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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
training of their minds for discussion they frequently become coarse
and rough. They lose the interest and tender sympathy which should
ever attend the efforts of a shepherd of Christ.
Debating ministers are generally disqualified to help the flock
where they most need help. Having neglected practical religion in
their own hearts and lives, they cannot teach it to the flock. Unless
there is an excitement, they do not know how to labor; they seem shorn
of their strength. If they try to speak, they do not seem to know how
to present a subject that is proper for the occasion. When they should
present a subject which will feed the flock of God, and which will
reach and melt hearts, they go back to some of the old stereotyped
matter and go through the arranged arguments, which are dry and
uninteresting. Thus, instead of light and life, they bring darkness to
the flock and also to their own souls.
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Some of our ministers fail to cultivate spirituality, but encourage
a show of zeal and a certain activity which rests upon an uncertain
foundation. Ministers of calm contemplation, of thought and devotion,
of conscience and faith, combined with activity and zeal, are wanted
in this age. The two qualities, thought and devotion, activity and zeal,
should go together.
Debating ministers are the most unreliable among us, because
they cannot be depended upon when the work goes hard. Bring them
into a place where there is but little interest, and they manifest a
want of courage, zeal, and real interest. They depend as much upon
being enlivened and invigorated by the excitement created by debate
or opposition as does the inebriate upon his dram. These ministers
need to be converted anew. They need to drink deep of the unceasing
streams which proceed from the eternal Rock.
The eternal welfare of sinners regulated the conduct of Jesus. He
went about doing good. Benevolence was the life of His soul. He not
only did good to all who came to Him soliciting His mercy, but He
perseveringly sought them out. He was never elated with applause or
dejected by censure or disappointment. When He met with the greatest
opposition and the most cruel treatment He was of good courage. The
most important discourse that Inspiration has given us, Christ preached
to only one listener. As He sat upon the well to rest, for He was weary,
a Samaritan woman came to draw water; He saw an opportunity to
reach her mind, and through her to reach the minds of the Samaritans,