1. Let us see now, what it is that we want the member to do. It is to WORK. Let us then define that LITTLE WORD, WORK. WORK, is the exercise of power, directed toward some observed end, and necessarily must include activity and purpose. Science teaches us that we have no power to WORK, unless we are possessed of energy, hence gifts and motives of Spiritual life, are the primary conditions of the CHARACTERISTIC WORK of church members. We call your attention to the fact, that, there can be no meaning to the title, "CHURCH MEMBERSHIP" unless it be admitted as a true representation of a thoroughly regenerate life. Name is nothing and can have little or no force; nevertheless, when we hold a title, we must admit that we become responsible for the task allotted 001413such title, and under such responsibility, we become eligible to the highest condemnation or criticism, should we fail to perform the task, assigned to our hands in a faithful and creditable way, and any thing AKIN to negligence, that stands as a preventative in our paths houldex pose our shame, and debar us from any and all of the sacred privileges of CHURCH MEMBERSHIP.

2. We have defined WORK in a general way, but since we have spoken with reference to CHURCH MEMBERS, we feel constrained to briefly define CHRISTIAN WORK. CHRISTIAN WORK, consist in the normal manifestation of a regenerate life, and if thoroughly vitalized in a person, it will openly manifest itself in all proper activities. We can not discuss this at any great length without considering our POTENTIAL ENERGY, which is solely in Christ. Why is this? Because Christ is the one great standard of all our WORKING FORCES, and stands unimpeachable as the true measurement of our WORK, as CHURCH MEMBERS; which is outlined in the life we 001514share with Christ, we cannot share with Christ, unless we become His; and to become His, we must ascend a little higher than a MERE BELIEF in GOD, and must be in the possession of that UNSWERVING CONFIDENCE in Christ, until we will unflinchingly RELY at all times, upon Christ Jesus, our Living Head; and not upon ourselves.

3. BELIEF and FAITH, are words derived from the same ROOT, and carries almost the same meaning, and so close are their relative positions, until most commentators, place them as words, having the same meaning, but in our humble judgement there is a slight difference between FAITH and BELIEF, which we shall endeavor to classify with respect to reason--1st, FAITH differs from BELIEF because it is an act of trusting. BELIEF is the assent of the mind to a fact of truth put before us in the form of a proposition or a statement: "As though we should say Christ died for sinners," thus we BELIEVE that; but FAITH is the consent of the whole mind, heart, conscience, and will, to the 001615fact, or truth of the Christian religion, as represented in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. We read "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Now, notice closely. That little word, "ON" carries the idea that, such was of believing, that it brings us near the person of Christ, and makes us not only accept what He says; but lean "ON" Him; not only "ON" His words, but "ON" what He has done for us, hence we see a little more than, mere BELIEF, but TRUSTING. 2nd. Faith differs from BELIEF, because it is an act of TAKING. God not only puts before us a truth to be BELIEVED, but a personal Savior to be TAKEN to ourselves. Faith then is that by which we apprehend, and then appropriate. We first perceive Christ and then receive Him, we see Christ to be our possible Savior, and TAKE Him to be our actual Savior. You might inquire: Is it not difficult TO TAKE Christ? We answer, by GIVING ourselves solely, to Christ, "the only way by which one person can TAKE ANOTHER." Or in possible plainer words, just as an orphan TAKES the 001716hand of one who offers to be a mother, or a father; just as a wife TAKES the hand of a husband; a soldier TAKES a general, or a subject takes a King. No act can be more simpler.

3. Faith differs from belief again, because in this act of TRUSTING and TAKING it becomes a tie of UNION. It makes us ONE with Christ, and Christ ONE with us. Christ becomes our Advocate, and TAKES our sins and bear them for us, and His righteousness becomes OUR to WEAR as a white garment; losing ourselves in Him, we TAKE His name, and call ourselves Christians, and this UNION forms a ONENESS, not easily to be severed, so long as we are governed by the Spirit of the Holy One.

4. The absence of this UNION or ONENESS accounts largely for the carelessness of a great many persons that bear the title of CHURCH MEMBERS, and you should not expect to find the fruits of the spirit, to-wit: "LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONG-SUFFERING, KINDNESS, FAITHFULNESS, MEEKNESS, and SELF- CONTROL," characterized 001817in the nature of such persons, as cannot be in the possession of these great graces, and found in perfect UNION with the Son of God. WORK then is no mere technical term, confined to formal operations of the church; for in our humble judgment, it is as comprehensive as Christ's communicable qualities--no one can deny.

5. We Proceed further, since taking this view of the term, and claim ourselves to be in STRICT ACCORD, with a common use of the word WORK, in the New Testament Scriptures, from which you will indulge us to quote a few expressions:

"In every nation he that WORKETH righteousness, is accepted with Him."

"Paul, indeed promises GLORY, HONOR and PEACE to every man that WORKETH good."

"As love WORKETH no ill to his neighbor," therefore love is the fulfilling of the law, hence no outward form or ordinance, availeth anything but FAITH which WORKETH in us. We draw from this a description of our primary task, which is to work 001918out our salvation with FEAR and TREMBLING, meanwhile God WORKING in us both to will, and to do of HIS own good pleasure."

We simply allow ourselves to conclude quotations by calling your attention to the fact, that in every message to the seven churches which are in Asia occurs this phrase--I know thy WORKS, and each are accompanied by explanations which beyond doubt define the meaning of the word WORK, and can be applied to all CHURCH MEMBERS. It is clearly set forth in each of these explanations, that we must have a most intimate fellowship with the blessed Savior, before an inherent element of CHRISTIAN CHARACTER will be manifest. We have set before you upon another page that FAITH, is absolutely necessary to please God, hence we are led to say to every one, that faith is the great main spring of the Christian's SOUL, hope keeps his EYES bright, and LOVE fills, and guides his hands. "To do what, WORK, and with every CHURCH MEMBER so constituted, will be found that his or her qualities 002019and activities, are manifold and innumerable. You had as well set yourself to WORK, and put a frame around the great sunshine, or number the dazzling host that bestud the sky, for it will be just as easy as it will be to LIMIT the power of a CHRISTIAN, to WORK, for Christ ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.

