or unclean. But it is no disgrace to be poor. The laborer who serves Christ faithfully is far more honorable in God's eyes, than the nobleman who serves sin.
Let us notice, in the last place, the office to which our Lord called His first disciples. We read that He said, " Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men."
The meaning of this expression is clear and unmis- takeable. The disciples were to become fishers for souls. They were to labor to draw men out of darkness into light, and from the power of Satan to God. They were to strive to bring men into the net of Christ's church, that so they might be saved alive, and not perish ever- lastingly.
We ought to mark this expression well. It is full of instruction. It is the oldest name by which the minis- terial office is described in the New Testament. It lies deeper down than the name of bishoj), elder, or deacon. It is the first idea which should be before a minister's mind. He is not to be a mere reader of forms, or ad- ministrator of ordinances. He is to be a " fisher" of souls. The minister who does not strive to live up to this name has mistaken his calling.
Does the fisherman strive to catch fish ? Does he use all means, and grieve if unsuccessful ? The minister ought to do the same. — Does the fisherman have pa- tience ? Does he toil on day after day, and wait, and work on in hope ? Let the minister do the same. — Happy is that man, in whom the fisher's skill, and dili- gence, and patience, are all combined !
Let us resolve to pray much for ministers. Their office