Chapter 25—Self-Caring Ministers
Brother R, your influence has not been of that character which
would do honor to the cause of present truth. Had you been sanctified
by the truth you preach to others, you would have been of ten times
more advantage to the cause of God than you have been. You have
relied so much upon creating a sensation that without this you have
but little courage. These great excitements and sensational interests
are your strength and glory and success as a laborer, but these are not
pleasing to God. Your labors in this direction are seldom what you
flatter yourself that they are.
Close investigation reveals the fact that there are but very few
sheaves to be gathered after these specially exciting meetings. Yet,
from all the experience of the past, you have not learned to change
your manner of labor. You have been slow to learn how to shape your
future labors in such a manner as to shun the errors of the past. The
reason of this has been, that, like the inebriate, you love the stimulus
of these sensational meetings; you long for them as the drunkard longs
for a glass of liquor to arouse his flagging energies. These debates,
which create an excitement, are mistaken for zeal for God and love for
the truth. You have been almost destitute of the Spirit of God to work
with your efforts. If you had God with you in all your moves, and if
you felt a burden for souls and had the wisdom to skillfully manage
these exciting seasons to press souls into the kingdom of Christ, you
could see fruits of your labors, and God would be glorified. Your soul
should be all aglow with the spirit of the truth you present to others.
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After you have labored to convict souls of the claims that the law of
God has upon them, teaching them repentance toward God and faith
in Christ, then your work is but just begun. You too frequently excuse
yourself from completing the work and leave a heavy burden for others
to take up in finishing the work that you ought to have done. You say
that you are not qualified to finish up the work. Then the sooner you
qualify yourself to bear the burdens of a shepherd, or pastor, of the
flock, the better.
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