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��MEN AND THEIR PROFESSIONS.
��obstinacies in men who profess better things ; to be unfavorably criticised by those who should overlook their short- comings; to be, in short, a public man who has no time to devote to his own whims and fancies. Should a young man enter this profession he will discover strange things regarding human nature, and will often have his faith in men and women put to the severest test.
The young thinkers of tnis generation will learn, as they develop and discover the ways and manners of this wicked world, that ' all is not gold that glitters ;' that if a minister is bold of speech and progressive — if be speak light to the point on the sins and shortcomings that are nearest the doors of his parishioners — he is in danger of empty pews and a hint from a certain clique that his useful- ness is greatly impaired. They will also learn that if these things are not men- tioned, another offensive clique will cir- culate the idea that he is a coward, and tries to suit everybody ; if he unhesitat- ingly presents his views on political questions which concern the public weal — and concerning which every right- minded citizen should be gratified for in- formation such as only an observing stu- dent can impart — he is in danger of be- ing derisively mentioned as the k political parson' — 'a weak-minded minister turn- ed ignorant statesman;' if he fails to speak, to sound the alarm, to endeavor to persuade men what is right and what God would have them do in the premises, he is berated as a man who halts between two opinions or sympathizes on the wrong side of the question at issiie. If he fail to warn his people against the evil — a de- creasing evil I am rejoiced to say — of in- temperance, he is accused of being the bosom friend of therumseller, of having rumsellers in his congregation, of taking their ill-gotten gains for the advancement of the cause of religion. If, on the oth- er hand, he earnestly and consistently advocates the cause of temperance and all moral and legal means to crush the demon that seeks the ruin of mankind, he is said to be lacking in good judgment and detracting from the peace and amia- bility of the community, and, sometimes,
��is invited to ' step down and out.' If he confines himself closely to the tenets of the gospel, he is an old fogy, and the people cry out for a modern preacher; if he fail to draw a full congregation, he is in trouble with the trustees of his society ; if he visits Deacon Brown's family once oftener than he does Deacon Smith's, he is partial; if he is a little reserved and the madams of the parish cannot have their own way, he is made a target for town talk ; if he is not all things to all men, and all women, he is not social; if he is all things to all men and women, he is double faced.
They will learn that the times have changed, and this profession is not, as we hinted in the beginning, what it was in the eighteenth century. Free think- ers; free speakers and advanced ideas, together with thoughtlessness and frivol- ity, the elements of doubt and uncertain- ty, and the desire to be the most fashion- able church in town or city — regardless of pointing to the cross and salvation, and being humble examples of the better way of living — have demoralized the oc- cupants of the pews and thereby inflict- ed erroneous impressions on the non- churchman's mind. They will under- stand, therefore, that the clergyman's life has come to be one of trial and long suffering; that patience, forbearance and brotherly love will not prevail except through the well directed efforts w! a well balanced mind, and the exercises of a discretionary diploinany such as few men possess. We would not, however, attempt to persuade any man, who feels that he has a mission to perform, to en- ter another field. Brave and conscien- tious men are wanted, and we bid all can- didates God's speed and a just reward. Our only caution is 'be sure, you enter with the right motive and with a right understanding.' Do not enter with the idea that it is an easy way of earning your living, because of a desire for wealth, or in the belief that it is to be to you a life free from annoyances. It has its hardships and its trials; its triumphs and its rewards. It has its perplexities such as tew men can satisfactorily masr ter ; its burdensome crosses, and its dark
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