1. We shall endeavor in this section to set forth some of the CAUSES of this MUCH TALKED OF CARELESSNESS with the MEMBERS of the CHURCH, and if it be wisdom to investigate them, we trust that you will follow us all through the investigation, that you may be able to PASS upon our presentation of facts, with some degree of appreciation for the attack made, in a GENTLE, QUIET and CHRISTIAN MANNER, for we do not propose to offer any suggestions of how to remedy the causes until we are quite sure that you thoroughly understand our position. "Feeling that we are SERVANTS of God, and are doing 002120his bidding, while publishing to you these facts," we do not more than frankly acknowledge ourselves prepared for the task. The CAUSES that are herein specified are not claimed "by us," as existing; "all of them" on every CHARGE, but we believe that whenever the CHURCH suffers, and but LITTLE or no GOOD is ACCOMPLISHED, that some, "if not all" of the CAUSES mentioned, can be seen, and that very clearly, and not all the time will you be compelled to be under the care of a warden to show them to you.

2. This CARELESSNESS arises from the failure to PREACH the PURE GOSPEL of the Son of God. When the message of the Lord is delivered to the people, it should come from the lips of the messenger WARM, and as POINTED as HUMAN POWER could be brought to play, following solely the dictates of the Holy Spirit, then it will serve both of the ends for which all of the truths of God are given, viz: 1st. To give us a proper conception of our DUTY to God, to our NEIGHBOR, and to OURSELVES. 2nd. To AROUSE us to a 002221FAITHFUL PERFORMANCE of our DUTY, so that we, "after knowing," might DISCHARGE it, pleasing and acceptable before God, that when we appear before God, we COME one before Him without SPOT or WRINKLE. A SERMON, though it contain no new and STRIKING TRUTH, will never be lost, if it starts your people properly to thinking; for the mission of the preacher is not to entertain or instruct alone; but to AROUSE and STIMULATE men to ACT. We believe that even a cripple exposition of a SCRIPTURE TEXT, if it stirs your people to SEEK and DILIGENTLY SEARCH for the correct analysis, will profit more than an elaborate or correct analysis would, and whatever WAKES the people up, and MOVES them to ENQUIRE for truth and righteousness is profitable before God. If your SERMON puts INSPIRATION, for higher KNOWLEDGE and a life of greater worthiness, and bestirs the people to THINK and ACT does good.

3. Brother pastors: Look about yourselves and see whether or not you are responsible for this CARELESSNESS on 002322your CHARGE. Do you remember the DIVINE COMMAND, "Preach the word." Be instant in and out of season, for be ye well assured that if you fail to BLOW the TRUMP and WARN the people of the coming danger, the blood of the people, shall be required at your hands, then how shall you ANSWER, "knowing the terror of the Lord," so be sure you DELIVER the MESSAGE of Jesus Christ, then no one can lay the BLAME to you, by saying that "our pastor" did not PREACH to us as he should. You are ARMED with the proper authority both from God and man, and you must do your DUTY regardless of friend or foe, and you should never close your mouth and remain quiet so long as SIN is raging devastation in our land. If, "by preaching the gospel" you accumulate unto yourselves enemies don't FEAR and TREMBLE, for God has PROMISED to be about you as He was Jerusalem, A WALL OF FIRE. God will SHIELD you for the WAR, for he has PROMISED to be unto you A SUN AND A SHIELD, hence you should "REJOICE when men shall say all manner of evil against you," preach 002423the words of eternal life, and STUDY to show thyself approved of God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed. Simply TRUST in God and PREACH on, and if you cannot reform the community, you may be able to SAVE one SOUL, and that will be PRECIOUS in the sight of Him who died that all might have a right to the tree of life. Think on this, and see that you let no one lay the blame to you.

4. This CARELESSNESS arises from a loss of confidence in the pastor, O how deadly and how sad!--A man claiming to be chosen of God to LEAD the people, just as a good shepherd LEADETH his flock, and his WALKS are of such as unbecomes a gospel MINISTRY, and when you come close enough to INSPECT him, you possibly find more defects than one. Sometimes he is MORALLY CORRUPT, and set it down that he is RELIGIOUSLY a SHAM. We make mention of this because it is not an uncommon thing to hear of some IMMORAL ACT of men who are styled as LEADERS and PATTERNS of the people, "and our youth, you must remember must be trained by them," we 002524are compelled to emphasize on the expression "MORALLY CORRUPT," and would have you to understand us as meaning all that can be GIVEN, as a definition of the expression, when Christ said, "Unless your RIGHTEOUSNESS exceed the RIGHTEOUSNESS of the Scribes and Pharisees: ye shall in no wise ENTER the kingdom of heaven." He certainly drew a clear distinction forever between SELFISHNESS and the FITNESS of those PRINCIPLES of CONDUCT characterized in a MODEL PREACHER.

