194
Pastoral Ministry
Many read newspapers and periodicals and books, and neglect the
study of their Bibles. They do not wrestle with God in the closet, for
the help which He alone can give. They go forth to their work spiritless
[188]
and without Christ. Ministers go before their congregations, presenting
fragments of a long-used discourse, instead of a fresh portion of meat
in due season for the people. They drift into dry, controverted subjects,
and the flock of God is unfed.—
The Review and Herald, May 20,
1890
.
Biblical
Many ministers take their text from St. Paul and preach from
the newspapers—Flowery discourses will not be sufficient to feed
the soul of the famishing child of God. The following desire will
give a voice to the longing of many a heart that is fed on what are
called “smart sermons.” An intelligent man remarked, “O that my
pastor would give me something besides pretty flowers, and brilliant
periods, and intellectual treats! My soul is famishing for the Bread
of Life. I long for something simple and nourishing and scriptural.”
Daniel Webster gave utterance to these forcible words: “If clergymen
in our day would return to the simplicity of gospel truth, and preach
more to individuals and less to the crowd, there would not be so much
complaint of the decline of true religion. Many of the ministers of
the present day take their text from St. Paul, and preach from the
newspapers. When they do so, I prefer to enjoy my own thoughts,
rather than listen. I want my pastor to come to me in the Spirit of the
gospel, saying, ‘You are mortal. Your probation is brief, your work
must be done speedily.... You are hastening to the bar of God. The
Judge standeth before the door. ’”—
The Review and Herald, June 23,
1891
.
Well educated shepherds may still not feed their flock if they
do not consider the excellencies of Scripture—But the oracles of
God have been so manifestly neglected that there are but few in our
world, even of those who profess to explain it to others, who have
the divine knowledge of the Scriptures. There are learned men who
have a college education, but these shepherds do not feed the flock of
God. They do not consider that the excellencies of the Scriptures will