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2 HEBREWS. If you want the book of Hebrews to have a meaning and an entirely new interest read the first eleven chapters at a sitting with this expla nation of the book before your mind: Paul is striving to show Jewish read ers that Christianity is a real religion and worthy to take the place of Judaism and thereby to restrain them from going back to their old customs and faith, Step by step he points out tho facts ©f the religion of Jesus and shows that each one is superior to the corresponding fact in Judaism. Every vital element of Jewish his tory, law and worship is compared with the Lord Jesus Christ and shown to be inferior. In the first chapter he begins by pointing out the superiority of the Son over the prophets and angels. The Prophets were men, the Angels were created beings but Jesus was the brightness of the Father’s glory and the express image of His person. Now God revealed Judaism by the prophets through the mediation of Angels but Christianity was revealed in the person of his only begotten Son. Then the second chapter is an explanation of this wonderful reve lation and an exhortation to stead fastness in this new and far superior revelation. In the third the comparison is in stituted between Christ and the Jew ish Law Giver in which the writer shows how much greater Christ the builder of the house must be than Moses the servant in tho house how ever faithful a servant he may have beeu. Then he exhorts to steadfast ness by the fearful consideration of the possibility of failing of tho rest that rcmaineth to the people of God. Showing that Moaes and Joshua themselves looked forwaad to a de liverance of which their own was but the type and shodow. Immediately the priesthood of the old is compared with tho priesthood of the new in which ho gives all dis tance to Christ showing that their order of priests payed tythes to Christ’s|priesthood before any of them were born when Abraham represent ed the one and Melchizedec the oth er. At the close of this comparison in the fifth chapter the Apostles re premands their fearful lack of spiri tual apprehenion and then devotes the sixth chapter to Warning and entreaty against an abuse of spiri tual privileges. Illustrating by con trasting fruitful land with unfruitful land both having enjoyed the same advantages. In the ninth chapter tho old cov enant of works is compared with the covenant of grace in which Christ himself is the mediator and is able to save to the uttermost (all tho way to heaven) all who come unto God by him. In the tenth chapter the atone ment of the old is contrasted with the atonement of tho new. Here the great argument reaches its sub lime climax. The apostle shows the substitution of Jesus for sinners and the open bold approach each trusting child may have to a throne of grace without the intervention of offering or Priest. The eleventh chapter is a history of the triumphs of faith. That in visible power by which the posses sors were enabled to endure all things jopfully that they might be found in Him, not having their own rightous ncss which is by faith. The twelveth chapter and indeed the remainder of the Epistle is a wonderful exhortation to holiness of life and fixedness of purpose. With these few pointers the book of Hebrews has an entirely new in terest. It was not written like Ro mans to Gentiles who needed only to learn that Jesus of Nazareth was tho promised Messiah and that his teachings were w orthy of their faith ful adherence. The Epistle does not teach doctrine in the abstract. It teaches the relations of tho Gos pel to Judaism. There is no book in the Bible more interesting when you enter the secret of the Apostle’s purpose and follow the argument step by step out of the types and shadows into the blaze of the Saviour s noonday glory. F. 0. MuConnkll. The total membership of the Bap tist churches in New Hamshire is 9,282, a gain of 70 over last year, and the largest number reported since 1840. Sixty-seven churches have regular pastors. The whole number of baptisms is 275. The be nevolent contributions were 118,499. The Convention Board during tho pastyear aided thirty churches to the amount of about >3,000. The invested funds of the Convention amount to >21,020.19. SHORT OR LONG PASTORATES. SHOULD PASTORS HASTILY RESIGM BE- CAUSE OF A MINORITY OP- POSITION ? [A paper prepared by Rev. A. W. Lamar for the Pastor’s Conference of Nebraska Baptist State Conven tion, Oct. 27th 1891]. There was a time when I thought I knew all about this subject. But, a few years since, I began to have some sneaking misgivings that per haps there were some things about it that I did not quite understand- Within the past year I discovered that I knew far less tlnfn I thought I did. Within recent months my understanding of it has grown beau tifully less. And, since I have been put upon the programme for a paper on this subject, I have almost reach ed the conclusion that I know noth ing about