The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 303

he sent out other seventy also. Defore he left the world he directed and sanctioned per- sonal agency in the ministry of the gospel. Paul instructed Timothy to comm.it the things he had received to faithful men, who should be able to teach others also; tbne arranging for a succession, not of a priesthood, but of a teaching ministry. Christ r.alls out, sanctifies, o.nd blesses the ministry of man to man. Would that there were a more genernl disposition to listen to hie voice and to respond to bis summons," Whom shall I send?" in the ancient language, "Here am I; send me." The auccess which attended the ministry of the apostles and first evangelists was such as to confirm faith in the Divine appointment. God was pleased by the foolishness of preaching to eave them that believed, And every succeeding age has witnessed, in greater or Iese measure, to the efficacy of this wise provision. In our own day literature is so vigorous, and educa.- tion so general, that the press has become a mighty auxiliary and ally to the ministry. Every preacher who has confidence in the Divine origin of his message, and in his own sincerity, will welcome the aide to general intelligence which are afforded by the able and varied literature of these enlightened days. Amongst a Christian co=unity, preaching becomes naturally something more than the publication of the great funda- mental facts of the gospel But whilst there is abundant room for instruction, by which the Word of God may be expounded, and the application of religion be shown to all spheres and relationships of life, there is still a pressing need for evangelization. The young have to learn afresh "the first principles of the oracles of God;" the inatten- tive and careless have to be o.roused by the Word which is as" a fire, and as a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces;" the regions around have to be enlightened by the gospel, which is the true light; the world has yet to be gladdened by the good news of salvation and eternal life. 2. God employs his Church to send forth preachers of the gospel All are not called upon to preach, but, in a sense, all are called upon to send. 'l'rue, the one great Sender is the Divine Head of the Church; and they who are not commissioned by him are without authority, whatever human sanction, credentials, and approval they may enjoy. "The Lord gave the Word, and great was the company of those that published it." We have an instructive instance of the way in which the Lord inspires his people to send forth his servants upon a benevolent mission, in the narrative of the proceedings of the Church at Antioch, when that Church became the second great centre of missionary enterprise. " How shall they preach, except they be sent? "-a query little regarded by very many of the congregutions named after Christ. It is thought enough to leave the matter to individual impulse, wise or unwise, or to consider it the vocation of the pastorate to call out living agencies. Yet, look at; the vast demands of our own day. Clergy of all variety of gift; pastors for congre,,cra- tions ; evangelists for our rural districts ; city missionaries for our great towns; popular itinerant preachers ; colonial missionaries; labourers, by voice and pen and press, among the heathen ; defenders and promulgators of Christian truth in all the depart- ments of literature;-we need all these, of the best and most varied quality, and in increased numbers. In order that Christian society may send out into the world those who shall diffuse the faith of Christ, it is first of all necessary that that society should be in such a condition that from among its members such agencies shall naturally emerge. Mechanical means are of little avail in this matter. Where there is little life there will be little movement. If love to Christ be ohilled by worldliness, no place will be found for love of souls. Out of the fulness of the heart the mouth will speak; when the feeling of the Christian community is strong, its voice will not be silent. The use of any and every means will depend for efficacy upon the sound and living condition of the society in which such means may be employed. It should be habitual with Christian congregations to call out and encourage the exercise of gifts divinely imparted. There are many other gifts beside that of religious instruction and persuasion, and gifts equally precious to God and useful to man. But there are reasons why speech/or Christ needs special culture. Nature.I timidity has to be overcome, and formidable difficulties have to be encountered. It is here that wise counsel and affectionate encouragement come in with especial npprop1intenoss. Almost every youthful speaker has been tempted to renounce this meo.ns of usefulness; nnd often it h!\S happened that a word, providen~ tially spoken, has cheered the diflil.leut and discoum~ed. It must not be forgotten that, if there n.re to be lonrners, there must be tonchers. 1f the Christian Church is to send out proaoher11 and instruotors, it must do something more l\lld better ilil\ll fling tham  THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO 'l'HE HOMANS. [ou. x. 1-21.