# LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.! | [SMITHSONIAN DEPOSIT.] X These things write I unto thee * * * that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. CHARLESTON, S. C. ! SOUTHERN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. RICHMOND : YIRGINIA BAPTIST S. S. AND PUBLICATION SOCIETY. 1853. J 4 D ' Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, by SOUTHERN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the District of South Carolina. The Library of Congress WASHINGTON ^IIDbtttB, CHAPTER I. PASTORAL RELATION AND SPIRIT. Nature of the Pastoral Relation. Its importance. The spirit necessary to fulfil the obligations of the Pastoral office. CHAPTER II. THE DUTY OF PREACHING. Chief Duty of the Pastor — to preach. Proper re- gard to relative importance of different Truths. Error must be assailed and expelled. Forms in which Truth may be presented with advantage. Necessity of diligent and thorough Study. Importance of good elocution. CHAPTER III. PERSONAL PIETY. Necessity of prayer and faith. The pastor must illustrate his teaching by his conduct. CHAPTER IV. PRIVATE MINISTRATIONS. Pastoral Visitation. Spirit in which its various duties should be performed. Benefits to the Pastor — to the Church. CHAPTER V. GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCH. Nature and extent of the Pastor's authority. Re- ception of members. Administration of discipline. Management of business meetings. CHAPTER VI. GENERAL OVERSIGHT OF THE INTERESTS OF THE CHURCH. Necessity of accessions to the church. Improper means of making additions. Ordinary and extraor- dinary efforts. Revivals. The Pastor must stimu- late his people to activity in every good work. Mis- sions — Sunday Schools. Religious books and jour- nals. CHAPTER VII. EXCLUSIVE DEVOTION TO PASTORAL LABORS. Avoidance of secular pursuits. Necessity of Pas- toral support. Charge of more churches than one. CHAPTER VIII. CHANGE OF PASTORAL RELATION. Migratory character of our Ministry. Evils re- sulting. Change of pastoral relations sometimes necessary. Spirit in which it should be made. CHAPTER IX. SUCCESSION IN THE PASTORAL OFFICE. Provision against leaving the church without a pastor. Encouragement of the gifts of the young. Proper caution in ordaining. CHAPTER I. ^nsinntl Erlatimr md Iptrit- Nature of the Pastoral Relation — Its Importance — The Spirit necessary to fulfil the obligations of the Pastoral office. [TrlHE church in its widest and best ik sense, consists of all those who truly believing in Christ, love and obey him. This is the church universal and invisible. It has no outward organization and no earthly head. Its organization is spirit- ual. Its only head is Christ. In the sense in which it will be regarded in the following pages, the church, or more pro- perly, a church, is composed of persons, baptized upon a profession of faith in Christ, who meet statedly in some fixed place for divine worship, and the observ- 6 DUTIES OF A PASTOR ance of the ordinances of the gospel. Of this as of the church universal and invisi- ble, Christ is also the head, and the only- authoritative and supreme ruler. It has, however, an actual and visible organiza- tion. And when complete, it embraces in addition to the body of those who com- pose it, certain executive officers, the de- sign of whose appointment is to concen- trate, direct, and render effective the resources and energies of the church. The highest in rank and the most important of these officers, is the pastor or bishop. He is its head — but not supreme. At any time the church, having invested him with authority, can divest him of it. He is its teacher — but not infallible. From his instructions appeal can always be made to the oracles of God. He is its guide — but not unerring. He is to be followed only as he follows Christ. The union between a pastor and a church is, or should be, formed by the voluntary action of both parties; and should be based upon mutual respect, confidence and love. A union more important is TO HIS CHURCH. / perhaps unknown on earth. It involves duties the most sacred and momentous — duties reciprocal and correlative, which alike bind and affect both parties. How T numerous and weighty are the duties of a church to its pastor ! The duties of a pastor to his church are equally important. A brief consideration of some of these, is the design of this essay. It has been briefly stated what a church of Christ is — and what are some of the chief relations of a pastor to it. How pure and disinterested should be his spirit ! Otherwise how many and grie- vous will be the evils he will entail upon his people ! For although Christ is, as already observed, the supreme head of every church, and has in the absolute sense no vicegerent, yet does a pastor called by his Spirit, and by himself placed over the flock, stand in some respects in his place. He may never transcend the limits of his sphere, usurp authority, or in any sense "lord it over God's heritage," and yet possessing talent, prudence, and piety, he is in most instances, the actual 8 DUTIES OF A PASTOR ruler of the church over which he pre- sides. Great then is the power of the christian pastor! High and solemn are his duties ! Awful the responsibilities which rest upon him ! Rightly to exer- cise this power — faithfully to discharge these duties — honorably to meet these responsibilities, is to fulfil the highest mission on this earth. How shall it be accomplished ? " Who is sufficient for these things?" One principle alone, in con- nection with the divine assistance which it presupposes and involves, can enable him to be true to his trust. That principle is not found in distinguished natural abilities — nor in profound and varied at- tainments — nor in unceasing, and invinci- ble industry. It is love — love to God and to man — to truth and to holiness. "Love is the fulfilling of the law" — every law — all law. This is what above all other things the pastor needs. It is the brightest of the graces of the Spirit. It is the mightiest of the powers of nature. Inspired by this divine principle, the christian shepherd leads his flock into TO HIS CHURCH. 9 green pastures, and beside the still wa- ters — he watches over them during the long and wearisome day, and through the gloom of the dark night — and if there be one wanderer from the fold, he braves even the hardships and dangers of the wilderness, to bring the lost one back, — finally like the Good Shepherd, who is his prototype and chief, if need be, he gives his life for the sheep. The duties of a pastor to his church ! It is difficult to enumerate them all — and more difficult still properly to state and enforce their claims. When we consider these duties with reference to all that is involved in preaching the word — pas- toral visitation — government of the church — and the general oversight of all its in- terests — how imposing and solemn do they appear! We wonder not that in view of them the boldest are sometimes appalled, and the strongest grow faint. Nothing but the wisdom that cometh from above, strength that omnipotence alone can vouchsafe, and a love stronger than death, can suffice for their fulfilment. CHAPTER II. €)t Sntit nf ^rtfltliing. Chief Duty of the Pastor — to preach. Proper re- gard to relative importance of different Truths. Error must be assailed and expelled. Forms in which Truth may be presented with advantage. Necessity of diligent and thorough Study Importance of good Elocution. The great duty of the pastor is to preach the Gospel. It must be preached publicly and privately — in season and out of season — preached from the pulpit to " the great congregation" — preached from house to house, and by the way-side — preached in the hovels of the poor, in the halls of wealth and fashion, and gaiety and sin — preached in the abodes of health, and at the bed-side of the sick and dy- ing — preached in word and in deed. It is taken for granted that the pastor is himself in possession of the truth — and that it is not only in his head, and on his tongue, but in his heart, enshrined on TO HIS CHURCH. 11 its highest and holiest altars — otherwise he will be a "blind leader of the blind." Spiritual truth differs from natural. It demands more than a mere mental com- prehension. It must be realized by the heart. As that illustrious philosopher and christian, Pascal, remarks, the eyes of the heart are the optics of true wisdom. Thus understanding and embracing the truth himself, the pastor's first and most important w T ork is to preach it to his flock. As this was the instrument employed by the Spirit in their conversion, so it is the medium of their sanctification. Truth is the proper aliment of the soul, in all the stages of its xlevelopement. It is " the sincere milk," by which the babe in Christ is nourished and made to grow. It is the "strong meat," by which the man is sustained in healthful vigor. It is the bread of life, and the "water of life," to refresh, and strengthen, and nourish all. The life, the growth, the health, the vigour of the christian, then, depend upon the supplies of truth which he receives. And he must receive them frequently and re- 12 DUTIES OF A PASTOR gularly, else he will weaken, sicken and die. Truth is not only the aliment of the soul — it is its light. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. 5 ' It is the light of the sun, which not only illumines, but warms. And the rays of to-day will not suffice for to- morrow. They w T ill be absorbed by the dark soul, as the opaque earth absorbs the solar rays. It is proper to remark that the pastor should preach to his people nothing but the truth. By this it is not meant that he should not introduce into his discourses any fact or principle that is not derived in definite and palpable form from the Word of God. So far from it, he should be urged to lay nature, and science, and art, — the past, the present, and the future, — all under contribution to the gospel. They all may be pressed legitimately into its service, and made to illustrate and enforce its truths. But he should not, as is too often done, throw truth's beauteous robe over some form of error, and give it to the embraces of his peo- TO HIS CHURCH. 13 pie. He should not blend with the sweet words and tones of faith, the discordant utterances of infidelity. He should not, like many beyond the seas, and some on our own shores, preach a dreamy, trans- cendental mysticism at war with truth and reason, and God and man, and call it the only philosophy worthy of the mind, and " the only spirituality worthy of the heart. He should not enforce the words of Christ, by quotations from Socrates and Plato, Cicero and Seneca — rather than from Peter and Paul, and James, and John. He should not call into re- quisition all his powers of thought and emotion, voice and gesture, to describe the death of some pagan hero, and tell in weak and vapid phrase, with cold heart, motionless frame, and tearless eye, of the death of Christ. He should not use a text of Holy Scripture as some vile gymnast does a vaulting-board — making the word of God the basis of mere mental vagaries and poetic rhapsodies. He was not called by the Spirit of God, and set apart by the church of Christ, for work like 14 DUTIES OF A PASTOR this. Nor, although he should be . a spirited and useful citizen, feeling and manifesting an interest in all that is pro- motive of man's temporal, as well as spiritual welfare, was he thus called and set apart to connect with the preaching of the gospel, lectures to the people on the philosophy of government, or to scholars on the mythologies of Greece and Rome, or to the lovers of logic and metaphys- ics, on the systems of Aristotle and of Kant. He was appointed to his sacred office to preach the gospel, knowing "nothing among men, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." And he should be- ware lest he spoil his people "through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tra- dition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Avoiding "profane and vain babblings, and opposi- tions of science, falsely so called," let him "hold fast the form of sound words, and study to show himself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." TO HIS CHURCH. 