Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1917-01-18

little Is said about
the attractions Of
Christian work.
- We are CON
stantly informed
wv that ministers as
a class are over
worked and undergrad. and that they
cross the headline" at fifty. but sell
dom do VIZ hear the other side pre-
sented- There is another side, and If
those who enjoy their work would oc-
casionally set forth its attractions.
surely there would be more young men
to say: Lord. here am I. send me"
Among the minor attractions the fol-
lowing may be mentioned:
L 1t Is a life of contact with men
and books. 1t compels one to read,
think and study human nature. A
Christian worker may indulge in a
wider range of reading than most men.
IL he hiss any hobby. such as botany,
geology. or electricity, he Gan pursue
1t to his hearts content. No knowl-
edge comes nmiss to him. Nature and
the supernatural are so related that
one illustrates and explains the other.
For q lawyer or doctor such studies
would be q depression. but a Christian
worker may explore the heavens, the
earth. OF 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 is also an
attraction. Preaching. prayer meet
ing and visiting the sick are but q
small part Of it. 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
OF 1t all he gains experience and e r
satility and becomes a good, all-around
man. He learns what his forte is, and
II he is wise he devotes himself main
" to that, leaving to others the work
for which he is not fitted OF all CALI
tngs ours Is the least monotonous. 1t
Is a life Of constant activity and con-
tinual change.
8. One Of the chief attractions Of
Christian work to me is the opportu-
nifty which It affords for religious
growth. What I am spiritually l owe
to my profession. Indeed, knowing my
disposition. I am convinced that had I
chosen any other calling l should by
this time have had a good bank ac-
count and a soul as small as a mus
tard seed. A soul-wfnner must be a
good man or fail. His own y others
necessities drive him constantly to the
throne Of grace and compel him to
live In closet fellowship with God.
4. 1t is no more than fair to admit
that there are some discouragements
a. well as attractions. Inadequate CON-
pensation is M of them. The Chris
tim worker is expected to have the
instincts Of a millionaire, the generOs-
fty Of a prince, to dress as well as
the best, and to do 1t all on a small
income. And, strange as-it may seem,
most Of them manage to do it.
A lady once said to a friend of mine:
II would as soon take q ticket to the
poorhouse as marry a theological stu
dent. But some of the best and bright
est 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 q will keep his temper and re-
strnin his tongue. the storm will usu-
ally blow over and leave him stronger
than ever In the affections Of his
people.
5. The supreme attraction Of Chris
tfan work. however. is the opportunity
which 1t affords for usefulness, and
usefulness of the highest kind. The
merchant. the manufacturer and the
farmer are all useful e They sup
ply the wants Of the body: but our
business Is to transform the body into
Q temple Of the Holy Ghost. The sur
geon sets broken bones; but we heal
broken hearts. The lawyer, admins
tefs Justice. but the Christian worker
proclaims mercy. The one examines
titles Of real estate. while the other
q titles to mansions in the skies.
TIE lawyer settles disputes, but It II
. higher privilege to show men the
biessedness Of living without disputes.
It ID Q great achievement to become q
niiroad king and control the COM
merce of nations. but IL It not q greater
achievement to awaken In even q
single soul q sense OF kinship and
priesthood in Jesus Christi oh. the
blessed hours when one points a peni-
tent soul to the Lamb Of God and ten
derry turns his trembling feet into the
paths Of peace! There fs no Joy this
aide OF heaven like that Yet II is
yours. young man. II you coyet It, for
the whole earth is crying out TOR Just
this kind Of work.
a million d month are dying In China
ssithout q knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The entire continent OF Africa IN still
clothed In darkness. for we have only
fouched the hem Of her garment with
the days Of Gospel light. The agonlz-
appeals OF our home-missIonary SUI
ne~eintendents are enough to thrill q
kearf OF stone. Surely the wants and
VOC OF humanity are In themselves
In attraction. And IL anything more
uvere needed. u II not found In the
Bnai words Of our blessed Master: "Ail
,over n EVEN unto me In heaven and