The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1917-01-12

class are over
worked and underpaid, and that they
cross the "deadline' at fifty, but sell
dom do we hear the other side pre-
sented. There is another side, and If
those who enjoy their work would &C.
caslonally set forth its attractions,
surely there would be more young men
to say: Lord, here am /, send mel"
Among the minor attractions the fol-
lowing may be mentioned:
1. 1t is life Of contact with men
and books. 1t compels one to read,
think and study human nature. A
Christian worker may indulge in
wider range of reading than most men.
IL he has any hobby, such as botany,
geology, or electricity, he can pursue
it to his hearts content. No knOwl
edge comes amiss to him. Nature and
the supernatural are so related that
one illustrates and explains the other.
For lawyer or doctor such studies
would be depression, but n 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 is also an
attraction. Preaching, prayer meet
ing and visiting the sick are but
small part of it. He is expected to
agitate temperance, to be enthusiastic
OH 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 it all he gains experience and YER
satility and becomes good, all-around
man. He learns what his forte is, and
if he Is wise he devotes himself main
ly to that, leaving to others the work
for which he is not fitted. OF all call
ings ours is the least monotonous. 1t
is life of constant activity and con-
tinual change.
3. One of the chief attractions of
Christian work to me is the Opportu-
nifty which it affords for religious
growth. What 1 am spiritually owe
to my profession. Indeed, knowing my
disposition, am convinced that had
chosen any other calling 1 should by
this time have had good bank ac-
count and soul as small as q mus
tard seed. A soul-winner must be
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. 1t is no more than fair to admit
that there are some discouragements
as well as attractions. Inadequate COM
pensatlon Is one of them. The Chris
tian worker is expected to have the
instincts of q millionaire, the generos-
ity of prince, to dress as well as
the best, and to do it all on n smalD
Income. And, strange as 1t may seem,
most of them manage to do it.
A lady once said to friend of mine:
II would as soon take Il ticket to the
poorhouse as marry 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
IL 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.
8. The supreme attraction Of Chris
tlan work, however, Is the opportunity
which it 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 a month are dying In China
without knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The entire continent of Africa Is still
clothed In darkness, for we have only
touched the hem of her garment with
the days of Gospel light. The agoniz-
ing appeals of our home-missionary SUI
perintendents are enough to thrill a
heart of stone. Surely the wants and
woes of humanity are In themselves
an attraction. And IL anything more
were needed. Is IL not found in the
final words of our blessed Master: "All
power is given unto me In heaven and
earth. Go ye therefore unto all the
world and preach the gospel to every
creature.r