Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 85:340 (Oct 1928)
Article: The Lure Of The Gospel Ministry
Author: A. William Lewis

BSac 85:340 (Oct 1928) p. 409

The Lure Of The Gospel Ministry

A. William Lewis

Some wonder why any intelligent young men choose the Gospel Ministry. They think they know exactly why the profession is not overcrowded. In many High Schools the boys and the girls smile meaningly when asked how many plan to become Ministers of the Gospel or devote themselves to whole time Christian Service. Many pity the poor Minister and his wife, as yoke-fellow victims of slow torture martyrdom! Let us honestly face the truth.

When I first received from the Spirit of God the call to the Ministry, as a boy, “Be a Minister,” I unhesitatingly said “No.” The still, small voice quietly repeated the same words with the authority of sunlight. I shuddered at the spectre of being buried alive. I do not know just why; but I still feel the horror of that dismal prospect, as if it were yesterday, though fifty years ago. When the sweet voice repeated the words, as distinctly as ever uttered by any mortal, I recognized it as the voice of God to me; and I used my will and said, “I will.” From that day until this a supreme joy has dwelt in my soul, as the peace of the deep sea over which storms sweep in vain. How come?

I was ordained to the Gospel Ministry, April 24, 1889; and I have unhesitatingly scorned any and every temptation to turn aside into some other profession, or vocation. If I had my life to live over and was free to choose, I would again choose the Ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know He has said to me, “I have called you, that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full.” Is there a reason?

As I have of late been thinking over this vital problem of these days, my convictions have crystallized into this form, “The lure of the Gospel Ministry.” For years we have been hearing and reading the lure of many things of the world. Anything mysterious has a lure for the human mind. The lure of the Gospel Ministry stands preeminent, and beckons the noblest souls to follow into the

BSac 85:340 (Oct 1928) p. 410

unknown and the glorious. “We are stewards of the mysteries of God.”

As stewards of the mysteries of God in Nature we are watching and praying for the scientists. They are our workmen, workmen of God, fellow-workers in the Kingdom of Christ on earth. Nature is charged with hidden truths, as it is with electricity; and these truths mean more to us than to even the scientists. We bid them Godspeed. Is there in all the knowledge of earthly things anything more alluring than the material atom? A few years ago it was thought to be a solid, an ultimate, isolated particle. The word means, according to this theory, “indivisible.” The different atom...