THE CHURCH.– ITS MINISTRY. (Continued from page 248.)

When the evangelist has awakened the sinner and led him to Christ, through the power and blessing of the Holy Spirit, he has introduced him into the Church. Here his work as an evangelist ceases. To be sure the saved soul will love to hear the gospel of salvation again and again for his joy and establishment. He will find, if he goes on with God, that his relish for the simple elementary truths of redemption increases. To lose taste for the gospel is to lose taste for the love of God, and is one of the surest marks of spiritual declension. But though he delight in it, he no longer listens to it as one who needs to be saved. In that sense he is out from under the care of the evangelist, and needs other ministry. We might remark, in passing, that the evangelist, in the love which he surely has for new-born souls as their spiritual father, will see to it that, as they have through the Spirit of God been introduced into the Church, the body of Christ, so also they will be brought into fellowship with that Church as it may have local expression. It is strange to think of a true evangelist, with a real passion for souls, after they have been brought to Christ, showing indifference as to their ecclesiastical associations. And yet, do we not hear of new converts being advised to enter "the church of their choice," or of their family? Was it thus when the gospel was put before them ? Were they left to make choice of various ways of salvation, as by the law, or reformation, or by religious profession ? Ah, no.! they were told there was but one Way, and that out of Christ they must be lost forever. Scripture was given to prove this, and they were not left alone until they had accepted God's way of salvation.

So should it be in the matter of church fellowship. The evangelist-in imitation of the good Samaritan- having bound up the sinner's wounds, pouring in the oil and wine-the blood of Christ witnessed to and applied by the Holy Spirit,-brings the wounded man to the inn, where he can be taken care of. And in this matter of church fellowship, surely as great care should be taken as in the matter of salvation ; for God's honor is in question in both cases. So, instead of inviting the new convert to enter the church of his choice, he should rather be shown that he is already in the Church, a member of it, and now should simply recognize those who, in the place where he resides, form the local assembly. Scripture is here, as in all else, the guide. In answer to the objection that this would plunge him into difficulties, our answer must be, they are not made by the Word of God, and can all be resolved by it. We are bound to sadly own that it must be bewildering to the soul who has just found peace, to be brought face to face with the sectarianism which is our common shame; nor need we wonder if many are stumbled. But Scripture has a remedy even here, and the obedient following of that infallible guide will give relief, in its simplicity, for those who are really desirous of learning and doing God's will.

But to return. The evangelist introduces the convert into the Church. Here ministry of a new kind awaits him. After evangelists, in the passage we are considering, come "pastors." The word is literally "shepherds, " and fittingly designates those whom the Lord has qualified to "feed the flock of God." The sheep of Christ need care. The "good Shepherd," who laid down His life for them, will see that they are not merely delivered from the enemy, but guarded, led, and fed as well. It is here that the importance of the gift of pastor is seen. His it is to look after the Lord's people; to see that they do not go astray, and to seek to recover them if they do ; to comfort them under affliction ;to cheer and sympathize with them under trial; to warn them if they grow worldly or careless. He must be watchful, prayerful, constant. He must watch for souls as one who must give account. The pastor's work is necessarily largely of a private character. He need not be a public speaker, nor apparently take a prominent place. He deals largely with individuals alone, or in the retirement of the family circle. Here the true pastor finds his sphere of service, nor is it a limited one. And how such an one is welcomed by the Lord's people. Here is one who can rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep, – ready to give counsel, encouragement, or correction. Beloved brethren, can we be sufficiently thankful for pastors ?What would the Church of God be without them? – open to the attacks of the enemy, the weak neglected, the wanderers unsought, the unruly unwarned. And is it not well for us to pray that this precious gift of Christ may be more recognized and made use of ? Let those who have the care of Christ's flock awaken afresh to their responsibilities. They have a work which no man can do for them. That such a gift exists at the present time who can doubt, with this scripture before them ?But externality and superficiality are the characteristics of the day. Showy talents, eloquence, popularity, are now the most appreciated, and the useful ones, which look beneath the surface, which minister to the true health of the body of Christ, are too often despised and neglected. As a consequence the saints suffer ; they grow lean, and where a true pastoral care might develop them into usefulness, they shrivel up into spiritual decrepitude, and remain weaklings all their lives. . Of the qualifications for pastoral care we need but speak briefly. They are given in general in those passages which speak of oversight, and eldership. Of office we shall speak in a short time, and will ask the reader to dismiss from his mind, for the time being, all thought of official character in considering the following passage :"This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop (literally, if a man desire oversight) he desireth a good work. A bishop then, must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous :one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity ; (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God ?) not a novice lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." (i Tim. iii 1-14, see also Titus 1:6-9; i Pet. 5:1-4.)

