Morning Star

For the Morning Star.

Amidst the cares that daily press upon my mind, my thoughts are occasionally occupied in meditating upon the wants of Zion, especially as it respects laborers in the vineyard of the Lord, and the following question has often been presented to my view. What is the duty of the church upon this subject? The first answer that arises in the mind of every christian, is, that we should make it a subject of prayer. But is this all the duty? As I do not recollect of seeing an answer to this question fully embracing the views of my mind, I wish to submit the following brief remarks upon it.

The course, pursued by many, professing to be christians, is any thing except judicious. Often, it is the case, that if a convert is rather more zealous than others, he is considered as one designed by God to fill some public station, and without once thinking of the necessary qualifications to preach the gospel, it is immediately said that "Br. A. will be a preacher, what a wonderful gift he possesses, he talks like a minister," and frequently it is told to the convert himself. This can produce no good, and almost always tends to make the person feel exalted above measure; or to cast him down and prevent his improving his gift in obedience to the grace of God.

Sometimes a brother in the church, who has long been exercised in his thoughts about publicly improving his gift, relates his feelings to the church, asks their advice, and they formally and coldly consent for him to do as he thinks right, and treat him as if they thought a person who is really called of God to preach, cannot disobey, leaving him to crowd himself along without an assisting hand, or else to languish and sink under the weight of his feelings and trials. At other times, a church pursues quite a different course; instead of treating their brother with coldness they urge him forward—push him out of his place—destroy his usefulness, and wound the cause of Christ.

But what shall the church do in such circumstances?

1st. Great care should be taken not to urge a person forward to preach too soon.

2d. Care should be observed not to express our belief or disbelief of his call too soon.

3d. Great caution should be used that we do not discourage the brother, especially if he is diffident, or has long neglected his duty.

The better course, probably, would be to encourage the brother to go forward, and improve his gift, as he might find liberty, without urging him to preach, endeavoring to avoid the two extremes.

The church should not only endeavor to help those that express their feelings, but they should be constantly watching for promising gifts and endeavoring to cultivate them, and bring them into the service of the Lord, as exhorters or preachers, if they possess suitable qualifications.

I hope this important subject will be duly considered by the churches, and that some abler pen will do it the justice that I have failed of doing it.

A. YOURL.