It. Nevertheless, as it is true that “even a fool may give a wise man good advice;” and as it is possible that, within the chaos of my mind there may be some thoughts worthy of bringing into order, and thoughts that may be helpful to some perplexed pastor and church I shall utter myself as best I can. It must be manifest to the readers of our religious journals that there is a prevalence of short pastorates- Every paper that reaches our hemes, and every breeze that blows, bears sad tidings .of recognitions and pas toral changes. The number and the prominence, both of churches and pastors suffering from frequent changes is appalling indeed. They indicate that we are approaching a state of things which will greatly militate against the growth of min isters, and the spirituality and the material prosperity of the churches. To thoughtful and devout Christians this aspect of things is cause for great alarm. It seems there should bo such a general awakening as shall lead us to inquire into the cause, tho evil and the remedy for short pastorates. Now, as to tho cause, or causes of those frequent changes. Truth com pels mo to declare that the cause of these changes is not infrequent with the pastors themselves. They have not a sufficiently exalted view of tho sacredness of tho pastoral rela tionship and of tho permanency that should characterize it. They regard each pastotato as tho stepping-stone to something better, and they work with an eye On some more prominent and conspicuous field. Hence they do not give to the place which they occupy the best of heart, mind and strength of which they are capable. They show ambitions that are not lawful, egotisms that are offensive, criticisms that are not promotive of peace, and a laziness that is unpar donable in a Christian minister. So soon as discouragements in a hard field cross their path and they find they cannot have everything their own way, they develop a careless ness and indifference that becomes manifest to their best supporters. Or, if a little unusual success attends their work, in contrast to tho seem, ing failure of their predecessor, they take undue credit to themselves, and fancy they could fill any place in tho gift of the churches and that they are not duly appreciated. And so a spirit of restlessness and morbid am bition for change begins to sway them. As another has said, “It is a sad misfortune that such men do not see that a big toad in a little puddle is far more sightly than a little toad in a big puddle.” If such brethren would open their eyes wide and get a healthy view of themselves they would abide more contented and useful in the field to which God's providence had assigned them, and endeavor to work out the best pos sible results for him where they are. This portraiture is not overdrawn. U e can all think of some men whom it faithfully describes, and we do not Wonder that such men cannot tarry long with a church that is worthy of a faithful minister of Jesus Christ. But, while wo think of this as applicable to some others, let us be critically honest concerning onr own heart and life, and see if tho man described herein does not live in intimate and daily association with ourselves. I think it can bo fairly assorted that the causes of these short pasto rates do not lie mainly with the pastor. They as a rule are not the culpable party. In a wide observa tion during twenty years with hun dreds of churches and pastors, I can truly say, that, usually it is not the pastors who desire or aro the cause of these frequent changes. From whence then come the influences that disrupt the pastorate? Truth and sicerity impel me to say that the source of these disturbances that THE CHRISTIAN INDEX: THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 24. 1892. break up pastorates, is a disobedi ent, captious and factious minority. They infest nearly all our churches. They dominate the faithful and de feat the success and prevent the continuance of the pastorate. Any one who takes the pains to go into an extended investigation will be thoroughly convinced that it is rare ly a majority who desire change in the pastorate. This disobodient mi nority demand it, and though the majority outnumber them ten, or fifty to one, they yield for peace sake and suffer a good and faithful pastor to be driven off. This is to day one of file great crimes of tho Christian churches. They harbor, condone and retain in their midst “a clique of gaunt gourmands and grieved delinquents who organize around ambitions and enmities to unsettle the pastor and hinder the church.” It does not matter that the pastor is faithful, that he is consecrated, that he is patient, that he is considerate, that he is eloquent, studious, learned and commands the respect of the community. It does not matter that he has built up the congrega tion and increased the membership. This faction have determined that he shall go if they can bring it about. They have determined to take off his pastoral head, and