The Raymer enterprise., 1911-03-02

SeII accomplish tulS- Dut
1# the cooperation OF the hu-
man with the divine gave
them this distinction. God cannot
make an extraordinary pulpit alone.
But God alone can make II such, Prov
idence has been very kind to such pull
pits. They have been endowed with
superior natural abilities. Exceptional
ly resourceful In their inruitive facul'
ties and powers. Intellectual giants.
Able to discourse In masterful man.
ner on the profoundest subjects Of the
time. Blessed with more than or
drary oratorical powers. They were
golden. .moutKed." Their names have
become synonyms Of eloquence. They
possessed rare abilities for leadership
Their influence over the masses was
almost magical. Tactful In the per-
formance of every duty. To all this
there was added sometimes an I'M
posing personality. God made these
men and these pulpits. Why does he
moi make more SUCH We cannot pos
itiveIy say. But we do know that In
all professions there are but few who
tower head and shoulder above their
contemporaries.
The Ordinary Pulpit.
There Is the ordinary pulpit There
is no virtue in being ordinary Neither
is ii disgrace. Ordinary pulpits are
found everywhere. Every denomina-
ton Is full OF them. They are or.
binary, however, in limited sense.
Ordinary. perhaps, from human
standpoint, but never from divine.
Yet an ordinary pulpit never has an
ordinary mission. The work Is not
ordinary. The responsibilities are not
ordinary. The results to be achieved
are not ordinary. Here are found the
more homely gifts. There is nothing
spectacular about such pulpits. Their
deeds are not heralded abroad. The
field of operation is more or less cir
cumscribed Their fame is only 10.
cal No antiquity, popularity. beauty.
wealth. attaches to them. But why
call them ordinary? Are they not d.
v,nely appointed and commissioned!
And when the pulpit is doing its d.
vinely appointed work 1t Is not or
dinary. Every true pulpit is divine.
Bad men are to be made good, and
good men better. Souls are to be
quIckened, cheered. built up. and
helped heaveuward. This Is the fruit
which Is the end OF every true pulpit.
This Is Gods standard. this Is the
supreme test Does the pulpit meas.
IRE up to this? II so, is II then or.
dinary? The pulpit should be contin-
ually warmed with Pentecostal fire.
And the fire should enkindle the in
cense which ascends up into the i'm
msdiate presence OF God. The fire in.
dcates true feryency. II shows that
the pulpit is to be known by its ardor.
1t Is a token Of deep spirituality. 1t
is not enough to have correct views OF
NuIlSl tuC W P'oy 80
the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. to
have orthodox views Of an exceptional
sort. The pulpit must be sacriflcial
in all that the word implies. Willing to
sacrifice everything for Gods glory
and for the sake Of humanity. Was
not the. ministry OF Jesus Of this ma.
ture? Let the pulpit be consecrated,
sanctified, holy. Let 1t be equipped
by the Holy Ghost. Then let 1t be or
dinary And may their number be in.
creased and multiplied.
Who Is Fit for Honor7
Who shall ascend into the hill of
the Lord? Or who shall staad in his
holy place? With what tremendous
force this question comes to Us. 1t
demands earnest consideration. 1t
clamors for an answer. Who is At for
this holy fellowship? Who Is pre-
pared TO enter upon this transcendent
service? He who has clean hands
and a pure heart. What a concise.
yet all comprehensive statement re-
specting the character Of the pulpit
is 1t possible that the occupant may
become official, perfuncto,y. mere
actor In the way Of expressing senti.
ments in which his soul has no part7
That h, keeps the vineyard Of others.
and his own be does not keen? or
such God once said What hast thou
TO do to declare my statutes?" What
fearful possibility from which may
the Lord graciously deliver us!-E. c.
Ewald in Evangelical Messenger.