HEART-WORRIES OF THE MINISTER.
MORE probably than any dozen of his congregation, the pastor has real heart-worries which he feels are crushing his energy and life out of him, but which he cannot tell his people with much hope of a sympathy that will lighten his burden; for though they mean to be kind, they have not had the same experience, and so cannot understand what he feels so keenly. Aimless busy-bodies or malicious mischief-makers, misrepresent his words and acts. His good name is assailed, and his influence is impaired so artfully, that he can do nothing to defend the one or regain the other, without making matters worse. His utterances are perverted, and he is made to say things he never said; his sermons are too spiritual or too literary; his congregations may be large, but careless; his prayer-meetings may be full, but cold, and he cannot warm them up. These and other real heart-worries (a small salary included) press heavily upon the pastor's mind and energies. Is it any wonder that under such circumstances he becomes over-sensitive and nervous, and is perhaps obliged to resign a charge in which a more kindly thoughtfulness on the part of the people might have made him eminently useful?—N. Y. Evangelist.