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CHAPTER XIII.

WHY THE CHURCH SHOULD BE PRIMARILY AND CHIEFLY SOLICITOUS OF OBTAINING MEN, AND NOT MONEY,* FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY; A CONSIDERATION OF THE DIFFICULTY AT PRESENT EXPERIENCED IN SUPPLYING THE HOME AND FOREIGN MISSIONS WITH A CAPABLE MINISTRY, AND AN APPLICATION OF THE REMEDY.

"Him would Paul have to go forth with him.”—ACTs xvi. 3. "The same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others."-2 TIM. ii. 2.

"For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee."-TITUS i. 5.

We have only to read the twenty-fourth and twentyfifth chapters of S. Matthew's Gospel, and the corresponding chapters in the other Gospels, to be aware of and to be fully impressed with the certainty of that which, as our Lord therein announces to us, will befall the Church in the latter days. But He does not merely foretell these things, and then leave us to our fate, to guide and steer our bark as best we may without a compass or other direction, amidst fierce storms that may beat upon us, and whirling eddies that may threaten to engulf us at any moment. On the contrary, we can see that the

* "God wants not your money, but your faith" (S. Ambrose," De Penitentia," lib. ii. c. 9).

very object of our Lord's forewarning is that we may not be taken unawares by these calamities, but be fully prepared to meet them. And that we may be able to surmount the difficulties with which we may then be encompassed, and overcome them, He has plainly intimated what shall be the duty, not only of the captain, but of the crew; not only of the shepherd, but of the sheep; not only of the stewards, but of the members of the household of God in such a crisis.

Towards the close of His predictions of disaster to the world and its inhabitants, He speaks to us in parables. By the parable of the Fig-tree it is intimated to us that we should watch for the signs of the coming of the great catastrophe. And our Lord's words respecting the faithful and wise servant who was made ruler of the household, appear to be a kind of parable, wherein we learn what is expected from the stewards of God's household, and what rich rewards and high commendation await them if they are faithful to their trust. While, again, in the parables of the Ten Virgins and of the Talents, words of warning and of wise counsel are given us which would apply to all in general.

In all these parables we are taught clearly that it is the duty of both pastor and people to be found each one at their post, performing their appointed tasks, and watching and waiting for the coming of their Lord and Master. And we also learn that there must be rulers over the household of God, to give them meat in due season; there must be those that sell certain necessaries, in order that the Lord's faithful ones may buy from them; there must be those who shall lay out the talents they are entrusted with for the

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Master's use and not for themselves, or to be squandered and wasted on the earth whereon they live,they must be prepared to give an account of all they have received from the Master's hand, and be ready to yield up the tithes of all they possess, and that willingly and not grudgingly.

Whence, also, we may gather that it is the duty of all, without distinction, to take stock of all they possess, and to see whether it is put to as good a use as it might; and to see whether they profit, and are fully benefited by the means of grace which are placed within their reach by God's providence. While, moreover, we learn that it is the duty of those who are rulers and stewards of God's household to provide for the members of that household, to give them meat in due season, to see that they have opportunities given them for using their talents with due care and to the best advantage, or of putting their money to the exchangers, and of buying by their diligence that which is sold to those who are diligent in the work of the Lord.

In order, then, to facilitate these means and opportunities, in order that it may be comparatively easy for every one to obtain a due supply of those necessaries for the maintenance and growth of His spiritual life, it is incumbent upon us to do all in our power to make proper provision for increasing the number of those who may minister the means of grace so needful for the well-being and saving health of the soul.

We learn from the parable of the Ten Virgins the necessity there is for that grace, while in the parable of the Talents immediately following, we may learn how it is possible to solve any difficulty as

regards the supply and demand of that grace. For it must readily occur to us that all difficulties could at once vanish, and any obstacle could easily be overcome, if all would only use those talents committed to their care. The talents are various and almost infinite, and, if put to their proper use, would redound to the glory of God, and be for the prosperity and happiness of all His creatures. The wealth, position, and influence that a man may possess may be accounted as so many talents, as well as that goodly heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord, even children and the fruit of the womb.

What has been done, it may be asked, by Christian men and women in the way of putting these talents to their BEST USE, of utilizing these gifts to their best advantage, for our Lord and Master? We dare not affirm that nothing has been done, but we may venture to ask, Has as much been done as might and could have been done? We have need, it is to be feared, to bear in mind the poet's warning—

"Improve thy talent with due care;

For the great day thyself prepare."

The author does not now wish to animadvert upon the mode in which the duties of a Christian generally should be performed. He would now only draw attention to that one particular duty which, it cannot be denied, but must universally be allowed, it is incumbent upon every Christian to fulfil, or to assist in fulfilling. And that duty is to see that the sacred ministry shall not languish or be brought to the verge of total extinction for lack of candidates who shall properly execute it; but, on the contrary, every effort should be made, and no pains should be spared to

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replenish the ranks of the sacred ministry from time to time with ever-increasing numbers of suitable candidates, who may have every motive, and those the highest and best, for pressing forward into these holy offices, so that the cry shall ever be, "And still they

come."

And the men who shall thus throng the ranks of the sacred ministry should be men with the best intellects, the noblest minds, and holiest affections, and of the richest culture. How, then, it may be asked, are the high offices of State to be served, and with what class of men? With that question we are not now concerned, but the author would shock no faithful Christian heart, however loyal to any government of whatever kind, if he ventured to settle the question according to the dictum of the Eternal Wisdom, who speaks to us thus, "If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the Church."

While we do not grudge good men and true for the highest and every office of State, yet all who have the honour and glory of God at heart cannot deny, but must admit, that it is due to the Church, due to Him who is the Head of His Church, due to Him who is the King of kings, and whose kingdom hath never an end, that the officers of His kingdom, men who wield and administer the powers of the world to come, should be the best and noblest to be found. And as some help to this end, it should be continually brought before the mind, especially of the young, that the holy office is a good work,* and one to be desired.

* Herewith might profitably be studied Keble's poem for First Sunday after Easter.

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