Fools for Christ ...

Front matter

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Book E^— -

Chapter I. Story Of The Mule; About Breaking Up Fal- Low Ground

On the first Sunday of October, 1886, in the Kidron Church, Prospect Circuit, Giles County, Tennessee, at the conclusion of divine service, a preacher arose and said : " Brethren, for some time we have been studying those difficult passages in the eighth and ninth chapters, of the Epistle of Paul to the Romans. Some have expressed a desire to hear us on those questions. If you will come out two weeks from to day we will preach on those subjects." Then remarked by way of pleasantry, to get up a general interest concerning those passages, " The brethren, present never preach on those subjects, do not know why, unless they smack too much of Calvinism ; hence we never hear anything concerning them, without some old Baptist preacher comes in our midst." A voice from behind responded with peculiar emphasis : ' It requires a double span of horses to pull there."

Two weeks pass, Sunday-school met at nine o'clock. At the close of the lessons a preacher arose and said : " Dear children, of the church and Sunday-School, Uncle Philip told you a beautiful story about the horse, now Uncle Phelps wishes to tell you a story about the mule. But before we will tell you the story we want to talk to you, a little about ambition. You have heard the old adage, ' Money makes the mare go.' We inquire what makes the horse go. We answer, ambition makes the horse go, and it makes the mule go too, and we are inclined to the opinion that it makes the mare go, the old adage to the contrary notwithstanding. Be this as it may, one thing is certain, horse, mare, mule, man, woman, boy nor girl, is much account without a good degree of ambition.

But, children, there are two kinds of ambition : one we will call laudable ambition, the other vain ambition. What is vain ambition? It is a little narrow, selfish principle and impulse, which causes people to strive to excel some one else who may be considered more intelligent, or talented than self, and it is exceedingly envious of a rival, and its end is personal interest, notarity and aggrandizements. Most all the evil that has cursed the world has originated from vain ambition. It is the cause of nearly all the murders, wars and persecutions, that have occurred in the history of our race. It is a curse to anybody, and to everybody who is infected with it. Strange as it may seem, this is the kind of ambition most people instil, into their children. Let me teach you a more excellent way, children. Do not strive to excel each other, but strive to excel self, then you will have something to excel that is worthy of being excelled, and that you can excel to your own advantage. We mean this: do well to-day, better to-morrow, and continue so doing as long as you live, and when you have done your best be satisfied ; for it is all God requires of you, and you will never be infected with the plague of envy toward those who may be considered your superiors in some respects.

What is laudable ambition? We have almost told you, but we will be more specific. It consists of a desire and purpose, to cultivate the powers of mind, soul and body. God has given you, with reference to His glory, your own good, and the happiness of others. This kind of ambition, knows nothing about a competitor, is a stranger to the spirit of rivalry, and those who have it, would cultivate it, if no one else existed upon the earth. This is the kind of ambition that actuated Jesus Christ, and all the holy prophets and apostles and martyrs. It is the grand moving principle of all great and grand men and women, and without it none can be truly good or great. People of vain ambition, though never great, would have all the world behind them, that they might gain the glory of the world ; while people of laudable ambition would have all the world ahead of them that they might gain the glory of God. Said Paul to Agrippa: I would to God that, not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether, such as I am, except these bonds." If with my present attainments, in knowledge and grace ; I was the head of the entire race, would it make me any greater in the sight of God, or if I be the foot, would it make me any less ? Nay, what I am ; I am nothing more, nothing less ; glorious ambition, children ! seek after it.

Now we will proceed with the story. Those profound passages of Scripture in the eighth and ninth chapters of Romans, are full of gospel truth, and we have often wondered why our preachers do not discuss them. Did not know until the brother said it required a double span of horses to pull there. Now we think he was a little mistaken, for certainly a good strong horse can pull here. So the brother must have had reference to the pony. No doubt it is too much for a pony, and the nature of the case is such that but one pony can pull at a time; therefore the ponies do not pull here. But we are not a span of ponies ; the truth is we are not a pony at all, but a little tow-head mule, just about gray enough to make a good pull, and you know that it is not infrequently the case that a little old mule will pull more in a tight place than a span of spoilt, balky ponies ; and amidst all the discouragements we are going to try it, and pull our best.

The mule is not particular about what he pulls with. He will pull with another mule, or he will pull with a pony, or a big horse ; it makes but little difference with him what he pulls with. But some ponies are very particular about what they pull with, for fear they will get their shoulders hurt.