15 The pastor must not only preach the gospel and nought else, but what illus- trates and enforces it — he must preach it in its different parts, according to their relative importance, and the charac- ter and circumstances of Ms people, — To do this, he will find good judgment always necessary, and often much of the spirit of self-denial. There are times, when in the choice of subjects for dis- cussion, he must not at all regard v\hat might suit the state of his own heart, the order of his own mind, or his pe- culiar tastes and acquisitions ; hut only what the exigencies of the church re- quire. He should never, through bigotry or partizanship, give any one truth or class of truths, an unscriptural prominence. — Whenever this has been done, it has not failed to produce the most injurious results ; many of which have fallen most heavily upon the pastor himself., — It has prevented that delicate adjustment and symmetrical developement of the spiritual faculties, which truth in its 16 DUTIES OF A PASTOR harmony and fullness alone can produce, and which is so necessary to the hap- piness and efficiency of every Christian, and especially the Christian minister. It has fettered the noblest powers of the mind. It has restrained and stifled the most generous impulses of the heart. It has given zeal without knowledge. — It has substituted spiritual pride for the humility so becoming a follower of Je- sus. And the charity " which sufTereth long and is kind," it has sometimes dis- placed by intolerance and malignity. — Thus has exclusive devotion to a part of the blessed system of the gospel, (which is a glorious unity,) and indiffer- ence to all the rest, withered the soul of many a minister, and brought his intellect, and character, and labors, all into contempt. But not only has the minister himself been injured — the church has also deeply suffered — its members participating in the narrow views and illiberal feelings of their pastor. Or if not so, a want of sympathy between him and themselves TO HIS CHURCH. 17 has prevented any true co-operation, and rendered spiritual enjoyment and efficien- cy impossible. Farther than this — and worse — the truth itself has suffered. — Not only that which an unwise and big- oted advocacy has rendered odious and unpopular, but the whole system of which it is an essential part. The progress of the gospel has been retarded. Christ has been wounded in the house of his friends. On the other hand, not giving due 'prominence to some truths, whether from motives of pride, or fear, or worldly advantage, has been productive of incal- culable evil. All the essential doctrines of the gospel should be stated and in- sisted upon, until they are understood and received. The over-sensitive, the timid, or the time-serving, may perhaps object when some unpopular or warmly controverted truth is very earnestly pro- posed. But let not him who is " set for the defence of the gospel," falter. His duty is clear, and it must be per- formed at every hazard. Christ estab- 18 DUTIES OF A PASTOR lished the church as the depository cf his truth — and that is no true church, but a " synagogue of Satan," that will not receive it. He made her its guar- dian. Shall she crouch before its foes, and yield the precious treasure which has been committed to her charge? — He has made her its dispenser, through her own chosen sons, and shall she herself, seal their lips ? This great duty of the pastor, to preach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, cannot be too urgently pressed upon his attention. — How awfully solemn is the charge up- on this subject, of Paul to Timothy : " I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing, and his kingdom, preach the word, be instant in season, out of seas- on, for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to them- selves teachers, having itching ears, and they shall turn away their ears from the TO HIS CHURCH. 19 truth, and shall be turned unto fables." To render the truth effective, it will sometimes be necessary first of all to assail error and expel it from the mind. It is as important to remove deadly poi- son from the system which has imbibed it, as it is to give nutritious food to supply the wastes of nature. Error is the deadliest poison — a poison that sick- ens and destroys, not the body, but the soul. As truth is its proper antidote, error may sometimes be overcome by en- forcing the opposite truth. But not al- ways. The law of impenetrability has a spiritual as well as physical application. And error may have so thoroughly pre- occupied the mind, as that until it is expelled, truth cannot effect an entrance. Genuine toleration is a noble principle. But there is a vast deal that is spu- rious. Utterly so. Carried out, it would suffer sin and error in all their forms, and in infinite degrees, to go unrebuked. And there are not a few, w T ho boast such a toleration as this. Their eyes are pained, and their hearts bleed almost 20 DUTIES OF A PASTOR equally when error is assailed, as when truth itself is the object of attack. — "Hold forth the light of truth," say they, "and the darkness of error will be dispelled." A sophism is couched in their illustration. Darkness is but a shadow. Error is a substance instinct with life and action. Stripped of its own black mantle, it often makes for it- self a robe of the living light of truth. These tolerant and peace-loving ones have forgotten that the gospel is aggressive. "I am come," said Christ, "to send fire on the earth, and what will I if it be already kindled?" And again, in the same connection — "Suppose ye that I am come to send peace on earth? I tell you nay — but rather division." In proof of the propriety of some- times attacking error, we have the ex- ample of Jehovah himself, and the holy men of old w 7 hom he inspired. How awful are the denunciations against error in every form, which are found in the law and the prophets! Meek, too, as w r as the Son of God, he often TO HIS CHURCH. 21 made the most direct and pointed at- tacks upon false doctrine. The apostles followed his example. And so have done the wisest and best of their suc- cessors in every age, when the exigen- cies of the church and the world de- manded it. Was it necessary to assail error in the days of the prophets, and apostles, and reformers, and is it not necessary in ours? Has error fled from the earth? Or has it grown less dead- ly? Or has man at length found an am- ulet, unknown to his fathers, to shield him from its blighting influence ? None of these things. It would seem that w T e are in the midst of the very times alluded to by Paul in his first letter to Timothy, and more fully described in a very significant passage in the second. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to sedu- cing spirits, and doctrines of devils ; speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared w T ith a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to 22 DUTIES OF A PASTOR abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiv- ing of them which believe and know the truth." (1 Tim. iv: 1,2, 3.) "This know also, that in the last days, perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false-ac- cusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God ; having a form of godliness, but denying the power there- of. Of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. — Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth : men of corrupt minds, reprobate concern- ing the faith." (2 Tim. iii. 1—8.) The very picture, in some of its leading features, of our times ! Error is still TO HIS CHURCH. 23 rife in the world. Error, attractive in many of its forms, while its essence is destructive. Its advocates are found in all the walks of life. Never had they more audacity and energy, or talent and learning. And never were they more successful. Their baleful influence is felt in all communities. It pervades the ci- ties and large towns of the world — it has penetrated every village, and hamlet, and neighborhood. No church is safe. No single soul is safe. At every haz- ard let these ministers of evil be with- stood. Whatever the result, let their er- rors be opposed. The pastor should vigilantly guard his pulpit. There is some danger that a foe in the guise of a friend may enter it. — There are " false prophets which come in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening: wolves." Through mere cour- tesy, policy, or false liberality, individuals of questionable personal and ministerial character, are sometimes invited to preach. This is exceedingly unwise. It is to little purpose that the pastor himself as- 24 DUTIES OF A PASTOR siduously studies to give only scriptural and wholesome instruction, if he permits others to impart what is false and injurious. It is also his duty to guard the firesides of the people. Around them he should throw the strongest bulwarks of the truth. " Take heed therefore," said Paul to the Ephesian elders, " unto your selves, and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood. — For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears." As man, however, even when brought to some extent under the benign influ- ence of the religion of peace, has still a strong proclivity to strife, the pastor should guard himself against an excessively ag- gressive spirit* Let him not love or en- TO HIS CHURCH. 25 gage in controversy for its own sake. — And when impelled by a sense of duty to his people, to his faith, and to his God, to oppose error, he should earnest- ly pray for grace to do it with becoming charity and prudence. The form in w T hich the truth should be presented, is of sufficient importance to receive at least a passing notice. A series of connected discourses will some- times be found highly advantageous. — There are many truths so closely connect- ed as to lose much of their beauty and power when treated separately. The pro- priety of presenting such a series, will depend greatly upon the order of the preacher's mind, the nature and extent of his acquirements, and the spiritual condition of his hearers. The truth may be successfully dispensed in the form of lectures. They give scope and freedom to the mind, and enable the lecturer to present his topics in all their scriptural fulness, with great- er facility than is practicable in more formal and strictly methodical discourses. 26 DUTIES OF A PASTOR The simplest and sometimes the best form in which the truth can be im- parted, particularly to the young, is that usually adopted in the instruction of Bi- ble-classes. An advantage which the en- lightened and faithful pastor will not fail to turn to good account, is that he is brought into contact with individuals, rather than with masses. Opportuni- ties not enjoyed in large assemblies, are thus afforded for adapting himself to the peculiar character and wants of all his auditors, and for presenting the truth with so much directness that it can- not be evaded. But valuable as lectures and the in- structions of the Bible-class may be, they cannot always supply the place of sermons founded upon brief and isolated passages of the Word of God. The tastes of large promiscuous assemblies, and the nature of much that is to be unfolded or enforced, alike demand more or less of strictly systematic discourse. The manner of imparting the truth, is of very great importance. It is only less TO HIS CHURCH. 