so with pious tone and in the name of religion and in the interest of the church, they begin and prosecute the work of de capitation. They undermine, back bite, slander and obstruct the pastor till by and by in disheartment he hands in his resignation. Thus after we have analyzed all other causes we must come back to this and say that a disobedient and factious minority is the chief cause of short pastorates. Indeed, one of tho most hopeless and discouraging things connected with church life is the widespread extent with which the churches are afflicted by this mi nority disease. The church in which there can be found no minor ity, opposing, undermining and working against the pastor’s influ ence, is one in many. It seems use less for the average pastor to leave one church because of such minori ty with any hope of being delivered from it in tho next church to which he shall go. He will almost certain ly, sooner or later, discover a simi lar state of things in his next charge. The unwisdom, the wrong, the guilt and the wickedness of this thing cannot be too severely condemned and we must believe that the divine Lord will hold the churches account able for the mischief they are per mitting to be wrought out by this process. As another has said: “Look at the diluted, discouraged and impov erished ministry that comes from this process. Look at the distracted weak and hindered churches; look at the divided Christian households look at tho world of non-Christians who distrust tho honesty and the sincerety of those who profess to be guided by the Holy Spirit in thoir conduct.” Ono does not wonder that they, not having a personal ex perience of saving grace should lose faith in tho churches. And more than this not a few of God’s loving and faithful and gifted ministers have by reason of the suffering they have experienced at the hands of the churches been taken from the minis try in hopeless despair. Some have been driven to the insane asylum, and some have died of broken hearts. Doe* the resignation and retire ment of the pastor heal this disease and pronounce harmony and pros perity in the church? Manisestly not. In nine cases out of ten, veri ly not. It is almost tho unanimous experience of the majority in a church that, when for peace sake, they have allowed the factious minority to drive out tho faithful pastor, the peace pur chased thereby is only temporary. Only a symptom of tho disease has been reached by tho pastor's resig nation, while tho disease itself has deepened in violence and multiplied symptoms. Tho hasty resignation of the pastor because as tho factious minority and tho. consent of the church thereto is not the way God would have it be, and for manifest reasons. First, the settlement of a pastor, over a Baptist clfurch at least,has al ways been regarded as an event that has been consummated in answer to prayer. Our churches believe, and our ministers believe in divine prov idence in the case ; hence the chief Shepherd was consulted and it was expected that he would direct in the settlement of the under-shepherd. Yet, judging from the history of some pastoral settlements and un- settlements it seems as though Ce cil was right when he said, “The Christian often thinks, and schemes and talks like a practical atheist.” If there has been this attitude of re liance on divine Providence, how dare the church, after she has asked God in faith to send a man after His own heart—how dare she go to work and size him up after her own heart? Upon what principle has she a right to sum up his points, add up his graces and subtract his blemishes,” instead of tying to supplement by extra prayer and co-operation and love his weak points, and thus ena ble him to succeed with God’s work. They begin to decide that God made a mistake, and they asSume that now they understand the situation better than He who created it, and there, fore without really and seriously consulting God they determine that a change is necessary, and they let the minority hastily bring it about. It is my earnest conviction, and one that is confirmed with each year’s observation, that, in nine cases out of ten. neither the church nor the pastor has any right to allow a factious minority to dissolve the re lationship that was begun and con summated in prayer, and that had the approval of God upon it. But it will be asked, “Has the minority no rights in such matters?” I answer yes; they have the right to retire and leave the church in peace to work out the will of God with the church and pastor, or they have a right to acquiesce in God’s plan for themselves and for the church, and to abide in peace. But there is a minority which the church and pastor alike are bound to respect, and are bound to listen to concerning the severauce of the pastoral rela tion, namely: the spiritual, praying co-operating, faithful, prayer-meet ing minority. In every church there is this minority. If they come to feel the conviction that God will be honored, and His cause