This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1871 Excerpt: ...moreover, to the proverb, "If a man would have friends, let him show himself friendly." Many ministers acknowledge the obligation of courtesy in their social intercourse who have not accustomed themselves to consider it a part of their official duty. For this reason the greater emphasis is here employed. This principle ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1871 Excerpt: ...moreover, to the proverb, "If a man would have friends, let him show himself friendly." Many ministers acknowledge the obligation of courtesy in their social intercourse who have not accustomed themselves to consider it a part of their official duty. For this reason the greater emphasis is here employed. This principle--the law of kindness in his heart and on his tongue--is precisely what is needed to render a minister's official intercourse with his people an agency of spiritual good. A minister who illustrates the grace of Christian courtesy has been well sketched by another: "All his movements are as graceful as they are benevolent and kind. He eschews all awkwardness, all obtrusiveness, all indecent haste, all roughness of speech and manners. He wears an open, respectful, and gracious countenance. He converses with equal dignity, simplicity, and propriety. He listens with careful attention when another speaks, and regards with proper attention all that is said. His general appearance and 280 THE COURTEOUS PASTOR. habits are, if possible, such as to offend no one, but rather what are calculated to insure the approbation and attract the respect and affections of his people and the public. He is, in all respects and in all circumstances, a true Christian gentleman. Nor does he for once lay aside this character, in whatever duty or exigency of his pastorship. Does he instruct? It is not with haughtiness, and so as to convey to those instructed a painful sense of their inferiority. Does he reprove? It is not with the scorpion's sting, but with 'the lip of kindness, ' such as wins back the erring to the paths of righteousness. Must he inflict sorrow? It is always with reluctance, and with an unwavering eye to the good of the sufferer. Does he 'w...
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