27 important than the truth itself. From ancient times it has been decided that ac- tion is eloquence. Action is the language of nature. It is more delicate and flex- ible, and richer and stronger, than that which is arbitrary and conventional. It is an universal language. And when em- ployed, no one of any age, or class, or coun- try, needs an interpreter. A smile — a frown — a sigh — a tear — an attitude — can tell more than words. There are niceties of thought and delicacies of feeling, which the soul in presence of other souls, can communicate in its own sublimated style, that can be translated into no conventional phrase. Like highly volatile, etherial substances, they would exhale in the pro- cess. What pity is it, and how strange, that this natural language, man's vernac- ular, should so generally be lost. Lost so far as that it can not at will be spo- ken, although it can never cease to be understood. Every public speaker should seek to regain it. It is especially in- cumbent on the preacher of the gospel. He speaks to all classes and conditions — 28 DUTIES OF A PASTOR to all degrees cf culture — to every diver- sity of character. He speaks what is of infinite moment to all. Let him use the language which all understand and feel. Many a discourse elaborately prepa- red, falls on inattentive ears, from want of power in its delivery. It comes with no projectile force, and however intrinsically weighty, has no momentum. It was not always by argument, that Mirabeau re- versed the votes of the French Na- tional Assembly. He sometimes did it by a single sentence. A sentence uttered in a voice that fell on the ear like the unexpected peal of the thunder, and accompanied by the glance of an eye that flashed and blazed like the light- ning. It was not a very stern and rigid logic in the elder Pitt by which u he ruled the wildness of free minds with an unbounded authority," in the British House of Commons. Nor was it this by which "The forest-born Demosthenes, Whose thunder shook the Philip of the seas," swayed the House of Burgesses of Vir- TO HIS CHURCH. 29 ginia. It was not even their "omnipo- tent sweep of thought," by which these men won their triumphs. It was ora- tory. It was action. Their superiority was elocutionary. Like the strength of Samscn lying in his locks, the power of these masters of the human mind and heart, lay in voice, and look, and ges- ture, and attitude. Similar observations might be made with respect to the most illustrious orators of the pulpit. The principles of eloquence are every where the same. Whitfield was not a very eminent scholar — not a very subtle and acute logician. But he was, both by na- ture and by study, an elocutionist and a rhetorician. It is to be regretted that there is so strong and general a prejudice on the part of the ministry against the study of elocution — and that with so many worthy and in some instances learned men, mat- ter seems to be everything — manner, noth- ing. The cultivation of the voice, by special exercise and study, whatever some may think of it, is not below the digni- 30 DUTIES OF A PASTOR ty of the pastor's character and station. It is his duty, if it be harsh and offen- sive to the ear, to endeavour by all proper means to soften and refine it — if weak, to strengthen it — if monoto- nous and with difficulty managed, to control and modulate its tones. Nor is gesture unworthy of his care. "We learn from Cicero,' 5 says Blair, "that it was a contest between him and Roscius whether he could express a sentiment in a greater variety of phrases, or Ros- cius in a greater number of signi- ficant gestures." If the preacher should not "at the glass" practise "the stare and start theatric," he should at least so cultivate his gesture, as to make it at once significant and appropriate, easy and natural. In all that pertains to the delivery of his sermons, he should be simple — affec- tionate — grave — earnest— fearless. By ev- ery consideration of propriety, taste, duty, and usefulness, let his manner be his own. Let him be no imitater. We have the authority of the great Roman TO HIS CHURCH. 31 orator for saying that " every man's own way is the true way." All servile imi- taters of others have more or less of a disgusting affectation. And affectation is scarcely tolerable in a woman. It is contemptible in a man. It is absurd and revolting, not to say wicked, in a pro- fessed disciple and minister of Him who while he dwelt among men, was the most unaffected and natural of beings. There is no true eloquence un- less one feels what he says. And just so soon as a speaker is moved by strong and genuine feeling, does he drop the manner of others, if he be an imitater, and assume his own. Eloquence is sin- cere, honest, and truthful. It cannot be counterfeited. The only way to be eloquent, is to be natural. And it is a sure way. Every man of purely natural manner, whatever the original character of his mind, or the degree of its culture, is eloquent. It is evident that to dispense the truth, and oppose error in its protean 32 DUTIES OF A PASTOR shapes, successfully, will require in addi- tion to piety and natural ability, diligent and thorough study. The necessity for such study on the part of all who as- pire to places of usefulness and honor, is greater now than it ever was. And upon the minister of the gospel, this ne- cessity presses w T ith more weight than upon any other character. He may have passed through the college and the theo- logical seminary, and received all the benefits which they can bestow. But these alone, will not suffice. The goal to which they have borne him, is but the starting-post of his true career. And if he shall not go beyond it, the prize of high and fadeless honor will be lost. To him who has not had these advanta- ges, close and persevering study is ob- viously of even more importance than to him who has enjoyed them. Many a long, and lonely, and weary step must he take, before he can reach the vantage- ground on which the more highly favor- ed stand. But let him not be discour- aged. Let him TO HIS CHURCH, 33 "Argue not Against Heaven's hand or will, nor bate a jot Of heart or hope, but still bear up and steer Right inward-," and his achievements may equal theirs. — They may surpass them. At least, with them he shall reach the ultimate and true goal, and with them share the true glo- But while the minister of Jesus may lawfully aspire to eminence in all useful learning, mere scholarship should not be the object of his studies. He should have an ambition infinitely higher. That this is not always so, is deeply to be deplo- red. There is reason to believe that many a preacher is more solicitous to prove himself a scholar by his pulpit ministrations, than by his scholarship to make full proof of his ministry. How manifest is it that many sermons have been planned, and prepared, and preached to exhibit the re- fined taste, varied learning, or profound research of the preacher, rather than clearly to state, and strongly to enforce the truth as it is in Jesus. They abound in classical allusions felicitously introduced — 34 DUTIES OF A PASTOR but they have few quotations from the Word of God. They are full of the facts of human science, and the princi- ples of human philosophy — but they are nearly devoid of spiritual truth. Such preaching may indeed be " as a very lovely song of one that hath a very pleas- ant voice, and can play well on an instrument, 55 but it is very different from that of him who made Fe- lix tremble, and almost persuaded Agrippa to be a christian. " Christ sent me, 55 says he to the Corinthians, u to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 55 True to his high mission, he afterwards tells them, " And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech, or of wis- dom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and with power, that your TO HIS CHURCH. 35 faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God," The chief cause of the inefficiency as preachers and pastors, of so many fine scholars, is here suggested. The fault is not in their scholarship. It is in too great de- votion to it. In making it an end, rath- er than a means. Paul was the most learned, and at the same time probably the most useful, of all the preachers of the early church. In this connection it may be well to remark, that in his studies he should not have too great reference to authorship. — He may write. And if he have ability he ought to write. Through the press he may exert a wider influence, in the dissemination of truth, than he could pos- sibly from the pulpit. But the preacher's pen can never take the place of the preacher's tongue. Many an author- preacher, while he has " spread a sound- ing name abroad," has failed to inscribe it on his people's grateful hearts ; and has perhaps placed himself in a category similar to that of him who neglecting 36 DUTIES OF A PASTOR u his own household hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." While not unmindful of the necessity of proper unity and concentration in his studies, and placing- due restraint upon the discursive tendencies of the mind, he should seek, so far as is practicable, some acquaintance with all the depart- ments of human knowledge. That was a noble declaration made by Bacon in his youth, and prompted by worthy aspi- rations and conscious power rather than by vanity — "I have taken the fields of universal knowledge for my heritage/' — Variety of knowledge, as well as pro- fundity, is of great advantage to the pastor. It furnishes him in the pulpit, in the social circle, and in all the walks of life, with the means of reaching and impressing w T ith the force of truth, differ- ent classes of mind. Therefore, in ac- cordance with the injunction of the Apostle, let him " give attendance to reading" — reading varied, extensive, and profound, as his circumstances will al- low. TO HIS CHURCH. 37 But however useful many of the branch- es of human knowledge may be, none of them, nor all of them combined, are so necessary to him, as the knowledge of the Word of God. Like the Psalmist, he should make the testimonies of God. his counselors. " All scripture is given by inspiration ot God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness ; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." To the study of the Bible, let him devote him- self with all the powers of his intellect, and with all the affections of his heart. Having for the oracles of God, the love and reverence which they deserve, and studying them with the deepest in- terest and attention himself, he should strive to impress with supreme regard for their heavenly teachings, the hearts of all his people. Truth as truth — God's truth — is that which above all other things they should love, and seek, and cherish. It is infinitely above names, and forms, and parties. When these, with the heav- 38 DUTIES OF A PASTOR. ens and the earth, shall have passed away, that shall endure, like Him from whom it came, immutable and eternal. CHAPTER III. Necessity of prayer and faith. The pastor must illustrate his teaching by his conduct. i/TK] give efficiency to all his labors sl^ the pastor must be a man of prayer. "The effectual fervent prayer of a right- eous man availeth much." He must pray with faith. They can conquer, who believe they can, said an ancient pagan. In a nobler sense, and with higher em- phasis, can the believer in Jesus make that declaration. Nothing can resist the energy of faith. Possessed even in the smallest degree, it gives the power of the most marvellous achievement. " If 40 DUTIES OF A PASTOR ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place, and it shall re- move, — and nothing shall be impossible unto you." "The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up — and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 55 If, there- fore, the pastor would cause the richest blessings of Heaven to descend upon his people, let him pray with earnestness, and constancy, and faith, on their be- half. Such prayer w T ill surely be heard by Him w r hose ear is ever open to the crv of all his faithful servants. His ministrations will be blessed. And he will have the satisfaction of seeing his people " neither barren nor unfruitful in the work of our Lord Jesus Christ. 