06 - What is a Call Ministry
WHAT IS A CALL TO THE MINISTRY? BY REV. JAMES D. KNOWLES.
LETTER VI. MY DEAR BROTHER I now approach, with some solicitude, the most important and difficult part of this subject. The internal call, ~by the operation of the Holy Spirit on the heart, is, we fully believe, indispensable. But the mode of that operation cannot be described, for the same reason Jhat we cannot define the mode in which the Spirit accomplishes the call of a sinner from darkness to light. In both cases, we can do no more than describe some of the effects.
I have spoken, in Letter II, of the entire willingness which a man must feel to serve the Saviour in the ministry, or in any other sphere of duty. This willingness is a fruit of the Spirit. There must be, besides this, a decided desire to be thus employed. Such a desire is referred to by Paul. “ This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” There is not necessarily any immodesty, any ambitious aspiration in the desire to be a minister; but it is taken for granted, as Mr. Fuller remarks, that “ this desire shall spring from a pure motive, and not from the love of ease, affluence, or applause. It is necessary, in my judgment,” he continues, “ that there should be a special desire of this sort, a kind of fire kindled in the bosom, that it would be painful to extinguish.” This desire will not be that transient impulse of zeal which usually impels young Christians to be active in religious duties, and to think that it would be a privilege to preach the Gospel, because they could thus be more useful. This feeling generally subsides into a calm principle of benevolent activity in the particular sphere in which God may have placed the individual. But if a man is designed for the ministry this desire will increase. The value of the soul, the ruin and danger of impenitent sinners, and the rapid approach of eternity, will press themselves with great solemnity on his mind. He will feel an irrepressible desire to warn sinners of their danger, and to beseech them, in Christ’s stead, to be reconciled to God. He will thus warn and beseech them, when he has an opportunity, either in private or in the Sabbath-school, or in the prayer-meeting.
He will desire to be wholly occupied in thus persuading men to be reconciled to God; and the ministry, though he feels it to be awfully responsible and arduous, will appear to him desirable, because it would enable him to extend more widely his endeavors to turn his fellow-men from darkness to light, and to prepare them for the judgmentday. But besides this earnest and unceasing desire to be employed in the ministerial office, there will be a conviction of duty to be thus engaged. The individual will feel so strong an impulse of soul towards this point, so entire a concentration of his thoughts and affections, that he cannot with a quiet mind think of pursuing any other employment. The condition of impenitent sinners, the urgent need of pastors for the destitute churches at home, and of missionaries to preach the Gospel to those who sit in darkness, will occupy his thoughts, will be the theme of his conversation, and will sometimes so excite his feelings that he cannot rest. He looks around on the ordinary pursuits of men, and feels that they are all comparatively trifling. He cannot endure the thought of spending his life in such pursuits. He is willing to renounce all worldly prospects for the sake of his Saviour and of his fellow-men. Though he is willing to do what his Lord may direct, yet he cannot think with satisfaction of any other course of life than that which shall allow him the privilege of preaching the Gospel. He is fully aware that the ministry is arduous and responsible; and that human wisdom and strength are not “ sufficient for these things.” But he is not dismayed. He is willing to encounter the toil, and the self-denial; and his trust is in the Saviour, that his grace will be sufficient for him. And all these feelings will be the strongest at those hours when his mind is most spiritual; when he enjoys the most communion with God; when the Saviour is the most precious to his soul, and when eternity rises to his view with the most distinctness, solemnity, and grandeur. It is in his closet, alone before God, that he feels most deeply the duty of devoting his. life to the sacred ’“jyork; and it is then that he can, with the utmost simplicity and godly sincerity, offer himself to his Redeemer, to be his servant, saying, “Here, Lord, am I, send me. Employ me as thou mayest please. Send me whither thou shaft choose, even if it be to the ends of the earth..- Appoint for-me prosperity or suffering, as thou mayest judge to be best; but allow me the privilege of preaching thy Gospel to perishing men.
Make me the instrument of saving them from sin and from wrath; and grant me thy presence, in life and in death, and I ask no more.”
These, my brother, are some of the feelings which the Holy Spirit produces in the heart of that man whom he designs for the ministry. They may not be experienced in an equal degree by all who are called to preach the Gospel; but he who has never felt such emotions ought to doubt whether it is his duty to be a minister.
He, on the contrary, who does feel them, and who at the same time is conscious that from pure motives he desires to be engaged in the ministry, may be satisfied that the Holy Spirit is moving him to the work; and if the providence of God seems to point in the same direction; if obstacles are removed from his path; if circumstances concur to promote his wishes; if there is nothing adverse in his mental or physical constitution; and especially, if judicious and pious friends concur in the opinion that he possesses suitable gifts for the ministry, he ought not to hesitate. His call is clear. It has the distinct signature of the divine hand. Let him at once surrender himself to the Saviour’s service, and prosecute with all diligence the necessary preparation for the great and arduous, but most glorious office of preaching Christ crucified as “the way, the truth, and the Me.” He will need great mental as well as spiritual resources, and he must employ all the means in his power to cultivate his mind and to grow in grace. If circumstances allow him to obtain a thorough education, he would be guilty if he neglected them. If he cannot prosecute an extensive course of study, let him do what he can, and his Master will aid, approve, and reward him.
Affectionately yours.