the eaves for his people's sake. He must stand sentinel upon
the tower. He must be a watchman in the night. He must put his ear to
the earth that he may detect the far-off tramp of approaching foes.
What is being said in a whisper to-day will be cried from every high
place to-morrow, and he who listens to the whisper may be found ready
to answer or explain the cry--perhaps, even, to prevent it. "As those
who watch for your souls," so writes the Apostle. "_As those who
watch._" Behold the shepherd, as he tends the flock, sleeplessly
gazing for the approach of lion, or wolf, or bear, or prowling Bedouin
of the desert. So must the preacher sweep the horizon by day; so
listen to the speaking silences of the night.

Then to all this the messenger must add an intimate knowledge of the
Church, of her condition and of her needs. To know her history is
well. It is knowledge from which the Christian worker of every name
may derive many warnings. It will be found to contain many lessons
profitable for consolation and for inspiration. It will suggest many
an useful explanation of phenomena in the church life of to-day. But
the preacher must study the Church as she is in this very hour. How
beat her pulses _now_? How run the currents of her life in the days
that _are_? Does her faith wax, or wane? Does her love grow colder or
warmer with the passing years? Is it well with her, or is it ill?

In regard to all these things our friend will have--he _must_ have if
he seek to feed the flock of God with food convenient--true
understanding. He will know how the work of God is moving in the
congregations. He will be able to distinguish between true, spiritual
success and that success which is noise and show alone. He will
discern the difference between the rosy flush that signifies health and
the hectic spot of burning red that speaks only of disease and death.
He must look _deep_. He must look _far_. He must look _constantly_.
He must look _deep_, because truth lies often at the bottom of a well,
and the true state of the Church is not always according to superficial
signs. He must look _far_, because he is surely more than a mere
denominationalist; he belongs to the Holy Catholic Church, and he must
know her life in other places in order to better judge her life at
home. He must look _constantly_, for "if the good man of the house had
known in what watch the thief would come he would have watched and
would not hav