55 The benefits of prayer to the preacher himself, must not be overlooked. Among many salutary effects, it quickens and stimulates the power of invention. An eminent ministerial friend, conversing with the writer on this subject, spoke w^ith energy and feeling of the happy influence TO HIS CHURCH. 41 in this respect, of the spirit of devotion. He had experienced it himself in prepa- ration for the pulpit. At times when his mind seemed entirely barren, on en- gaging in earnest prayer it at once be- came more fruitful. Subjects rich in in- terest, clear and well defined in all their topics, and accompanied by fitting illus- trations, presented themselves and took possession of his thoughts. But upon the duty of prayer, so often and so ably urged by others, it is not necessary now to enlarge. It is sufficient to remark that if the pastor neglect it, all his efforts, how 7 ever vigor- ous and unceasing, will surely fail of any high result. He must be deeply impressed with the conviction that if he would not rob the truth he preaches of its force, he must himself live in accordance with its requi- sitions. He must exemplify its beauty and its power, in his own walk and con- versation. His character, so to speak, should be the diagram to illustrate and prove the spiritual problem, whose solu- 42 DUTIES OF A PASTOR tion is the object of every christian's life. He must not only always " speak the things which become sound doctrine/' but " in all things he must show him- self a pattern of good works." The se- cret of failure in many instances, is not that he is deficient in learning or ability, but that in private life he does not prop- erly illustrate his public teachings. He perhaps preaches the truth with clear- ness, cogency, and feeling, and makes a good impression upon those who hear him; but the advantage thus gained, is not followed up when he descends from the sacred desk, and mingles with the people in the ordinary walks of life. The pastor "must have a good report of them which are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the dev- il." This will require the wisdom of the serpent, and the harmlessness of the dove. Irreligious men closely scrutinize the conduct of the private members of the church. Much more closely do they scrutinize that of its chief officer. Not a word escapes. It is remembered and TO HIS CHURCH. 43 repeated when he thinks it not — and if unwisely spoken, greatly to his own in- jury and that of the cause he advocates. By his whole demeanor he should con- vince men of the w^orld. that he is above the unholy maxims and spirit by which they are swayed. He should make them feel that the noble work in which he is engaged, is something more than a mere profession or avocation — and that he seeks not the perishable good of this world chiefly, but the imperishable glory of Heaven. Thus w T ill he acquire an influ- ence of vast moment — an influence that will give force to every remonstrance and expostulation ; and which, with the bles- sing of God, may induce them, like him- self, to set their affections upon things above, and not upon things on the earth. It is the duty of the pastor to rule his household well. The Apostle whose words have been so often quoted upon other topics, is very explicit upon this : " A bishop must be one that ruleth w r ell his own house, having his children in subjection, w T ith all gravity. For if he 44 DUTIES OF A PASTOR know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God." In his own domestic discipline, he should be an example to all the heads of families connected with his church. With what propriety or success can he give instruction in regard to family gov- ernment, while he does not exemplify its true principles in the management of his own household? How shall he rebuke others for governing badly, while he does net govern well? And if not innocent himself, he have the boldness to rebuke the guilty, what shall he expect but the retort, " Physician heal thyself?" Upon the faithful discharge of this duty, God has set the seal of the highest honor, and conferred the richest and most sub- stantial blessings. " Shall I hide from Abraham," said He, on the eve of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, "that thing which I do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him ? For I know him that he will command kis chil- TO ,HIS CHURCH. 45 dren and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment) that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken concerning him." On the other hand, upon the gross neglect of this duty, God has inflicted a fearful curse, and fixed the brand of eternal infamy. " Behold I will do a thing in Israel," said He to the young prophet Samuel, u at which both the ears of him that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house. — When I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knoweth ; because his sons made them- selves vile, and he restrained them not, — And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering forever." He should give proper attention to all his private business. If this be neglect- ed, great injury to himself and the 46 DUTIES OF A PASTOR church may result. Though his secular affairs be comparatively unimportant, if they fall into confusion, both his public and private character may suffer. Or he msy be grievously depressed by anxiety of mind. Corroding cares may embar- rass him in all his labors — deprive him of sleep — disturb him in his dreams — pursue him to the study, the closet, and the pulpit. If he would not be thus robbed of his strength and usefulness, as well as of his happiness, he must be " vigilant" and " prudent," that in his domestic and business relations, as in all other things, he may be " blameless." He should bear with the frowardness of his people. He must not expect from them too much. Some to whom he has given line upon line, and precept upon precept, will at last be incorrigible. But let him not suffer himself to become chafed or impatient. " The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient — in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if God peradventure will TO -HIS CHURCH. 4/ give them repentance to the acknowledg- ing of the truth, and that they may re- cover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." Under the annoyances and difficulties to which the frailties and follies of his people may subject him, as well as amid all the toils and conflicts of life, he should strive to be an example of patient endurance. " Endure hardness," says Paul to Timothy, " as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." And of himself he affirms, " I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." It is the duty of the pastor in all his sorrows and discouragements, to endure not only patiently, but hopefully. Woe betide his followers, if the heart of the leader fail. He cannot dispense with hope. It is one of the noble trinity of graces lying at the base of all christian energy, efficiency, and happiness. " Spring- ing immortal in the human heart," it is 48 DUTIES OF A PASTOR. the elixir of the spiritual as well as of the natural life. He should be an example of benevo- lence. Like a valiant captain who in- spires his followers with heroism by lead- ing in every important action, the pastor of a church should incite his people to an ardent and expansive charity, by being foremost in every christian and philanthropic enterprise. It is unfortu- nate that his stipend is usually so small as that however generous, he is sometimes compelled to appear cold- hearted or niggardly. But having genu- ine charity, he will be able, in most in- stances, to appear in his true character. If he cannot contribute so largely as his wealthier brethren, of the goods of this world, to the poor and the institu- tions of benevolence, he has this to console him, that he may enrich them with spiritual treasure, and by a thousand acts of kindness exhibit the most affec- tionate interest in their behalf. CHAPTER IV. ^ritrak SJIittistratinns. Pastoral Visitation. Spirit in which its various duties should be performed. Benefits to the Pastor — to the Church. The pastor should second and enforce the public dispensation of the Word, by private ministrations. This will involve the various duties of pastoral visitation. There is doubtless a tendency on the part of pastors, to feel chiefly interest- ed in the more public and imposing parts of their work — and to regard as a species of drudgery, and with some- thing of aversion, the humbler labors per- formed in private. They are strongly 50 DUTIES OF A PASTOR. tempted to neglect the duties of visiting the sick — instructing the ignorant— gui- ding the enquiring — and admonishing the unconcerned. In the faithful perform- ance of these duties, however, pastoral success, as well as enjoyment, in no slight degree consists. It is thought by some needless un- der ordinary circumstances, to visit reg- ularly all the members of the church. The sick, and those who on any ac- count specially demand attention, should be visited; but beyond this, the ne- cessity of constant personal intercourse between the pastor and his people is not acknowledged. This is a very serious error. Nothing vi ill more endear him to his brethren, than the manifestation of an affectionate interest in all that pertains both to their temporal and spiritual wel fare. And nothing do they consider higher evidence of such interest, than frequent and cordial greetings at their own homes. Moreover, in visiting the members of his church, he will himself often find the highest pleasure and im- TO HIS CHURCH. 51 provement. Sweet counsel will he take with those whose genial spirits diffuse gladness all around them. Those u in whose houses he may sit down at ease, when weary and loaded with care — into Avhose bosoms he may freely pour his sorrows; and by whose lips he may be soothed when he is vexed and perplex- ed — by whose illuminated minds he may be guided in difficulty — and by whose liberal and cordial co-operation he may be animated and assisted in every gene- rous undertaking." At other times, it is true, he will be deeply pained. He will meet with some who have a name to live, but are dead ; and whom he has no pcwer to quicken. With many who have forgotten their first love, and re- turned to the beggarly elements of the world ; and whom he cannot reclaim. — But even this may result in benefit to himself as well as others. While he may and ought to seek the love of his brethren for himself as a man, he should chiefly desire to be loved by them as their religious counselor and 52 DUTIES OF A PASTOR friend, and in view of the influence for good, with which it may invest him. In his intercourse with them, he should not, on the one hand, be cold or too reserv- ed ; nor, on the other, should he ever descend to such familiarities as would degrade the true dignity of his office. — Some of the more worldly may desire his presence rather as incense to their pride, than as the means of spiritual improvement. His manner and spirit, however, should be such as not to suffer any, whatever their character, to suppose his visits are intended as mere social compliments. In his conduct towards different indi- viduals and classes, he should preserve the strictest impartiality. " I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things, without preferring one be- fore another, doing nothing by partiality." He should not even seem to have any favorites. Above all, let him not be chargeable with making favorites of the wealthy and the influential. Miserable, TO HIS CHURCH. 