Local Hindrances to Ministerial Success

We have already incidentally glanced at some of the main drawbacks upon the Christian Ministry; and others in a more minute detail will hereafter come under consideration. Our present business is with those impediments, that depend not so much upon the personal or official character of the Minister, as upon extrinsic causes, connected with the circumstances of his individual sphere. Thus a town presents many hindrances, which in the same degree do not belong to the superintendence of a country parish. The moral impossibility of penetrating the dense mass of the population, and of insulating the several component parts, originates a want of that personal application of the word to individual consciences, which is so powerfully eflfective for the great purpose of the Pulpit. The course also of public instruction is necessarily of a more general complexion. The character and exercises of the Minister’s own mind may indeed give an individual mould to his system; but his want of particular acquaintance with his people must proportionably preclude the adaptation of his Ministry to the specialities of their respective cases. Local habits and circumstances also tend materially to counteract the direct power of our work. Large congregated bodies, (as in manufacturing districts) are usually most corrupting pests — “hand joining in hand;” and “every man helping his neighbour” in the way of sin, “and saying to his brother — Be of good courage.” Then again — the state of trade in the parish — the population unemployed, or uncivilized, or distressed — these are matters that often affect our results. There are also local hindrayices connected with the constitution of the Ministry. A co-partnership in the sacred work often excites most painfully the Corinthian heresy of a party spirit among the people. Mutual jealousies are fomented (which it is well if they do not reich the bosom of the labourers themselves.) Men ‘’ are puffed

1 Eph. vi 12. 2 Isaiah ili. 6.

up for one against another;” they learn to “glory in men;” and with the highest advantages of a spiritual administration, their Pastors are constrained still to speak unto them not as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ “walking as men.’” The rise atid yrogress of various heresies may also be strengthened by local combinations not immediately under our controul. The want of insight into the several departments of the flock in an extensive sphere, gives occasion for the watchful enemy to cast in his leaven, which, with a deadly influence, threatens to “leaven the whole lump.” The Ministrations of some of the most eminent servants of God have suffered severely from this source; though it was probably as needful a trial of faith, patience, and humility in the midst of their successful energy, as was “the thorn in the flesh” to the great Apostle, to save him from the impending danger of being “exalted above measure.”^

Other hindrances, also, of this local character, belong more immediately to the Ministry of the Establishment, and often act unfavourably even upon faithful and laborious exertions. The ground may have been pre-occupied by one or more of the organized systems of dissent, recognizing the grand principles of the Gospel, but under a form in many particulars opposed to the framework of our own system. This, under the most favourable circumstances, must be regarded as an evil ;* inasmuch as the want of Christian unity diminishes proportion ably from the native power of the Gospel. Even if the respective Ministers are men of forbearance and brotherly love, and in the true spirit of their commission lay far more stress upon their points of agreement than upon their points of difference — it is not likely, that the same spirit should universally spread through their congregations; and the defect of this mutual forbearance, often called forth by comparative trifles, reminds us in its baneful consequences — “how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”«

The faithful labourer may also find many hindrances rooted in the soil, before it passed under his hands for cultivation. The rank and luxuriant weed of profession may have choked the growth of much, that might otherwise have sprung up with a prospect of bearing “fruit unto perfection.” He may suffer also from the effects of prejudice superadded to the natural enmity to

‘See 1 Cor. i. iii. iv.

2 Cecil’s Life of Cadogan. (Works, 1. 252.) Vaughan’s Life of Robinson, pp. 188 — 195.

* See some valuable remarks on this subject by Mr. Budd, in his work on Baptism, pp. 382, 283. Compare also Bickersteth’s Christian Student, p. 290. e James iii. 5.

the Gospel, arising from the inexperience, imprudence, or inconsistency of his predecessor.

Lay injluence also, often hangs a weight upon the effectiveness of the work. Particular individuals in the parish, in the lowest or even the highest ranks, are a frequent bar to usefulness. The contempt also of the Sabbath — the predominant character of pleasure, dissipation, and the general inattention or opposition to religion in the heads of the parish — too often present a hostile front to our course of effort and instruction. And, where the influence of the higher classes is of a less decided character, or even where it is exercised on the side of the Church, yet it is rarely unattended with material drawbacks. The respect for religion and for the ordinances of God does not always regulate the arrangements of the house, the general style of appearance, or the deportment of the lower members of the household. It may also be not wholly divested of a love of po’A’er; a reluctance to be controlled by spiritual restraints, or to depart from the indulgent course of neutrality, when a more full sway of influence on the side of the Gospel might incur inconvenience or reproach.

Now these hindrances, in their origin, are irrespective of personal responsibility, but most detrimental in their consequences. It would be obviously impossible to prescribe any specific course of procedure, applicable to every form of resistance. The general principles of the Ministry, well directed against the several points of attack, will, be, however, of immense service in this warfare. The combined power of the diligence of faith, “the meekness of wisdom,” and “the patience of hope” — if they do not wholly counteract the evil — will materially retard its aggressive operation. Nor are the difficulties attached to extensive spheres insurmountable. Much may be done — much has been done — by bending general systems to more minute applications. Methodized habits have been more effective under the greatest disadvantages, than an undisciplined course of exercise, assisted by much local superiority. District systems of visiting have enabled laborious ministers to pass over a wide extent of ground with far more particularity and fruitfulness. And above all, the wise superintendence of the great Head of the Church has been signally displayed in a suitable adaptation of his chosen instruments for their specific work. Men are not all alike quahfied for all situations. But “he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand,”’ appoints unto each its place in the spiritual firmament, as shall be most suited for the honour of his name, for th»

‘Revelation ii. 1.

bb VIEW OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY:

purpose of his will, and for the edification of his Church. The hindrances, however, to which we have alluded, must impede our progress; so that our success will often consist, not so much in any prominent outward change in our sphere, as in the silent and effectual opposition to the current of evil; in the raising up of a band of witnesses to co-operate with us in our labour; and in the steady perseverance with which the ground is maintained in the midst of conflict and discouragement.