Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1877 — Thanking the Minister. [ARTICLE]

Thanking the Minister.

It is strange how few persons in the average congregation feel called on to thank their pastor tor any sermon of his which brings to them a word of comfort, stimulus nor instruction; They perhaps value his ministrations, but they do not tell him so. Indeed, some of them think it would •Savor of forwardness or (flattery for them to say in so many words that thfjy were helped by the truth he preached to them, and'that they are grateful accordingly. Yet these same persons would teel it no mdre than their simple ’fluty 'to say “ I thank you,” if the man who is their pas tor should direct them on the street to some place which they wanted to Teach, but otithe location of which they were in doubt; or if he should assist them into or out df a crowded street-car,, or point to them Some danger of which they had been Unb'Mpk'vant Why then should they hesitath toibxprcss their than ks.asi freely when lie has-oought earnestly an€ .prayerfully to prepare that; which will direct, or assist, er wam ot -cheet them, and kuas brought it to them iin the hope that dt will prove timely and serviceable ? Many, a pastor feels the'lack of these words o£i thanks mqre thagds. commonly supposed, It is hard for him-to work on month after month in behalf of those whom be’.loves and would feanihelp, without ever being assured that (he has met ‘ their needs or excited their .gratitude. l The verptofibrt of a preacher ito fill hia place acceptably tends to exhaust his! nervous forces, and to bring a. doubt if,* after all,toe. has succeeded in the work toi which he was set. When, therefore, not 1 I one of his (hearers acknowledges help re-; , ceived, or .expresses thanks fair,acquired benefit, the sensitive preacher is (tempted to depression lest his work wua failure. Said a venerable pastor, “I have seen preaching to one people for more than thirty years, .and there are members of my church who have never in all that,time told me that any word I had spoken was ■of service totoom, or that they were grateful for its expediting.” How could-such .an experienceibe .otherwise than depressing • , ' “ But,” it mayfbe said, “ a pastor oqpht rto.go dn faithfully in his appointed work, without'being dependent on warm words for his encouragement.” Of course the ought to; and most pastors do this;; but thattdoes not relieve any hearer of hie duty to speak toting words of thanks and cheer. A mother .ought to be faithful toI even though none of them: ever thank her for her kindness; and a wife, should be true and 'untiring in her hqme duties while her husband fails to say anything inrecogn&ionot her fidelity; but those children and that husband ought to be ashamed of themselves for never thanking her who loves and helps them;, and a church member who does not thank his pastor for speaking wise and fitting words in the pulpit has reason te be heartily ashamed of his thoughtless and neglectful aiience. It is not praise, nor compliment, that a good pastor needs for his encouragement. It is a recognition of his special service to a hearer, with thanks for the timeliness of Lis well-chosen words. He wants to know who has been helped by each particular Shase of truth, that he may the better shape is preaching to the necessities of those beforte him. And he craves the assurance that the message he brings has touched some heart ana made it newly grateful. ILaman stops at the doo* of a friend's house to tal! an item of good news which he thinks will give pleasure there, he does not carw to be told that he delivered it graceful^; but he is glad to be thanked for bringing, the intelligence to those whose hearts it would lighten. Thanks are W uecessartty flattery. The receipt of them will. hardly endanger a clergyman’s spiritual standing. TbeMare warm-hearted and thoughtful persons who have this truth in mind, and who are always prompt to speak of the help they have had from a sermon or a prayer-meeting talk, from a teacher’s instructions, or a superintendent’s lesson review, and to thank whoever has thus ministered tp them, for what they have gained ]

from him. In any church, or school or class, such persons are a power for rood They do much to promote good preaching and good teaching: Even a stranger coming into their field of influence feels the inspiration of their thoughtful and considerate recognitions of faithful service, and Is made glad and made stronger accordingly. The number of such persons ought to be multiplied. It will belt those whohave hitherto refrained from expressing, in such cases, the gratitude they have had in their hearts, will henceforth say plainly to their pastor, or teacher or occasional minister, what words of his have come home to them for their good, and will be free to thank him heartily for each special service by which he has given to them assistance or enjoyment.— Bundiy-Behool Timet.