53 indeed, is the spirit that will flatter and caress the rich, and treat the poor with coldness and neglect. It cannot be that of a worthy follower of the despised Nazarene, who had not where to lay his head. But while the pastor should avoid par- tiality, he should pay great attention to the sick and the poor. They need his visits more than others — -desire them more — and are usually more benefitted by them. He should make himself acquaint- ed with their wants, and do all he can for their relief. He should speak words of sympathy and kindness — read the scriptures, whose " exceeding great and precious promises" are so well calculated to gladden and animate their hearts — make fervent prayer on their behalf — and aid them to the full extent of his aoility, by all substantial acts of love. Thus particularly regarding the poor, the conscientious pastor will not overlook the rich, who although sufficiently honor- ed by all merely worldly attentions, are often treated with the grossest spiritual 54 DUTIES OF A PASTOR neglect. Their's is a position of high accountability, and of peculiar difficulty and danger. " It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." While so regarding the dig- nity and responsibility of his office, as not to be obsequiously attentive, he should never, through fear of" being charged with paying court to the rich, treat with indifference the wealthier members of his church. Fidelity to them is as ne- cessary as to any other class. That they deserve much of the regard of the pastor, is evident from the apostolic in- junction — " Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, and trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us all things richly to enjoy. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate — laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." The pastor should pay strict attention TO HIS CHURCH. 55 to the young. Their love is ardent. — Their hands are strong. But they need proper guidance. Left to themselves they may go astray, pierce themselves through with many sorrows, and bring reproach upon the church. Properly no- ticed, instructed, and encouraged, they will become pillars in the temple of their God. Their intellect, piety, and energy, will be developed and properly applied. And when their older brethren leave the church on earth, and join the general assembly and church of the first-born in heaven, they will nobly fill their places, and bear the burdens and the honors they bequeathe. The aged members of his flock, too, deserve the constant regard of the pas- tor. Those " who have borne the bur- den and heat of the day," should be highly honored, although incapable of ac- tive effort. As they are often so infirm as to be unable to attend the house of God, he should minister to them the con- solations of the gospel, at their own homes. Highly will they appreciate his 56 DUTIES OF A PASTOR visits. And great as is the good that may result from them, he himself will receive the chief. They have passed- through the varying scenes of earth — al- most ripe for heaven, they are standing on the verge of time, looking with rapt vision into eternity — thus they enjoy an experience which he does not pos- sess, and are able to make suggestions, and impart lessons of wisdom, of the highest value. Attention is due to the heads of fam- ilies. u The life of religion," says Bax- ter, "and the welfare and glory both of the church, and of the state, depend much on family government and duty. If we suffer the neglect of this, we shall undo all." They should be made to understand all the duties of a natu- ral and spiritual character, which arise from the various relations they sustain, as rulers of households. And every right motive, every holy incentive to the faithful dis- charge of these duties, should be ear- nestly and perseveringly pressed upon their hearts. The pastor of a large church TO HIS CHURCH. 57 will find it greatly to his own advantage, as well as that of his people, to pay at- tention to heads of families. He will thus raise up efficient co-adjutors, "rulers of hundreds, and fifties, and tens," who will render him essential aid, and free him from many a burden he would oth- erwise have to bear. " What are we like to do ourselves," says the eminent and excellent man whose words have been quoted above, " to the reforming of a congregation, if all the work be cast on us alone, and masters of families ne- glect that necessary duty of their own, by which they are bound to help us ? If any good be begun by the ministry in any soul, a careless, prayerless, worldly family, is likely to stifle it, or very much hinder it — whereas, if you could but get the rulers of families to do their duty, to take up the work where you left it, and help it on, what abundance of good might be done !" In the enumeration of classes to which attention should be paid, servants must not be omitted. They are peculiarly lia- 58 DUTIES OF A PASTOR. ble to be overlooked and neglected. — And yet they are sometimes no inconsid- erable part of the pastor's flock. The rights and obligations of servants receiv- ed great attention in the Mosaic dispen- sation. And in the New Testament they are frequently stated and enforced. While he inculcates upon masters the pe- culiar duties of their position, and urges them to u give unto their servants that which is just and equal, knowing that they themselves also have a master in Heaven," the faithful pastor will " con- descend to the men of low estate," who are " under the yoke." He will address them in the terms and tones of love — and with simplicity and earnestness, in- struct them in all the duties of their sphere. He will " exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters, and to please them well in all things, not an- swering again, not purloining, but show- ing all good fidelity — that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." Finally, to all the members of the TO HIS CHURCH. 59 church, the pastor should pay due re- gard — adapting his instructions to their various wants. He should " warn them that are unruly — comfort the feeble-minded — support the weak — be patient toward all." If any wander from the fold, he should strive by kindness and affection to restore them — " rebuking not an elder, but entreating him as a father ; the younger men as brethren; the elder women as mothers ; the younger as sisters, with all purity." Some ministers visit too little — others too much. The former, of reserved spirit and retiring habits, or deeply devoted to study, easily persuade themselves that visiting is of little moment. The latter, more fond of society than of books, with equal facility bring themselves to believe that visiting is even more important than the ministrations of the sanctuary — and that they can accomplish, to use the or- dinary phrase, more out of the pulpit than in it. Both these classes are in error. Great is the good, which he who neglects to visit, fails to give and tc re- 60 DUTIES OF A PASTOR ceive. And great is the evil he brings upon himself and others, who degrades pastoral visitation into mere calls of fash- ion and etiquette, or into the means of gratifying morbid social tastes, and dis- pelling the ennui of an unfurnished and inactive mind. While the minister of Jesus, in the true spirit of his Lord, goes about among his people doing good, how much of good may he derive from those who look to him for comfort and instruction! Frequently will he find new gems of truth, or old ones in new settings, of purest ray and highest value, in some- cheerless and uninviting vale of poverty. Frequently in the very deserts of suffer- ing and want, will the sweetest fountains of sympathy and joy be opened in his heart — fountains refreshing his own thirsty spirit, and flowing forth in brightness and beauty to cheer the hearts of those who first unsealed them. Often has the mountain sent forth its streams to gladden the vale with verdure, and flowers, and fruits. — And, as if in gratitude, the vale has TO HIS CHURCH. 61 sent back the blessing in a coronet of clouds to bind the mountain's brow — in richest perfume wafted from its flow- ers — in showers refreshing, exhaled from its bosom, the generators of bles- sings greater than it had received. — The concentrated electricity of heaven, that bursts in peals terrific on the start- led world, was first derived from earth. "If I electrify the people," said an ora- tor with equal modesty and justice, "it is because they have first electrified me." And so it may be that many a minister has transcribed the sermon which has kindled the light of truth in a thousand minds, and the fires of love in a thou- sand hearts, from the tablets of. some lone heart which only his eye and that of God, had ever deigned to read. Another advantage of visiting, when crowned with the blessing of God, will be the development of the resources of the whole body of the church. u In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth." And so in the church there 62 DUTIES OF A PASTOR are diversities of character. With these the pastor should be acquainted. They are not always to be discovered at a glance. There is many a noble spirit in an ungainly body. Often is a bright mind hid under a clouded brow. Often is prodigious power lodged in a dimin- utive frame. Let the pastor avail himself of the facilities afforded by frequent and unconstrained visits, to acquaint himself with the peculiar mental and spiritual traits, as well as with the general char- acter of ail the members of his church. Thus will he be qualified with due discrimination to dispense, both private- ly and publicly, the v.ord of truth to all — and so to dispense it, as that, under its influence, in connection with the enlight- ening and animating power of the Spirit of God, each one shall find and fill his true sphere, and worthily occupy it till his Lord shall come. The development of the energies of all its members, is of unspeakable impor- tance to every church. It was one of the chief causes of the efficiency TO HIS CHURCH. 63 of the primitive churches, as it is of that of many in the present time. To ef- fect it, should be a cardinal point with every pastor. All the members are im- portant, the obscure as well as the more conspicuous. As infinitesimal atoms prop- erly arranged and united by attractive forces, constitute the bulk and strength of the mountain, so the lowliest disciples of Christ, united by nobler affinities, may constitute the true greatness and efficiency of the church. In the epistle to the Romans, the Apostle Paul significantly compares the church of Christ to the human body. u As we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office — so we being many are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." In the first epistle to the Corinthians, he employs the same illus- tiation — " But now are they many mem- bers, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee, nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. And whether one member suffer, all the mem- 64 DUTIES OF A PASTOR bers suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. 5 ' Hence he argues the importance of every member of the church of Christ, to all the rest, and the necessity of each oc- cupying his true position, and exercising his proper functions. CHAPTER V. (tormitBtit nf tjp €§m$. % Nature and extent of the Pastor's authority. Re- ception of members. Administration of discipline. Management of business meetings. In the government of the Church, many important duties will devolve upon the pastor. He is its presiding officer. And in virtue of his position, he is cloth- ed with high authority. It is very evi- dent from numerous passages of the Word of God, that to rule the church, is one of his prerogatives. But not to rule in the absolute sense. He is the ruler of the church only with its own consent, — The rule he exercises is a service. The 66 DUTIES OF A PASTOR very term minister, by which he is usual- ly designated, implies this truth. And arch-usurper though he be, the Roman Pontiff gives it at least a formal recogni- tion, when he subscribes himself — "Servant of the servants of God." The pastor of a church, then, is not its lord. Nor is he its legislator. He and his people are alike under the laws of Christ. — And it is his duty, as well as theirs, to obey them. It is his province to give in- struction with respect to these law T s, to enforce their authority by all just consid- erations, and in cases of flagrant and incorrigible disobedience, to bring the guilty before the church for trial. He cannot of himself compel submission, nor in default of it exclude from church fel- lowship. "Pastors," says Fuller, "are that to a church which the executive powers or magistrates of a free country are to the State, the organs of the law. Submission to them is submission to the law." Thus it appears that in the gov- ernment of the church, there is nothing arbitrary or despotic in the power of TO HIS CHURCH. 