The Conservative Reformation and Its Theology - Saint Mary ...

which are to guide him in his vocation as guardian of the flock; the
Preacher of the future should understand the theory, and be practically
trained in the power of that simple but mighty eloquence, which becomes
the preaching of the cross; the Catechist of the future should be trained for
the great work of feeding the lambs; the future Ministrants at the altars of
the Most High should be shaped in the tender, trusting, and all-prevailing
spirit of worship, which God, the Holy Ghost, kindles in his saints, the
devotion, whose flame trembles upward to its source, in the humble
confessions, in the holy songs, and in the fervent prayers of the Church, all
hallowed by the memories of ages of yearning and aspiration. If we are to
have men "mighty in the Scriptures," "able and faithful ministers of the
New Testament," they must be, "not novices," but men who "know how
they ought to behave themselves in the house of God," "perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works," "holding fast the faithful word
as they have been taught, that they may be able, by sound doctrine, both to
exhort and to convince gainsayers," "in doctrine showing incorruptness."
Ministerial efficiency dependent on it.
In the true Christian minister, the priesthood, which he holds in
common with all believers, intensifies itself by his representative character.
He is a priest, whose lips keep knowledge, at whose mouth they should
seek the law, for he is the "messenger of the Lord of hosts." We want men
apt to teach, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves. We
want men of decision, ready to confront those "whose mouths must be
stopped; who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not,
for filthy lucre's sake." We want men, who will "hold fast the form of
sound words; who will take heed unto themselves and the doctrine, and
continue in them, knowing, that, in doing this," and alone in doing this,
"they shall both save themselves and them that hear them;" men, who
shall stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of
the gospel," "earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to the
saints;" men, "like-minded one toward another, speaking the same thing,
with no divisions