promoted in the pastoral relations—pastor and church had better listen to them. Now and then, as we see that, both on account of the divine providence in the case, and because of the fact that hasty changes on account of the factious minority do not promote the welfare and peace of the church, what is the remedy? I answer: First, If'th church and pastor should cit*" deeper insight into, and a better understanding of, the pastoral relation. The design for their union should be more clearly comprehended. It should be xvell understood that it is not merely to attract a congregation, but to teach the word, to win souls to Christ, to build them up in Christ’s own char acter and lead them into His service. There must be real acceptance on the part of the church of the fact that God's ministers are earthen ves sels, and that God has never had any I perfect men to do His work. Hence, instead of dismissing tho pastor on account of defects in his personality, they should by loving efforts seek to improve him. Second, the church should look well after the disobedient and fac tious minority and take position solidly against them and their doings. It will be fouift that the very heart of their opposition is in the spirit of disobedience to pastoral and church authority. They seem to think that when the church has decided upon a thing, or the pastor has set in op eration his plans for the welfare of the church, they are at liberty to kick, to thwart, to complain, to criti cise at pleasure and obstruct. A firm, loving, courageous and prompt dealing with such would often dissi pate the minority entirely, or would so disarm them, and so alarm them that they would be brought to respectful obedience. An illustra tion of this in point: A church recently called a pastor. There was one family which very decidedly opposed the call. They said if you call him we will leave tho church. But tho spiritual, working people of tho church believed God approved the call, so they extended it, and by a unanimous vote. They sought to make tho vote unanimous, but this family refused to acquiesce in tho decision of tho church. This church solidly, lovingly' and promptly said, “Very well, we shall count you out.’* This discipline was healthy. It brought this family to serious th ought and to reconciliation. However, in stead of this it is common for chu reli es to allow a factious minority to do their dirty work unmolested. It is commonly the samii that the deacons and pastor, and some influential members know that such faction is working harm to the welfare of the church and pastor. But they arc all so lacking in gift and grace that for the sake of a false peace they left this minority work unhindered. The time has come for the church to insist that a pastor shall do his duty as a Christian and as a minister to a minority opposition. And when he has so done, if they fail to accept his loving service in obedience to the law of God, they should speak in terms to that factious minority that they cannot fail to understand- This, and not hasty resignations, seem to me to be the only remedy for the destruction of these minori ties that infest our churches with their blighting influence. May God give our churches and pastors xvisdom to see this truth, and grit and grace to put it into execu tion. guntlaix-scltuul WORK AMONG THE GENTILES. Lesson for Sunday Dec. 4th, 1892. Scripture Lesson: Acts 14: 8-22. Motto Text :—“ln his name shall the Gentiles trust.” Matt. 12 : 21. introduction. Paul and Barnabas are now com ing to the end of the first missiona. ry journey. Some of the places they have visited will be visited again on their return that the work begun may be more firmly established- This first journey occupies about two years. The apostles have labor ed with earnest diligence. They have met opposition at almost every turn, opposition, too, of the most bit ter and relentless kind. According to human standards their success might be accounted as meagre. Yet there is report of disciples being won in almost every place where they preached. The faithfulness and steadfastness of Paul and Barnabas, in the face of so much opposition, are worthy of the highest honor. But that which is to be prized even above the faithful service of these men is the wonderful adaptation of the Gospel to all the varying needs of a lost, sinful race. The opportu nity was given, the test was applied, and the power of the Gospel was made manifest to overthrow whatev er was vain and evil, and give in the place thereof that which was true and good and abiding. At Lystra, the place of our pres ent lesson, there are three principal foes to be encountered, physical in firmity, heathen superstition, and Jewish prejudice. EXPOSITION. I. Miracle of Healing Wrought.