LEGS by J. W. Bozeman

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 22, 1879

LEGS

By J. W. Bozeman

THERE is a very pressing and important qualification in candidates for the gospel ministry, that we must no longer neglect. I refer to good legs. The idea is occasionally advanced that brains are necessary in a preacher. They are, doubtless, of some importance. When, however, we consider the quantity of leg work that is demanded of pastors, we find that good legs are a sine qua non in this office. One might say that ministers must have knowledge. Well, yes, but prophecy says that knowledge shall run to and fro. The churches require their pastors to fulfill that prophecy as to the matter of running to and fro to dispense their knowledge. To go from house to house, gadding around daily, if not hourly, that is the work demanded of them. What need of brains, when it is work of legs that is wanted? What use to spend time in laziness, cultivating their minds and studying the word of God, when it is action, and that of the pedal extremities, that is a “felt want” among all the members of our churches? Pastors can flatter the pride of so many more people and make themselves so much more popular, by frequently calling on their flocks in detail and bestowing welcome compliments. It shows such vim, too, in the preachers, and proves them to be earnest workers, live men, deeply interested in their charge. On every side we hear churches saying: “We want pastors who will go around and see the people.” The idea of what constitutes a pastor seems to be the number of visits he can make. It is admitted that to be a preacher, a man must have brains; but to be a pastor, a man must have legs. The cry is not for preachers; but for pastors, live men, who can walk from house to house rapidly, and keep it up all the time. This is mainly, if not solely, a leg exercise. It is the work craved and demanded. It is the mark of “a live man.” To perform it, a preacher must have legs.

I do wish I could emphasize the importance, the imperative necessity of this qualification. Let me give an illustration: A large aristocratic family of Baptists moved into a new town and took up their abode. The pastor did not scent their presence on the breeze, as he ought to have done, and haste with flying feet to pay them his respects. But alas! the Rev. Mr. Shanks, of the Methodist church, being informed of their arrival, did outrun him to that home, and solicited the children for his Sunday-school. Young Dr. Golightly, the Presbyterian minister, had sped there too, ahead of him, and had won their hearts. Dr. Speedwell, rector of the Episcopal church, had visited them already more than once, and had accidentally left his prayer-book in their parlor. At last, as early as propriety demanded, Eld. Head, deliberate and dignified as ever, reached that threshold and met Father Levides, the Catholic priest, just bidding them adieu—most blandly smiling, and most graciously bestowing his blessings and compliments in richest profusion. The family deported themselves decidedly cool toward Eld. Head, who they said had so grievously neglected them. They soon drifted away into other congregations. Who cannot see that they were lost to the Baptists for lack of legs—swift and obsequious legs, on the part of the pastor? What are brains in such a contest? Eld. Head had brains, character, experience, learning, dignity, eloquence, and piety, but he was not swift of foot. There was the defect. Legs are worth all the rest. Things, you see, have changed since Solomon’s day, and now the race is to the swift.

Oh for preachers with legs, swift legs and glib tongues, to win the people and hold them for the truth. Brethren, look out among you numerous men of good legs, that we may set them over this matter. Let that be the point most closely scrutinized when a man is about to offer for the ministry. Are his legs trim, supple, agile, durable? Apply the sense of touch; rub these all-important members; lift them; test their speed and endurance, and see if they can outrun those of their rivals. Never forget that the churches are calling, nay, crying and beseeching for pastors—men who can go with dispatch from house to house, brains or no brains. The demand is for men with legs to do leg work in the ministry. Heed it. Verbum sat. Text for ordination sermon: “Run, speak to this young man.” Zech. 2:4. “So they ran both together; and the other disciple did outrun Peter.” John 20:4. “Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.” 2 Sam. 18:23.—J. W. Bozeman, in Baptist Record.