Appeal to Ministers
243
wisely nor observe the laws of health. They frequently remain too
much indoors, occupying heated rooms filled with impure air. There
they apply themselves closely to study or writing, taking little physical
exercise, and having little change of employment. As a consequence,
the blood becomes sluggish, and the powers of the mind are enfeebled.
The whole system needs the invigorating influence of exercise in
the open air. A few hours of manual labor each day would tend to
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renew the bodily vigor and rest and relax the mind. In this way the
general health would be promoted, and a greater amount of pastoral
labor could be performed. The incessant reading and writing of many
ministers unfit them for pastoral work. They consume valuable time
in abstract study, which should be expended in helping the needy at
the right moment.
Some ministers have given themselves to the work of writing
during a period of decided religious interest, and it has frequently
been the case that their writings have had no special connection with
the work in hand. This is a glaring error, for at such times it is the
duty of the minister to use his entire strength in pushing forward the
cause of God. His mind should be clear and centered upon the one
object of saving souls. Should his thoughts be preoccupied with other
subjects, many might be lost to the cause who could have been saved
by timely instruction. Some ministers are easily diverted from their
work. They become discouraged, or are attracted to their homes, and
leave a growing interest to die for want of attention. The harm done
to the cause in this way can scarcely be estimated. When an effort
to promulgate the truth is started, the minister in charge should feel
responsible to carry it through successfully. If his labors appear to
be without result, he should seek by earnest prayer to discover if they
are what they should be. He should humble his soul before God in
self-examination and by faith cling to the divine promises, humbly
continuing his efforts till he is satisfied that he has faithfully discharged
his duty and done everything in his power to gain the desired result.
Ministers frequently report that they left the best of interest at one
point to enter a new field. This is wrong; they should have finished
the work they began; for in leaving it incomplete, they do more harm
than good by spoiling the field for the next laborer. No field is so
unpromising as that which has been cultivated just enough to give the
weeds a more luxuriant growth.
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