A DISCOURAGED PASTOR

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 25, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 52.

A DISCOURAGED PASTOR.

Some years ago a pastor of a little church in a small town became exceedingly discouraged, and brooded over his trials to such an extent that he became an inveterate grumbler. He found fault with his brethren because he imagined they did not treat him well. A brother minister was invited to assist him a few days in a special service. At the close of the Sabbath morning service our unhappy brother invited the minister to his house to dinner. While they were waiting alone in the parlor, he began his doleful story by saying:—

“You have no idea of my troubles; and one of the greatest is that my brethren in the church treat me very badly.”

The other propounded the following questions:—

“Did they ever spit in your face?”

“No; they haven’t come to that.”

“Did they ever smite you?”

“No.”

“Did they ever crown you with thorns?”

This last question he could not answer, but bowed his head thoughtfully. The other replied:—

“Your Master and mine was thus treated, and His disciples fled and left Him in the hands of the wicked. Yet He opened not His mouth.”

The effect of this conversation was wonderful. Both ministers bowed in prayer, and earnestly sought to possess the mind which was in Christ Jesus. During the ten days’ meetings the discontented pastor became wonderfully changed. He labored and prayed with his friend, and many souls were brought to Christ.—Selected.