(Continued from p. 36.)
Of the Evangelists we have already briefly spoken. Their work is manifestly the proclamation of the glad tidings of salvation, and comes first, in point of time, in what we may call the ordinary personal gifts for the Church. We need say little, but pray much for God's evangelists. How beautiful are their feet, as they go about proclaiming the glad news of sins forgiven, of peace with God, and everlasting joy in holiness through a crucified and risen Saviour. Fain would we dwell upon the blessedness of the work of the evangelist. Theirs is no easy task, but as their message cost the agony and bloody sweat, the wrath-bearing and death of the Son of God, so its delivery calls for fellowship in the deep yearnings of the Lord over souls.
' "Did Christ o'er sinners weep,
And shall our tears be dry?"
Think of Him alone on the mountain continuing all night in prayer to God. Shall not the evangelist have some of that spirit of prayer? The gospel was preached with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, which means, we judge, not only the descent of the Spirit at Pentecost, which inaugurated the great work of the gospel, but His abiding presence in the heart and the message of the evangelist. The preaching must be in "the demonstration of the Spirit and of power." The evangelist might well take as his motto, "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord" (Zech. 4:6).
And upon what is his message based, or what is his message? The Word of God, "quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword." He comes as God's messenger, he is a sweet savor of Christ in them that believe and in them that perish. Well might the apostle add, "Who is sufficient for these things?" (2 Cor. 2:15,16). As we think of eternity, of the destiny of souls, of the awful, irrevocable doom of the lost-well might we remember the apostle's words:"Knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men" (2 Cor. 5:11).
But we turn to the present time and conditions and ask, What is needed for successful gospel work? Perhaps we might see a little of what has been done during the past 70 years or more. Coincident with the reviving of the truth of which we are more directly speaking, there was a definite revival of the truth of the gospel, and a zealous preaching of it. Indeed, we may say that the recovered truths could be divided into three departments; the ecclesiastical, the prophetic, and the evangelic. The separate place and testimony was taken by a people who had heard the "midnight cry," and had, in spirit, gone forth to meet the Bridegroom. The coming of the Lord was no formal doctrine, but a living truth. If we were waiting for God's Son from heaven, there was an exercise as to Church position and testimony. It was seen to be a matter of the will of God, and not of the opinion of man as to where and how the saints were gathered, and what was their Church testimony.
Similarly, and in a blessed way, there was a great stirring of soul in the gospel. The fearful condition of the lost pressed upon the souls of brethren, and much activity marked their efforts to carry the glad tidings to needy ones. Not only was there a clear understanding of the truths of the gospel, but it was preached with earnestness, love, and power. Set free from the trammels of clerisy, all whose hearts stirred them up went about proclaiming the good news. Halls, public grounds, and private homes-the stately and the lowly-were the preaching places, and many will bless God for all eternity for this great evangelic revival. Not only were large numbers brought "into fellowship," but the clear grasp of truth, the love for souls, and the corresponding activity in winning them to the Lord, reached multitudes who perhaps never suspected the human channel of their blessing. We may say that great clearness, simplicity, earnestness and love marked this gospel movement. We cannot go into further detail, but the reader would be well repaid by a study of God's work at that time.
Without undue criticism, we can but admit that much of the earnestness seems to have departed; that a consuming love for souls is often lacking; and while the truth is still, thank God, proclaimed with clearness and simplicity, there does not seem to be that spirit of prayer, of expectation, which once marked us, and there is a corresponding fall in the number, clearness, and depth of the conversions. In short, the work of the gospel seems to be less a work of God and more a work of man. Alas, that we should have to pen such lines; but is it not true? Are not our efforts rather a stirring up of human instrumentalities than a fresh taking hold of God alone?
Further, with mingled gratitude and shame, we see the Spirit of God passing by knowledge and gift, to honor some lowly, empty and broken vessel whom He can fill and use. How can we take pleasure in our gifts and abilities, when the Lord says – as He did of David's brothers-"This is not he." We bless Him that He does continue His work; and if we, individually or corporately, are not "meet for the Master's use," we praise Him for every one whom He finds and can use. But do we not sympathize with Rachel in her cry, "Give me children, or else I die?"
Thanks be to our blessed Lord, barrenness is not altogether general. There are numbers of blessed exceptions in various places, over which we would rejoice with exceeding joy. But these are only the droppings, not "the sound of an abundance of rain." They should not feed our complacency, but stir us to more fervent prayer and exercise.