In general we would say, that the pastoral gift is the gift of rule and oversight. As is well known the word translated to rule (Matt. 2:6, Rev. 2:27 etc.,) means literally to shepherd, and is rendered "feed," in Jno. 21:16, Acts 20:28; i Pet. 5:2, where pastoral care is spoken of. Rule in Scripture is service, and he rules best who serves best.

We have noticed as one of the qualifications for a bishop that he must be "apt to teach, which means that he must be able to meet and answer questions, and make use of Scripture, in the performance of his duties. Closely linked, however, with the gift of pastor is that of teacher. In a distinctive sense, as contrasted with pastor, the teacher is he who is gifted to unfold the word of God. All God's children have an unction from the holy One, and need not that any man teach them; yet this does not do away with the need of teachers, as divine gifts. It is because they know all things that they are written to. (Jno. 2:20, 21.) By the Spirit they can understand, and so receive that which is given to them. They are privileged, and required, all of them, to search the Scriptures for themselves, and will be richly rewarded for diligent search. And it is the most diligent who will most appreciate the teacher – one who is able not only to understand but to impart truth.

Of the importance of this gift it would be almost impossible to speak too strongly. It is the truth that makes free, and keeps free; and it is the work of the teacher to minister the truth to the people of God. The word of God is to be unfolded, its perfections to be exhibited, its doctrines expounded, and its difficulties explained. The teacher is the student of this Book ; he gives himself wholly to it. In days like this where all sorts of error abound, from the open blasphemy of the infidel to the countless forms of parasitic growth which profess to be derived from the Scriptures,-in days like these when the very foundations are being undermined, we need teachers, men who turn us back to the "law and the testimony," and show us that, in the midst of the confusion of tongues, there is still a voice that speaks with no uncertain sound. It is the teacher who must meet the assaults of annihilationism, restorationism, higher criticism,-evils which have fastened themselves upon the very vitals of professing Christendom, and which are eclipsing many testimonies, and doubtless leading many souls to destruction. It is the teacher who leads us into the deep things of God's word, and by satisfying us with good, leaves no relish for evil.

The Lord did not intend that we should stop with the gospel of our salvation. That is but the beginning. Yet how prone we are to remain just there, to leave the wondrous truths hidden in the mines of Scripture, and to go on all our lives as babes and paupers.

The teacher prevents this, and for those who will hear, opens the treasure-house and brings out "things new and old." Let us pray for teachers ; that they may be kept dependent, and so, free from error; that they may keep the even balance of truth, and so present "the whole counsel of God; "and that the study and impartation of the treasures of God's word may never be with them a cold intellectual task, like the water which rusts the iron pipe through which it passes; but rather that all their service may be as the river which brings beauty and fertility to its own banks while it bears refreshment on to the country beyond.

Such, then, are the gifts of an ascended Christ to and for His Church. They are given for the whole Church, not for a part of it only. An evangelist or a teacher is such for the whole body of Christ. No denomination can claim them, no local assembly monopolize their services. The pastor may never exercise his functions beyond the pale of one assembly, yet he is a gift to the whole Church, and ministers, in his place, to the entire body.

There are other scriptures which give us the same gifts in somewhat different form, but these are the main ones, and others are modifications or parts of these. See Rom. 12:4-8, where prophecy, exhortation and teaching, rule and ministry, would all doubtless be included under the teaching and pastoral care of Ephesians. So also in i Cor. 12:we have the gifts of the Spirit where, leaving out those which were of a miraculous and therefore temporary (i Cor. 14:22.) character, all might be grouped again under the pastors and teachers of Ephesians.

While not all have the characteristics of, or qualifications for, prominent service in any of these ways, it is still true that all are needed, and none can be ignored. None are too insignificant to render valuable service. Nay,'' those members which seem to be more feeble are necessary." Every member of the body is a member of Christ, and is gifted to do a work which will edify the whole. How can he know his gift, and how exercise it ? Not by thrusting himself forward, in restless service, but simply by abiding in Christ. "But holding the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ:from whom the whole body, fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (Eph. 4:15, 16.)

How beautifully does each member fall into its place and do its appointed ministry here ! And what is the secret of this harmonious and effectual working ?-holding the Head.