Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-05
PASTOR AND PEOPLE
AND THE NEW YEAR

Shall we expect great things for the
churches during this new year, Shall
the windows of heaven be opened this
year and blessing be poured out
which there shall not be room to re-
ceive? Are we expecting greater things
from political parties or educational in
situations or industrial and financial
Establishments than from the churches
So asks DR.. Lucien Clark in the sMetho-
dist
We have not yet come to realize fully
the beauty, the value and the deep sig
nificance of the sacred relation that eX-
lists between pastor and people. They
are all one, or should be. They should
intelligently and heartily cooperate in
the great work to which they have all
been called of God. This may require
"a sacrifice of opinion and preference
and ease and pleasure. When they do
thus labor together in the Lord the re-
suit is glorious.
IN many cases the pastor receives
credit for great achievements when the
credit is due, in part at least, to the
people. If they are in sympathy with
him, praying daily for him, holding up
his hands. talking kindly of him and
speaking encouragingly to him. his
strength is multiplied hundredfold.
he labors. On the other hand, the pastor
sometimes gets the blame for the fail
ure when the fault lies chiefly with
the people.
Sylvester Horne says: I'VE shall have
no ideal preachers in the pulpit unless
and until we have ideal hearers in the
pews. For conquests that will startle
and awaken the world the need will
always be for prophet spirits who are
sustained and illuminated by their con-
tact with a society of consecrated
souls.
While We are preparing preachers in
theological seminaries may not some
thing be done also to prepare congre-
cations? Some will say that the preach
err must do this Truly: but the preach
er cannot do all things. Church papers
may help. If every official member
should read regularly some good re-
ligious paper his efficiency would be
increased more and more every year. If
a religious paper could be gotten into
every family the blessing would be in
calculable.
Would we could truly say that all
ministers do their whole duty in the
work of building up the kingdom. The
painful fact that in some cases the peo-
Pile are divided among themselves and
that many of them are not helpful to
the pastor but are against him is some
times due to mis- own lndlScretlOn or
neglect of plain duty. II he is to have
the help of consecrated people he
must be a consecrated man. If that CO.
operation which means an Irresistible
forward movement shall exist the pas
tor must be wise. spiritual. holy
leader. He must be a good shepherd.
Learning. elouuence, intellectual
equipment, shining talents are all very
good, but they cannot prevail in the
absence of a clear sense of the pres
ence of God and His favorinE smile.
The preacher who believes in God with
all his heart and fully surrenders his
life to His service may lack many bril-
liant gifts. but he will certainly be a
great spiritual leader.
Does the pastor love his flock with Il
passionate fondness? Does he pray for
them fervently every day" Is there be-
fore his mind a high ideal of service
and sacrifice to which he longs to lead
them? Does the flame of fervent de-
sire and unutterable longing for their
spiritual exaltion and edification burn
within him day and night: If so, it will
not be long until the barriers shall be
swept away and the windows of heaven
opened.