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with regard to their duty. Their place is that of learners, not teachers.
Young men who wish to prepare for the ministry are greatly benefited
by attending our college; but advantages are still needed that they may
be qualified to be come acceptable speakers. A teacher should be
employed to educate the youth to speak without wearing the vocal
organs. The manners also should receive attention.
Some young men who enter the field are not successful in teaching
the truth to others because they have not been educated themselves.
Those who cannot read correctly should learn, and they should be-
come apt to teach before they attempt to stand before the public. The
teachers in our schools are obliged to apply themselves closely to
study, that they may be prepared to instruct others. These teachers are
not accepted until they have passed a critical examination and their
capabilities to teach have been tested by competent judges. No less
caution should be used in the examination of ministers; those who
are about to enter upon the sacred work of teaching Bible truth to the
world should be carefully examined by faithful, experienced persons.
After these have had some experience, there is still another work to
be done for them. They should be presented before the Lord in earnest
prayer that He would indicate by His Holy Spirit if they are acceptable
to Him. The apostle says: “Lay hands suddenly on no man.” In the
days of the apostles the ministers of God did not dare to rely upon their
own judgment in selecting or accepting men to take the solemn and
sacred position of mouthpiece for God. They selected the men whom
their judgment would accept, and then they placed them before the
Lord to see if He would accept them to go forth as His representatives.
No less than this should be done now.
In many places we meet men who have been hurried into responsi-
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ble positions as elders of the church when they are not qualified for
such a position. They have not proper government over themselves.
Their influence is not good. The church is in trouble continually in
consequence of the defective character of the leader. Hands have been
laid too suddenly upon these men.
Ministers of God should be of good repute, capable of discreetly
managing an interest after they have aroused it. We stand in great need
of competent men who will bring honor instead of disgrace upon the
cause which they represent. Ministers should be examined especially
to see if they have an intelligent understanding of the truth for this