for the worship of Mammon?
Could those streets of bad houses in London and other large towns flaunt
their shame, were it not for high rents? They pay well! As sure as
there is a God in heaven, shall these, who make money out of the sin of
others, gnash their teeth in endless torment. Amos! He is in thy
congregation! Do not preach to him of Heaven! but HELL! Thou art not
talking to the prodigal son, but to those who have got his portion in
their iron safe! Let them feel that hell is moved to meet them, and that
they are listening to one who has the Word of the Lord in his lips, which
is--
PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD!
And you who would stop Amos--Hear ye the Word of the Lord! There is an
heritage of shame waiting for you. Amaziah! wouldest thou send the rough-
tongued prophet away? "Thy wife shall be an harlot, and thou shalt die."
Shame while thou dost live, and a dishonoured grave, for this is the
portion of those who would hinder faithful preachers from speaking the
Word of the Lord to the men who are setting up GOLD FOR GOD.
XIV. "ENCOURAGE HIM!"
DEUT. i. 38.
"Encourage" who? Why, your new Minister. He will need it. No one but
God knows how much some men suffer in leaving old friends and going among
strangers. One of our most popular preachers told us that when he goes
into a new circuit, he feels like a tree that has been transplanted, and
for a time seems nearer death than life. And it is more than likely the
man who has just come to your place is feeling acutely the separation
from old friends, and the strangeness of everything around him. Do not
be surprised, then, if he is not as friendly at first, as the man was who
has gone away.
"ENCOURAGE HIM!" for there will be plenty to do the other thing. The
enemy of souls, when he is not able to turn back God's soldier, will do
all he can to wound him, and if he can hire some fool of a Christian to
do it, all the better for his purpose. It will be easy to discourage by
quarrels, jealousy and fault-finding. In fact, it requires so little
mental ability to find fault, there is no difficulty in finding someone
to do that, but don't let it be you. Someone else will see to it that
the new Minister has not too easy a time of it. But do you try your
utmost to make him feel that he has come where all he does will be
appreciated, and that he will never need to go out of his own circuit to
find those who will love him for his works' sake, till
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