p. 2 | MINISTERIAL LICENSES by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 23, 1879

MINISTERIAL LICENSES.

By S. N. Haskell

Many will this year receive licenses for the first time, together with many who have held them before. It may not therefore be out of place to say a few words on the subject of licenses. S. D. Adventists have already become noted for their unanimity of action in the work which they firmly believe to be the work of God. They believe in practical piety, and that God calls men to the work of the ministry, also that he does not send one man to give a message and another to overthrow it. The various gifts were placed in the church “for the edifying of the body of Christ” which is the church. Eph. 4: 11, 12. To edify is to build up, decorate, improve, etc.

If men give evidence of a thorough conversion to God, having a good moral influence in the neighborhood and church where they live, and desire to improve their gift in public speaking, or if the church feel that they have a duty in this direction, it is usually safe to grant such men licenses. The qualifications required of a local elder in 1 Tim. 3: 1-7 apply with two-fold more force to the man who proposes to enter the gospel ministry. He should feel the importance and sacredness of God’s work, desiring to save souls rather than simply to preach. A minister is a servant; one willing to bear the reproach of others if by so doing he can save some for whom Christ died. He is Christ’s ambassador and his representative to the people. “Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, the reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.” Rom. 15: 1-3. The Christian graces should be exemplified in his life. His is a higher and holier calling because of the lowliness and humbleness of the character which he who professes to represent Christ and the principles exemplified in his character, should possess.

A license does not make the minister, or change the character of the person. It is simply an expression, on the part of the Conference, of their confidence in his integrity, and a recommendation to the confidence of the people, while he is improving his gift and giving evidence that God has called him to the work. If he would teach others he must be teachable himself, willing to be instructed by those of more experience in the cause of God. If he has strong characteristics which mar the work wherever he goes; if he is overbearing and injudicious in his deportment, incautious in his words, thus bringing disgrace upon the cause, he needs to reform, and until he does, he had better lay aside his profession as a Christian minister. Yet we would not be understood to say that men can be perfect of themselves; but if one class should raise the standard higher than another in their lives, it is the minister of the gospel. Those embracing the truth will partake more or less of the character of the one presenting it to them, and their Christian experience will thus be affected to a greater or less extent.

If a man cannot control his feelings, his appetite, the passions of his natural heart, he cannot successfully labor to save others. Such had better tarry until they are endued with power from on high. God will bless the efforts of his chosen servants, and give them fruit in seeing souls embrace the truth. If they are not able by the grace of God to bring men from nature’s darkness to the glorious light of the gospel of Jesus Christ, they have mistaken their calling. These are some of the indications which give evidence to others whether God has called them to the work or not.

A license of itself does not entitle any one receiving it to draw pay from the Conference funds. Not unfrequently the auditing committees, at our business sessions, are thrown into great perplexity by licentiates who report from eight to ten months’ labor, and from seventy-five to one hundred, or more, dollars traveling expenses, and are depending upon the Conference to relieve them from the financial embarrassment in which they have involved themselves. Yet their reports give no evidence that souls have been converted, or that anything has really been accomplished by their labor; in short, there is no proof that God has called them to the ministry. Now if these men are paid, as they expect, those who do give evidence of their calling, by bringing men and women into the truth, and in other respects advancing the cause of God, are crippled. We cannot think that God would be pleased to have means taken from such men who have labored to educate those whom they have brought into the truth, to support the ministry with their means, to support those who accomplish nothing more than to make a few personal friends and induce some to read on present truth. The apostle teaches an important lesson on this point in 1 Cor. 9, by striking illustrations. “Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?”

As well might an individual take from his friend’s table to support his neighbor who makes no success of life as to embarrass a successful laborer by taking of his earnings to help those who have mistaken their calling. While men are proving themselves with a license, they should take the responsibility of giving their time. The Conference ventures its reputation in granting them license. It may be claimed that some are poor and cannot do this, but a man thus situated should not be above laboring with his hands. While he is thus engaged his conversation and deportment will favorably impress those with whom he comes in contact. It is sometimes said that there are no lazy Christians. Whatever truth there is in this statement, it has tenfold more force when applied to ministers. S. N. HASKELL.