5. Pastors are sometimes so LOOSE in their CONVERSATION, until those present are led to believe that they have very little SELF-RESPECT, and even the children who generally wear pleasant smiles, secretly FROWN upon them and turn away in perfect disgust naturally, but few, if any will have any respect for them, so prevalent is this SHAMEFUL CONDUCT, until it is a fact that the doors of many homes are CLOSED against PREACHERS, and it is largely on the account of the SLACKNESS of this class of GODLY MEN, SO-CALLED. No CONFIDENCE to be placed in their words, neither 002625in SOCIAL, or in BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS and really they are not as good as the man whom we call the MORAL MAN. A MORAL man will not LIE, nor ENDORSE A LIE, he will not CHEAT, nor STEAL, nor BRIBE, nor DO, or TOUCH an unclean thing. If then the PASTOR is to have any FORCE how lofty must these elements of Christ-like character be exemplified and those elementary virtues be held up in his every nature, before there can be any difference between a mere MORALIST, and a GOSPEL PREACHER. No one will deny that it is well known that the MORALITY of some PASTORS is often a GRIEF to the FRIENDS of Christ, and frequently it is said that there is more UPRIGHTNESS and GENTLEMANLY GENUINENESS, more HONOR and a KEENER PERCEPTION to truth and justice among the moralists, who make no pretention to religion than is to be found among a great many men that have the honor to-day of being PASTORS of churches.

6. We used the expression, "RELIGIOUSLY A SHAM," we mean by this, FAILING TO PRACTICE what you PREACH. If 002726you tell the people not to STEAL, then do not STEAL yourself. If you tell them not to LIE, do not LIE, yourself. You may not be a NOTORIOUS LIAR, but you can make yourself equally as bad by saying that you will DO a thing and then you will fail but go on and do another. This is certainly one of the great CAUSES that keeps MEMBERS from WORKING on a charge, sometimes. Among the many essential requisites of a MINISTER, there are few if any that is more valuable to him than RELIABILITY, and without this it is impossible to SUCCEED, and please a CHRISTIAN PEOPLE. The Bible teaches us that "without FAITH it is impossible to please God;" SO REASON teaches us that without RELIABILITY, "it is impossible to PLEASE the PEOPLE." A man may be commanding in appearance, and be wonderfully blessed with an inviting voice, yet if he is void of RELIABILITY, he is injurious to the CAUSE he represents, and is what we might put down as a JUST CAUSE of criticism by a gainsaying world.

7. This CARELESSNESS can be accounted 002827for on the account of the PASTORS failing to RESPECT or REGARD the INFLUENCE of some of the MEMBERS. Pastors too frequently PASS MEMBERS by unnoticed and LOOK upon them as being very insignificant, and sometimes even act as though the members were good for nothing, and and if they be considered for any purpose in the CHURCH, it is to merely FILL up the SPACE. This is one of the worse MISTAKES of a PASTOR, It has well been said that "every person has an INFLUENCE that should be RESPECTED. Why, because no word that we speak can be without its ECHO, and no act of ours can be without its RESULT. We should not overlook INFLUENCE because it is generally silent, for it is the MOST POWERFUL thing about us all. Its magnetism is simply wonderful.

However poor in this world's goods a person may be, however feeble in health or MIND, it is impossible to LIVE, and MOVE without INFLUENCING others, hence we admit freely that our INFLUENCE is our LIFE. and our LIFE our INFLUENCE. An INFLUENCE never DIES. Once BORN it is IMMORTAL. 002928More than this it goes on growing. By this you perceive that LIFE itself is not the boundary of a CHRISTIAN MAN'S INFLUENCE. Being dead, yet he speaks. A good INFLUENCE once born will last forever. Wesley is not dead for the entire trinity of his great nature, viz: DOCTRINE, EXPERIENCE and PRACTICE, manifests itself in the CHARACTER of every true METHODIST PASTOR of to-day. Whatever you do, don't fail to give RESPECT to the INFLUENCE of every MEMBER, especially when that INFLUENCE can be pressed into good service. You may be unable to judge very accurately the intention of the most of your people, but one thing you can do and that to RESPECT even the least of the MEMBERS. In conclusion we will say that if there is any one person on earth that is looked upon with respect and admiration, it is a MINISTER of the gospel that does not FLINCH to PREACH the word, and is RELIABLE in all matters of BUSINESS as well as RELIGION and possesses a SUFFICIENT amount of RESPECT for all men. Even the enemies of Christ will fill the community with 003029sounds of praise, and God, from His lofty dwelling place will smile upon in every effort of his life.

1. In section II we set before you some of the causes of MEMBERS being CARELESS, and thought at that time (while writing the caption) that we would not make mention of "how some PASTORS clamor for their own salary and nothing more," but since it is a growing evil, and injuries the churches in many places, we shall show you in a very few words that many PASTORS cripple the energy of their MEMBERS by WORKING solely for their OWN comfort, "and that sometimes at the expense of all the comfort of the church," and not for the comfort of the church. Every PASTORS should be liberally provided for; that his entire time may be given to the CHURCH, and thereby enabling him to not be burdened with the outside cares of life, but when this can not be done, then the PASTOR should be WISE and PRUDENT 003130enough to not allow the willing portion of the MEMBERS to OVER-TAX themselves and place more upon their SHOULDERS than they can CARRY. We have known PASTORS, yes, and even PRESIDING ELDERS that would talk to the people about their SALARY until they would DRIVE the people from the CHURCH, and wherever you go you could hear the people saying that all the PASTOR cared for was to get his OWN SALARY.

2. If the church needed repair, the MEMBERS could not do it, because they would get such TREATMENT from the hands of the PASTOR until they would rather let it alone than to undertake to REPAIR or BUILD the CHURCH. We do not say that a PASTOR has no right to GET MONEY, or to MAKE MONEY, but when he turns to be a MONEY LOVER he is then a JUDAS to the CAUSE, and surely he should be CENSURED. When PASTORS live upon their knees, and do good work for their people, BUILD and REPAIR CHURCHES, "if it be a personal sacrifice to them," God will be sure to put it into the HEARTS of the PEOPLE to 003231not let THEM suffer, but so long as PASTORS show that all they care for is their OWN SALARY, just so long will there be SLACKNESS in the CHURCH, and OTHER MEN of other denominations will come right where you are, live on less about it, win the confidence of the people, and take such a hold, even upon your own members, until they will sap the very LIFE-BLOOD from the CHURCH and you will come up to the conference PLASTERING over the BREAK in the walls of your CHURCH by making excuses.

