222
Pastoral Ministry
A good shepherd approaches lost sheep, not with a harsh
voice, but in soothing, winning tones—The shepherd’s life is one
full of peril. If he is a trustworthy shepherd, he will not be careless
and study his own ease, but he will search for the straying sheep amid
storm and tempest. Perhaps he will find the lost sheep slipped into
some crevice of the rock, where he cannot find his way out. He is
beset with fears on every hand. The good shepherd does not come
with a harsh voice, scolding the poor frightened sheep, but he speaks
in pitiful, soothing, winning tones, so that when the sheep hears his
voice, he will follow, unless he is imprisoned in the rocks or tangled in
the brambles. Then the only means by which the shepherd can find the
sheep is by following up the bleat of distress that the wanderer sends
in answer to his call. And when the good shepherd finds the lost one,
he puts the weary wanderer upon his shoulder, and brings him back
to the fold, rejoicing at every step.—
The Youth’s Instructor, April 28,
1886
.
[214]
[215]