Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity," says the apostle Paul to the young minister, his "son" Timothy. If such counsel was necessary in the days of the apostle, it is much more imperative in these days when the standards of holy living are breaking down or being readjusted in the minds and lives of men; when even to the extent of affecting the ideals and living of those who bear the censer into the presence of the living God, religious standards are witnessing profound changes.
God has given definite instruction to those who represent Him before men. He has clearly stated the standards to be maintained in their lives. He has emphasized the results both to themselves and to those over whom they are given charge, of a dereliction of duty. "O son of man," cries the Lord through Ezekiel, "I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me. When I say unto the wicked, 0 wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; . . . thou hast delivered thy soul."
Every minister, while charged with responsibility for the flock of God, to reprove, to rebuke, to "exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine," is equally admonished to "watch . . . in all things," to "endure afflictions," to "do the work of an evangelist," to "make full proof" of his "ministry." The power of the minister's example, far excelling the most eloquent sermon or the best of personal counsel, is part of his watchfulness in all things. The enduring of afflictions, even the "contradiction of sinners" as did his Master (Heb. 12:3), is but setting before those over whom he has responsibility the perfect way, and making the fuller proof of his ministry. Any servant of God who lightly regards the influence of his example is seriously endangering both his influence upon others and the possibility of his own ultimate attainment of that perfection in Christian living which would prepare him for a home in Christ's kingdom.
To illustrate: A minister of the gospel, recognizing the danger of the modern movie, warns his congregation against its pernicious influence. Later something in which he is specifically interested is being shown in the finest theater in his town. The picture of itself is harmless, perhaps is educational and helpful. He attends, failing to grasp the fact that his mere entrance to a theater ablaze with lights and blatantly advertising other less virtuous scenes, will immediately condemn him in the eyes of any who may have heard his talks against the movies, or before a skeptical world, individuals which have become conversant with our teaching concerning attendance at the theater. The only safe attitude for the worker to assume, and the only position which he can take without condemnation from his own conscience and the criticism of others, is to keep away from "even the appearance of evil," by going only to such places as are safe and unquestionable.
For many years the writer had looked forward to the time when he hoped to be able to attend a series of lectures which would give educational help and personal pleasure. When the time came that he might have enjoyed them, he discovered that the entire series had been transferred to Friday nights, when attendance was impossible, though the lines covered could have been in many instances considered as fitting for Sabbath study. But the place and circumstances forbade the exercise even of a balanced judgment on the virtues of the subject concerned. To have stepped aside from that attitude and to have attended, might have injured the Christian experience of others. There was but one course open,—to stay away.
Reserve in Association With Opposite Sex
The Christian worker, to maintain his place as a leader, as an example to the flock of Christ, and lest his life be evil spoken of and souls brought into jeopardy, must maintain modesty and reserve in his association with those of the opposite sex. In a public way even his attitude toward his wife and daughters should be different from the ways of the world, Toward those of the opposite sex and not of his own family, it should be ever a rule to maintain a kindly, friendly, courteous attitude, while never allowing himself to become familiar, either by touch or by look, by word or by act.
Years ago a middle-aged minister who a few days before had performed the marriage service for a young couple, was unwise enough to approach the young lady, and playfully nudge her under the chin. The young husband standing by, seeing this indiscretion, was angered, though curbing any outward expression of his thoughts. The minister, regardless of innocent intent, had no business laying his hand upon another than his own. The man of God will show no undue familiarity with the ladies. To assist in need? Yes, with all his strength, and out of the kindness of his heart and soul. To minister as the chosen vessel of God in all spiritual matters? Undoubtedly; but by hand, or eye, or by spoken word, never will he pass the invisible barrier of propriety and godly example urged by the apostle in the opening text of this article.
Sometimes in the spirit of joking, unthinking youth who are but entering upon their work in the cause of truth, will do little indiscreet things in a public way. Such an incident happened in a foreign city years ago when a group, spending an evening together, were startled by a friendly dispute between two newlyweds which ended by the young husband's turning his wife over his knee before the group and playfully spanking her. Such a scene might have been excusable in the privacy of the home; but horseplay of this nature, even with one's own and within one's house, lowers the tone of Christian living, and in a public display is absolutely inexcusable. To follow anything resembling such a course with unrelated members of the opposite sex is to court the disapproval of every sincere Christian and the condemnation of the word of God.
Says the servant of the Lord:
"Let not Christ's ambassadors descend to trifling conversation, to familiarity with women, married or single. Let them keep their proper place with becoming dignity; yet at the same time they may be sociable, kind, and courteous to all. They must stand aloof from everything that savors of commonness and familiarity. This is forbidden ground, upon which it is unsafe to set the feet. Every word, every act, should tend to elevate, to refine, to ennoble. There is sin in thoughtlessness about such matters. . . .
"Ministers should set the youth a worthy example, one corresponding to their holy calling. They should help the young to be frank, yet modest and dignified in all their associations. Day by day they are sowing seed that will spring up and bear fruit. They are to put away all coarseness, all trifling, ever remembering that they are educators; that, whether they will or not, their words and acts are to those with whom they come in contact a savor of life or of death."—"Gospel Workers," pp. 115, 116,
Even in the church of God in the last days there were to be seen those who "having a form of godliness," denied "the power thereof." It is ours, as ministers of the grace of Christ to uphold the form of sound doctrine, to curb the trend toward carelessness, by faith, by purity, by meekness, by diligence, in all that pertains to life and godliness. It is ours to feed the flock of God, to lead them gently in the way, in kindness and in much patience, lest any stray from the path of life eternal. Woe, indeed, is the portion of that man whose careless or ill-advised word or act shall give offense to "one of God's little ones," and cause him to fall from his steadfastness.
Washington, D. C.
