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Address to Ministers
449
There is much in the conduct of a minister that he can improve.
Many see and feel their lack, yet they seem to be ignorant of the
influence they exert. They are conscious of their actions as they per-
form them, but suffer them to pass from their memory, and therefore
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do not reform. If ministers would make the actions of each day a
subject of careful thought and deliberate review, with the object to
become acquainted with their own habits of life, they would better
know themselves. By a close scrutiny of their daily life under all
circumstances they would know their own motives, the principles
which actuate them. This daily review of our acts, to see whether
conscience approves or condemns, is necessary for all who wish
to arrive at the perfection of Christian character. Many acts which
pass for good works, even deeds of benevolence, will, when closely
investigated, be found to be prompted by wrong motives. Many
receive applause for virtues which they do not possess. The Searcher
of hearts inspects motives, and often the deeds which are highly
applauded by men are recorded by Him as springing from selfish
motives and base hypocrisy. Every act of our lives, whether excellent
and praiseworthy or deserving of censure, is judged by the Searcher
of hearts according to the motives which prompted it.
Even some ministers who are advocating the law of God have but
little knowledge of themselves. They do not meditate, and investigate
their motives. They do not see their errors and sins, because they do
not, in sincerity and earnestness, take a view of their life, their acts,
and their character, separate and as a whole, and compare them with
the sacred and holy law of God. The claims of God’s law are not
really understood by them, and they are daily living in transgression
of the spirit of that law which they profess to revere. “By the law,”
says Paul, “is the knowledge of sin.” “I had not known sin, but by
the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou
shalt not covet.” Some who labor in word and doctrine have not a
practical understanding of the law of God and its holy claims, or
of the atonement of Christ. They themselves need to be converted
before they can convert sinners.
The faithful mirror which would reveal the defects in the charac-
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ter is neglected; therefore deformity and sin exist, and are apparent
to others, if not understood by those who are in fault. The hateful sin
of selfishness exists to a great degree, even in some who profess to