05 - What is a Call Ministry

WHAT IS A CALL TO THE MINISTRY? BY REV. JAMES D. KNOWLES.

LETTER V. MY DEAR BROTHER We may reasonably suppose that if God designs a young man for the ministry, his providence mil furnish some intimation of his will besides the proper endowments of body and mind. The individual may expect to see, in his situation, in his pursuits, in his connection with others, a variety of circumstances concurring to point out his duty. The hand of God will be presented to guide his steps. There will be, especially, a removal of obstacles. These may spring from the opposition of parents or employers, in the case of a minor; from various engagements which cannot be violated without ski, and a release from which cannot be obtained; from pecuniary obligations; from domestic ties; and from a great variety of other causes..A. man may be sure that while any lawful engagement which he cannot honorably disregard, opposes his entrance into the ministry, he must not proceed. He may use all proper means to obtain a release, but if this is impossible, he must submit. The minister must have a spotless reputation, for the scandal of violated engagements would destroy his usefulness. He must wait patiently, and if the difficulty is never remove*!, he m*.is*, forego the privilege of preaching the Gospel. But a removal of the obstacle, especially if it takes place in such a way as to make the interference of God manifest, may be an encouraging indication of his will in reference to the ministry.

There are circumstances, too, in which a young man is sometimes placed, which impel him towards the ministry without any volition, or indeed consciousness of the fact, on his part. In the Sabbath-school he may be required, by a sense of duty, to take a prominent place. In conference and prayer-meetings the absence or supineness of others may force him to become the leader. In some cases, where a church is destitute of a pastor, a young man may be urged by his brethren to read, and pray, and address the assembly, till he finds himself considered by others as a minister, and his own heart is too much interested to allow him to retrace his steps. This was almost literally the case with Andrew Fuller. Such providential events are among the strongest external evidences of a call to the ministry. But the general opinion of Christians, among whom a young man is placed, that he is designed for the ministry, may be considered as the most satisfactory proof which can be furnished by God’s providence. Eespecting many of the necessary qualifications a man is not himself a sufficient judge. Of his talents, his piety, his prudence, his zeal for the glory of God, his aptness to teach, and his power to interest and benefit others, his brethren are better able to judge than himself. If, then, Christians around him come gradually to think that he is designed for the ministry, while he himself makes no disclosure of his feelings on the subject; or if, when he mentions it, he finds their minds prepared to approve and to encourage him, he may consider this concurrent opinion of Christians as a strong indication of the will of God. He ought not, it is true, to decide without that internal conviction of duty, of which I shall soon speak; but the favorable judgment of Christians ought greatly to strengthen that conviction. On the other hand, it may be established as a general rule, that a person ought to suspect the ground of such a conviction, if judicious and pious men around do not perceive in him ministerial gifts, and cannot bid him God speed. There are, without doubt, cases, in which the ignorance or prejudices of Christians may induce them to refuse their countenance and aid to a young man, and he may be forced to act from his own sense of duty. He would need, however, unusually strong evidences of his call, to authorize him to proceed in opposition to the opinion of his brethren.

Affectionately yours.