Nor will faithfulness permit us to give the impression that the dew of the Spirit's work is falling with abundance upon the ground around the fleece (Judg, 6:36-40). It is to be feared that the dearth is more general than we sometimes imagine. There is acknowledgment of this from various quarters, and we cannot accept the statements from sensational sources of large in gatherings of souls at their face value. God is undoubtedly calling the whole Church to its face to enquire, "Why am I thus?" Even were this not the case, we cannot follow every evangelistic movement because of its apparent success. God never absolves us from obedience because He uses others who may be ignorant of His path and His Word. Surely we must recognize this.
And we must add a word about the precious souls whom God has given through our gospel service. Have we been satisfied to see them pass "from death unto life," and then leave them in the condition of the babe in Ezek. 16? Does not the mother-instinct in every Christian heart cry out against "casting the children into the river" of this world, exposing them to the snares and the sins all about them? Does not the word of Pharaoh's daughter regarding the newly-found infant Moses, express the proper thought and care-"Take this child and bring it up for me, and I will give thee thy wages?" But this brings us to the next of these gifts of our risen Lord for His Church.
It will be noted by the attentive reader that the next two gifts are linked more closely together than the preceding ones. It is not "Some, pastors; and some, teachers," but "Some, pastors and teachers." There is instruction in this slight change of form. We will dwell more fully upon this a little later; here it is sufficient for our immediate purpose to note that the gifts of pastor and of teacher are cognate. Each needs the other to supplement his special work. The pastor must be "apt to teach;" the teacher must have the heart of a pastor.
Returning to the subject of care for souls, we come to the pastor. The word is literally "shepherd," which has many suggestive and tender associations throughout Scripture. From Abel on, the shepherd was closely connected with the sacrifice, pointing forward to the "Good Shepherd" who gave His life for the sheep. The word "rule" is, both in the Old and New Testaments, literally "to shepherd." The only one fitted to be the "Great Shepherd" was first the "Good Shepherd." As such He gained title, we may say, to lead and feed His sheep and lambs. Even the "strange work" of judgment, when He shall rule (lit., "shepherd") the nations with a rod of iron (Ps. 2:9, and kindred passages in Revelation), is connected with the rejection of the saving and tender care previously offered to them. Because they would not receive the mild and righteous sway of the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" (the Lamb as it had been slain, see Rev. 5:5,6), they must feel the ruthless hoofs of the human conqueror, the rider on the white horse, together with all the woes following, and culminating in the divine sway of righteous vengeance of the King of kings and Lord of lords (see Rev. 4:7, with 6:1, 2; 12:5; 14:14-20; 19:11-21). But this judgment-work is not our theme, save to remind us that there is no weakness in the wise, tender and firm care of the "Shepherd and Bishop of our souls."
The care of souls! Words fail to express the solemnity of such a trust. Those who cost the precious blood of the Son of God, are committed into the hands of men! What an honor, what responsibility to be in any way permitted to feed the lambs, to shepherd the sheep of Christ. Let us, instead of attempting to enlarge upon the thought, bow our hearts in the presence of the Shepherd-our Shepherd -and hear His voice regarding this sacred trust.
"He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when He putteth forth his own sheep, He goeth before them:and the sheep follow Him, for they know his voice.. .they know not the voice of strangers."
"He that is an hireling and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth:and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep… I am the good Shepherd and know my sheep and am known of mine" (Jno. 10:4, 5,12,14). "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd:He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that have young" (Is. 40:11).
Do we say, This was the Lord; we are but men ? "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?.. .Feed my lambs …Shepherd my sheep… Feed my sheep" (Jno. 21:15-17). Doubtless with the memory of this sacred trust committed to him, Peter later wrote, "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ" (for His sheep), "and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:Feed (shepherd) the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's (lit., your own) heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away" (1 Pet. 5:1-4). What wondrous and touching grace it was in our blessed Lord to put a once-wandering sheep in charge of His flock! And is it not, in a real sense, the consciousness of saving and restoring grace that fits one to minister to others?
And ministry it is, of the most delicate and important character. Nothing but companionship with the Good Shepherd, with a sense of the value, the need of the sheep, can qualify one to walk in His steps. Any wolf can scatter the sheep; any hireling can and will forsake them. Nothing but love, unconquerable, faithful, holy love, can shepherd them.
Let us hear the word of the Lord to His shepherds in a former dispensation. "Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds ; woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed:but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them… My flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them… Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand" (Ezek. 34:1-10, ff). "They watch for your souls as they that must give account, that they may do ft with joy, and not with grief" (Heb. 13:17).
O Lord, what shall we say to these things? We have sinned, we have failed in the holy trust, and in care for the flock of God, the purchase of Thy blood. Thou mightest well remove us from this service, and we could but own its justness. Do Thine own holy will, and spare us even yet from the sorrow and shame of such retribution, restoring us in our own souls to Thyself, working in and through us with Thine own affections for Thy beloved lambs and sheep.
