Elder Pitman had just received a letter asking him to be pastor of the Lakeside City church. He remembered that church well, as he had stopped in Lakeside City over the week end on his way to his present field of labor. He remembered the large congregation, the beautiful organ music, and the timely sermon given by the dignified gray-haired minister. The letter stated that it would be necessary for him to give his reply within a week. How could he decide so quickly? What should he do?
He remembered the advice an old pastor once gave to some young ministers who were just starting out. One thing he said was this : "A minister without a wife's counsel is like an automobile without a steering gear—liable to run into the ditch." So he called his wife from the kitchen, where she was preparing lunch for him and the children.
"Why, husband," she exclaimed, when she saw his face, "what is the matter ? You look troubled. Are some of the members ill? Or aren't we going to make our goal?"
"Nothing like that," he answered quickly. "Let me tell you. I just received this letter asking me to be pastor of the Lakeside City church."
"The Lakeside City church !" exclaimed his wife. "Why, John, that is the largest church in the conference ! The call to be pastor there is an indication that your work is appreciated !"
"But listen to what the letter says : 'We are sorry to give you so little time to consider the matter, but because of certain circumstances beyond our control, it will be necessary for your, reply to be in our hands within a week.' What shall I do?"
"Well, my dear, I feel that it does not take the Lord a week to answer prayer. We shall ask Him to make plain His will in the matter. Didn't He say : 'Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you'?"
"Yes, that is true, my dear. You are right, as usual. We shall wait on the Lord, and He will show us what we ought to do."
After lunch and evening worship, when the children were tucked into bed, husband and wife reread the letter, talked it over, and then knelt and asked their heavenly Father to show them just how to answer the call. Strange as it may seem, within the short time allotted, the answering letter had been sent, in which Elder
* This pleasing reading was given at a recent welcome for a new pastor in one of our Eastern churches. By request it is reproduced here because of its probable interest to Ministry readers for similar occasions.
Pitman accepted the invitation to serve the Lakeside City church as pastor. But with all this, he did not forget to ask the Lord to send the right person to care for the little flock he would soon be leaving.
Finally the farewells and good-bys were all over, and the Pitman family were settled in their new home. Everyone on the street was trying to get a glimpse of the new pastor and his family. He was really glad when his first Sabbath sermon was over, for while he was speaking, he felt that every eye was riveted on him. Nevertheless, he tried his best to direct the minds of the large congregation in the right channel. When the closing song was over, he gave a hearty handshake to each member as the congregation left the church.
The following week the Pitman children started in a new school. The old saying that fools and children tell the truth seemed to prove true in this case, for in a day or two the children came home telling Father and Mother Pitman the remarks they had heard at school. Johnny's daddy did not like the new pastor's voice because it was too shrill—not at all like that of Pastor Jones. Lucy's mother didn't think he was very spiritual, or he would part his hair on the side instead of in the middle. Billy's father wondered why a pastor would wear striped gray trousers with a black coat—Elder Jones never dressed that way. Lillie told all the girls her mother didn't believe she could ever like the new pastor's wife as she had liked Mrs. Jones.
The pastor and his wife realized, of course, that they had been the subject of conversation, but no comment was made till after the children were in bed. The pastor felt a trifle discouraged, but his wife, who was always ready for any emergency, promptly picked up a little book and read him these words:
"Heavy responsibilities are the lot of the minister. Perplexing problems come to him; disagreeable tasks have to be performed. It requires a spirit of determination and courage. At times he is tempted to lose heart; he is not the first, and perhaps he will not be the last, servant of the Lord to get down under the juniper tree. But most of the minister's time is given to serving, and there is no joy that can compare with the joy of Christian service. After all, the little things we ministers are called upon to do help to make the wheels run smoothly, and we must face trials with courage and try continuously to bring the greatest good to the largest number of people."
"Helen, you certainly are the kind of wife who keeps her husband from running into the ditch. The tasks may be difficult, and the road may seem rough, but, with the help of the Lord, I shall do my best, and trust in Him to give me favor with the people, in order that they may have confidence in my ministry, and accept the messages which the Lord sees fit to give through me."
Of course the new congregation did not soon forget their old pastor, but in a short time Pastor Pitman had won their hearts completely.
No more was heard of the shrill voice, the striped trousers, or the part of his hair. Years passed by. At the beginning of his fifth year with the Lakeside City church, another momentous letter came to him. This time it was from the mission board. It was a call to the Pitman family from Africa.
Again they prayed for guidance. Their decision was made, and plans were made for them to connect with the Lord's work among the heathen tribes of Africa. Just before their departure, the members of the congregation which Elder Pitman had served so faithfully, presented him and his ever-helpful wife with choice remembrances at a gathering in their honor. And with tears streaming down their faces, they all joined in singing, "Blest Be the Tie That Binds."