We apprehend that serious difficulties arise from a lack of respect for the power and good of the local preachers.

An upright, godly local preacher is the best help on a charge to a pastor, furnished outside of divine help. A local preacher that has lived in a community a sufficient length of time to understand the people, should be prepared to give advice upon any given subject, relative to the state and capacity of "well-nigh" every member on the charge. It is frequently the case that some pastors watch local 003332preacher as a chicken watch a hawk, instead of showing to them that they, "the pastors," are in hearty sympathy with their every action for good.

The business of a local preacher is precisely the business of a pastor, and the only difference between the two is that to one is conferred the honor of leadership, but their objects are the same--to preach the gospel of the Son of God.

When a local preacher has once been trampled upon, it is a long time before he will push himself forward and take on any of the responsibilities of the work, this seems reasonable.

It does not matter how illiterate a local preacher is, if he is a man of God, there is always somebody that wants to hear him preach, and should be given the opportunity. It is the case with some pastors, that they will give the local preachers an opportunity to preach, but what of the time? It is generally at an hour when there are but few persons at the church. This is weakening to the cause, and should be swapped off, at all hazards. We 003433are certainly afraid of that pastor who thinks that if he allows a local preacher to preach at an hour when there is a large congregation, that it will drive the people from the church. If the people show signs that they do not approve of a local preacher filling the pulpit, it may be evident somewhat, that the walks of the local preacher are not what they should have been in the past, and should be a signal for him to amend and do better, even in this, good is done, for the local preachers is possibly saved thereby.

Some pastors are too apt to believe that if a local preacher advises on any work on the charge, that the local preacher is trying to run things his own way. It might be well for him to run them, if his running will bring about good results. It may be possible that the local preacher may have mistaken ideas concerning matters, but it would not be wisdom to pass them by without careful thought. There is always two sides to every question, and since we have noticed one, we must notice the other also, as we do not desire to leave 003534the impression that local preachers as a whole are faultless.

Local preachers, "for want of proper qualities," are frequently the individuals that stir up the first confusion on a work; wearing the badge of a preacher, they become unmanageable, ungentlemanly, and unchristianly. They are fault-finders of any and all methods to carry on the work of the church unless they are authors of such plans or methods. Whenever you may chance to come in contact with such local preachers, you should reprove them at the proper time and place in a Christian manner; a rebuke might do more injury than good.

Let us describe the fault-finding, local preacher, so that if you ever meet him you will know him, and can be ready for defense.

1. He never attends the Sunday-school because he believes that it is the wrong place for him to be found.

2. He never attends the prayer-meetings because he never prays for himself, 003635and does not care to pray for any one else.

3. He never attends the class-meeting, because he knows that what he says in a class room are not an accurate statement of his purpose in life, as manifested in his daily deportment.

4. He never attends the preaching service unless he is accorded the privilege of occupying a conspicuous place to display his saintly appearance, so that he may appear unto the people as the model of the community.

5. He never attends the sick bed to even offer a prayer for the sick, but can always inquire around to see whether the pastor has visited there or not, so that he may be able to criticise the humble pastor.

6. He never contributes anything to the support of the cause, and will say that nobody else pays him anything for his services, and no pastor need not hope to receive anything from him.

Now these qualities are found in the fault-finding local preacher. But who is responsible for this? The whole charge. 003736These unqualified men come up to the office of the preacher by the consent of the membership, and are retained there by the quarterly conference, and so long as this class of men are authorized to exercise the office of a local preacher, somebody ought to suffer.

We shall refrain from speaking at any greater length concerning local preachers, for we are quite sure that every local preacher whose eyes fall upon these lines, that is guilty of any of these sins will repent and reform, and the pastors that have failed heretofore to respect an efficient local preacher will see to it that they will not be so superstitious, that the work of Christ may be given an impetus from the union and hearty co-operation of pastors and local preachers.

3. (Members don't work because they are given nothing to do.) The pastors and officers of the church are expected to arrange or devise such plans in their leaders' meeting as will BEST suit the people to conform to, and all plans be so regulated and harmonized, so as to 003837meet the approval of the greatest number of communicants of the church, then there will be no CAUSE for conflict or either slothfulness. It is too often the case that the leaders' meeting is set aside or neglected, but when this most important meeting is overlooked and considered as a mere blank in the order of the church, a very grave mistake has been made, and it will require considerable time to remedy the evil. On the most successful charges we find that their leaders meetings are held regularly, and thereby they are enabled to keep a perfect concert of action with all the LEADERS of the church, which brings the bulk of the members in hearty sympathy and co-operation with their every energy, and more or less, every member of the church will follow in whatever good work needed to be done. No member of the church unauthorized feels called upon to take the business of the pastor and officers of the church in their own house, and do the work necessary to be done without being informed from the proper source, that their action 003938would be pleasant and agreeable, therefore under the strong hand of Christian dignity the members quietly play HANDS OFF, and leave the work to suffer just as it stood. Now then if you want members to work give them something to do, and you will see a great change, but so long as they are left alone with nothing to do, this WHOLESALE CARELESSNESS will still exist. We must not allow ourselves to be so far neglectful as to fail in doing our duty on this line, but should assign work suited to the ability of every member on our charges.

