Ministers and Witnesses
By H. Clay Trumbull
"I HAVE appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness." The work to which Paul was set of Christ, is the work for every representative of Christ. "A minister and a witness." Called to serve Jesus, and to serve others in his name; also to testify concerning him, to declare what he has done and what he has said, and what he is to whoever trusts him. A great many clergymen and teachers have an idea that they are set as lawyers for Christ, rather than his witnesses; that they ought to argue his case rather than to testify in his favor. So they fritter away their time in trying to convince men, by processes of logic, of the existence of God and of the reasonableness of his plan of redemption, instead of testifying plainly and emphatically what God has revealed, and what they know of its preciousness. If Christians generally would consent to be witnesses of Christ, instead of assuming to be his advocates, they would be performing the service to which he has called them, and would have a great deal more of success in their work for him.—H. Clay Trumbull.