A WORD from the 1700's
Posted by: prophetic <prophetic@...>
A WORD for MINISTERS - from THE 1700's
-by James Meikle (1730-1799).
Do not contract many worldly acquaintances.
Learn to be abused without becoming angry.
Do not meddle much with the affairs of this life.
Argue coolly, and from conscience - not for victory.
Do not pretend a 'show of sanctimony' before men.
Do not be ashamed of piety in any company.
Whatever else you read, read a double portion in the scriptures of truth.
Shun familiarity with the men of the world-else celestial truths, as
uttered by you, will be despised.
Do not be much concerned about your own reputation - as long as
the truth and the gospel do not suffer.
Learn daily more of Christ and more of yourself-else your other
studies will profit little.
Seek not great things for yourself. Seek not great fame, great
applause, great comforts, or a great income. But seek great things
for Christ. Seek for him great glory, many converts, and much fruits
of righteousness.
Consider the preciousness of souls, the value of salvation, the
weight of the sacred charge, the terrors of the Almighty, the solemn
day of judgment, and your own utter inability. Then shall you have
no vain confidence, but depend on God alone.
Please all men so long as you are consistent with the truth - but
do not wound the truth to please any.
Set your affections on things above - so shall spiritual things be
your delight, and not your burden.
In company, always study to say something for edification. In this
way, you preach every day - as well as on Sundays. Be much with
God in secret - so shall God be with you in public.
See that the behavior of every person in your family is a pattern to
all observers; and not matter of reproach - to the joy of God's enemies.
Let your flock be continually on your mind. And not only pray with
them in public, and from house to house - but carry them to your
closet, and pray for them in private.
Do not neglect to visit them at all proper times, but especially
embrace those golden opportunities - sickness and affliction.
Have sympathetic feelings with the sufferings of all your flock.
Let your life be consistent with your message. What you preach
on Sunday - practice through the week.
Do not only press charity on the wealthy; but let your example,
according to your ability, show the way.
Lend your ear to reproaches - rather than applauses. Reproaches
may let us see some of our foibles or failings. But commendation
is very apt to kindle self-conceit - of which everyone has enough.
Be temperate in eating and drinking. Do not, when at a feast,
though temperate at other times - be a glutton or a wine-bibber.
With respect to your flock, consider that you are made the steward
of a family, and therefore must, seeing the great Master allows it -
provide food for all - meat for the strong, and milk for the weak.
Keep an exact list or catalogue of your flock-who is pious or
profligate; who is in affluence or poverty; who is in health or sick -
and read it often.
Give a pleasant ear when others are commended. But always
frown away the friend that would commend you to your face.
Be scant in exhibiting 'specimens of your learning', or comments
on the Scriptures in their original languages. For a fine grammarian
may be but a novice in piety and the gospel.
In preaching, aim at God's glory and the good of souls. And then,
without deviating from that rule - please all men as much as possible.
Let your sermons be always the fruit of much study and application.
And never dare to serve God or his people with that which cost you nothing.
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