A Competent and Faithful Ministry
By Methodist Recorder
THE great need of the church to-day is a competent and faithful ministry. Very much depends upon the character of the men who fill the sacred desk, and who dispense the word of life to the people. To a very great extent they give direction to the efforts of the church, and their influence is largely felt in moulding its spiritual character. An incompetent ministry cannot build up the church, because it lacks the ability—the essential qualifications—necessary to that end. A blind man is not a safe guide. A man who does not know the way himself, cannot safely be trusted to conduct others therein. This is eminently true of the ministry. Paul presents this subject in a very clear light in his second letter to Timothy. He says, "The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." In order to be a minister, it is not enough that a man be a good man—a faithful man—he must also be able to teach others, and instruct them in the saving truths of the gospel. No man can impart to others what he does not possess himself—can teach others what he does not know. Admitting the most that can be claimed for the aid of the divine Spirit, it must be admitted that in this as well as in other things, God requires us to employ the talents that he has given us, and he does not directly impart to us knowledge which may be obtained by diligent study and research. If men would be ministers of the gospel, they must qualify themselves by proper application and study for the duties of the sacred office. They must be able to teach others, as the result of having learned themselves. From a child Timothy had known the holy Scriptures, and he had no doubt strictly observed the requirement of the apostle, and given attention to reading and study. But even knowledge is not enough. To this must be added faithfulness. Ministers, above all others, should be faithful men. Not only the interests of time, but the interests of eternity—the salvation of souls—depend upon their labors. By faithfulness they may honor the Master, advance the interests of his cause, and save their own souls and them that hear them. But if they are unfaithful, and bury their talents, or neglect or refuse to labor faithfully in the vineyard of the Master, and the blood of souls is found in their skirts, how fearful their responsibility! We need competent and faithful men in the ministry. The harvest is great and the laborers are few. Let the church pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth more laborers into his harvest.—Methodist Recorder.