Thomas Murphy

Hence he cannot be too diligent in its cultivation. It is true that very often there is too much expected of him. He is but man, and the struggle against sin and imperfections must constantly be carried on in him as well as in other men. And sometimes he is most unjustly, even cruelly, criticised. Enemies do this because, through him, they wish to injure the cause; friends do it from want of thought or want of knowledge. His motives cannot be all seen. As a public man he must act, and his reasons for acting are not always understood. Many things he must do which are encompassed with difficulties, and these difficulties alone are looked at and exaggerated, and he is censured for them, whilst everything else is overlooked.

At the same time, it is true that high-toned principle and consistency are expected of him. And it is right that they should. Everything in the heart-experience which he is supposed to have passed through, in the profession which he has made, in the sacred office to which he is called, in the superior advantages for sanctity which he has had, and in the holy influences which he is appointed to disseminate, all these justify the expectation that he will be a man of more than ordinary godliness. If he comes short of that expectation he is disgraced. What cowardice would be to a soldier, what weakness would be to an athlete, what dishonesty would be to a steward, that will a low degree of piety be to him. It will be to his dishonor, and the world will see it and know it, and hold him in corresponding disdain. No man is more highly honored than a devotedly consistent minister; none is more despised than he who is faithless and inconsistent.

It is to be sorely lamented that occasionally there are men to be found in this office who have very little indeed, if any, of its spirit. Here is one of an irascible temperament who is constantly embroiling himself and his church in the most lamentable strifes. Here is an other who is unstable, ever devising, trying and abandoning projects, so as to forfeit all confidence. Here is another eminently worldly, so as to have no claim to be regarded as a steward of the mysteries of God. Here is another hopelessly imprudent, ever doing that which is unwise and sadly inconsistent with the high reputation he ought to bear. And occasionally there is one bearing the ministerial name who is still worse. Either because he has no grace in his heart, or because he allows himself to tamper with temptation, he falls into gross sin and causes a shudder throughout the kingdom of Christ.

Who can estimate the injury which such an unholy minister does? His crime will be noised abroad from east to west. It will be told of beyond the seas. Its history will be translated into other languages. It will be gloated over by the enemy through Western settlements. Its disgusting details will be read by wondering girls in the log cabins of Canada. And nowhere will it be repeated without causing pain or injury. It will grieve the pious, harden the impenitent, furnish argument for the opposer, blight the spirit of devotion, encourage others to sin, and cause nameless mischiefs that nothing but the omnipotent Spirit of God can counteract. Oh that those who hold the ministerial office, or are looking forward to it, would duly consider this! Oh that those who have no heart for its becoming spirituality would leave it! Oh that all would study well their tremendous responsibility! Oh that they would get very, very near to Christ, and cling to him with the full conviction that only by his side are they safe! Oh that they were willing to deny themselves many things which might seem right enough in themselves, but which might easily be misunderstood and tend to the dishonor of the cause! Oh that they would all strive for a godliness of the most elevated character, which would keep them far above reproach or even the suspicion of wrong!