THE College has now become the most important of all the Institutions connected with the Church at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. The place which it once held in the heart of the pastor alone, it now holds in the hearts of the elders and deacons with him. It is indeed a part of the whole Church. It is not only sustained by it, but its students are chiefly from its own members, or have subsequently become united with it. The influence of this one Church upon this and other countries by this means is
incalculable. The effects of its piety, and prayerfulness, and zeal upon the College, united with the wisdom, and example, and familiar friendship of the pastor, comprise one principal part of the educational process, and supply that practical knowledge of Church discipline and of the whole compass of pastoral duties which similar institutions have failed to impart.
The interest which the Church takes in its Pastor's College, could not be better evinced than in the following address to the students by Mr. John Olney, after a tea meeting to which they had been invited by the deacons and elders.
Gentlemen — It gives the deacons and elders of the Church great pleasure to meet you in this friendly manner. We are by no means unmindful of you, or indifferent to your welfare. Rather are you like a noble vessel, chartered and freighted with our hopes and expectations, for which we desire a fair
wind and a prosperous voyage. Called to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, we are anxious for your success. One thing less than this will satisfy our heart's desire. The burden Of life has been removed from you that you may bear the burden of souls and the gospel. May this retirement fit you for service in the Lord's vineyard. As by keeping the flocks of Jethro for forty years,
Moses was prepared and qualified to bring forth out of Egypt the chosen people like sheep, so may your studies qualify you as good pastors, to lead and feed the sheep of Christ May this College prove to you as Arabia did to Paul, wherein you may more perfectly learn the doctrines of grace, and be enabled to plant Churches in many cities, We pray this may prove as Patmos did to the beloved disciple, Wherein you may have glimpses of glory and visions of God, the revelation of which may be for the comfort and establishment of the people of your charge.
That you may be successful, "Take heed to yourselves." The Church
expects much from you. While all are to witness for Christ, ye are to be our witnesses. Bravery is expected from every soldier, much more from
generals. Christ is willing that you should share with him the honor of being examples to the flock, "Be ye holy, who bear the vessels of be Lord."
An unholy minister, neither the world nor the Church will approve.
Emphatically, "for you to live is Christ." Yours be it to imbibe his spirit, copy his example as well as preach his truth, The fish was regarded as an emblem of Christ; among other reasons, because living in the sea, It
contracted none of its saltiness. So Jesus Contracted none of the sin of this evil world, but remained in heart and life, as pure as if he had never left the paradise of God. Like the master, you must be unearthly, heavenly.
Leaving the pleasures of the world to the worldly, yours must be the joy of communion With God. Like Patience in The Pilgrims Progress, you must be content to wait, to have your pleasures last, because then you will have them everlastingly. As fishes die in foul and muddy waters, but thrive well in the pellucid stream, so, to be carnally minded, will be death to your piety and Usefulness; while to be spiritually minded, will prove life to your labors and peace to your souls. Sin will weaken your powers, grieve the Holy Spirit, mar your communion, and disappoint your hope. To be holy, then, will prove your highest philosophy, your truest interest, and your most solemn duty.
"Take heed to your Ministry." "Aim to become good preachers." You serve the best master, advocate the best cause; do so in the best manner.
Be orators. The better speech, like the better wine, is the more preferred your chief aim and study be the Christian Ministry.
"Do not read your Sermons." Though some ministers may have decided in their wisdom that reading is preaching, the people in their simplicity have decided otherwise. But one instance occurs of large success attending the reading of a written sermon. The exception in the case of President Edwards, only proves the rule. It is the extemporary oration, the speaking from the heart, that God blesses. Written sermons and written prayers, lie open to the same objection. Both practically ignore, confine, and partially supersede the free, independent, yet most necessary operations of God the Holy Spirit. One can hardly imagine Whitfield confining himself within the bounds of a written discourse. God worked wonders by him. The Spirit was there and spoke through him. It was rather the Spirit preaching, doing his own work in calling and converting souls. So be you on the watch for the Holy Spirit, expect his aid, yield to his influence.
"Be energetic" Baxton has described energy as constituting the chief point of difference between one man and another. Energy will make a giant of a man. Almost anything is possible to a determined will. Demosthenes has described energy to be the chief part of oratory. Preach with energy. Put on strength. Let your hearers see that you are in earnest, that you fully believe yourself, and wish they should believe the truth. As an electric battery when charged will send a shock through a whole assembly, so, if you have this spark of energy, you will awaken the latest and secure the attention of your audience. Pray also that the Spirit may make your words the depository and conductor of that vital spark of grace, by which alone the spiritually dead are quickened, souls new born, and sinners saved.
"Be original." Imitate the spider, who spins her web from herself. Use no man's talent as the ladder whereon you may climb. Trust only in the Spirit and in yourselves. The noblest thoughts of others, will be apt to fall powerless from. your lips. If oft detected in borrowing, your hearers will give way to criticizing and appropriating. Thus Henry, Gill, and Scott, will recover their own, and the works of Baxter and Bunyan be rendered
"complete" by the restoration of borrowed paragraphs. Depend on your own powers. Men may read like you the same books, but will. hardly think
the same thoughts. Original and independent thought will become easy when the habit is fully formed.
"Be experimental." After the example of the Apostles, preach what you have tasted, handled, and felt of the Word of life. Hahnemann first tested upon himself the medicine he prescribed for others. What you have fed upon and experienced in your own soul during the week, that give to your people on the Sabbath. Thus you will preach less from the head than from the heart, and be more likely to reach the heart, As the bread that has nourished you, will nourish others; so, spiritually, what has blessed and nourished your souls, will benefit your hearers. What has conduced to your growth in grace, may do so in the experience of your fellow Christians.