JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY. VOL. VII. NOVEMBER, 1834. A CALL TO THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. THE following Essay was written by the Rev. Dr. Emerson, Professor in the Theological Seminary, Andover, and obtained the prize of one hundred dollars, given by the Rev. Joseph C. Lovejoy, of Bangor, Me. 'What constitutes a call to the Christian ministry? And what are the proper qualifications for that work?' A suitable answer to these questions is of prime importance to the church and to the world. Placed in the combined light of history and of the revealed purposes of Providence, and seen by the glowing eye of Christian philanthropy, the theme excites a deeper interest at every inspection. This world is one day to be converted to Christ. Holiness and peace are to fill it as the waters fill the sea. This greatest of moral miracles is to be accomplished principally by the means of preaching. This the Christian believes, because the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. The gospel he sees adapted to the end for which God ordained it, and that the Holy Ghost can make it mighty to the pulling down of strong holds. And the Spirit will doubtless speedily do this when, in connection with other causes, there shall be a sufficient number of the right men to preach the gospel. Had there been an adequate succession of such preachers from the apostles to the present time, how different would now have been the face of the world! But who are these right men? If the church is ever to have a supply of such ministers, she must first understand their character, as well as feel her need. Such knowledge is peculiarly desirable in connection with the movements and the prospects of the present day. Hence the importance of the subject before us. No. 2. better meet the case of those who wish for light on the preliminary question of entering on a course of study for the ministry. It may clearly be the duty of a young man to commence study with a design for the ministry, while it is by no means clear that it will finally be his duty to enter on the work. He may not develope such traits, or be in such circumstances as are now expected. Doubtless many, by confounding the two questions, are led to a wrong decision of one or both of them. Some never commence study because they cannot feel confident of ever being fit to preach the gospel;-while others may blindly or wilfully adhere to a premature decision of the final question, because afraid or ashamed to retract, though new light has beamed on their path. Knowledge is therefore peculiarly needful at this early period, both as to the nature and the grounds of the first decision. As to its nature, it clearly does not involve a final commitment of the individual, but is rather a judgment of his present duty in relation to a temporary course which is at once probationary and preparative, and which may be relinquished at any stage, as wisdom may direct. Still it is no trifling or unimportant step, as it involves deep responsibility, and may be followed with consequences lasting and solemn as eternity. In discussing the principles on which such a decision should be made, it is to be hoped that the genuine import of the term, "A call to the ministry," will be rendered apparent. This is the more needful, as sad mistakes have sometimes been made here at the very threshold; in consequence of which, on the one hand, some men, (and women even,) have considered themselves called to the sacred work without any special preparation; while on the other hand, a much greater number have probably been prevented, by these false views, from giving heed to the real voice of God. A call to the ministry is commonly understood as including the literary acquisitions as well as the other qualifications that are needful to an immediate entrance on the sacred work. The subject, however, is In remarking on the negative side of this here divided into two parts, that we may topic, I observe, 1. A young man is not to wait for an audible voice from heaven. Perhaps the use of the term call, has led some weak minds to such a mistake. The most useful men since the days of the apostles, have heard no such call; while such as have followed an imaginary voice, have shown themselves blind enthusiasts. The same may be said of any miraculous indication since the days of inspiration. Should any man now present such a claim, we may well demand of him the primitive evidence of his divine commission, the working of miracles. 