4. We shall now mention another one of the causes that prevents progressive work on a charge, and that is, the members fail to assist the pastors, thus everything is left for the pastors to do. Members should help the pastors, even to preach. It is dreadful to see how dull most of our religious audiences are, "or rather they appear so." If you attend a lecture hall you will see the same people nudging each other, and stamping their feet to the sentiments presented, but you 004039follow them to the church, and they appear almost as dull as if they were at a funeral. Why is it? Because they actually cultivate the dull look. They believe to be devotional, they must appear sleepy? Even in class-meeting when a brother gets up to talk, a father in Israel puts his head down on his cane, and a mother will hang her head, while the aristocrat Christian will gaze up to the ceiling as if to count the cracks therein. But we said, "Help the pastors to preach." Now when your pastor gets up to preach, look at him, for indeed, there is a great inspiration in the human eye, pastors may sometimes go into the pulpit with but very little to say, but in the upturned faces of the people, they see twenty or more sermons the only trouble with them is to decide which one to preach.

5. Members should not only assist the pastor to preach, but should assist him in all other work. Every Methodist preacher is under a solemn promise to the church to visit from house to house and instruct the children in every place. 004140While so doing the pastor receives a great many valuable hints, and his strength for good is greatly increased, within his own heart, by the reactionary effects of his well meant efforts.

Although he seeks the people good and not his own; yet he who does this brings good to all with whom he mixes, even blessings upon his own soul. He that would simply teach a little child to sing, "Jesus Lover of my Soul," with a view of making a Christian out of that child shall find a double reward in the end and every member of the church should do all they possibly can by cultivating what is planted in children's hearts by the pastor.

6. The churches suffer and members are extremely careless because of the inconsistencies of the officers of the church. On the account of the almost unpardonable conduct of the stewards, the pastors have to act as stewards and collect money for all purposes of the church, "and no one will deny that handling money by pastors has caused great pain to the church," "for after the pastor 004241collects the money, even some of the officers will say during the following week," (if they are questioned about the collection,) that they don't know what the collection was taken up for, not only this but it is sometime the case that when stewards lift a collection, and announce to the people that they have raised so much, that when they go to turn over the same, there is a mistake. This goes abroad, and some one will size it up, that there is something going on a little tricky, and the people will refuse to help the cause while such men stand at the table, or pass around the hat. Shame, if this can be said of you.

7. Officers again are too apt to believe that if they are not leading everything their way, the pastors and church are all going wrong.--We suppose this is a catching distemper, and that this was caught like all other heinous diseases are caught, and the officers are not by themselves. Even some pastors believe that they are the great rock upon which the church rests and to remove them the 004342church will be driven to the wall--very uncomfortable position to fill. This class of men about imagines to themselves that everybody should see them just as they see themselves, and should they discover a diversity of opinion, they fret and fret until they carry with their fretfulness a demoralizing influence. If any man sin, the sin of fretfulness, it should never be a pastor or officer of a church, because it is clear that fretfulness will blind the moral eye of beauty, much less Christian piety. Fretfulness is one of the most deadly instruments in the hand of satan, to fight against the church, for indeed fretfulness will murder love, and bury hope. It will ruin trust, and cause the church to be a mockery and really make this our boasted Christian religion appear no more than a mere sham.

8. We believe just here it would be well to call the attention of church officers as well as church members to God's purpose for the Christian. It is really a question of no small import to all to know what is God's purpose for me?004443In the advent of each joy, or coming of each sorrow, if we are to pass under the yoke of defeat or to move with joy in the midst of triumph, all along life's way we should inquire, what is God's purpose for me? We can make a general answer. God's purpose is to make me a better Christian, and a more worthy follower of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, If we are to be disciples we are to be the more wise. If we are to be apostles, we are to be more vigilant. The special aim in God's purpose may be hard to find. Yet we believe that God is preparing us for some new work each day. We are to become of special help to strengthen and build up the church and comfort a needy soul, and as pastors to minister with great power to those committed to our charge. All of this may be hidden, nevertheless we must not deny that they are in the mind of God. We are to pass through joy or woe, just as resolute 004544and cheerful as if the divine purpose would be presently revealed and that our passage is of great worth to the kingdom of the Lord's Christ. And most assuredly, we are to learn to be progressive and energetic without fretfulness, rashness, or the least indifferences, as we proceed, watch lest we fall into the snares prepared by the evil one.

9. Another reason why this carelessness exist among church members, is because the Sunday schools have been neglected, and the youth have almost been left to come up into the world alone, hence they have had little or no training for the work and because of awkwardness, they keep quiet. So much has been said concerning Sunday schools until we fear that anything said just now relative to the work of Sunday schools, will not do you the good needed.

However we will use the words of a very worthy divine, "that the cause is in our hands." We have no time to pause and wait for new developments. To-day we are in the midst of a great conflict and 004645that too, with all manner of evil forces. Pastors and officers, yea even the whole church never needed to be alive to their great responsibility more than now. The raging fires of persecution in the past centuries could not burn out Christianity and in fact never will. We believe that persecution is a very poor instrument with which to whip any cause. You should awake and bestir yourselves as Christians for the world has come to the day of free speech, and an unbridled printing press. Men are openly printing and saying whatever they think on all questions of life, government, opinion, fact or no fact. No truth is more clearly presented, than that the church has to meet her most powerful enemies of all ages today, and they are bringing into play, the subtle instruments of the pen and tongue, and no man will deny that that side of things, which is most wisely conducted with pen and type and tongue is the winning side.

