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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 18, 1865

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 26, No. 7.

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The Ministry. No. 1.

By James White

In presenting a few thoughts upon the gospel ministry, we will first introduce that portion of the commission given by our Lord, which shows that the gospel preached by his ministers was designed to seal the eternal destiny of men.
"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark xvi, 15, 16.
In things pertaining to this life only, men assume great responsibilities; but he who accepts the work of the gospel ministry takes upon himself responsibilities as much greater than those pertaining to this life, as eternal life exceeds in duration and glory the present brief life, with all its clouds, and storms, and tears, and woes. To deal with mind, in the presentation of unpopular truth, when, upon the manner in which it is presented, and the way it is received, hang the eternal destiny of souls, is a work of infinitely more importance than the noblest schemes of men which reach not beyond this mortal life.
Christ preached his own gospel. But when he closed his mission below, and was about to ascend up on high, he chose men to stand before the world in his stead, and persuade men to be reconciled to God.
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2 Cor. v, 20.
It should be expected of those who in Christ's stead speak to the people, and beseech and pray the people to be reconciled to God, that they would imitate Christ.
Did he bear a humble dignity? so should they.
Was he holy in life, and pure in act and word? so should they be.
Did he walk with God, and spend much time in earnest prayer? so should they.
Was his path unstained by levity, but often strewed with tears? so theirs should be.
Was the glory of God, and the salvation of men, the object and burden of his life? so, O blessed Christ, let these be the burden of thine ambassadors.
The world is cursed with unchristian ministers. The holy gospel ministry is disgraced, and despised by the world, because—
1. Ministers seek for popularity and worldly fame instead of the salvation of souls.
2. Some men enter the ministry deficient in brain, deficient in moral training and discipline, and deficient in that energy, love of order, and love of study, sufficient to lift themselves out of the very filth of this world, and elevate them to any degree of intelligence and respectability.
3. Men go into the gospel field without Christ to go with them. Perhaps they make shipwreck of faith, and scatter and divide the flock. Or, perhaps their conversation and general deportment manifests corruptions at heart, and finally their ministerial career winds up with acts of dishonesty and immorality. Thus God is dishonored, Christ is put to an open shame by those who profess to speak in his stead, and the cause of Christianity is left bleeding, while the world looks on with disgust.
Such ministers take upon themselves a terrible responsibility. Terrible, indeed, will be their attitude before the bar of God, with their garments all stained with the blood of souls they have led to ruin, or by their foolish and wicked course kept out of the kingdom of Heaven.
How will a vivid sense of a reckless life in the ministry—love of unjust gain while in the ministry—love of gratifying the lusts of the flesh, and love of groveling acts and words while standing in Christ's stead before the people—overwhelm the guilty minister at the final summing up of his accounts as recorded in the books above.
And how terrible will be the fire of Almighty wrath upon him in the burning day of final destruction from the presence of the Lord. J. W.