Chapter III: THE CALL OF PROVIDENCE.--Circumstances may absolutely forbid

entering the ministry, but it is obvious that all difficulties are not to be interpreted adversely to a call, for such obstacles may be, and often are, simply a discipline educative and preparatory to the highest success in the sacred office. The strength and symmetry of character which have afterward given eminence in the ministry have often been acquired by means of the struggles encountered in the preparation to enter it. But God has distinctly promised direction to those who ask Him: "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord" (Ps. xxxvii. 23); "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and _it shall be given him_" (James i. 5). To the man of prayer, the call of Providence comes in the events of his life, which, as interpreted by the Spirit's guidance, are finger-boards at every turn, saying, "This is the way, walk ye in it."

No man ought to enter the sacred work without this distinct consciousness of a call from God. For, 1. _Without this he obtrudes himself into the office of an ambassador without a commission, and incurs the guilt of presumption._ God has not sent him and has given him no message, and as he stands up to speak in God's name not one of all the promises of God to His accredited servants belongs to him, but he is exposed to all the threatenings against those who speak without command. 2. _Without this also he cannot speak consciously, as an "ambassador for Christ," "in Christ's stead"_ (2 Cor. v. 20), _and he of necessity lacks the courage and boldness of him who is conscious of bearing a Divine message._ True ministerial boldness in the pulpit depends on this consciousness of being God's servant, bearing God's message; in the absence of this he cannot speak with authority. 3. _Nothing but this consciousness of a Divine call is adequate to inspire for the toils of the pastor's office and sustain in its trials._ Disappointments and discouragements come, in which he must fall back for support and comfort on the great primary fact that he is God's servant, specially called to that office and that work; and if this fail him, all the true sources of courage and strength are wanting, and his condition is pitiable indeed. Therefore, as Luther says: "Every minister of God's Word should be sure of his calling, that before God and man he may with a bold conscience glory therein, that he preached the Gospel as one that is sent; even as the ambassador of a king glorieth and vaunteth in this, that he cometh not as a private person, but as the king's ambassador."[1]

+FOOTNOTES:+ [1] Luther on _Galatians,_ p. 32.

+SECTION II.+

SETTLEMENT IN THE MINISTRY.