67 the pastor. He governs by the consent of his brethren. He governs not by his own will, but by the laws of Christ — the only code they recognize. It is highly important that he under- stand the nature and extent of his pow- ers, and feel the necessity of exercising them without abuse or usurpation. Upon the right use of all his legitimate func- tions, depend so far as his instrumental- ity is concerned, the glory of God and the prosperity of his people. So long as he continues his official connection with the church, it is his duty to insist upon the recognition of his scriptural au- thority. While he can not trench upon the rights of his people, without trenching upon the prerogatives of his Lord, they cannot rebel against his just authority, without at the same time rebelling against Christ. But if he would govern suc- cessfully, let the pastor never forget that there must be a correspondence between his character and his office. The most rebellious do not revolt so much against government itself, as against the exercise 68 DUTIES OF A PASTOR of its powers by individuals void of per- sonal worth and influence. In the reception of members great cau- tion is necessary. The interests of the church as well as of those applying for admission, must be consulted. Baptism precedes church-fellowship. The respon- sibility of administering it, attaches to the pastor. It is obviously his duty, there- fore, by free and full conversation with them, to satisfy himself in regard to the fitness or unfitness of applicants for this sacred right. It is not enough that the church is satisfied with their qualifications. He cannot throw his responsibility upon the church. In the examination of individuals with reference to baptism and union with the church, too great rigor is to be avoided. Upon points not absolutely essential, per- fect identity of experience in all, should not be expected or required. Allowance must be made for diversity of circum- stances, modes of thought, and ex- pression. Otherwise many whom God has accepted, and who would make val- TO HIS CHURCH. 69 uable members of the church, may be denied admission, and debarred from a participation in its duties and privileges. But the chief danger lies in the opposite direction. And the pastor cannot be too strongly cautioned against it. Let him not lower the standard of truth. Let him not widen the portals cf heaven. — As sentinel at the gates of Zion, let him not admit into the citadel of God, any who do not give the proper countersign. There are many motives which may induce the pastor to sanction the recep- tion of unworthy persons. He may be influenced by selfish ambition. He would strengthen himself by the creation of a large party. He would form alliances with influential families of the world. — He would acquire consideration at home, and a name abroad. He may be sw T ayed by avarice. Many can sustain him bet- ter than a few. The rich better than the poor. Spurious charity or false del- icacy may actuate him. He would not, by their rejection, wound the sensibilities of applicants for membership. 70 DUTIES OF A PASTOR By all means let him resist these evil influences. False professors do immense mischief in a church. They often con- trol its action — in some cases preventing the performance of what should be done, and in others precipitating the whole body upon unwise measures, which in- volve it in great embarrassment and per- plexity, if not in ruin. A few bad members may counteract and neutralize the influence of many of the best. As substances of low temperature in contact with those of greater heat, reduce it, so among christians do the luke-warm chill the ardor of the zealous and the active. And worse than this, 'there is abundant reason to believe that one wicked mem- ber may cause God to withold his bles- sing, and send a withering curse upon the church. The case of Achan bring- ing down the wrath of God upon the camp of Israel, if not ever realized in all its dreadful circumstances, is doubt- less, under modifications, re-enacted in many of our churches. Seeing that these and numerous other evils, may re- TO HIS CHURCH. 71 suit from the introduction of unsuitable persons, let the pastor guard sedulously against their reception. He must not only guard the church from evil, by preventing the reception of unworthy persons ; but he must endeavor, by all scriptural means, to secure it against injury from wicked individuals who may be already connected with it. This will often involve duties most pain- ful, but duties from which he must not shrink. There can be, it is true, no ab- solute perfection on earth — not even in the church of Christ itself. But there should be the nearest possible approxi- mation to it. And this is to be made by attracting all that is good, and repel- ling all that is evil. In the administration of discipline, the duty of the pastor is plain. In the trial of offenders, he presides ; but he is not their judge. Nor is he their prosecu- tor or advocate. His duty is simply to state charges, expound the laws of Christ, and show their bearing on the offences alleged. With regard to conduct which 72 DUTIES OF A PASTOR renders expulsion necessary, and the course to be pursued in every case of discipline, he will find ample instruction in the Word of God. This, in con- nection with sufficient knowledge of the character and circumstances of offenders, and an impartial christian spirit, is all he will require to direct him. Un- der his guidance, the action of the church w T ill be ratified by its divine Head. — " Whatsoever it binds on earth, will be bound in Heaven ; and whatsoever it looses on earth, will be loosed in Heav- en." The judicious management of business- meetings is necessary to the union, har- mony, and efficiency of the church, in these meetings ill feeling, strife, and schisms the most painful and injurious, may arise, the prevention of which will depend greatly upon the pastor. While firm and decided, he should set his brethren an example of meekness and forbearance. He should breathe the spirit of love, and with affectionate earn- estness urge upon them the advantage of TO HIS CHURCH. 73 having fervent charity among themselves. This is "the bond of perfectness." It will give them one mind and one heart. It will produce unity of purpose, plan, and effort. Nothing will be done through strife or vain-glory. They will "bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." Church-meetings are sometimes made arenas for debate, rather than occasions for mutual deliberation. This should be avoided. It may be proper also to suggest that they be held with closed doors. While difficult to perceive any good likely to result from making them public, it is easy to see that it may be productive of much evil. Indeed were it necessary, instances of the worst results might be adduced. CHAPTER VI. (total nattsigjit nf tip itttmsts nf tip Cjntttlj. Necessity of accessions to the church. Improper means of making additions. Ordinary and extraor- dinary efforts. Revivals. The Pastor must stimu- late his people to activity in every good work. Mis- sions — Sunday Schools. Religious books and jour- nals. In addition to the duties necessarily involved in preaching, visiting, and ad- ministering the laws o^the church, there are others embraced in the general over- sight of all its interests, eminently worthy the consideration of the pastor. A church requires something more than the mere edification of those already TO HIS CHURCH. 75 within its pale. Removals by death and other causes, are frequently occurring. — And if there be no accessions to supply the deficiency thus experienced, the church will become extinct. Additions must be made by every proper means, as well for the permanence and prosperity of the church itself, as for the good of those whom it receives into its fellowship. — But to effect this most desirable end, let not the pastor, in his zeal, resort to im- proper measures. A noble end is never truly won by means unworthy. Alas ! that this important truth should be so much disregarded! How often are ani- mated and stirring appeals made to the carnal feelings of men — and excitements at variance with the wisdom that is pure, and peaceable, and gentle, created ! Un- der their influence individuals entirely de- void of true faith are introduced into the church — arid in some cases almost against their own will, by the persuasion of its pastor and over-zealous members ! A most unholy and unscriptural proselytism is often, in calmer times, the means of 76 DUTIES OF A PASTOR. building up a church. It is to be feared that the woe pronounced by Christ upon the Scribes and Pharisees who so eager- ly and unscrupulously sought to gain oth- ers to their views, will fall upon many in the present day, whose righteousness exceeds not theirs. Unutterably painful and disgusting are the flattering, and fawning, and the thousand unworthy arts of religious demagoguism. If the pastor be faithful, the ordinary ministration of the word will generally be attended with success, and there will be frequently added to the church such as shall be saved. It is, however, some- times necessary to make extraordinary ef- fort for the conversion of sinners, and the enlargement of the church. Iniquity abounds, and the love of many waxes cold ; and if the Spirit of God be not poured out upon the people, utter ruin will befall them. In such a state of things, all judicious and scriptural means for the revival of religion should be em- ployed. Revivals have been the greatest bles- TO HIS CHURCH. 77 sings of modern churches, as they were of those in primitive times. They are indispensable. Without them the pastor's own soul will wither. The church will decline. The world will perish. Times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord are as necessary to the church as the dews of heaven are to the parched and thirsty earth. But they may come as gently, and by means as simple. It is to be deplored that through human weakness and depravity, blessings so in- estimable should be so little appreciated and so greatly abused. No heavier curse has ever fallen upon the churches, than those false excitements which a spe- cies of religious legerdemain, and the use of machinery inconsonant with the sim- plicity of the gospel, have sometimes caused. Upon this point much might be said, if the nature and the limits of this essay allowed. A caution against an evil closely connected with a misapprehension of the true source, nature, and end of revivals, is all that can be given. That evil is a depreciation of the ordinary 78 DUTIES OF A PASTOR means of grace. Important as they are, too great stress is doubtless sometimes placed upon protracted meetings, and oth- er extraordinary means employed for the conversion of sinners, and the edification of believers. There is reason to think that many churches rarely or never expect their numbers to be increased by conver- sions, except at these special seasons, and in the use of these extraordinary means ; and that many persons inclined to seriousness, wait for such meetings, and times of general revival, as neces- sary to their conversion. But mere numbers do not constitute the true efficiency of a church. Its efficiency lies in its spirituality. Every thing therefore which tends to its development, should receive the highest encouragement. To its production, increase, and perma- nence, active effort is indispensable. The truth is the instrument of sanctification, because it prompts to action. The active hand warms the cold heart. Let then the pastor encourage every good word and work among his people. " This is TO HIS CHURCH. 