The Covenanter Pastor - Reformed Presbyterian Theological ...

18 THE PASTOR'S CHARACTER
way. A conversion may be as real as his, although
not as striking
as to the manner of it. The same is
true of a call to the ministry. It is a fact that some
good men have thought that they received the call
by a voice speaking unto them, or a
by vision of
Christ, but there are no intimations in scripture that
such immediate revelations are to be expected.
How then is the Divine call to be known?
3. If one possesses the qualifications essential to
the office it may be regarded
as an evidence of
a call to it.
these are
Among
(1) The physical powers necessary.
Speaking on this subject Spurgeon says: "When
God means a creature to run He gives it nimble legs,
and if He means another creature to preach He will
give it suitable lungs. A brother who has to pause
in the middle of a sentence and gasp for breath
should ask himself whether there is not some other
occupation for which he is better adapted ; a brother
who can scarcely get through a sentence without pain,
can
hardly be called to 'cry aloud' and 'spare not.'
Brethren with defective mouths and imperfect articu
lation are not usually called to preach the gospel."
So Spurgeon advises.
I recall an occasion in our Presbytery, when an
aged minister asked to be relieved of his charge on
account of his growing infirmities. A young minis
ter rose, and in a
very low and indistinct voice, op
posed the granting of the request. When he sat
down, another aged father tartly remarked : "If Father
Galbraith could speak no better than that man, I am
sure his request ought to be granted."
In distributing talents the Master gives to each one
"according to his several ability." If one is vacillat
ing between the seminary and the hospital it throws a
doubt upon his call to preach. And yet we must not