—Vs. 8-10. There were perhaps but few Jews at Lystra as no mention is made of any syna gogue there. We may conclude that Paul preached in some market place or thoroughfare of the city where the people would most naturally be gathered together. The condition of the man who was healed is de. scribed somewhat minutely. He was impopent in his feet, a crip ple, HAD NEVER WALKED. This would show the helplessness of bis case as other remedies had doubt less been exhausted. It would show the reality of the affliction as no pre tense could so long have been sus tained. That his case was well known, too, cannot be questioned. He heard Paul preach, more than once perhaps. Faith was kindled within his heart, and this was the only condition necessary to his heal, ing. The theme of Paul’s preach ing had doubtless been, as at all times, the death and resurrection of Christ. In response to divinely given perception and impulse he commands the lame man to walk. The command of the one and the faith of the other *re alike honored of the Lord. In the strength that comes through faith and the Spirit of obedience the man is enabled to leap and walk. The infirmity hav ing been of such long standing and so well known, the reality of the miracle must at once have become manifest to all the city. 11. Heathen Superstition Ar rayed Against the Gospel.—Vs. 11-18. The Gospel has marked pow er to disclose the worst that is in man. The people of Lystra are worshippers of strange gods, and the miracle wrought by Paul brings forth a painful manifestation of this superstition. Jupiter was to them the highest and mightiest of the Olympian gods, reputed as the pow erful ruler of tho world, tho father of gods and men. Mercurius was regarded as the God of eloquence. A mythical tradition was current among those people that these two gods had once visited that region. So Jupiter was held as the guardian deity of the city, and his image or temple was before the gates of the city. So tho excited crowds con- 1893 The Baptist Teacher. It is confidently believed that Volume XXIV. of The Baptist Teach er will be far ahead.of any of its predecessors in all that is required to furnish A Complete Help to Sunday-school workers. The best writers that can be secured have been engaged as contributors to its several departments. Attention is therefore directed with pleasure to the features of value in the BAPTIST TEACHER FOR 1893. I. Enlargement. In order to make room for the new department upon Inductive Teaching, to run parallel with the new Inductive Quar< terly, the Rev. W. G. Fennell will have at command an additional foul pages each month, which will make each issue fifty-two pages, instead ol forty-eight, as heretofore. • 11. Colored maps and several diagrams in preparation, will form frontispieces of great value. HL The editorial articles will discuss live topics of the day in the same style that has made The Baptist Teacher noted for its brightness and pungency. IV. The Lesson Expositions will be by two of the best writers in Baptist ranks; Prof. B. C. Taylor. D. D., of Crozer Theological Seminary, and Prof. 11. 11. Harris, D. D., LL.D., of Richmond College. This depart ment is enriched by other writers, as follows: Rev. P. S. Henson, D. D., gives Lesson Topics ; Mr. W. Taylor Smith, 8.A., of Manchester, England, treats of Orientalisms in each lesson; Mrs. M. G. Remedy gives sugges tions for teaching the lesson to intermediate, and also to Primary classes; Drs. Taylor and Harris add hints to teachers of advanced classes, and tho Rev. W. G. Fennell gives notes applying to the Inductive studies. The Analyses, the Questions, the Bible Dictionary, and the Review Hints complete the means of help to the teacher, so far as one publication can do this. V. A summary of doctrines in the lessons of each quarter will ba furnishhd by Pres. Chas. Manly, D. D., of Furman University’; Pres. H. G. We ston,D. D., LL. D., of Crozer Theological Seminary; Prof. Howard Osgood, D. D., of Rochester Theological Seminary; Pres. John A. Broadus 1 D. D., LL. D., of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary’. VI. Character sketches of persons named in the lessons will includei Cyrus, by Prof. A. E. Waffle, D. D, Mordecai, by John Humpstone,!). D. The man of Uz, by W. Taylor Smith, B. A. Job and his three friends, by Lansing Burrows, D. D. Saul of Tarsus, by the Rev. C. A. Steeves. VII. Sketches of authors and their books occuring in the course of the lessons: Haggai and his book, by Prof. G. B. Moore, D. 1). Zachariah and his book, by Prof. H. IL Harris. LL. D. Ezra and Ezra, by the Rev. H. O. Rowlands. VIII. General Survey of book' The book of Esther, by Prof. E. Hul bert, D. D. The Book of Job, by 11. F. Colbv, D. D. The book of Proverbs, 11. A. Tupper, Jr., D. D. The Book of Ecclesiastes, by W. T. Chase, D. D. The Book of Romans, by W. S. Apsey, D. D. IX. Other sidelights npon the lessons Condition of the Jews During Cap tivity, by A. K. Parker, D. I). Significance of the Sabbath, by Prof. B. C. Taylor, 1). D. The Duty of Christians as to Tem perance, by Edward Judson, D. D. The Period of Silence, by Pres. J. A. Broadus, D. D., LL. D. The View from Mars Hill, by Prof. H. IL Harris, LL. D. X. A