10. It is another great fact that the side which succeeds best in the conflict between opposing moral forces, is the one 004746which works on the mind of childhood most aptly and continuously. Now God's church should have a decided advantage in this conflict, the reason is, it is well organized for the work. We believe that the organization of the Sunday school, as the church's, immediate instrument consecutive and continuous labor, gives to to the church an influence well nigh omnipotent if properly exercised. We desire to take a broad and liberal view of the Sunday school and decide that the intent of the Sunday school is to collect all ages and classes of people, in its numbers, and of course, brings the children from the earliest practicable age, so that they be early influenced for the church of Christ. The Bible is the one great text book of the Sunday school, and all other additional helps, are only designed to supplement the direct teaching of the great truths of God. Pastors and officers of the churches should awake to their duty, for it is manifest that they must maintain Sunday schools, if they would cope with the many enemies who seek to poison the minds of 004847the children and youth by ten thousand instruments of corruption. The daily press is potent, and often for evil and especially for Sunday reading.

Unless the Sunday school is fostered and kept alive by the leaders of the church, she will not be able to fill the country with books, magazines,quarterlies and weekly papers, to prevent the reading and influence of manifold literature, sent out by designing men. Although we boast of great Christian civilization, yet the most of the popular literature of the present literature of the present age, is trashy, skeptical and irreverent but entertaining and charming. Although it is intended to be moral in purpose, yet it is light and frothy, and thereby induces a superficial habit of reading which is very destructive to the intellectual tastes. Our youth, that is not better grounded in the true principles of Christianity, are liable to be easy victims of this great sophistry manufactured by the opponents of the Lord Jesus Christ, and if we are to provide safe passage for the children, and admit 004948of them to make progress with the advancing move of a powerful civilization, we must invest them with power, morally, intellectually as well as religiously. We must certainly send them forth with information derived from deep Bible study. Well-grounded faith of young people may be safely depended upon to withstand the common attacks of unbelief and immoral teaching, provided that the base of every principle in their character rest upon that impregnable rock of Holy Scripture--from which all the combined powers of hell cannot remove them, and the current of God's blessings, that is promised in an abundance to every one that trusteth will ever flow to them and give them joy.

1. In section 2 and 3 we mentioned some of the chief cause do-nothing spirit with a great many church members, and partially hinted some few thoughts that we believe will add much to 005049remove carelessness, and make lively member of the same, so we will devote this chapter entirely to present clearly how to arouse members to work, and build the church.

A wise man will change if he sees his error, but a fool will continue, no matter how great he blunders--therefore if any of you are guilty of any of the sins herein mentioned, we hope you will repent and also reform. We shall recall the causes of this carelessness, as presented in order.

Cause 1st. A failure to preach the pure gospel of the Son of God.

Bro. Pastors, you must not be slothful or cowards on this line. Rev. Sam Jones et. al. thunders against the appearance of sin in every form, and their command is no greater than yours. You have no right to slight the word of truth to please an ungodly world, and the formal pleasure-loving membership of the church that constantly plead for a gospel of love. A gospel solely of love with hell and damnation left out, can not be effective of much good. 'Tis true that this is an age of culture, 005150but it is also an age of sin. Sermons on charity is well enough now and then but so long as grog-shops curse and destroy, and gambling and debauchery of every sort, are fed by them, you must let the burning lightnings of Sinai fall thick and fast upon the advancing foe.

2, We know that to preach on these lines, "in one sense" will stir the tide against you for popularity, but you must preach the gospel of the Son of God, or else the blood of the people will be found on somebody's skirts. God directed Jonah to preach, "not charity," no, not science, but repentance to the sinful people of that great city, Ninevah, and all men today, however distinguished in ability or lofty in the professions of life must repent, abide repented or else bring upon him the curse of a violated law. You are watchmen commissioned of God to sound the trump, and you are unworthy the great trust confided in you, if you see the sword coming and fail to warn the people. Stand up and let your voice ring clear and loud against the great sins of the age, and 005251you will prove yourselves worthy of a victors crown.

3. High and swelling is the tides of worldliness, flowing "at times," along the very aisles of our churches, touching the very alters of the most high and apparently the pulpit and sin has compromised and by this apparent compromise, the church, in a great measure in many places are lowered from the lofty plane of its purpose to do good, "and that only" to a level with worldly desires, and too many persons are left to repent, "if it all," upon a death bed. They are left taking near routes to their death bed by balls, card parties, theatrical and minstrel shows, also fame and fashion.

4. Life's span is short and along the road of either of the above named highways "to hell," there is but little time to change before the short probationary period is ended.

Re-consecrate yourselves, and you will be better prepared to face the storm. We have heard and sung of the old-time religion. Is it the religion of now-a-days 005352or what kind was it? However this may be where the question arises. Why is not the preaching of to-day as effective as of old. In other words, why don't more people get religion, under the preaching of the gospel than they do?

People of the world have always been engrossed by worldly affairs, but this don't explain it, the trouble is really with the church.

5. Preaching has become too much a profession and church membership prized too low. You must not be as others have been, to seek a good deal of communion with the world and a very little with God, and very thoroughly the current news, but not enough of the words of eternal life, the world studied a great deal, perhaps about domestic affairs, but not a great deal about vital relationship with God. Re-consecration will add much to your pulpit power, and if the entire church membership will re-consecrate itself great will he the power for good.

6. It is only by consecration that the church can receive power, and be the 005453instrument of bringing the world to Christ.

We should not be too much carried away by the things of life. Look at the case of Mary and Martha. Martha was burdened about much serving, while Mary remained at the feet of Jesus, anxious to learn His words of truth. 'Twas not the spirit of Martha that the Lord commends, but he says, "Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her." We fear that the church to-day has too much of Martha's spirit, and not enough of Mary's, what we need is more of the anxious--inquiring spirit, "longing for a perfect knowledge of the way of life." If we consecrate ourselves to God afresh, we will show more of the teachable spirit manifested in Mary and our chief desire will be to learn of Jesus, our Lord.