2. No more reliance is to be placed on dreams or visions. The superstitious or the insane person will be more likely than the rational, to imagine some man of Macedonia standing by him at night and imploring his help. 3. Unaccountable impressions on the mind, however strong and solemn, do not of themselves indicate a call. The weak, the ignorant, the superstitious, the fanatical, the presumptuous, have ever been found more liable to such unaccountable impressions, than the sober and discreet. True, indeed, the man's heart should deeply feel for a dying world, and be actuated by a powerful sense of duty to do all in his power for their salvation. But there is nothing unaccountable in this impression, since the call for it is obvious. And when the Spirit of God impresses any particular duty on an individual, it is doubtless in view of truths and facts which the attentive mind can designate. And the man who is thus rationally and divinely impressed with some specific duty, will doubtless be able to state the reasons of such impression;-if not, where is the discrimination he will need in teaching the deep things of God? the mischief which such will there occasion, and then triumph in the fall of his deluded victim. Still, let no one think lightly of the movings of the Holy Ghost on the heart, in seeking so good a work. The caution is against a counterfeit of the divine impulse. It is none but such as God judges faithful and fit for the ministry,' that he thus moves to the work. 6 5. Neither are any remarkable dispensations of Providence, to be regarded in themselves as indicating a call. It is readily granted, that signal blessings or reverses in our business or prospects, may prepare the way for the diversion of talents already possessed. Such is often the fact with merchants, lawyers, and others. Obligations which justly bound them to earthly occupations, are thus unexpectedly severed, and they are again left to the free choice of that vocation for which the Spirit may recently have conferred the crowning qualification, a change of heart. Yet, even here, the call does not consist simply in such a change in providence, since this change does but remove obstructions to the compliance with a call already existing in his qualifications for the work. Where such qualifications do not exist, no change in external providence can confer them. Nor can such a change be regarded as the least indication of their existence in the case of the individual. Other men besides those who have the requisite wisdom and grace for usefulness in the ministry, are liable to become bankrupt or hopeless in their worldly business;or to be so prospered as to open the way for an escape from worldly entanglements.Wo to the Judas who first turns his thoughts to the ministry because he can succeed in nothing else. 4. Certain passages of scripture coming 6. No strength of desire for the glorious suddenly to the mind, are no proof of such work, can of itself constitute a call. Such a call. Such a text as the following may a desire is often of a commendable nature. unexpectedly enter the thoughts and per- David desired to build an house to the name haps long ring in the ear of a recent con- of that God who had redeemed his soul and vert, Go thou and preach the gospel. prospered him in his kingdom. And this It may seem as the voice of one continually desire was highly commended: but God following him; or rather, as he may think, forbade him to do it. Eminent saint as he the voice of the Spirit that has begun to was, God saw him to be not the proper man dwell in him. In this case, he may indeed for that sacred work. And what pious be able to account for his impression;-still and enlightened heart would not now leap this will not prove the impulse to be divine, with grateful and holy exultation to be until he can show that it is God, and not called of God, in this signal manner to aid satan nor an excited imagination, that thus in rearing the spiritual temple! Joy to that presents texts to his view. Let him re-heart, whatever be its sphere: for God member, that satan once quoted scripture to a much better personage, to induce him to cast himself headlong from the pinnacle of the temple, in presumptuous reliance on divine support. The man who shall listen to a like suggestion now, will thus tempt God, and will as certainly be left to dash himself against the stones.' Right well does it suit the purposes of the arch fiend, to elevate a weak or a fanatical professor to the pinnacle of the sacred office, that he may witness accepts the willing mind; and he will assign to that mind its proper office;—and, we may add, that with that divine allotment, the right kind of mind will be content and happy. But it would be preposterous to suppose, that all who have a heart to the good work, are fully adapted to this highest vocation on earth. God himself has taught us, in illustrating the very topic of divers gifts and callings, that he has framed the spiritual as he has the natural body—each 1834.] CALL TO The christIAN MINISTRY. 23 member for its place;-and it would be first-rate men as the church may expect at absurd for all the members to aspire to be a future day. Still, in order to be accepted the head. The obedient hand would indeed at any time, the man must be truly a reaper delight in the charming office of the eye;-one who will gather, and not waste the but it also delights to aid the eye in the precious grain. discharge and the enjoyment of that high duty. But the refractory foot which should repine, or should envy the eye, the head, the heart, or the tongue, would prove itself not only unworthy to become either, but unworthy any longer to bear so distinguished an assemblage. A proper desire for the divine work, will lead one candidly to inquire for his appropriate sphere of usefulness-while an envious desire will only prove its possessor unfit for even the lowest service in the temple of God. The preceding