79 a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God, might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." — Profitable to those who perform them., as well as to those for whom they are per- formed. A pastor should strive to animate his people with ardent love for the souls of men, and intense desire for their salva- tion. He should deeply impress upon their minds, and cause them to feel the full force of the truth, that the church was not instituted for the good of those alone w T ho compose it. That in its es- tablishment the welfare of the world was contemplated. That by its instrumentality the truth is to be disseminated in all lands, that all men may be enlightened, and sanctified, and saved. If he can thoroughly succeed in this, he will effect a great work — a great work for the sal- vation of sinners around him — for the progress of the gospel in the world at large — and a great work for his own 80 DUTIES OF A PASTOR church. Its prosperity will be secured. We have heard much of the re- flex influence of missions. It is all true. And the principle upon which it is true, is of the widest application. — Let one perform an act of love for a brother, a friend, an enemy even — and he will find it true, in the noblest sense, that " action and reaction are equal." It is upon this principle that he that scattereth increaseth ; and that he that withholdeth more than is meet, so far from enriching, impoverisheth himself. — Earth yields her superabundant waters to the clouds, and they return them in re- freshing showers. She gives her fatness to the forest, and it enriches her with more than she bestowed. So the church pours out her wealth upon the world, and grateful hearts and hands receiving it, restore her own with usury, like him on whom five talents were conferred, and who returned the bounteous giver ten. All the fields of christian effort should be kept constantly before the church. — Every cause that has legitimate claims TO HIS CHURCH. 81 upon its sympathy should be recognized — its true character set forth — and its proper place assigned. The best and most approved plans of benevolence should be adopted, and all the charities of the church made to flow without interruption, in their proper channels. As in the physic?l system, if the blood be impeded in its course through important arteries and veins, the health will decline ; and if it be wholly stopped, death will en- sue ; so in the spiritual system, if the channels in which flow the vital currents of the heart be obstructed, the spiritual health will decline ; and if they be closed, vitality itself will cease. There are many benevolent institutions which the pastor should always keep be- fore his people. In view of their supe- rior importance, Missions and Sabbath Schools are particularly mentioned. The heart of man, not naturally large, does not expand proportionably with the growth of the body and the development of the mind. Its constant tendencv is to contraction. If any thing can counteract 82 DUTIES OF A PASTOR this tendency, it is the missionary spirit. It interests him who possesses it in all mankind. Under its influence he realizes that all men are his brethren, and like himself heirs to a life immortal. It in- terests him not speculatively ', but actively. He believes that the happiness or misery of many of them for interminable ages, is in no slight degree dependent upon himself. The world thus appears an arena, on which, as a being of thought and sympathy, and in some sense of physical energy, capable of compassing it, he may play a part of surpassing moral grandeur — a part whose performance will be anxiously watched by friends and foes, spectators from three worlds — earth, and heaven, and hell. How, inspired by all this, will his soul enlarge ! What grand conceptions will be his ! What lofty pur- poses! What noble deeds! He will not be an enthusiast. He will not be a visionary. He will be the most practical of men. And while, like the sun, diffu- sing his benign and animating influence abroad, he will be firmly fixed in his TO HIS CHURCH. 83 own true sphere, exerting his highest en- ergy, and shedding his brightest light at home. He will pray with greater faith and fervor than others. He will sing with more of the spirit and the un- derstanding. He will contribute more freely to the support of the pastor — to the general fund of the church — to the poor around him — and to every object of benevolence. How inestimable to any church the worth of such a spirit ! a spirit that could not be developed by any other than that sublime system whose vital principle is the principle of Missions. Beneficial to a church, as is the in- fluence of Missions, it is not more so than that of Sabbath Schools. No pastor faith- fully discharges his duty, who dees not in every suitable manner encourage the Sabbath School. Since the gospel was first promulgated, the world has under- gone innumerable changes. And although the gospel itself is still the same, its appliances and agencies have been modified to suit these changes. Jehovah 84 DUTIES OF A PASTOR often revolutionizes the world, but it is not merely for the success or failure of its empires. It is for the advancement and glory of his church. Amid the confusion ot clashing social and political systems, to the dim eye of faith, she has sometimes been obscured — and many a timid and despairing soul has feared that she was lost. But with immortal vigor she has emerged from the shad- ows that eclipsed her, ail radiant with the light of heaven, and with the glory of her God. And at once her true posi- tion, with reference to the new order of things, has been assumed, and all her in- strumentalities adapted to its exigencies. This great and glorious fact, attested by all history, is illustrated strikingly in the admirable system of Sabbath School in- struction. Some former ages more reflec- tive than the present, were at once less active and less superficial. The motto of the world now is — the utmost possible effect in the least possible time. The church and the pulpit partake of the general spirit around them. And doubtless much TO HIS CHURCH. 85 of the preaching of the day, taking character from this spirit, would fail to pro- duce any very salutary and permanent im- pression upon hearers who had not enjoyed the preliminary training of the Sabbath School. Truly is this institution "the nursery of the church." It would, seem that there could scarcely be any progress without it. The pastor may advocate the truth ; but truth may be unpopular. Or error stereotyped upon the mind, in- grained into the heart, and part of the very being of the old, may render it impossible to impress the truth upon them. But he can take the young and mould them, plastic as they are, upon truth's noblest model — the image of Christ. If the pastor wish the church to prosper — to be refreshed by revivals — to increase in numbers — to be well grounded in the principles of the gospel — to be a city set upon a hill, whose light cannot be hid, let him foster and sustain the Sabbath School. In stimulating the people of his charge 86 DUTIES OF A PASTOR to effort in behalf of Missions and Sab- bath Schools as well as all other chris- tian enterprises, the pastor will find good religious books and journals valuable, not to say indispensable, auxiliaries. Those who read them most, will generally profit most by his instructions. They will take more enlarged and correct views of di- vine truth, of the sphere of christian ef- fort, and of their own individual duties and responsibilities. It would doubtless be found, upon investigation, that the most zealous, enlightened, and useful individ- uals in all our churches, are those who, in addition to the faithful ministry of the word, have availed themselves most fully of the advantage of the best re- ligious books and journals. CHAPTER VII. (EirltisitiB Branta in |%inrnl Tafott. Avoidance of secular pursuits. Necessity of Pas- toral support. Charge of more churches than one. The faithful performance of the duties stated in the preceding chapters, to say nothing of others which may arise under the varying circumstances of his office, will manifestly require of the pastor ex- clusive devotion to his proper work. All secular pursuits must be avoided. It is not possible to feel proper interest in two diverse departments. If secular business be preferred to ministerial duties, as is sometimes the case, it will call forth more exertion. Additional effort will produce greater interest — increasing inter- 88 DUTIES OF A PASTOR est renewed effort, and so on reciprocal- ly, until the favored pursuit will absorb all thought and feeling, and the other be neglected perhaps abandoned. " No man can serve two masters — for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other." This is a truth of universal application. Concentration is necessary in every department of ef- fort. There can be no high achievement without it. In the w r ork of the ministry, it is of transcendent importance. It might almost be said that without it, nothing can be achieved. And yet while Paul, referring to the duties of the min- istry, exclaimed with the deepest self- abasement — u Who is sufficient for these things?" — many a minister of our day has seemed to feel more than sufficient for them, and has assumed in addition, the duties of the physician, or lawyer, or politician, or school-master, or farmer, or merchant. " No man that warreth, entangleth himself with the affairs of this life." Would that these words were TO HIS CHURCH. 89 engraven on the heart of every pastor! While it is generally incumbent on the preacher of the gospel to devote himself exclusively to the work of the ministry, there are circumstances under which it is not his duty. He may have a family dependent on him, be without private fortune, and in the providence of God be called to preach to a people unable to give him a salary adequate to his sup- port. Under such circumstances he may lawfully have recourse, in connection with his ministry, to some honorable sec- ular pursuit. That he should ever be compelled by the circumstances just mentioned, to engage in secular pursuits to provide for the necessities of himself and his household, is to be lamented. But when without necessity, and from ambition or avarice, he does so, his course cannot be too strongly condemned. Surely the minister of Him who contemned all earthly glory, should not prize it above that which God only can bestow. And surely he should not be " greedy of filthy 90 DUTIES OF A PASTOR. lucre," whose duty it so often is to en- force upon the attention of others, that awful declaration of the Apostle — "They that will be rich, fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurt- ful lusts which drown men in destruc- tion and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." To be devoted exclusively to the du- ties of his office, it is manifest that the pastor must receive a support. It is his duty to claim this, and to instruct his people with respect to it. With the precepts of the Bible and the weighty considerations of propriety and right that bear upon this subject, he should make them thoroughly acquainted. Before ac- cepting the call of a church, adequate provision for his salary should be made. The prejudices entertained by some per- sons against stipulated salaries, are very unreasonable, and should be opposed and overcome. How shall the pastor pro- TO HIS CHURCH. 