7. Take more time and commune more with Jesus, and there will be enough of old-time consecration among preachers and the private membership to cause the preaching to agonize more for 005554the salvation of souls. Tighten up the screws and allow no more relaxation of spiritual energy. We are praying for an entire personal consecration on the whole church that all Christians may live above the world and not of it, "then and not until then, can a vital union be with God."

Cause 2nd. A loss of confidence in the pastor. Confidence once lost is hard to be regained. It may be possible that confidence lost by individual persons can be restored, but when the whole community or church looses confidence in you, it is extremely doubtful to ever regain any. To avoid this great hindrance, we suggest to you to live above suspicion at all times. Never think yourselves secure from the snares of satan, but always watch "lest ye enter into sin." Never allow satan to make you believe that you can fare as well as others with corrupt morals; stand above them, and work above them; then live above them. Confidence is not always lost on the account of corrupt morals alone.

2. But as we have already hinted, 005655it is lost by not being truthful. Above all things speak the truth, and lie not. Truth is the brightest gem that shall deck a Christian's brow, and unless the very fibres of your nature are woven together by truth your ministry is void, and you will soon sink beneath the awful vortex of down right persecution. Debt causes confidence to fly away very often. A great many preachers are in debt. We don't suppose some of them could help themselves, but it is very grievous.

3. Every one who has a fixed or varied income can regulate his expenditure so as to bring them within his income; this should be practiced by pastors especially. It is not wisdom to borrow money to satisfy gratification. A man out of debt enjoys more independence than any man who will wrap around himself a mantle of promissory notes, taking as a general rule fine dress as pay. We have nothing to say against fine dress, for we believe that all ministers should appear respectable before the people, but when you have to go in debt, fine 005756dress should be let alone. 'Tis better to enter the pulpit with a five dollar suit clear of debt, than to enter clad in a suit costing fifty dollars, a part paid in cash, and the other in promises. To hear the awful cry about PREACHERS' DEBTS is much offensive to a pure an unadulterated religion.

Cause 3rd. The pastor's failure to respect or regard the influence of some of the members of his charge. It may be possible that pastors entertain a little fear, because sometimes it is the case that such persons do not bear a good name in the community.

2. But sirs, you are to deal kindly with all men. If any person has fallen by temptation, that is the very one for whom you should exercise your immediate and generous sympathy. This is certainly the doctrine taught in the New Testament. It is the business of satan to stir the people against you, and especially show the unfortunate victims of temptation, that there is no sincerity in a pastor's motive for good and satan will 005857tell them that the reason you pass them by, is that you are no better than they, and because you don't mix with them is that you desire to make no efforts to reform them of their sins. When you fail to respect the influence of all of your members, you will weaken sure, and the irreligious world, will be sure to use such failures against the church that you may be pastoring.

3- The only way to repel such will be to respect all alike, and that in the broad spirit of a Christian brother. At your best you can never express the unfailing tenderness of Jesus Christ for the souls he died to save, and if you desire to do acceptable service among the people you must move and act at all times among all men just as if Christ were personally on the earth, to see how you done the work assigned to your hands.

Cause 4th, some pastors clamor for their own salary and nothing else O, what a change! Who can tell what the end will be? Men will open the Bible and preach to the people and teach them 005958many good things and ways, but so soon as the sermon is over, you can see them with frowns upon their faces, saying, "I want my money," "give me my money," "I won't preach if I don't get my money," and sometimes it is the case that some will say, "You can build if you want to, but my salary has got to come from somewhere."

2. Exercising lordship over the people, and not acting as servants, which is "worthy of their hire." The man that preaches for money and not for the salvation of souls without speedy repentance, will fall into hell, and so great will be his fall, until he will possibly open a broader way, as he goes down for others to follow. If there is any character in the church worthy of total expulsion, it is that man that will preach to the people to get money of them, and have an easy way to live and do little or nothing for the great salvation of many precious souls.

3. Let the whole church awake and cry aloud, "Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old ways, where is the 006059good old way and walk therein," and if this will be the unalterable cry, the day will soon come when men that rob the heritage of God shall be exposed, and streams of love will flow through every avenue of the church for the souls of men.

Cause 5th. Giving members something to do. Prescribing work. This is quite a task, for no one can please everybody. But a Christian will work , whether he is pleased at all times or not.

It is not out of place for the members to advise, as well as inform the pastors and officers of their will, and in doing this great strength is given in arranging the work. We believe that it is the unanimous wish of all the members of the church to see the church prosper, and if you desire this sincerely, you should take your pastor by the hand and guard most jealously his character and influence, and give ear to his counsel and pleadings. Too many of our churches are now suffering because the pastor is depreciated and assailed, and your church will never prosper so long as no one feels it 006160to be his special duty to point out his excellencies and give him praise, or throw the broad mantle of charity over his faults. No pastor can be a success without such supporters and Christian defenders.

8. Just as a pastor's plans are criticised and his motives impugned, if his judgment is called in question, and if those who are associated do not approve and co-operate with him in word and deed all will fall to the ground, and the cause will suffer. Let us appeal to one and all pastors, officers, and members, to be workers for Christ.

We say for Christ rather than for our individual denominations, because by a careful survey of all previous church-work we find that none is genuine or acceptable unless it be performed for the Lord Jesus Christ. We mention this because too many do a great many things to build up their individual denomination or society, and never seem to dream of Christ or care to do His will or seek His glory.

9. All men should know that the 006261church is the sphere of Christian activity, although it appears that we can do many good and useful things which seems to have a very remote connection with the church, nevertheless we can make them all tributary to the welfare of Zion. Men may care for the sick and the poor, protect the ignorant and shelter the suffering from a mere standpoint of benevolence, but after all, it must be admitted that we are required to do all these things for the honor of Christ and the glory of his name. A great many people join the church without the least conception what they are to do, or that they are to do anything for it, and all such persons are very apt to remain drones and idlers all the while.

