'P I n m y many years of Christian experience I have re ceived the gospel from the lips of many men of God — some brilliant, who spoke with great eloquence; some humble, who spoke with great simplicity. From each I received a blessing. In fact I can say, in all honesty, that almost never have I gone to the House of God and come away empty. Part of the reason for this may have been that, like the lame man at the gate called Beautiful, I looked on these men “ expecting to receive” something. But mostly because God honors His Word wherever and whenever it is preached in sincerity and truth. Jesus said, “ And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” And He does. Any man called of God to preach the gospel has been chosen for the most exalted position this world has to offer. It is certainly with no thought of detracting from the honor of their position that I make the statement, “ pastors are people.” The words are not meant to convey the thought that they are m erely people, but rather that they too are people. Pastors are people! They have feelings. Few of us would think of criticizing a fellovv member of the congregation for the way his wife dresses, or his children behave, but we seem to think it is our business to keep an eye on the pastor’s family. Did you ever hear, “Why are preachers’ children always the worst?” The answer, of course, is that they are not. It is only that more people observe them. Ministers are public servants; but their families are not public property. It is true that “ a city that is set upon a hill cannot be hid,” but that is no reason for throwing stones at it. What would be considered rudeness, if spoken of anyone else, is sometimes said of the pastor’s family, with an actual sense of having fulfilled a right eous obligation! Pastors are people! They get tired. They have physical limitations. It is no easier for them to work constantly than for any other human being. Even Jesus became weary; else why was He asleep on a pillow during the storm at sea? How prone we are to ask of the pastor, “Where were you when I was sick?” as though we were the only people he had to look after! Our individual troubles are not unique to the pastor: they are part of a long succession of similar experiences covering the entire congregation. No matter how much one may long to do for others, human strength cannot be stretched beyond a certain limit: there is a breaking point for all men. One of the finest sermons I ever listened to was preached by a pastor who had been up all night with a dying man. His message was undoubtedly enriched by this experience. Nevertheless, his life was shortened because he spent his strength too freely for his people. Because few pastors will spare themselves when they feel they are needed, it becomes the obligation of the congre gation not to make thoughtless demands upon them. Pastors are people! They make mistakes. Just because a man is called of God to preach the gospel, he is not neces sarily placed beyond the possibility of making human 12 TH E KING'S BUSINESS
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