In the law of Moses we learn that an ox and

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an ass should not pull together; for the simple reason, they are unequal in strength and gait. Now the mule has learned to practice this principle, while he pulls along with pony, big horse, or another mule, he keeps to his own plow or wagon and pulls his own load, and when he pulls all he can he is satisfied, for this is all God requires of him. But the foolish ponies sometimes hitch on to the mule's wagon and pull against mules, and get their shoulder hurt. Now let all observe this rule and things will work smoothly and pleasantly, and nobody will get hurt, keep to your own wagons, and pull your own load and do your best and be satisfied with your lot.

Other things are objectionable. Some ponies are poorly equipped for business. Their harness is inferior, made of soft ropes ; plows are of wood and short — just skim on the surface; hence, many places in Emmanuel's Land is poorly plowed, and what little wheat exists is choked by growing thorns and thistles. Hence mule likes harness and plow made of Gospel steel, which is hard and tough ; the plow-point keen and long, so it will strike to the clay, break pernicious roots, and throw them out. The furrows close and deep, the ground well plowed, sow bountifully the precious seed. So that God will be pleased to send the sun and rain of grace to make it grow and ripen, that angels may reap it and garner it above.

Some ponies' wagons are of wood, and their loading inferior. They put on straw and chaff, but little wheat. Quail unpicked, wine and milk adulterated. But mule likes a cart made of steel io Fools for Christ.

that will bear the Ark of the Covenant and he wants sound well-dressed meat, wholesome bread, sincere milk and pure wine of the Gospel, wants his load packed close; just all that he can pull, so that when he goes out among the people he can supply them with plenty of good Gospel food, that they may eat and drink and their souls be satisfied, and grow and become strong men and women in Christ Jesus.

Now let the mule pull, for he loves to labor in this cause, and there is enough to keep us all busy during life. So let him pull without hinderance or discouragement in hard, rough places ; and let him pull that which is substantial and good, that which is worth pulling. " What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord ; " and let him pull on. pull on, till God says ho ; and Jesus takes his little harness off and gently lays it by, and says, " That will do, mule, that will do."

Attention, mules ! Vain ambition, in the church and ministry, is what we are after. This hydra-headed monster is the parent of many vices. Some of you may have been following the example of the ponies, fighting at a little vice here, pawing at something there, kicking at somebody over the sea. Now abandon this foolishness, quit yourselves like men, mount upon God's chariot drawn by His fleet horses, rush down to this Sodom, wrap your Gospel chains and hooks around the neck of this seven-headed monster, drag him from his polluted throne, and bury him in the sea, and break up the fields of Gommorah ! Sow abundantly the precious seeds, and let the angels chant harvest home.

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Chapter II

The ass, not the white horse of the Book of Revelation, the most appropriate symbol of the Christian ministry.

Dear Children :

After finishing the story of the mule, we turned to the concordance in the Bible and began to trace the references of the horse, ass and mule, and the query presented itself, what animal is the most appropriate symbol of the ministry? If you do not know what is meant by this, I will explain it. All nations have symbols. The United States has the bald eagle ; Siam the elephant, Persia, the roaring lion, and England the crouched lion. Pictures of these animals are made on coins of gold and silver and flags borne by soldiers, and hoisted on vessels at sea ; so that it may be known what nation they are from. In the Bible, Christ is symbolized by animals. He was innocent and meek, hence he is called the Lamb of God. He had great courage and power, hence he is styled the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Inferior animals are thus employed to represent qualities and attributes of the human and divine.

Now to the question, Has the Christian ministry a symbol among the lower class of animals, and which is it ? Let me remind you of what was said in the story of the mule on the subject of ambition, for we are writing in opposition to vain ambition in the Christan ministry, in order to promote the laudable.

Now we proceed with the inquiry: What animal is the most appropriate symbol of the Christian ministry ? Here is a beautiful white horse ; his pedigree is fine : he has been well cared for from a colt, and has developed into a well-formed horse, and is sixteen hands high ; has an arched neck, carries a high head, he is active and strong, and for speed he cannot be excelled. Now we will place by him another animal which has had the same chance and tutelage. It is a large, weilformed white ass from Bagdad, and represents the one that Abraham rode when he went to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. Which of these animals do you think is the most suitable symbol of the ministry? The horse. The horse, you say? We used to hear preachers speak in like manner and we supposed they were correct ; but we have changed our reasons, and now we claim that the ass is.