cautions are suggested in view of past experience, not surely to discourage any who are truly called of God, but simply to prevent mistake on so momentous a question. It is often a greater evil for an improper person to enter the ministry, than for one to be diverted from it, who might be useful in the sacred calling. We now turn to the positive side of the subject. Here I may remark, that it is not my object to show what a minister ought to be, 7. The general charge which Christ gave or to paint a clerical character of ideal perhis disciples, to preach his gospel among fection. Indeed, I am not to paint the all nations, does not imply a call on each clerical character at all; but I simply proindividual personally to preach it. For if pose to notice some of the leading traits of so, then it equally implies that all are to character which a young man should posbecome missionaries, and the whole church sess who is to commence a course of preis to emigrate to heathen lands. In apply-paration for the ministry. Strong statement ing the general injunction as a call on individuals literally to preach, the exceptions soon become so numerous as to constitute the rule. Not a quarter part can thus be considered as called, provided we have any regard to common sense, or to the exigencies of human society, or even to other portions of the divine word. For if all are to be preachers, where will be the hearers? if all commanders, where will be the soldiers of the cross? if all the top-stone, where the foundation and the body of the Lord's temple? The import of Christ's language is plainly this; that the grand Christian enterprise of preaching the gospel at home and abroad, he designs to commit to the church as a common concern. All are to bear their part in its accomplishment. And each individual is to inquire conscientiously, how he can effect the most; whether by preaching the gospel in person or by proxy, i. e. by doing all in his power to give efficacy to the gospel at home and to send it to the ends of the earth. In the actual arrangements of the primitive church, neither Christ nor his apostles appear to have committed the work of preaching to more than a select few out of many. 8. It is not every one who can pray with fervor and speak with fluency in the social circle, that is fit to become a preacher. Many an excellent deacon has changed himself into a very poor minister. A ready and fervid utterance is but one out of many qualifications that are needed. 9. Nor is it sufficient for one to plead the pressing want of laborers as a reason for his admission to the field. True, in such an exigency, poor reapers are better than none, and many must now be accepted whose services would be of more use in some other department, if there were such a supply of and brilliant coloring would of course be misplaced, where they would be liable either to allure or to intimidate such as are here called to the most calm and unimpassioned discrimination of the prevalent indications of duty. 1. Personal holiness is to be regarded as indispensable. A neglect of this rule has proved the bane of established churches, and likewise of some others. Where the neglect prevails widely, it is first a consumption on the vitals of religion, destroying the spirituality of a church: and then it sweeps away succeeding generations with the plague of heresy or of infidelity.-To the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do, to declare my statutes! To whom can this apply, if not to ungodly ministers? If then, in given cases, individuals may be sent to college in the mere hope that they will become pious and be ultimately fitted for the ministry, yet let no one presume actually to enter the ministry, and let none presume to "lay hands" on one who gives no evidence of having passed from death unto life. A regard to his welfare, and to that of those who might be committed to his care, forbids such presumption. We need not deny the possibility of his usefulness, as it is with sacred rules, and not with possibilities, that we are here concerned. We have no warrant for such a step either in reason or in the word of God. Even Judas fell and went to his own place, before the apostles were sent forth on their final work-a fearful memento to all who possess a traitor's heart. 2. Good common sense is a prime requisite. It may not be easy to define this term still, few will be likely to mistake its import. We may call it a sound and inderendent judgment in practical concerns. It is probably denominated common sense to denote, not its strength, but its character, as that which is possessed by the mass of men | memory-which they will perhaps as blindly engaged in common concerns. It stands or as fancifully apply in the next case that equally in contrast with a propensity to im- summons their action. You impart no pracpracticable theories, on the one hand, and to tical wisdom; and consequently, though a blind application of general rules, on the they may be very grateful, and may see other. Thus, one may be a great scholar, their present fault, and be confident for the possessing a retentive and richly stored future, they are none the better. They are memory, while he has no judgment to apply continually plunging