PIONEERS, SUPPORT, ETC.
T
THEpioneer men in this country felled the trees, cleared away the forests, built their houses and barns, and made a living. Many of their sons can not make a living with the farm and all the balance fitted to their hand. In the same way, the first preachers went out at their own expense, turned the people to God and built up churches, and now the preachers, with their fine salaries, houses in which to meet, and everything prepared to hand, are not accomplishing as much, in proportion to their number and ability. Why is this? Is it because theycan not? Not at all. It is because they are not asdevoted. They are not asenterprising. They are not asindustrious. They are not asself-sacrificing.
Those old preachers needed no “innocent amusements,” “innocent games,” “healthful exercises,” “pastime,” “social dance,” “croquet,” etc., etc. They knew nothing oftorpid liver,indigestion,nervous prostration, etc., etc. Those afflictions were left for a later class. They obtained plenty of healthful exercise in clearing off, breaking and cultivating their new land, in their long rides on horseback, or trips on foot, and faithfully preaching, and the Lord blessed them. The results of their labor and sacrifices are seen all over this country. They looked after the children of God andcared for them; not withthis new kind ofcare for money; not only the money of theliving, but arranging to get the money of thedead; but they cared formen; watched fortheir souls, as those who shall give an account.
We do not want to say one word in this connection, nor any other, that shall be the means of cutting off one penny of support received by any good preacher who is faithfully doing the work of an evangelist, but would add to the support of many such men whose support is inadequate; and as to mercenary and avaricious men in the ministry, and we trust there are but few of them, we have learned better than to waste our ink on them. We are writing for the good of the cause, and we rejoice to believe that we have the men, an extended body of them, able ministers of the gospel, who are devoted to the work, and willing to do anything in their power to advance the cause. These are reading, studying, and ready to listen to anything that will advance the cause. To these men we must look, and on them, as the agents under God, we must depend; we must encourage their hearts, strengthen their hands and give them support. To these men we appeal and entreat them, in view of all that is dear to humanity; in view of the suffering Savior, and lost man; in view of their own children and the children of others, as well as the good of the world at large, to go into the field with a determination to preach the gospel of the grace of God; go everywhere, in the name of the Lord, where the people will listen to a discourse concerning Jesus and the resurrection, and preach the unsearchable riches of Christ; make all men see and turn them to God. Do not wait for acall, butgo; do not wait for some certain promise of support, but trust to thepromises of God; go in faith; trust in God; sow the good seed of the kingdom, the word of God, that it may fall into good and honest hearts and bring forth much fruit. Put in every sermon possible; preach to every one who will hear; preach because you love God and man, and desire to save man from ruin, and because you love to preach; because the Lord commands it, and the God of peace will be with you, care and provide for you.