Page images
PDF
EPUB

A SERIES

OF

ARTICLES AND DISCOURSES.

ARTICLE I.

On the Importance of a Pious and Enlightened Ministry.

THE Christian ministry is of Divine origin. It is the instrumentality by which the cause of truth, righteousness, and piety are maintained; the means ordained of God for the salvation of men. In the arrangements of Christ for the establishment of his kingdom in the earth, the institution of the gospel ministry is very prominent. He selected the men, trained them for the great and arduous work under his own eye, sent them forth to preach the word of truth, and gave them directions for perpetuating the holy order. The wisdom of this appointment has been demonstrated by the experience of the whole history of the gospel church. Every great interest needs special supervision; and the greater the interest, the more thorough and systematic should be the supervision by which its affairs are to be guarded and directed. And the guardian influence which is exerted by the ministry over the church, is clearly seen to be wisely adapted for the accomplishment of its great and momentous objects. It was designed of God to exert a great moral power over individuals and communities, for the advancement of the highest interests of mankind, both for time and for eternity. Hence, good men have always looked with anxious solicitude to the character and qualifications of the ministry. This solicitude is natural and right; for the state of public morals, and the prosperity of the church, depend, in a great degree, upon the piety, ability, and faithfulness of the gospel ministry. Both the state of the church, and

the character of the times in which we live, require as devoted, as able, and as faithful a ministry as at any former period.

[ocr errors]

The first and most important characteristic of a gospel ministry, is decided piety. This qualification is indispensable; it is demanded both by the Scriptures and the nature of the ministerial office, and, for the absence of which, nothing can atone. Unsanctified learning and talent will rather obstruct than advance the Redeemer's kingdom; will rather tarnish than promote the glory of God among men. Every Christian teacher should be a truly converted man, and should possess the graces of the Spirit in a strong, vivid, and prominent exercise. He should be truly and eminently a man of God; full of faith and the Holy Ghost; and should be rooted and grounded in love. Without a decidedly pious ministry, no church can possibly, for any length of time, sustain a devotional and spiritual character. Her graces will languish, her energies will dry up, and her spiritual life will vanish away.

But, while piety is indispensable, it should not be forgotten that there are other qualifications, which are also essential in rendering a minister of the gospel useful and successful as a public teacher. The great head of the church would have an energetic, as well as an honest and devoted ministry. And hence, the necessity of looking into the intellectual, as well as the moral and religious character of the ministry. The enlightened age in which we live, and the general intelligence which is disseminated among all orders and conditions of men, obviously require an intellectual as well as a pious and devoted ministry. It is absurd to suppose that a man who possesses a rude and uncultivated mind, is properly qualified to preach the gospel with success, to a polished, intellectual, and intelligent congregation, merely because he is truly pious. Pious, he may be; but if his talents and learning are not sufficiently commanding to gain and fix the attention of his audience, he can be the means of doing them but little good. There seems to be a great absurdity in giving our children a polite and polished education, and then doom them to hear an uneducated ministry. Where education is widely diffused and disseminated among all classes of the community, as in this country, the ministry should also be educated, in order that they may become competent and useful teachers of the Christian religion. And if the church duly respect herself, and have a proper regard for the glory and honor of God, she will, with a proper feeling, insist on those qualifications in the ministry, which are essential in rendering them useful as pastors.

That God has ordained an able as well as a devoted ministry for his church, is clearly manifest from the precepts of the Bible. The priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth. Neglect not the gift that is in thee. Meditate upon these things. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. These precepts speak a language clear, plain, and decisive; a language that cannot be misunderstood. And,

« PreviousContinue »