Self-Caring Ministers
215
to house. They should become familiar with every member of the
family, that they may understand the spiritual condition of all, and
vary their manner of labor to meet the case of each. When a minister
bearing the solemn message of warning to the world receives the
hospitable courtesies of friends and brethren, and neglects the duties of
a shepherd of the flock and is careless in his example and deportment,
engaging with the young in trifling conversation, in jesting and joking,
and in relating humorous anecdotes to create laughter, he is unworthy
of being a gospel minister and needs to be converted before he should
be entrusted with the care of the sheep and lambs. Ministers who are
neglectful of the duties devolving on a faithful pastor give evidence
that they are not sanctified by the truths they present to others and
should not be sustained as laborers in the vineyard of the Lord till they
have a high sense of the sacredness of the work of a minister of Christ.
When there are only evening meetings to attend, there is much time
that can be used to great advantage in visiting from house to house,
meeting the people where they are. And if ministers of Christ have the
graces of the Spirit, if they imitate the great Exemplar, they will find
access to hearts and will win souls to Christ. Some ministers bearing
the last message of mercy are too distant. They do not improve the
opportunities that they have of gaining the confidence of unbelievers,
by their exemplary deportment, their unselfish interest for the good
of others, their kindness, forbearance, humbleness of mind, and their
respectful courtesy. These fruits of the Spirit will exert a far greater
influence than will the preaching in the desk without individual effort
in families. But the preaching of pointed, testing truths to the people,
and corresponding individual efforts from house to house to back up
pulpit effort, will greatly extend the influence for good, and souls will
be converted to the truth.
[234]
Some of our ministers carry too light responsibilities, they shun
individual care and burdens; for this reason they do not feel that need
of help from God that they would if they lifted the burdens that the
work of God and our faith require them to lift. When burdens in this
cause have to be borne, and when those who bear them are brought
into strait places, they will feel the need of living near to God, that
they may have confidence to commit their ways to Him and in faith
claim that help which He alone can give. They will then be daily
obtaining an experience in faith and trust, which is of the highest