The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-03-29

that ministers ms
class are over.
worked and underpaid. and that they
cross the headline" at fifty. but sci.
dom do we hear the other side pre-
scented. There Is another side, and II
those who enjoy their work would &C.
casionally set forth its attractions,
surely there would be more young men
to say: Lord. here am I, send met"
Among the minor attractions the fol-
lowing may be mentioned:
I. II Is life Of contact with men
and books. II compels one TO read.
think and study human nature. A
Christian worker may indulge In a
wider range Of reading than most men.
II he has any hobby. such as botany.
geology. or electricity. he can pursue
II to his hearts content. No knowl.
edge comes amiss TO him. Nature aud
the supernatural are 40 related that
one illustrates and explains the other.
For a lawyer or doctor such studies
would be a DEPRESSION. but a Christian
worker may explore the heavens. the
earth. or the bottom Of the sea. and
come back better fitted for the special
work TO which God has called him.
2. The variety Of the work IL also an
attraction. Preaching. prayer meet
Ing and visiting the sick are but a
small part of IL. He is expected to
agitate temperance. TO be enthusiastic
on missions and to aid Christian en-
deavor. In fact. every good cause
looks TO him for support. To be sure.
with so many calls upon him. he has
little time for profound study. but out
or II all he gains experience and YER
satility and becomes a good, all-around
man. He learns what his forte Is, and
II he In wise he devotes himself MAIN
ly to that, leaving to others the work
for which he IL not fitted. OF all call.
ings ours is the least monotonous. II
Is life Of constant activity and con-
tinual change.
3. One Of the chief attractions of
Christian work to me In the opportu.
nifty which II Affords for religious
growth. What I am spiritually I owe
to my profession. Indeed. knowing my
disposition. am convinced that had I
chosen any other calling I should by
this time have had a good bank ac-
count and a soul rs small as a mus
tnrd seed. A soul-winner must be a
good man or fail. His own or others
necessities drive him constantly to the |
throne Of grace and compel him to
live In closet fellowship with God.
4. IL Is no more than fair TO admit |
that there are some discouragements |
as well as attractions. Inadequate com
pensation Ii one Of them. The Chris
tian worker Is expected to have the
Instincts OF a millionaire. the generos-
ity OF a prince. ia dress as well as
the best. and to do II all on a small
Income. And. strange as II may seem,
most Of them manage to do II.
A lady once said to friend Of mine:
Il would as soon take ticket TO the
poorhouse as marry n theological stu
fent." But some of the best and bright
Dest girls do not think so, as almost
every parsonage can testify. Parish
breezes will sometimes spring up and
threaten to wreck ones usefulness, but
II one will keep his temper and re-
strain his tongue. the storm will usu-
ally blow over and leave him stronger
than ever In the affections of his
people.
o. The supreme attraction of Chris
tan work, however. Is the opportunity
which II affords for usefulness, and
usefulness Of the highest kind. The
merchant, the manufacturer and the
farmer are all useful men. They sup
ply the wants Of the body; but our
business Is to transform the body into
temple Of the Holy Ghost. The sur
geon sets broken bones; but we heal
broken hearts. The lawyer admins
tiers Justice. but the Christian worker
proclaims mercy. The one examines
titles Of real estate. while the other
secures titles TO mansions In the skies
A million month are dying in China
without a knowledge Of Jesus Christ.
The entire continent Of Africa IL still
clothed IN darkness. for we have only
touched the hem Of her garment with ,
ne days Of Gospel light. The agoniz-
ng appeals Of our home missionary SUI ,
are enough to thrill q .
heart Of stone. Surely the wants and .
woes Of humanity are In themselves /,
In attraction. And II anything more ,
we're needed. Is It not found in the
,nal words Of our blessed Master: "AIl
'ower 10 given unto me In heaven and
Earth. Go 70 therefore unto all the
world and preach the gospel to every :