Ministerial Failures

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 24, 1872

Ministerial Failures.

It is a sad thing for a man to mistake his calling, and waste his life in endeavoring to do what he is unfitted for, and it is yet more pitiful to see men who are called of God to work in his vineyard ruining their prospects and destroying their usefulness by errors, follies, and indiscretions:

Said Dr. Howard Crosby, in a sermon delivered before the students of Union Seminary in New York:—

“I know some men that started out in life with me, who, so far as usefulness goes, are ready wrecks. I do not mean that they are not good men, for they are earnest and sincere Christians. Now it is important to know why they have failed. In one man a single thing has been the cause; he could not keep his tongue; he spoke out everything that he knew; and set everybody by the ears. This habit will always destroy, not only comfort, which is a secondary consideration, but usefulness and influence. In another man, his manner of going to church and sitting there have ruined him; it is about what one would expect of a rowdy entering a bar-room. He would shie his hat under the desk, and in prayer would turn around and start for his seat before he had said the Amen. Another good man has lost his influence because he loves and drives fast horses. Another, of truly fine character and of a strong mind, is powerless, and cannot get a church simply because he will not make the acquaintance of soap and water. After all, common sense is what is most needed. Adapt yourselves to all circumstances. Do not be governed by pre-conceived theories, but let them bend to the actual wants of the occasion. Thus you can make yourselves acceptable to others.”