The Minister As Shepard

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1912. Excerpt: ... The Shepherd's Reward A Certain school of ethics would question the wisdom of adding this subject to our list. "Virtue is its own reward," we are told, " and to inquire what one is going to get for doing his duty is vitiating. Work is better and the heart is nobler when one gives no thought to the recompense of his toil. We ought to do what we do with an eye single to the doing of it, with no demand for or anticipation of pay." It is a lofty-sounding philosophy, but it is too highflown for healthy-minded mortals. It is an idol of the den. The New Testament knows nothing of the danger of looking to the end. Jesus never shrank from talking about results. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, despising the shame. In the presence of his disciples he prayed, "I glorified thee on the earth, and now, Father, glorify thou me." The prophet declared that the Messiah would see the travail of his soul and be satisfied. In all his teachings Jesus leaves no unfinished pictures. If he paints a sower sowing seed, he paints also the harvest growing golden in the sun. If he pictures wheat and tares, he also pictures the barn and the fire. If he sketches men working in a vineyard, he sketches them at evening time receiving, each man, his wages. When he portrays Dives at the banquet, he is careful to tell what Dives deserves and gets. He does not fail to inform us what is the ultimate fate of the men entrusted with the talents. He gives men reasons for doing well, and assures them that they are going to receive praise or condemnation according to their deeds. When Peter asked Jesus what he was going to receive by way of recompense for the sacrifices he had made, Jesus did not rebuke him but assured him that " there is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or mother o...