity.
Let me assure you, In closing. tlat
you manifest NIL the confidence in mic.
as your minister. that years nc.
quaintancc ought to demand trust
manifest like trust in you. Do you
know that you can make or unmalic
your minister? The characteristics
and ideals OF the people are woven into
into the moral and mental fabric of
the minister. There are churches into
which II u minister goes will make him
great. If it Is In him to grow, the soil
and tine atmosphere OF such a brother
hood will make him grow. The alert
ness Of the members. the eager CO.
operation. the honor they show him.
their spiritual aptitude. their care for
his intellectual life. for his heart life,
and their anxiety ID give hin, oppor-
tunity to unlock all MS powers OF mini
and heart speed him on TO greatness,
usefulness and ever Increasing cm-
| cheney. There are other congregations
into which II minister come he is
doomed to littlencss as leaf to decay.
But feel that most of you are ready
to give your shepherd the benefit Of
the brcezcs OF the mountain heights
OF your lives. the cheer OF the bird
songs Of your. eternal hope. the sunni
ness OF the open roads of your sweet
tenlpers. You will cheer him with the
many tones coming from the deepest
seas OF your life. that he may be equip.
ped to bring the song OF redemption