into difficulty. Help his facts and precedents to practice. Or he them out of six troubles, and they are soon may possess great powers of speculation, in the seventh. Such men are nature's inand gain repute as an abstract philosopher, curables ;-Solomon's fools. Bray them while his philosophy proves worthless, at in a mortar with a pestle among wheat, yet least in his own hands, in the moment of will not their folly depart from them.' practical exigency. One is too speculative and self-confident and unobservant of actual facts, for the exercise of a sober and chastened judgment; while the other is too servile and imitative for that independence which is requisite in applying his knowledge to the varying circumstances of life. Combine the excellences of both, and you have the happy medium of great price, a common sense mind. This trait of character is capable of great improvement. The best school for this purpose, is the active business of life and intercourse with men. Hence men of business possess this trait in a high degree; and as these constitute the mass of the world, hence the term common sense. It is grievous that such men should ever enter the sacred ministry, where sound common sense is more needed than any where else; where no two transactions, whether in the pulpit or out of it, are precisely alike, and nothing can be done by mere rule; and where wayward and fanciful experiments are the most unseemly and the most peril ous. If, then, a young man be particularly deficient in common sense, let him remain in some more secluded sphere, or where he will be under the guidance of some other mind. If he has already become a scholar, and must live by his knowledge, let him translate books, or examine proof-sheets; but let him not enter the ministry, where he will involve himself and his people in troubles, and bring disgrace on the sacred profession and the cause of God. If, then, a young man has been detained on the paternal farm, or in the countingroom, or the workshop, till the age of sixteen, or even twenty, let him not think the 3. A good disposition is highly imporyears lost in regard to the sacred profession. tant. Doubtless the disposition may be so It was perhaps the best school for him, bad as of itself to interpose a barrier to the though he may have been in it a little too prospect of usefulness. It is nature itself long. Patience of labor, quickness of obser- spontaneously to learn of such as are "meek vation, judgment, practical tact, in short, a and lowly," while it flees from the voice of common-sense discipline of mind, is thus pride and moroseness. Christ was as harmattained, which is indispensable to his high-less as he was undefiled; as amiable and est usefulness. To this, add the value of such an acquaintance with common life and common men as he could not otherwise gain. There is doubtless a choice in this respect, among the laborious occupations. That of the farmer is probably the best, especially if the young man teach a school in the winter, and thus learn the art of training the human mind. The mechanic may work too much by mere rule, for the improvement of his invention and independence of judgment. But while this talent, or rather this happy assortment and combination of talents, is capable of great improvement in most persons, yet it is doubtless implanted by nature in very different degrees;-and in some, it is scarcely found at all. These may be amiable in temper and good in their intentions; but they can never do a thing right. They may be very laborious; but they bring little to pass. Some small if not some great mistake is found to mar the whole. But why it is they fail, they cannot imagine. Nor can you effectually teach them. To put them right in one thing, is at best but to fix one more rule or precedent in the beneficent, as he was wise and dignified. Hence that winning grace in his lips, by which he spake, for manner as well as matter, as never man spake. Paul, with all his decision, we may regard as either naturally amiable, or as having become so by the mellowing power of deep conviction and the sweetening joys of a glorious hope. A youth of good disposition and of common sense, will probably be a prudent man. I need not, therefore, treat of that characteristic distinctly; but may barely observe, that what is generally said in favor of that cardinal grace, should go to swell our view of the importance of these its prime constituents. A very wakeful regard to the disposition should therefore be exercised by those who are to counsel young men in respect to the choice of this profession. Nor is it merely a single species of bad inclination that we are to notice. Perhaps a selfish, mean, sordid, suspicious, or envious disposition, is even worse than that of a violent or irritable temper, as being more hopeless of cure. 4. A respectable degree of native talent is requisite. Although men must now be 1834.] CALL TO THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. "From such apostles, O ye mitred heads, 25 Preserve the church! and lay not careless hands accepted whose labors might be dispensed [ change his occupation; put him into the with were not the call so great, still it will workshop-behind the counter-into a tollbe worse