Learning The Role of a Minister of the Gospel

Assisted by the contrivance of art, he is, moreover, enabled to record his thoughts for future inspection, or to publish them for the benefit of others… Thus man becomes extensively a greater blessing to man, by communicating that which brings them more on a level in the knowledge of the things of God and of virtue, thereby being instrumental in bringing many into a social, godly, and happy state, who were before lost to such enjoyments.”

But it is the power of speech, with which man is blessed, that furnishes the most effective means of communicating instruction. By this he can make known his thoughts to his fellow-men instantaneously, without the tedious process of writing or making signs. And here the pleasures of society, of social intercourse and sweet enjoyment, begin; here we take sweet counsel together, by an immediate interchange of thought and sentiment. Thus also instruction may be imparted, not only with the greatest facility, but in the most interesting form. This is particularly the case with regard to religious instruction, in which oral communications possess a decided superiority over all other human means. Hence infinite wisdom has appointed the public proclamation of the gospel viva vice as the grand engine for evangelizing the world. Other means are undoubtedly employed. Early education, pious example, religious tracts, and especially the perusal of the written word, are, under the blessing of God, rendered valuable auxiliaries in the dissemination of truth ; but it is the preaching of the cross which is more especially characterized as “the power of God unto salvation.” Here then the intelligent preacher stands confessedly distinguished as the most important character on earth : imbued with the spirit of that gospel which he is commissioned to declare, and replete with capacity for thought and ability for utterance, he pours upon the waiting ear the treasures of wisdom and knowledge drawn from the fountain of eternal truth, by Christ’s own appointment: and what is so uttered, in the purity of the “truth as it is in Jesus,” there is reason to trust will by his Spirit be made effectual for saving purposes. This, I hope, is a just view of the scheme and importance of public preaching.

Preaching, then, it appears, becomes the unchangeable province of the Christian minister, but not his only duty, not even when combined with his pastoral office ; as ever, so now especially, he is to be “ready to every good work” that presents itself.

Now you must cherish a truly catholic spirit; for, besides the love of God and your immediate church-membership or parochial charge, you owe universal love to all mankind. Let your regard to your own religious society be only a part of your universal love.

The benevolent spirit now recommended will induce you to take a lively interest in all Sunday and other schools throughout the district you occupy. These are the nurseries of our churches. The plants, being young and much exposed, require the tenderest care and protection. The same spirit will also prompt you to use all your influence with your people to unite in every Christian undertaking. You must aim to infuse into their minds a public spirit, that they may be “ready to every good word and work,” and thus become your auxiliaries; for by multiplying means you produce increased effects. It is, however, impossible to state in detail all the objects to which you As the ministers of Christ, you are justly expected, not only to preach the gospel, but also to be leaders and patrons of benevolence in its universal sense. Is not this love “the fulfilling of the law”—the first of virtues? Does it not bring us into the nearest point of resemblance possible, in such weak and frail creatures as we are, to “Him who is love?” This principle, therefore, will carry you comfortably through all your labors, give the tone to all your public services and co-operations with your beloved people, and shed a lustre over all your other qualifications for the Christian ministry. Again, this universal love must be associated or blended with a Large and Comprehensive Mind for your own good government. Not such a mind as directed Alexander to conquer the world, but a mind under the highest influence—I mean a gracious mind, a mind that is renewed in all its faculties.

If we are not called to foreign climes, let us extend our labors at home. We ought no longer to wait for unconverted sinners to come to our churches and chapels. We have waited too long: we should follow them into the fields, their places of resort; and, as to the indolent and the infirm, we should carry the gospel into their very houses, and thus compel as many as possible to come in, that God’s house may be filled.

We see that the energies of the mind, even when unassisted by that influence which the gospel preacher is warranted to expect, are capable of wonderful exploits: the histories of our military and naval heroes afford numerous instances; and the perseverance of many travellers in exploring the very interior of barbarous countries is truly astonishing. The discoveries of a Newton show us what the human mind is capable of. The poet of Stratford-upon-Avon “exhausted worlds, and then imagined new.” The conceptions of Homer and Milton transcend all ordinary bounds. The persevering application of men to obtain wealth has in many instances been most wonderful. How much more, then, will the mind expand and strengthen, under divine influence, with such amazing objects to excite its diligence as eternal things present to it!

The stated duties of a minister call for the exercise of great wisdom, a strong and piercing insight into human nature, through all its labyrinths, and all the varieties under which it appears. Every minister should be a discerner of the spirits of men, that he may beneficially adapt his discourses so as to take a fast hold of every variety of character—to show to each his own image—to reprove, correct, or comfort, pro re anal, thus becoming, not only a preacher of the gospel, but also a casuistic divine. Persons so skilled have often so described the heart of the hearer, and spoken to him or her so effectually to the purpose, as to raise suspicion of previous secret communications. This is excellent.