MY dear Friend, You received my former letter so kindly that you have provoked me to write another. This is in accordance with the apostolic injunction (Hebrews 10:2424And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (Hebrews 10:24)): “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.”
In January last, I noticed in one of the evening! papers, among the Answers to Correspondents, a reply addressed to “C. J.,” who had sent an inquiry about the duties of a trustee. I hope the enquirer was assisted by the answer; and I am sure that it has assisted me. My mind has been directed to the duties of a trustee in a very practical, and I trust profitable, manner; and it is; my desire to convey some of my thoughts to you in this letter, as you also are a trustee.
Let me then first look at the nature of trusteeship. A sacred trust is placed into the hands of a man, who is bound by the terms of the trust to faithfully carry it out to the utmost of his ability. I do not know of any trust more sacred, or more solemn, or more responsible, than the ministry of the Gospel. It will therefore, if my judgment, be very profitable to you and to myself to consider and weigh some of the statements left on record by an early trustee.
“Even after that we had suffered before, and well shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we wen bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile. But as We were allowed of God to be PUT IN TRUST with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.” (1 Thessalonians 2:2-42But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 3For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. (1 Thessalonians 2:2‑4)).
I might write out several other portions to the point; but these will suffice. You will realize from them, my dear friend, what a solemn thing it is to be made by God a trustee of the Gospel. It requires absolute honesty and faithfulness. A man may be very able, or less able, as a minister; but he must be honest, or he will be unfaithful to the trust committed to him.
I must now pass on to lay before you the duties of a trustee of the gospel; and I shall simply copy them from the statute-book, so that there shall be no possibility of mistake.
The first and grand duty of a minister of the gospel is to “preach the gospel.” Well, you will say, who ever doubted that? I might reply, How many do it? Mind, I do not mean that he is to preach little bits of the gospel, or to a few of his hearers; but I do very emphatically mean that he is to preach the gospel, and all the gospel, to every man, woman, and child who comes within the sound of his voice. Now for the statute-book.
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing, by the word of God.” (Romans 10:13-1813For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. (Romans 10:13‑18)).
“Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:1, 21Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 4:1‑2)).
“Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” (Acts 20:26, 27).
From these Scriptures you will see, my dear friend, that Paul was an honest trustee. He preached all the gospel; and he preached to all his hearers. I know of no limitation in these two particulars excepting what is caused by the providence of God (Acts 16:6, 76Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. (Acts 16:6‑7)) and the ebbings of Divine power in my ministry. There are times when I should like thousands to hear not only what God has done for me, but what He is able and willing to do for other sinners. The very nature of the Gospel is to invite and attract, not to repel and hinder.
“Let every mortal ear attend,
And every heart rejoice:
The trumpet of the gospel sounds
With an inviting voice.”
I was speaking to a brother minister the other day on this matter, and he used these words: “I have no message for those dead in sin, excepting to warn the wicked.” My reply was: “Warning the wicked is not preaching the gospel to the wicked.” It is very observable, also, that when such men speak about “warning the wicked,” they do not mean anything of the kind. They apparently quote from Ezekiel 33: “So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt bear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked: but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” When this latter verse is quoted, the ministers I refer to say it means good men who have done wrong, or “the Jews”; and that it has no reference whatever to men who are now dead in sin. I am not attempting to decide this point here; I only say that for such men to say that they “warn the wicked” is simply dishonest and empty talk.
My paper is filled, and my dinner-hour is over. I must therefore leave some further thoughts for another letter. May I just say in conclusion that I am in hearty agreement with your view of this most solemn matter. O may the Lord stir up His real servants to more zeal, more honesty, and more faithfulness, in dealing with immortal souls. Never mind if your name is cast out as an unclean thing: they once cast out a better Name than yours or mine. They never crucified Judas Iscariot. The false prophets were not whipped or imprisoned. Many a name which is dishonored here among men will shine in Christ’s own glory when He shall come to reward His faithful servants. May your name and mine be honored then by Him. Believe me, my dear friend, your fellow-trustee, JONATHAN JONES.
May 3rd, 1905.