than useless to bring forward house-any where rather than into a colfeeble men. They cannot be respected as lege, and afterwards into an occupation the teachers and guides, and if respect is want- most arduous, and calling for the most sponing towards a teacher, the failure is radical. taneous labor of any which angels behold But it is not simply the amount of mental among the children of men. power that is to be considered. At least as great regard is to be paid to the kind of talents, or rather to the amount of excellence found in the combination. Some men move swiftly, but in such devious directions as to make but little progress. Much of the good they do is counterbalanced by the bad; and much of their efforts wasted. If then what is found in a man is all good; if he has a well balanced mind; and if that mind is fired by a burning soul, an ardent native temperament now turned into the channel of Christian love, with God's blessing he will effect much, though his simple strength of mind is not great. Much more depends on ardor and perseverance than on mere intellect. A pound of gold is worth more than a ton of lead; and "a living dog is better than a dead lion." Some who have held but a low rank in college, have been very successful in the ministry. Such men are humble and faithful. They go directly to their work; and toil all the day and all the year. And that God whom they honor is pleased to honor them here, and will crown them with signal glory in a better world. But let no young man be very confident that he shall thus supply his lack of mental power. The number of such men is small. A mere resolution will not make him such. That admirable balance of the mind, playing nimbly yet safely on its pivot, and the glow. ing devotedness by which it is fired, are seldom found in union. 5. Diligence is requisite. This has been already intimated, but is worthy of a distinct notice. Why should it ever be said of an idle boy, "He will be good for nothing but to send to college"? That is just the place to which he should not be sent, unless you would spend your money for nought. And most preposterous and wicked of all is it, to think of sending him into the ministry, after he has slumbered away his ten or fifteen years of pretended preparation. If he will not labor in your vineyard, you may be sure he will not labor in the Lord's vineyard. By hard blows, you may drive a sluggish body to its daily task; but a sluggish mind, never. If the etherial spirit goes at all to any purpose, it goes like the breath of heaven, not impelled but impelling and rejoicing in its career. And to toil day and night, with alert and wakeful movement-does the indolent youth give promise of this? Vain delusion. He will cumber the ground on which he will stand all the day idle. No; if he has given no signs of mental industry at school and in his leisure hours, and yet will not follow the plough, And yet these mitred heads of England's establishment, with all their boasted facilities and safeguards for such purposes, have not preserved their church from that load of clerical indolence beneath which she is now pressed almost beyond the power of respiration. Freed from the cumbrous and treacherous guards of worldly wisdom, let our churches exhibit to the world the superior efficiency of a simple regard to the welfare of Zion. Let the Christian parent, the guardian, the teacher, and, above all, the pastor, warn off the idle youth from the sacred enclosure. And let not the church ever have a single bed of sinecure down, on which he can stretch his inert limbs. Nor may our land ever be cursed with a factitious nobility who shall doubly curse an established church by sending the idlest of their junior sons to fatten at the breast of the blind and bloated "mother." No; we must have none but working men. "Go, work to-day in my vineyard." Pray ye the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest. 6. Firmness and holy boldness will be needful. These will be put to the test in one who is to be a standard-bearer in the Lord's host. He must not be faint-hearted in view of real or imaginary dangers. In full but friendly tones, he must be able to tell men their duty and their danger, whether they will hear or forbear. On this trait, however, it is important to remark, that the inexperienced and unobserving are liable to err in judging of character. The bashful man is not always found to be a timid man, or wavering in the pursuit of measures which he sees of vital importance. And less frequent is it, that the shy and blushing boy grows up a timid man. On the contrary, he may become distinguished for the most cool, intrepid, and persevering courage and this from the very fact that his courage is founded in principle, instead of being a mere animal attribute;-in principle, the very soul of that moral courage which a minister needs. He has his well-weighed object to gain, and will not desert the field till it be accomplished. He has, moreover, like the sensitive female, already died his death in anticipation, and therefore he stands firm while those of better but untested nerves desert around him. And further in this holy warfare, through faith, even the timid become brave. Out of weakness they become |