and mocked at Athens. And it is possible for a modern pastor even to thin his congregation by his firm and uncompromising allegiance to the truth. By all means let us desire and aim at true success in our ministry as pastors and as deacons; but let us remember that it is "a very small thing to be judged of man's day," and that, in "the day of the Lord," we shall be judged, not according to our success, but according to our fidelity.

MINISTERIAL SUCCESS.

[Address read at a Devotional Meeting of the Manchester Congregational Board, on March 2nd, 1891.]

II.

IN the course of our recent discussions on the position and prospects of our Congregational churches, we have naturally been led to ask whether we ministers are, in any large measure, to blame for a state of things, which we acknowledge to be far from satisfactory. Is there anything in our characters, our conduct, our methods, our general spirit and attitude, which tends to repel men unnecessarily ? Can we do anything to increase our spiritual influence so as to make it more attractive?

Now, here, I would not forget that there is a certain repulsion, as well as attraction, in the magnetism of Christian character and Christian truth. It is quite possible for a minister to make his congregation smaller by earnest preaching, and by faithful dealing with the consciences of his hearers; he may drive away, or keep away, some who would like him better if he were to" prophesy smooth things." It is also possible that a congregation may sometimes be increased by meretricious attractions which are not altogether in harmony with the genius of the gospel.

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It does not follow that by becoming holier and more Christlike we shall necessarily become more attractive to all around us. Christ Himself repelled, as well as attracted, men. His "fan was in His hand." His teachings sifted His audiences. After some of His sayings "many of His disciples went back and walked no more with Him." We read, it is true, that "the common people heard Him gladly," especially when He "turned the tables on those ecclesiastics who tried to puzzle and entrap Him. But we must not forget that it was the same common people" who, not long after, took the side of those very ecclesiastics against Jesus, and clamoured for His crucifixion. Jesus was "popular" at the first, but He became unpopular as His aims and methods became more fully known. The people were charmed and fascinated by His human-ness, especially as it stood contrasted with the pedantry of the Scribes and the self-righteousness of the Pharisees. But His spirituality repelled them. They were "out of touch" with that. He yearned to win the masses of the people, and to draw them into the kingdom of God; but He would not "play the demagogue even to secure their sympathies. And He Himself said "It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord." It does not follow, therefore, that a minister or a church will necessarily grow in immediate popularity by becoming more Christlike. The reverse is, doubtless, sometimes the case. Christian enterprise and endeavour may sometimes have less of visible and proximate success, in proportion as it becomes more unworldly in its spirit and methods, discarding unworthy manœuvres, compromises, and catchwords, and cul

tivating "the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ." I know that I am treading here on delicate and dangerous ground-delicate ground because of the differences of opinion which exist as to what are and what are not legitimate methods of attracting the people to our churches; and dangerous ground because we may be tempted to indulge in a spirit of self-complacency and to overlook the extent to which our lack of success is due to defects in our own character and work. I hasten, therefore, to say that in the long run our spiritual influence as ministers will be powerful and lasting in proportion as we enter into fellowship with "the mind of Christ," and cultivate His spirit of unselfishness and unworldliness. It may be a paradox, but it is a fact, that many people are repelled from our churches both by the excellences and the inconsistencies of Christians. Sometimes a church would prove more attractive to outsiders if it were either more worldly or more unworldly than it is. There are two reasons why many people dislike the "parson": the one is that they think the parson is a much better man than they are; the other is that they think the same parson is not nearly so good a man as he ought to be! Worldly minds are not at home in an atmosphere of unworldliness; and yet there is something in unworldliness which appeals to their better nature, and they are quick to detect the signs of a worldly spirit in those who, by their very vocation as Christian ministers, are pledged to discard that spirit.

There can be no doubt that holiness, blended with humility and human-ness, is ultimately the greatest spiritual force amongst mankind. I have referred to the fact that the proximate issue of Christ's character

and teachings and life was an apparent failure; but He Himself, looking through and beyond the Cross to the ultimate result, said, “I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me." He felt sure that, in the long run, unworldliness and self-sacrifice would tell. And we also may be sure that, whatever may be our proximate and visible success or whatever may be our seeming failure-our ultimate spiritual influence as ministers will depend, other things being equal, on the degree in which we receive this "mind of Christ."

Let us, therefore, seek to rid ourselves of all mere worldly and selfish ambition. May it not be that, in our lamentations over the condition of our churches, there is a "touch "—perhaps even more than a touch -of wounded vanity or wounded pride? What is the main secret of our regrets? Is it because the principles we cherish are not more widely appreciated? Is it because so many of our fellow-men are robbing themselves of blessings which they might receive if they would come into sympathy and communion with the Christian church? Or, on the other hand, is it chiefly because we ourselves are not as successful as we should like to be-because our efforts are not more appreciated because our influence is not more extensive because the comparatively poor results which seem to follow our endeavours do not bring us much outward honour and glory? Let us examine ourselves; and, if we find that we are too much governed by these lower and more selfish considerations, let us seek to cultivate a higher and holier ambition.

The Greek word meaning "to be ambitious" occurs three times in the New Testament; and it is some