Between the Dead and the Living
By J. K. Jones
The rebellion which was started by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram in the camp of Israel while in the wilderness, grew to such proportions, even after the instigators and their sympathizers had been swallowed up by the gaping earth, that the Lord sent a plague upon the people. It was at this time, when the plague was raging, and it seemed that all Israel would be consumed in a very short time, that Moses interceded with the Lord in behalf of the people. The Lord instructed Moses to tell Aaron, the high priest, to " take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them." Aaron did as he was bidden, and we read concerning him that " he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed."
There are but few incidents related in the Holy Bible which make as serious impression upon my mind as this. To consider that the priest, or the minister of God, is called to stand in the place where the issues of life or death are at stake,— to bring to the dying the reality of eternal living, to stay the plague of sin in the individual life, — is indeed a solemn thought. To fail at such a time, through word or conduct, means death to the soul of the minister and those who need his ministry.
The man who is ordained to the ministry is under solemn covenant to God to speak and act for Him; and he is also under solemn covenant to the people in whose behalf he is called to minister, ever to maintain serious, righteous, clean, honest, and zealous deportment. It is not an uncommon experience, however, to witness the demonstration of traits of character which are entirely out of place in the ministry of this cause. To be specific, I will mention three of the most common characteristics which are so weakening and so disappointing in the ministry:
First, the lack of seriousness. While the Christian has a right to be cheerful and happy at all times, and should ever have a smile upon his face, it becomes painful to listen to the Christian, and especially the minister, who has been called to stand between God and the people, indulging in conversation of no higher order than joking, jesting, and foolishness. Yet we find this painful situation existing on all sides. Such ministers may rest satisfied with a superficial, flattering popularity, but they are not meeting the purpose of their calling. It is not for ministers such as these that the call is sent by the dying soul for the spiritual help which is needed.
Second, the lowering of standards. In the days of Israel there were men who had " understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do." It is men of such understanding that are needed to-day. The minister should have a high standard for himself, and should hold the people up to a high standard. This applies not alone to doctrine, but to the conduct of everyday life. There should be no letting down of the bars for admittance to the church, either by baptism or on profession of faith. For the minister to permit a person to join the church when he knows the individual is not fully instructed, is to prove untrue to his calling, and to all appearances, to be aiming for an enviable record among his fellow men rather than the record which will stand the test of the books in heaven.
Third, the laxness in business methods. Absolute integrity is required of the minister in all his dealings with his fellow men as well as with God. For any minister to incur heavy indebtedness and fail to meet his obligations promptly, results in detrimental influence to the cause of God. A minister, above all other men, should pay his bills, and make it a rule to operate on a cash basis. It is indeed very unfortunate for a worker to be compelled to borrow money from members of his congregation. Every minister should plan to live within his income, and seek in every way to avoid giving the impression that he is financially embarrassed because of an insufficient wage.
The people have a right to expect that the minister be serious in life and deportment, that all details of his life be in harmony with the belief in the soon coming of our Lord, that he possess a deep and abiding burden for sinners, that the life be clean and above reproach, and that he lead in sacrificial giving and service. The plague of sin is raging on all sides. Having been called and chosen for the sacred task of standing between the dead and the living, as God's messenger of hope, let us with all seriousness and solemnity be faithful to our trust, holding aloft the censer of sacred fire from off the altar, sprinkled with the incense of prayer, that the plague of sin may be stayed.
Union Springs, N. Y.
The Young Minister — No. 2
By W.E. Branson
Paul admonished the young minister to be an example not only in speech, but also in conduct. The minister's conduct, like an open book, will be observed, studied, and imitated by fellow Christians. It may be possible that what the minister does will speak more loudly than what he says; therefore the greatest significance is attached to the minister's conduct under all circumstances,— in the pulpit, in the home, on the street, in the social gathering or the general assembly.
" The true minister will do nothing that would belittle his sacred office. He will be circumspect in deportment, and wise in his course of action. He will work as Christ worked; he will do as Christ did. He will use all his powers in carrying the tidings of salvation to those who know it not. A deep hunger for the righteousness of Christ will fill his heart. Feeling his need. he will seek earnestly for the power that must come to him before he can present in simplicity, truthfulness, and humility the truth as it is in Jesus."—" Gospel Workers," p. 17.
Another qualification in which the young minister is to be an example is love. Love is the motor power of the gospel; it gives tone to a man's speech, it gives grace to his conduct. It was love which brought Christ down from His throne to be born in a manger, to live the life of a servant, to die on Calvary's cross; and it is love which leads men and women to-day to give up home and friends and wealth to minister for God in behalf of lost humanity. Love must be the motor power in the life of every minister, prompting every act and affording a mantle to cover the weakness, the failures, and the disappointments of human nature. It is his mission to bring lost men and women to the Father's " banqueting house " under the banner of love.
The young minister is to be an example in faith. I am glad that was specified. If a man would be a successful minister, he must study how to keep from becoming a pessimist, and develop into a confirmed optimist. It matters not what happens, nor how discouraging things may appear, he must have faith and the courage which is born of faith. Though his congregation or coworkers may become discouraged, he must be able to look up and lay hold of the power of Omnipotence, which will enable him to revive lagging courage and restore faith in the hearts of those who have lost faith from their lives. The devil is seeking to destroy faith, and he has largely succeeded. Faith in Jesus as the Son of God, faith in His power as revealed in the creation of the world, faith in His atoning sacrifice on Calvary's cross to pay the price of the sins of lost men, is dying out of the world.
Popular ministers who once proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ are to-day telling us that they have given up faith in the old Book, and have substituted the theory of evolution. Modern philosophy has come in with its blasting influence to such an extent that there is very little faith in existence, and we can better comprehend the meaning of the Saviour's inquiry, " When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth? " Therefore, as brethren in the ministry, let us seek to become stalwarts in faith; and may our example in this respect be imitated to a far-reaching degree by our fellow Christians.
The apostle Paul ends the list of exemplary qualifications for the young minister by an exhortation to purity. God can use only clean vessels. Light is most effectively reflected by the clear crystal lens; if the lantern is covered with dust and cobwebs, the light will be dimmed. The cleansing which must take place in the life of the messenger for God is described in the record of Isaiah's experience. When he was called to deliver God's message to the people, he was given a vision of the King, the Lord of hosts, which so overpowered him that he cried out, " Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips." It was this acknowledgment of uncleanness, and the need of purity, which brought to him the cleansing at the hand of an angel.
This work of cleansing must be done for every minister of God. Without it his hands will be palsied and weak; but when cleansed and anointed for service by the fire of God from off the altar, the ministry becomes the channel for the operation of the Holy Spirit and the mightiest power for good that is known among men.
Claremont, South Africa.
