February - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland
February - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland
February - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland
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Holiness, Self-Denial and <strong>the</strong> Minister 55<br />
mouth, to speak unto God, must be obvious to all. Our mode <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fering up<br />
our prayers without a preconceived form can commend itself to enlightened<br />
and spiritual men only when our ministers shall possess <strong>the</strong> true spirit <strong>of</strong><br />
prayer and shall pray with <strong>the</strong> spirit and with <strong>the</strong> understanding. Cultivate<br />
piety <strong>the</strong>n in all its parts, for prayer is nothing else but <strong>the</strong> natural language<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pious heart; it is <strong>the</strong> breathing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> new man, or ra<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> inexpressible<br />
groaning and sighing <strong>of</strong> a soul sick <strong>of</strong> sin and panting for deliverance.<br />
O that young men who seek to be useful in <strong>the</strong> ministry would spend more<br />
time in communion with God in prayer than <strong>the</strong>y commonly do! To be<br />
eminent in piety and mighty in prayer are identical.<br />
Holiness, Self-Denial and <strong>the</strong> Minister 1<br />
J W Alexander<br />
o sustain a gospel minister in such labours, something is necessary beyond<br />
Thabitual diligence or mere pr<strong>of</strong>essional zeal. There may be great stir and<br />
bustle, and activity, and yet no gospel efficiency. What we need is a spring <strong>of</strong><br />
holy influence always within us, gushing out like a river-head <strong>of</strong> living waters.<br />
What shall secure this? Answer: <strong>the</strong> grace <strong>of</strong> God in <strong>the</strong> heart, working holiness<br />
and devotion . . . . O that every pastor could say to <strong>the</strong> people whom he<br />
serves, or has served: “Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly,<br />
and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe”.<br />
Paul could say so, for he followed Christ; and Christ was “holy, harmless,<br />
undefiled, separate from sinners”. After a certain tour <strong>of</strong> preaching and<br />
healing, we are told, “Jesus returned in <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Spirit into Galilee<br />
. . . and He taught in <strong>the</strong> synagogues, being glorified <strong>of</strong> all”. The indwelling<br />
Spirit was in <strong>the</strong> head, as in <strong>the</strong> members, a Spirit <strong>of</strong> grace and supplication,<br />
and frequent are <strong>the</strong> incidental but pa<strong>the</strong>tic notices <strong>of</strong> our Lord’s retreats for<br />
private devotion. By <strong>the</strong>se, Olivet and Gethsemane were signalised, long<br />
before His final agony. Here He “rejoiced in spirit”, here He doubtless<br />
groaned and wept, here He cried, “Even so, Fa<strong>the</strong>r, for so it seemed good in<br />
Thy sight”.<br />
How <strong>of</strong>ten did He, after days <strong>of</strong> weariness, spend <strong>the</strong> nights in solitary<br />
watching and prayer! While <strong>the</strong> storm was on <strong>the</strong> lake, Jesus, having dismissed<br />
an immense audience, was gone “up into a mountain apart to pray: and<br />
when <strong>the</strong> evening was come, He was <strong>the</strong>re alone”. When <strong>the</strong> fame <strong>of</strong> Him<br />
increased, “He withdrew Himself into <strong>the</strong> wilderness and prayed”. The seven-<br />
1 The two final points from an article, “The Lord Jesus Christ <strong>the</strong> Example <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Minister”,<br />
reprinted from Princeton and <strong>the</strong> Work <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Christian Ministry, vol 2.