The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-10-30
THE CALL TO THE MINISTRY
BY the Rev. A. j. g. Bond, pastor of the Seventh
Day Baptist Church at Salem

nd, pastor of the Seventh
rch at Salem. 4
,sure. but also reason and will. These
iare faculties which will be needed in
the pursuit OF the calling. and 1t is
but fair to assume that they will not
be violated in this initial experience.
I'VE have misunderstood the great
prophets OF Israel and have miscon-
lceiyed their message. We have
Thought of them as men living apart
from the world, suspended somehow
between heaven and earth, too good
to tread orr common son. They were
prognosticators receiving their mes.
sage by miraculous revelation. only
their productive prophecy having VAL
ue for US. The fact Is that not only
did these men live in active relation
with the most stirring events of their
times, but they lived in the most
eventful periods OF 1srael's history.
Perhaps in every instance 1t was a
political crisis that gave them birth.
In this significant fact of history, we
have a suggestion as to the nature of
q call to the ministry; an indication,
both OF Its occasion and OF its char
acter.. The elements in the call Of
Isaiah are more clearly defined, per-
haps, than in any other case on re-
cord. But an analysis Of every call
Twill reveal these same fundamental
Elements. and the experience of Isaiah
may be considered typical one.
\
| Isaiah was so familiar with the So
cial and political conditions of his
time as to feel the stress of the situa-
ton following the death OF the king.
In keeping with his custom he sought
the sacred precints of the temple for
comfort and guidance. Thus far two
things are apparent in the life of
Isaiah which would indicate the
prophet, and which were fundamen-
tai to the call TO which he responded
with enthusiasm. The background of
a clean life and his presence in the
temple. | would not say that he who
!has gone low in sin, and has drunk
OF Its bitterness, may not be used Of
iGcd to warn men against the pitfalls
from which he has been dragged. I
appreciate the enthusiasm with which
lmany thus rescued noinf ont tho danE
igers along life's road, and proclaim
the way Of salvation. More precision
to their finger and more power to
tneir voice. But the great prophets
iof God IN ancient and In modern
times have not come from this class.
l'Rather have they been men whose
learly years were pre-empted by the
altar OF God, not only unimpaired by
dissipation, but developed and
trained. For ancient examples, wit
mess Moses. Samuel. and an Amos.
And the list might be extended to in
Iclude every prophet and preacher who
has profoundly Influenced the race.
Natural ability, strength of character.
personal cleanliness Of life and inner
Integrity should be part Of the Of
Ifering Of every young man who would
devote his life to the Gospel ministry.
No one will be able to bring perfect
Iltte, but honesty with God and man
and himself, in the matter of person
:laf religion, is prime prerequisite.
! His development should be like that
lIof his Master, who increased in sta
sIture and in wisdom, and in favor of
I1God and man.
n.a -
;,a AZ, s s..e. sonsiueia.lon regard,
- ~, .ne sf .pn. Q, lsalans eau
r. ,an u i =. tha. " was ~ inc temple
..on vs. ~ .ne sel.ipie worship tnat TINS
cea nan .hi sol a ms vision q the glory
and pespondaa ~ tba .n s,, Tn asa ear.n
aano,, by NV. l " .he eau whose ur,
Il 5ShSJ uS Ae4t, Here anl l, SEND me.
tsmna per. 100. that it was in the
iescssoca 'I ha.r .aau Ell. IN ms early ado
.lfor thy servant bearsth ), VIZ Wh, ,.0.u
lor failure or WEAKNESS tbera !" n NOV, ~
lin the public worship Jof the chyrc ~
today, Ii Is from the nnmhar - s '+Sosa
\ Who rag,,Iorir .,tan III. s. y. .'lose
mission that ranks of the uu ,a;n ser y,
! who believe In it's life and ado
sion. that the r,nlss ~ ,ha ,u;,; sa -,
must be filed nm and incre,snd "'1 .sss
n ~. 1870 p.s " ASoh upOI