The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-10-30

4A4St UuuectuOa 2b 10 WuHL buRH be
their LIE work. Leading out from
where they stand arc many paths. go
ing In various directions, all inviting
and holding out TO them the promise
of success. Hesitant and undecided
they stand, waiting some Anger point
Ing to direct them In the way they
oAght to go. Many OF these young
fpeople are not deferred by fear OF the
future. for. although they are upde-
cided az to which of the many paths
of service open to them Is their path,
yet they know in whom they have be-
hsved and are persuaded that he is
able to keep that which they have
committed unto him against that day.
Neither are they tempted to turn
aside into the by-paths Of pleasure,
or to be lured away by the siren songs
lof ease. The path they seek liz q
path OF service. But OF these there
are many. Which shall they takeg
am glad TO recognize the divine
call to business career. or to the
profession OF teaching, or OF medicine,
or 10 any other vocation OF life where
service can be rendered to humanity
and the work III the kingdom adj
Vanced, rejoice in the many ave-
lnues OF service distinctly religious 10
which young people may commit
| themselves. More today than ever
before in the history Of the Christian
church. But wish TO csyote nay
time to the specific task OF frc5cntfne
the distinct claims OF the Christian
ministry. represent calling which
has a worthy history In the lives of
ppppppp n taointeaoinshrd
those who made It o holy calling,
disciples OF Ie,;l.s. who received by
personal and 1850 contact with rjm
their inspiraaios. ;srir instruction
and their greas st.,,,,.sission; and who
set out to CONVEX; She worli by the
foolishness Of preaching. Philip fol-
lowed, preaching che word, aud the
deacon became the evangelist. Paul
got vision OF the conqueriae Christ
and proclaimed the good news of SAL
walton among the Gentiles, event at
the capital of the world.
Time would fall me 10 speak OF
those that readily come TO mind:
lChrisostum, Augustine, Savonerola,
Francis OF Assist, Peter the Hermit.
John Wyclifre. John Huss, Martin Luz
Their. John Calvin, John Knox, the
Wesleys. the Stencils. Whitefeld,
Brooks, Beecher and Bushnell. These
men and many others in more hum
bic stations, but as faithful in their
preaching, have more to do with the
progress of the race than have en-
perors, or popes. or kings OF COM
merce. II it is correct saying that
we may know that we are going some
WHITTIER because we have come some
whence, then the history Of the
christian ministry is prophecy of
fits greater future.
But we are confronted with the
persistent and sometimes impertinent
suggestion that the ministry is not
held in as high regard today as in
the past. and that the minister is
not the man of influence that he used
to be.
i It is a fact which have no de-
sire to blink that men of today show
no special respect for the cloth. 1t
takes more than a long-tailed coat,
a serious countenance. and sanctf-
monious contortions to appeal to the
[hard-headed men of this scientific
and desperately efficient age. But
this fact itself appeals to young men
of red blood and Christian integrity.
The premium has been removed from
the externals and accidents behind
which men, Of mediocre minds and
unworthy motives may hide. and has
been placed upon fitness. The minis
TRY calls today for young men OF con-
secratton, but for young men who
have faculties and talents to- conse-
crate. 1t calls for men of holy pur-
poses. but with powers trained TO
serve those high purposes. ny
cry occupation today contributes its
share to the human scrap heap of the
down-and-outs. who have failed in
the acid test Of efficiency. There are
also many insists because men OF
ability in certain lines are attempt
ing that for which they have no 1T.
ness. / wish TO say right here, not
as deterrent, but as challenge,
that no calling requires greater abil-
itty, more careful preparation, or more
constant recognition of its high de-
mands than the gospel ministry. /
write to you. young men, because you
are strong.
Our conception OF tho call to the
ministry has been perverted by hon
est. but deluded. men who believe
they have had the experience. Booker
y. Washington tells Us In his charm
ling book. "Up from Slavery that as
a boy and young man he lived in NOR
tai dread Of call" He was famn-
lar with the experience, since he had
witnessed 1t many times in the older
men OF his race. They were suddenly
smltten down. and with groaninHs
easily and amply uttered they gave
evidence of the agony Of the "call |"
Ever since Constantine had his Wis
ion OF cross in the sky. men de-
cefving or self-deceived. have I'M
posed upon the race an unworthy CON
tception of this sacred experience
Tinctured and tainted as our minds
have been by such Representatives
we have read into the experiences az
the men OF the Bible a magic which
they do not possess in fact. / would
not. for one moment seem, to row ora