The shepherd's life is largely a quiet one. The flock cannot be over-driven or frightened. The main duty of the shepherd is-to love the sheep. The rest will follow. He will feed them, causing them to lie down in green pastures; he will lead them besides waters of quietness; he will protect them as they pass through shadowy and dangerous places; their enemies are his enemies. The young are his especial care; they learn to love and to cling to him. Indeed, the whole flock instinctively trust and follow him. Significantly, the Hebrew words for "shepherd" and "friend" are practically the same.
Naturally the shepherd is given to meditation; and, naturally too, he learns to pour forth his thoughts in melody. The model pastoral came from the hand of one familiar with the sheep; indeed, his kingship was but an exalted shepherd care (Ps. 78:79-72). Rule, if it be truly that, is shepherd care. David looked on the people as a flock:"These sheep, what have they done?" (2 Sam. 24:17). He would interpose himself between them and the smiting rod. The sheep love to hear the melody of the shepherd. So a spirit of quiet praise is becoming to the pastor; it warms not only his own heart, but the hearts of those for whom he cares.
As already suggested, the pastor is by no means a weakling. There is nothing effeminate, in the offensive sense of the term, about his work. Who dreams of branding a mother's love as effeminate, or who dare call the gentle firmness of a father effeminate? Brutal harshness may pass for firmness, but the shepherd never mistakes force and cruelty for strength. Love is firmer than wrath; it can "exhort, reprove, rebuke;" but it has previously gained the right to do this by showing patient love, and winning the confidence of the saints. There is an authority which appeals to the conscience; a firmness which weeps as it smites. But this is the exceptional work of the pastor.
How beautiful it is to see a caretaker visiting in the homes of the saints. He is a welcome guest; the children gladly come to one who has an ear for their joys, an interest in their little affairs, who they know has their welfare at heart. Presently the little one will come from the shadow of mother's protection and sit on his knee, and lisp the little verse he teaches. How the mother loves to seek counsel and help in the guiding of the home. Presently the husband and father comes in. How good to see the two men clasp hands and look each other in the eye. No hostility and no cringing on either side. The visitor is not conscious of performing some duty, nor does the family regard the visit as an intrusion. Hospitality is given as to a member of the family. After the meal, the precious Word of God is opened and the sheep and lambs get their food, with little thought perhaps that the presence of the pastor has added light and warmth to the usual evening family prayer. May such scenes be multiplied a thousandfold.
Or, danger threatens. The father has met one who has brought strange and deadly doctrines to his attention. He is interested; the specious teaching of the pamphlets attracts him. But he has a friend in whose judgment he confides; he will lay the matter before him, and the pastor is enabled to point out the error, to warn, even to admonish.
Perhaps a more insidious danger threatens:the eldest daughter has formed acquaintances at school, or at work, and is receiving the attentions of an unsaved young man; or the reverse may be true; the son is being led off. Most earnestly does the pastor watch for their souls; in secret he has been interceding for them, seeking suitable time and opportunity to speak. They know his love and care, and in the confidence of youthful trust accept his warnings. How many heart-breaks and shipwrecks would be spared if such care were abounding. "If any man desire oversight, he desireth a good work"-what an excellent and needed work!
But we must close. Enough has been said to recall the whole thought to the minds of the saints. What a work, what a privilege! Do we not crave to have a share in it? But you say the pastor is a gift, not all are pastors. Undoubtedly true, but the pastor's heart is not a gift; and his work is to perfect all the saints to this work of the ministry. The pastor is no self-important person, conscious of his "gift." Most likely he has never thought whether he has such a gift. But he loves the sheep, and does the work.
Where are the pastors to-day? No time for visiting? Too busy? Too many meetings? Ah, we shall not so answer the Chief Shepherd when He appears.
Where are the pastors to-day? The wolves are busy scattering the sheep; men arise to draw disciples after them; divisions and worldliness press on every hand. Compromise, neglect of Christ's interests, disregard of His honor-all these are present; where are the pastors today?
A writer, with not the friendliest feelings toward "Brethren," in analyzing the secret of their growth, attributed it largely to the spirit of pastoral care. He was right.
The Church has all the gifts; there are brilliant orators, scholarly teachers; good men and true. There are schools and colleges; education can be gained by any desiring it. Surely the Lord has not forgotten the need of His people, nor is He indifferent when He sees them scattered as sheep without a shepherd. Where are the pastors today? S. R.
(To be continued, D. V.)