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T HE K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S
VIOLATING SACRED VOWS When men enter the ministry they take solemn vows. These vows are taken publicly and are supposed to be sacred and inviolate. They are as sumed in connection with the most sacred service ever committed to men. A service which relates to the eternal interests of men. Men are not supposed to take these vows lightly. They are supposed to have meditated and prayed and to have solemn convictions concerning the matter, and to have had a call from God for this special service. Thank God,, so many men have been true to their vows and have gladly yielded their lives in the carrying out of the purpose of service. Thank God for the harvest that has followed the ministry of true men during all the history of the church. But some men seem to have a trifling regard for their vows, claiming the right to interpret them as they please, and then putting such a construc tion upon them that they are made to mean the very opposite. In some cases, these men turn around and attack the very essential truths involved in their vows. Were they members of a club or political party or secret organization, they would never be allowed to hold their positions, but in the church where they are supposed to minister the Word of God and to represent Him in their ministry to the people, they are allowed to violate their vows with impunity. In other organizations they would be expelled and tagged as lacking the first fundamental principles of honesty, but in the church it is different. They rely upon the kindly hearts of the people, lord it over them, and laugh at any one who dares to question their integrity. Were they officers in the Army or Navy they would be courtmartialled and shot; but in the church,—these men are such good men; such sweet, affable men; such good mixers! They certainly are good mixers, for they mix truth and error so wondrously that the people cannot distinguish be tween them. Notice how these good, sweet men always find a place on the committees which enable them to guide the affairs of the church along the smooth places. They are never very definite as to what the Bible teaches, but are very definite as to what they think, and what the scholars think. Why should any man who has forsaken the faith, who no longer be lieves that the Bible means what it says,—why should he take the money of the saints at the same time that he takes advantage of their credulity? But this is true of many a man in the ministry today, as we know to our sorrow. Should we not pray with earnest entreaty to the Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that He would give deliverance to the people of God and save them from the men who are robbing them of the food they crave? Pray that God will convince men of this most awful sin. Pray that He will break their hearts, bring them to conviction of conscience and con fession, save the pulpit from its disgrace and save the people from the de stroying, influence of trifling teaching. T. C. H.
C E N T E R O F T H I S M A G A Z I N E
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