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Solemn Appeal to Ministers
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affections. All who minister must humble their proud hearts, submit
their will to the will of God, and hide their life with Christ in God.
What is the object of the ministry? Is it to mix the comical with
the religious? The theater is the place for such exhibitions. If Christ
is formed within, if the truth with its sanctifying power is brought
into the inner sanctuary of the soul, you will not have jolly men,
neither will you have sour, cross, crabbed men to teach the precious
lessons of Christ to perishing souls.
Our ministers need a transformation of character. They should
feel that if their works are not wrought in God, if they are left to
their own imperfect efforts, they are of all men the most miserable.
Christ will be with every minister who, although he may not have
attained to perfection of character, is seeking most earnestly to
become Christlike. Such a minister will pray. He will weep between
the porch and the altar, crying in soul anguish for the Lord’s presence
to be with him; else he cannot stand before the people, with all
heaven looking upon him, and the angel’s pen taking note of his
words, his deportment, and his spirit.
Oh, that men would fear the Lord! Oh, that they would love
the Lord! Oh, that the messengers of God would feel the burden of
perishing souls! Then they would not merely speechify; but they
would have the power of God vitalizing their souls, and their hearts
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would glow with the fire of God’s love. Out of weakness they would
become strong; for they would be doers of the word. They would
hear the voice of Jesus: “Lo, I am with you alway.” Jesus would
be their teacher; and the word they minister would be quick and
powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, and a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of the heart. Just in proportion as the speaker
appreciates the divine presence and honors and trusts the power of
God, is he acknowledged as a laborer together with God. Just in this
proportion does he become mighty through God.
There needs to be an elevating, uplifting power, a constant
growth in the knowledge of God and the truth, on the part of one
who is seeking the salvation of souls. If the minister utters words
drawn from the living oracles of God; if he believes in and expects
the cooperation of Christ, whose servant he is; if he hides self and
exalts Jesus, the world’s Redeemer; his words will reach the hearts
of his hearers, and his work will bear the divine credentials. The