“The Work of the Ministry.”
By J. H. W.
As this first number of the volume goes forth in the mails at the commencement of the New Year, a large number of men who have consecrated themselves to the work of the Lord will go from this place, where they have been assembled for over two weeks to learn “the way of God more perfectly.” And we trust that at least a large proportion of them may go forth better prepared for the work than ever they were before. On most of the points of our faith we believe there will be more unity of expression, if not more unity of faith; a better understanding of the best methods of presenting the truth to the world. This is a great and important point gained. But instruction for the head, important as it is, will never give success in the holy cause of God, if the heart is not sanctified by divine grace. This we trust most of the brethren realize. Some, it is to be feared, do not. Let all contrast their privileges for study, and for getting an understanding of the theory of the truth, with the privileges of those who labored in the beginning of this work, and consider how the Lord blessed the cause and prospered it in their hands, and they may then realize that theology is no substitute for spirituality. We do not underrate the importance of “the words of sound doctrine.” Far from it. But we would enforce by every means those scriptures and testimonies which show our dependence on God for success in his work. David, when he was humbled before God with a sense of his sins, gave an excellent view of the true order of this work upon the heart and upon the world, in Ps. 51. 1. “Hide thy face from my sins.” Not by passing them over as of small account, but by blotting them out, by making us clean, by washing us, that we may be whiter than snow. 2. “Create in me a clean heart.” A pure heart is essential to a pure life. If the tree is corrupt, the fruit will be. If the fountain is bitter, the stream must be the same. These are the first steps to a complete preparation for the service of God. 3. “Take not thy Holy Spirit from me.” Without this we are nothing—less than nothing. The apostles of Jesus, after being three and a half years under his teaching and direction, were not suffered to preach a single sermon until they were “endued with power from on high.” Their necessity for the heavenly aid was certainly no greater than ours. 4. “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.” David had grieved the Spirit of God; he had lost the fellowship of his Lord. His soul panted for God, as the hart panteth for the water brooks. How many of us have grieved the Spirit, and lost its power. How few feel the joy of his salvation so as to be able to rejoice in him continually. “Uphold me with thy free spirit.” Without this we shall sink and die. 5. “Then will I teach transgressors thy way.” And then, when our sins are all put away, our hearts and lives purified, the Spirit of God leading us and dwelling in us, and the joy of his salvation in our hearts, then we shall be prepared to teach transgressors the way of the Lord, “and sinners shall be converted” unto him. Without this, people may be converted to the preacher, or to a theory of truth; with this, they will be converted to God. With all this preparation, we must remember that the promise of a joyful return from our labors is to him “that goeth forth weeping.” Said David, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.” Contrition of heart will never be despised of the Lord. Though our sins have risen high between us and him, he is just to forgive and mighty to save—plenteous in mercy. “In the multitude of thy mercies will I come before thee.” Not in our merits; not by virtue of any service we have done; not by our strength; but in the multitude of the mercies of God. Thanks be to God who has prepared for his people so complete an armor, and given such precious gifts of his Spirit, “for the work of the ministry.” Truly we are not in darkness that the impending day of the Lord should overtake us as a thief, unless we shut our eyes to the light which Heaven is shedding on our pathway. May he keep us by his own power through faith unto the coming salvation. J. H. W.