10. Too many join the church to get and not to bestow anything, and their ambition is only to attend upon the ordinances, this being done, their aim is accomplished. They are perfectly satisfied if they partake of a small morsel of religious instruction, and enjoy a partial fellowship with the members of the church. It cannot be denied that this is of some 006362benefit to the pastor and gives him more encouragement, because he is ever glad to see them in the house of God, which is a most pleasing difference between the absentees, who are always more or less pain to all who love God and his church. We must wake all such persons up, because this is but a shadow of their vocations and responsibility. We can no longer let them sit under the pleasant shades and eat the fruits of the vineyard, from the toil of other hands. It is time we let them learn to enrich the soil, trim up, and train the vines, and keep up the enclosure in proper style. We believe that they know that these duties are necessary in order to infuse life and vigor to the plants, but for want of energy, they furnish no nourishment, and how can they expect fruitfulness of the vineyard.

11. This is one of the mistakes of the age--when we see how uniformly the church is represented in the Word of God as an organized band of workers; notwithstanding the terrible doom that is threatened against all idlers, even called 006463slothful and wicked servants. They should labor for the grand and noble objects of the divine kingdom, instead of systematically over all the work to others who are willing to bear the burden.

12. We speak plainly to you because the Scriptures give no uncertain sound on all important and practical subjects of the divine plans, because there is a great number who make no effort whatever to go forward and discharge such labors as are enjoined upon them, and really needed to be done to make the church prosper and to make it a useful and most powerful organization in the world. The day is far spent, and it is too late to say that we do not know what to do; you should ask the question of your pastor, and church officers, and try to find out your duty and any and every opportunity to do good.

13. Thou slothful one, you can no more say, "I do not see anything to do," or "any special call for my services, as I do not see any important interests of the church suffering for the lack of my attention." 006564You may feel sincere in this, but it betrays a bad state of mind and heart, for in this sad predicament you manifest that you are not truly interested in the great work of the Saviour's kingdom, and possess a very low and narrow view of what God's church is for, and that you have no heartfelt sympathy with its Divine Head. How long shall we see no appreciation of the influence that God's church has exerted in extending Christianity, in shaping society and saving souls? Strange, strange is this. We are compassed about with professed disciples of Christ who are surrounded by people living in sin, and yet never or seldom wait upon the means of grace, and what is so alarming is that they know this fact and cannot be prompted to put forth any effort to bring such people to the house of God, and under the sound of the gospel.

14. Such disciples are Cains from away back, and ready to ask the question, "Am I my brother's keeper?" It never seems to occur to them that they have any responsibility towards such persons as are 006665alienated from the life of God, and if the sinner knows that there are churches and religious services, these disciples "just prescribed" feels content that the sinner can attend if he wish, and if he does not it is his own fault.

They overlook the fact that the indifference and neglect which this class indulges only makes their case the more dangerous, and is an impressive call for their aid that a good word of admonition or a kind invitation might bring the sinner to the sanctuary, and prove the means of his salvation.

15. So long as the spiritual work of the church is neglected, just so long will the cause weaken and financial suppression, together with many other obstacles will check the upward progress of the church, for we can entertain but little cheerfulness, whilst we are in the midst of a combination of adverse circumstances. Then if our hope and success depends upon the spiritual fortitude of our Zion, how much good can be accomplished if the members remember that to bring a sinner 006765to the gospel, is the same as to carry the gospel to that sinner, and in this simple and easy way, thousands can be brought to Christ, and the work the pastor will be given the necessary impetus to afford encouragement sufficient for him to do the work of an evangelist with gladness.

16. Christian fathers, we appeal to you to let no slackness be with you, for thousands of children are growing up in religious ignorance, and in sin, preparing for vicious lives and hopeless deaths. Christian mothers, we appeal to you to let no slackness be with you, for in your arms it maybe that you hold the prisoners for the cells, and from your breasts, milk is given to sons to die upon the gallows. Can real Christians know this and not be willing to labor, struggle and pray night and day to see that not only your children but all are in attendance upon the sanctuary and the Sabbath schools?

17. In every community, every village, and every city, a large number

18. If the church is led by devout pastors and filled with Christian workers, what a power for good would it become in the world. Cease not thy pleadings until every temptation to worldliness be overcome, and vain pleasure seeking be driven to the wall. It should not be necessary to appeal to Christian sentiment in order to induce professed Christians to work for their Master. They profess to love Christ and certainly ought to be constrained by His love to them, to do all they possibly can for His cause.

19. In conclusion we say let pastors 006869and members learn the luxury of doing good, and let the most pleasing duty of their lives be leading souls to Christ, and then the ungodly will be attracted to seek companionship with the Christians. Your aims will be loftier, and your enjoyment richer, "being seasoned by divine grace," will ultimately develop in a higher order of Christian character, thus the church will not be filled with drones and complaniers. God grant the day to soon come, when carelessness upon any character in the church will be divorced, when all shall realize that it is the excellency of our life for Christ and His church. He who serves his best is the one that's pleasing God, and will receive that welcome in the end. "Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

Work for the Lord in all thy ways,Thy deeds be noble, full of love,Then God will spare thee many daysOn earth, then take you up above.

Work for thy neighbor, ere too late,Time passes swiftly, pauses not; If you would share a better state,Work as it is thy blessed lot.

Work for thyself and please thy God,Thy duty know and then perform,Escape the awful chastening rod,And take a shelter from the storm.

Work, mortal life's a moment's space,O, let it be thy constant crave, To run a pleasing, Christian race,Before thou fallest in thy grave.

Work, God has promised you a rest,Where toil and labor all shall cease,Work then and be forever blest,Work then and taste an endless peace.