91 ceed, if he do not know the amount of his income ? All would pronounce it a folly and a sin, if he should live beyond it. How can this reproach be avoid- ed, if he be compelled to live with an indefinite and often very erroneous esti- mate of his resources ? The pastor's salary, however small, is generally his whole income. By all means let him know what it is, and when he shall receive it, that he may be able so to regulate his expenses, charities, and all pecuniary matters, as to live like an independent, hon- orable, christian man, meeting prompt- ly all engagements. There is a great deal of false delicacy among ministers. It is a prolific source of evil to themselves and to the churches. They will sometimes suffer great pecu- niary embarrassment, deeply involve them- selves in debt, injure their religious and ministerial character, and impair their in- fluence, rather than summon the boldness to tell the churches their duty. A reform in regard to ministerial support, is great- ly needed. And to effect it, pastor's 92 DUTIES OF A PASTOR should not only tell the churches their duty, and insist upon their own scriptural claims , but, whenever practicable, they should withdraw from all secular employ- ments, and with a noble confidence throw themselves upon the providence of God, and the justice and liberality of the churches. Withdrawing from all secular pursuits, and devoting himself exclusively to the duties of his office, the pastor should guard against an evil little less than partial secularization. It is the extension of his ministerial labors over too wide a field. The charge of one church is enough — more than enough — for one man. It is to be regretted that in the existing state of things, a minister is often com- pelled to assume the pastoral care of more than one church. " Necessity is a law that supercedes the ordinary rules of human conduct." There are already many more churches than ministers. — They have doubtless been unwisely mul- tiplied. But still they exist. And they must not be left wholly destitute of pas- TO HIS CHURCH. 93 toral attentions. This cannot be avoided, unless ministers divide their ser- vices between two or more, as some of them are so small and feeble, that one alone cannot support a pastor. In view, however, of the evils of divided energies, both to himself and to the people, every pastor who has charge of a plurality of churches should relin- quish all but one, whenever he can do so without a disregard of conscience and the providence of God. This will re- quire no little sacrifice of feeling, and in some instances of pecuniary advantage, on the part of the ministry. But they should make it, and strive to imbue the churches with the generous and self-de- nying spirit by which they themselves are actuated. CHAPTER VIII. tfujrnng^ nf |kstol Etlaiinus. Migratory character of our Ministry. Evils re- sulting. Change of pastoral relations sometimes necessary. Spirit in which it should be made. If the pastor would form habits of systematic and thorough study, develope his best energies, and establish a solid and enduring character ; if he would secure the highest interests of the church, and fulfil all the obligations pressing up- on him, let him guard against that cry- ing evil of our times — the migratory spirit of the ministry. When a minister assumes the charge of a church, he enters into one of the closest and most impor- tant connections that csn be formed. — TO HIS CHURCH. 95 And shall it be lightly broken ? Shall a pressure of labors — a slight decline in health — a prominent position or high sal- ary offered by a stronger cr more nota- ble church — or a restless, change-loving disposition, tempt him to leave those over whom the Spirit and the Provi- dence of God have placed him ? Shall he chill the affectionate ardor, shall he disappoint the confidence, of those who perhaps contemplating a permanent con- nection, have committed their dearest in- terests to his charge ? If so, it is not surprising that they should be sometimes slow T to bestow upon him the fulness of their confidence and love. And yet with- out it, there can be no success to the pastor, or prosperity to the church. Unless both parties feel thoroughly committed to each other, there can never be the cor- dial sympathy and active co-operation in- dispensable to mutual efficiency and hap- piness. Incalculably great is the injury produ- ced by this change-loving spirit. Its constant tendency is to prevent the for- 96 DUTIES OF A PASTOR mation of habits of systematic and per- severing study on the part of the minis- try, and to break them up when formed. This is an evil of great magnitude. The brilliant genius, elastic, quick, impulsive, whose course is rather a leaping and bounding forward, than any ordinary pro- gression — and he who, marvellously gift- ed, finds "Tongues in the trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in every thing" — may perhaps win enviable fame with- out methodical and uninterrupted study. But most men, not thus endowed, can- not in the same way achieve the same thing. If they Mould make any consid- erable advance, their steps unintermitted must be in no broken lines. While this spirit destroys the best hab- its of study, it takes away some of the strongest incentives to exertion, strengthens the native tendency to indolence, and forestalls the highest mental progress. — Having once prepared " a stock of ser- mons," the migratory pastor's life-long work is done. Thenceforth to acquire TO HIS CHURCH. 97 fresh matter, originate new thoughts, in- vent new illustrations, does not material- ly concern him. He conducts his last flock to the dry and scanty pasturage on which the first and all succeeding ones had fed. Thus deeply injuring the intellectual, it does not leave the moral man untouch- ed. Frequently wounding the best and finest feelings of the heart, it at length renders them either morbidly acute, or as is more generally the case, obtuse and callous. But these are not the only evils. It increases that general instability, that uni- versal fickleness, that morbid love of nov- elty and change, for which the present age is so remarkable. It often sacrifices to present effect, the highest and most substantial future interests. It renders abortive the noblest and most compre- hensive plans of usefulness, which if de- vised cannot be completed in an unset- tled state. It causes the pastor to feel that if at any time his position should become uneasy, change, that all-sufficient, 98 DUTIES OF A PASTOR ever-ready remedy, will afford complete relief. Hence he becomes too independ- ent of local circumstances , too indifferent to the establishment of high and lasting reputation in the community, and too transient in his residence, to secure that influence over different classes, particular- ly the young and rising generation, which is alike necessary to his own influence and their welfare. Great injury to the church also re- sults — injury arising mainly from that ex- perienced by the pastor. The prosperity of the former is inseparably connected with the efficiency of the latter. What- ever affects the one is felt, and often with increased power, by the other. — If the pastor be superficial, his people will be poorly instructed — many will perish for lack of knowledge. If he be un- duly mindful of outward and present ef- fect, they will scarcely penetrate below the surface, or look beyond the passing hour. If he be ruled by the spirit of change, they will be unsteady as the wind. If he have no character, the TO HIS CHURCH. 99 church will have no weight. By the foregoing remarks, it is not intended that a pastor ought never to leave his church. There are circum- stances under which not to dissolve the connection, would be deeply injurious to both, as well as to the common cause whose interests are paramount to any mere individual or local considerations. But it is intended that he ought not, under any circumstances, to leave his people without good and sufficient reasons. Whenever he finds it necessary to re- sign his charge, the pastor should guard against the rise of unpleasant feeling between his brethren and himself. It sometimes happens that those who have lived together for years, in the closest intimacy, sharing mutual hopes, toils, joys, and sorrows, part under cir- cumstances the most unfortunate. All the sweet charities and offices of kindness, for which the past had been distinguish- ed, seem at once forgotten. They look coldly on each other, and speak in terms of indifference, if not of disparagement ! 100 DUTIES OF A PASTOR This should never be! Why should not the pastor love the church af- ter he resigns its oversight ? And why- should not the church reciprocate his love r CHAPTER IX. &mifmn in fyt ^nstnwl (Dir*. Provision against leaving the church without a pastor. Encouragement of the gifts of the young. Proper caution in ordaining. In prospect of his own removal, the pastor in connection with the church, should endeavor to provide a suitable successor. " The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." The right of choosing its own officers, unquestionably belongs to the church. — And it should be exercised without dic- tation from any one. But with the greatest propriety may the retiring pastor 102 DUTIES OF A PASTOR. give his advice. Indeed to do so is his duty. Knowing better than others the ministerial qualifications adapted to its wants, he can render in this par- ticular essential aid. He should seek out and encourage the gifts of the young. There may be in- dividuals of this class, possessing sterling piety and noble intellectual endowments, whose modesty and habits of retirement keep them in the back-ground. These he should instruct and bring forw r ard, and by suitable exercises train and devel- ope. Thus may he form a noble band of youthful assistants, who shall render him valuable aid while he continues w T ith the church, and from among whom may be chosen — when his own connection with it is dissolved — a " faithful man," to whom he may " commit" the truth of God, and the spiritual interests of his people. In consideration of the importance of the ministerial office, he should cautious- ly exercise the power of ordaining. — "Lay hands suddenly on no man — neith- TO HIS CHURCH. 103 er be partaker of other men's sins — keep thyself pure." Immense mischief is wrought not only to particular churches, but to the cause of Christ in general, by the introduction of unsuitable persons into the ministry. From want of due caution on the part of those with whom the responsibility of ordaining rests, men notoriously incompetent to the perform- ance of the duties of any important secular station, are sometimes appointed to the most momentous spiritual work in which man can engage. Men of little mind — of no high native moral attri- butes — of no culture, or personal digni- ty, or weight of character, if indeed they are possessed of anything of true piety ! This is a scandal to the church, and a curse to the world. As well for his guidance in the responsible work of inducting others into the christian minis- try, as for his own personal improve- ment, the pastor should closely study that striking sketch of a christian bishop, drawn by the apostle Paul — U A bishop must be blameless as the steward of God ; 104 DUTIES OF A PASTOR not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre ; but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temper- ate, holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine, both to exhort and to convince the gain-sayers." In conclusion, the writer of the fore- going pages, begging God to enable him faithfully to discharge the duties which he is conscious of having but inade- quately urged upon others, would say to each of his brethren to whose charge a church of Christ is committed — " Medi- tate upon these things ; give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed to thyself and unto thy doctrine ; continue in them : for in doing this, thou shalt both save thy- self and them that hear thee." Deacidified using the Bookkeeper proces Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide Treatment Date: Oct. 2005 PreservationTechnologie A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATIO 111 Thomson Park Drive Cranberry Township, PA I6O61 (724)779-2111 H ) ?£> LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 017 075 384 7