Belittling the Ministry.
By Editor
Prof. Shailer Mathews, of Chicago University, intimates that godly young men will not enter the ministry because of "the belittling of the ministry by the church itself;" and another difficulty is expressed in the statement of a clergyman, that "under present conditions a minister's salary is often so inadequate that he is unable to support his family in a decent manner." And both doubtless are true. One minister declares that, as the minister is the "hired man" of the church, he is expected to preach so as to offend none of those who contribute to his salary. But as long as a minister allows such a thought to dominate him, he becomes a subject of belittlement. The duty of the minister is to please not men, but God; to preach God's Word, whether men will hear or forbear; to be God's messenger, God's prophet, for this time. He must seek to be like his Master, his heart, mind, soul, given to the great cause to which he belongs. He can not be a politician, a time-server, a covetous man; and, tho men may belittle his work, he must even more greatly esteem it. On the other hand, the church should ever uphold the ministry as one of God's means to save men, and he should be well supported. But whatever course either may pursue—preacher or people—the other is not excused from duty to God.