Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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8 THE LUTHERAN VISITOR QUIET WORKERS A large number, perhaps we should say the larger number, of those who are rendering good and efficient services as Christ ian workers, are laboring for the Master quietly and unostenta tiously. Like the Messiah Him self, whom the prophet describes a< one who “shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause His voice to be heard in in the street,” they are doing their work without show or parade. They have no desire to attract attention |to them selves. They wish to give prom inence to Christ’s truth and cause Hut they are not anxious that many of the brethren of his own congregation do not know that their names even should be heard of in connection with the good service they are rendering, if only their Lord is honored and His interests maintained. Many a Christian layman is working earnestly and faith- tully, and yet so quietly that he is an active and devoted worker. His pastor knows bet ter than any other one of his dili gence in visiting the homes of the irreligious and unbelieving, and of the earnestness and tender ness with which he presses upon them the duty or repentance to ward (iod and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. His attention to the poor, and especially his kind ness in visiting them in sickness and ministering to them, though often spoken of bv the class who have been helped and relieved by him, hardly receive mention among the well-to-do brethren with whom he is asso ciated in Christian fellowship. There are quiet workers, too, among the ministers. They are often obscure men. They live and labor in out-of-the-way oor- ners of the great vineyard, or do mission work among the poor and lowly iu a .neglected part of the crowded city, and sometimes they mayj be found in a promi- ' nent and influential church, largely made up from the best classes, yet their work is done so regularly, so thoroughly, so cautiously, so judiciously, with out provoking antagonisms, without arousing controversiy, and without challenging hostil ity, that they must be classed with the earnest, efficient, quiet laborers, whose place will be found among the good and faith ful servants in that day when Christ the Lord shall make up his -ewels. Let no faithful quiet worker become discouraged, or grow “weary in welldoing.” He may receive but little recognition among men for his faithful, un pretentious service. The names and doings of others may have far greater prominence than his own. But he does not do his works to be seen of men. His great aim is to honor and serve his Master, If be obtains His approval, he has his reward. And of this he may always be sure: that work done to honor Him wil never be in vain. Ser vice for His sake, however quit ly rendered, will niceive re cognition in that day when “eyt ry man’s work shall be made manifest.” JUDGE HOT. If there is one prevailing sin of which many Christians need to be washed clean, it is that of judging. We once heard a re buke from the lips of a worldly man who ,had listened to some* uncharitable talk indulged in by Christians concerning a fellow Christian. The rebuke was in effect this: “If I could not talk more kindly of a fellow Christian than you ire doing, I|4 change my profusion.” We have no doubt that if such a rebuke were to be administered in every case where it is merited, there would be need of an army of admon- ishers. The average pastor who circulates freely among his peo ple, or comes into touch with many “brethren” atjeonveutions, conferences or synods, would be amazed at the records, were he to write down every unkind criticism or harsh judgment he hears. But it would amaze him still more did some other “broth er” keep a record of his own misdeanors in this respect and confront him with it. Now, there is no use mincing matters, or seeking to minify them; this evil exists among Christians and everybody knows it. Suspicions that can come only from the devil are abundant, the highest motives a loyal heart can feel are impugned, the harsh est judgments formed. Christ ians will) sit by the hour and talk or hear the latest rumor or slander that is being circulated to the injury of some fellow Christian whose only sin is that he mky have been too aggressive, or indiscreet, or neglectful, or specially favored by others. Some damaging rumor, of which he knows nothing, may have been set in motion, and, before he realizes what has happened, his, influence or usefulness is either crippled or destroyed. Thus do members hinder the work of the Lord in the case of pastors, and pastors in the case of their brethren. It is the Christian’s duty to rebuke unkind suspicions; to ex pose-hasty judgment. He has no right to allow a fellow Chris- tion to fill his ears with un charitable rumors. It is his duty to stand by the eighth command ment, and to look malice or jeal ousy straight in the eye wher ever he meets it. He is solemnly bound by his profession to offset (inkind criticism by apologizing for his neighbor who is being attacked from behind (back bitten), speaking well of him and putting “the most charitable construction on all of his ac tions.” No one will deny that the sin of judging, despite this so called “liberal” and “hu mane” age in which we live, is piercing the Church with many wounds, and Christians should leavf Uio.commission of, it to h< .tihen and unbelievers.—The Lutheran. GLADSTONE’S SUGGESTIONS. In 1875 Mr. John Watt wrote W. E. Gladstone for any hints that might be useful to a public speaker. Mr. Gladstone wrote the following “fragments of sug gestions” on a postal card, and sent them as his answer. They are worth considering by preach ers and others who desire to be “masters of assemblies.” First—Study plainness of lan guage, always preferring the simpler word. Second—Shortness )of sen tences. Third—Distinctness of articu lation. Fourth—Test and question your own arguments beforehand, not waiting for critic or op ponent. Fifth—Seek a thorough di gestion of and familiarity with your subject, and rely mainly on these to prompt the proper words. Sixth—Remember that if you are to sway an audience you must, beside^ thinking out your matter, watch them all along.— Philadelphia Methodist. No man is quite as good as his best moods, nor quite as bad as his worst ones. Janaary j THE GLOOMY CHI The gloomy Christian! a very unpopular cha modern life. He is a I cheerfully inclined peo ally avoid. He meanti but invariably divests| of promised salvation of| sunbeams of expectant) envelops them in an uop atmosphere of gloom, down everything calcnl make one look on the 1q ly bright side of life, seemingly shut out lhe( orb of day iu order to 1 the surroundings to hu| views of Christianity, presumably either an a dyspeptic, rather “saint” his eccentric evidently aiming to the irreverent, heissimil of ridicule—and very justly termed a prete true mirrbr daily set common type of a glooe ian by the hand of a ing friend would at his objectionable fa pects, while a a few i gentle hints of improi fulness in demeanor him aright. There is no! Scriptural precept con the necessity of morn looks or manner in a The greatest evangelisi cord accomplished saving triumphs by sn hortations, and by persauasive leading of| unto the sunny paths eousness, than byalTl gloomy methods of) religious zealots. The us spread the 8unshine| teachings around us, I suffer our natures to I sink into the sordid of heartless modes of ity.—Christian Work. Many a time what* ure is only God’s angelj us of hindrances, and i free from lower entani so that the higher ini have free use of all itflj Minot J. Savage. “It is said the lations could unite and] world. What do En America want to whip 1 !or! They could unit« j Christian nations to world to the feet of tt fhey could bind the /tfoaina tha fPPt Ol *