short series of doctrinal studies, including Faith, Repentance and Regeneration, by Prof. F. 11. Kerfoot, D. D. XL Practical articles upon various phases of Sunday-shool manage ment and teaching, by experienced workers. C ' The production of The Baptist Teacher for 1893 will require more than fifty’ writers and editors. All the issues of the American Baptist Publication Society are sent out in abundant time to reach the schools before they are actually needed, and the utmost care is taken to avoid errors in direction, so that superintendents may feel sure of having them early. Price of The Baptist Teacher: Singly, 60 cents per year; five or more copies, 50 cents, each. AMERICAN BAPTrST PUBIJCATION SOCIETY. PHILADELPHIA : 1420 Chestnut Street; CHICAGO : 122 Wabash Avenue; BOSTON: 25<l Washington Street: ST. LOUIS: 1109 Olive Street; NEW YORK: Times Building; ATLANTA; 66S Whitehall Street: DALLAS. Tex.: 345 Main Stree. elude that they are again honored by a visit of these gods in the persons of Paul and Barnabas, and prefer to offer unto them sacrifice. The faith ful apostles are horrified at such demonstration. They were prompt in rejecting the proffered worship jpid in showing their thorough dis approbation of it. They reason with the crowds. Why do these things ? They declare their own infirmities. They plead with the people to turn away from such vani ties unto the living God. Note the basis of Paul’s argument here as differing from that of his speeches to the Jews and Jewish proselytes. An acceptance and a knowledge of the Scriptures is assured when he speaks to Jews, and so he reasons from the Scripture that Jesus is the Christ. But an appeal to the Script ures before these Gentiles would be in vain, as they are without a knowl edge of them. So by lessons from natural theology he would teach of Goa. 111, Jewish Prejudice Makes renewed Assault.—Vs. 19-22. With what intense bitterness do the Jews hate Paul. But it is to be ex pected in a measure, for his work assails their very foundation. They follow him from place to place. They are entirely overcome by their own passions. They seek not to an swer Paul’s arguments with counter arguments, but to do him personal injury by pelting him with stones. The frustration of the Lystrians in their purpase to do sacrifice seems to have put them in a mood to be stirr ed up by malicious Jews, and they join together in a murderous assault. They left him as dead. They were some faithful disciples about him, and the Lord forsook him not. On the morrow he goes forward in Ins Paul, the Christian, by L. A. Cran dall, D. D. Paul, the Roman citizen, by J. T. Christian, D. D. Agrippa and Festus, by Prof. P. A. Nordell, D. D. Nehemiah and his record, by J. W Bozeman. D. D. Malachi and his book, by the Rev. Charles 11. Hobart. S included in the course of the lessons. Epistles to the Corinthians, by tha Rev. W. 11. Geistweit. Epistle to the Ephesians, by Prof. A. F. Fleet, LL. D. Epistle to the Colossians, by the Rev. 1). D. McLaurin. Epistles of Peter, by Prof. Otis T. Mason. Epistle of James, by R. S. MacAr thur, D. D. Rome, the Imperial City, by Prof. W. L. Poteet. . The Hope of Israel, by the Rev. Charles Winbigler. The Law and Siu, by W. Pope Yea man, D. D. , The Law and Grace, by the Rev. Leighton Williams. The Star in the East,by George Dana Boardman, D. D., LL. D. work somewhat as though nothing had happened, and soon when the occasion comes for him to re-visit Lystra he is nothing daunted by tho ill treatment formerly accorded him there. That he returned byway of Lystra when his work was that o| confirming shows that some disci, pies wore won there. They were about him when the Jews had left him for dead. His work there had not been in vain. We may well be lieve that Timothy was among the number of his first converts at Lys tra. See Acts 16 :1 and 2 Tim. 8 | 11. Had there been nothin# more accomplished there than the finding of Timothy this of itself would be a liberal measure of success. Paul regarded tribulation as a neo. essary part of what he had, to endure to the accomplishment of "his work. It took him not by surprise whenev* er it came. He counted it not an evil. He accepted it as of God’s ap pointment, and patiently endured it for God’s glory. SUGGESTIONS. 1. A subject of unfailing interest and importance is the relation which work for the bodies of men is to sus tain to that which concerns their souls’ welfare. The religion that neglects to care for the physical needs of suffering can have strong hold upon the heart.) 2. Honor and sacrifice were offer ed to Paul and Barnabas as though they were gods. There is but little danger that we shall many of us be permitted to enter this temptation. Not ns gods, but as men wo receive honors however which are not ours. To God, should be all the glory. 8. Ihe contrast as presented be tween v. 13 and v. 19 is an interest mg one as showing the fickleness of the world. To-day they bring gar ands, tomorrow they cast stones.