The reasons for the assumption follow. According to the Scriptures, the ass is more intelligent than the horse. " Be ye not as the horse, which has no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle lest they come near unto thee (encroach upon thee)." But the ass is commended for his understanding. In some respects he is wiser than many people. " The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib ; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider." Hence we conclude that the ass is the better symbol of the ministry. The chosen minister is a man of good sense — has the capacity to learn and understand ; otherwise he would not be adequate to this high calling. His mission is to diffuse the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus and thus win souls, and this is the province of wisdom. He that winneth souls is wise, — a task too great for the foolish ; hence God never calls them to this work. To preach the Gospel means to teach it; and how can a man of weak understanding teach the grand system of redemption, the depths of which astonish the wise angels? It is utterly impossible, therefore the churches should not encourage the weak-minded and ignorant to enter upon the duties of the sacred ministry. Does not this contradict Paul, who says : " Ye see your calling, brethren, how not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty." What do you think the apostle means by this — that God calls ignorant, foolish men to preach the Gospel? He means no such thing; but this — God does not select the ministers from the class and rank of those who are esteemed wise, powerful, and exalted in the world — vain philosophers, princes and nobles; but He makes His selection, from those of humble rank and the common pursuits of life; but he never calls men who are destitute of good sense and understanding. The true minister knows God, understands His will, reads the Scripture with a good degree of understanding, and while he does not comprehend everything, yet he can grapple with its profound questions and analyze its sublime subjects. God has never called a man to the work of the ministry who did not have good understanding of the scriptures and sense enough to rightly divide the word of truth.

The horse's eye flashes with ambition ; but the eye of the ass looks soft and gentle as a dove's ; such is the eye of the true minister. The Christian graces within soften the expression of the eye so there is nothing fierce or revengeful in his countenance. Though he is as wise as a serpent, he is as harmless as a dove.

The horse, with a bright eye, rushes heedlessly on to battle, sees no danger by the way ; but the cautious, slow-plodding ass, though his eye looks dull as lead, sees the angel of the Lord standing by the way with drawn sword, in fear turns off, carrying an ungrateful rider out of danger while he denounces, threats, and smites. So the true minister sees the danger by the way, glides the blind corrupt church by as it heaps reproaches and anathemas and persecutions upon him ; and when he gets out of the avenger's reach he sounds the alarm, they open their eyes, see the angel with drawn sword, fall down, acknowledge their sins as did Balaam, obtain forgiveness and receive the order, " Go on with the men." The fool's eye is in all the earth, but the eye of the wise is in his head. The fool's eye is never satisfied with seeing; but the eye of the wise sees more than he desires.

The ass is much more devoted to his master than the horse. He loves his company, stands by him when dead, though a lion be present, and he will not stray off from his Master's crib. So with the true minister — he loves his Master supremely — with all his soul, mind and strength, and he loves his master's body, the church, and will not forsake it though it be in the agonies of death, and the devil as a roaring lion is near to devour it. Nothing can frighten him from his Father's presence and house — he loves his company too well, lives near his throne — so that he can easily approach, obtain mercy and grace, to help in time of need. The language of his heart is, though all men forsake thee, I will not. Though he slay me yet will I put my trust in him. The devil comes to tempt with pleasure, riches, fame, and is promptly, sternly resisted. Get thee behind me Satan for it is written thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve.

The horse is an envious, jealous animal — desires the special attention of his master — instantly strikes at an intruder though it be a little colt of his own species ; but the ass has not these qualities ; he is kind to his species ; likes for his master to make much of them too; does not bother other peaceable animals nor envy them their rights. So it is with all true ministers. They are kind and benevolent to one another, and respect the rights of all God's creatures. Envy no man his silver, gold, lands, houses, edcucation, talents, popularity, fame or name, and jealously, save for the cause of God comes not to his habitation where his honor dwelleth.

The horse is a selfish animal — it requires a great deal to support him and he is wasteful too; but the ass is not, and it requires but a little cheap food to support him. So with the true minister ; he is not selfish, or covetous with food and raiment, he is content, and he has learned, not to waste the precious fruits of the earth ; which the Lord has provided for his children. Take up the fragments, let nothing be lost, said he who made the loaves and fishes grow at his pleasure, for the hungry multitude. The true minister is not extravagant, or wasteful ; — either, is a sin against God and humanity.

The horse is not so kind and gentle as the ass. When the ass is well treated he is the gentlest of all animals. The children can play on his back, and pull his large fine ears. Such is the disposition of the true minister. He is not afraid of being caught and bridled for service. He is kind and gentle; the children can wallow on his lap, climb upon his shoulders, comb his hair, pull his ears and beard with impunity. He loves the children and is kind to all rich and poor, is not a respecter of persons among his Father's family.

The horse is easily irritated and is revengeful ; but the ass is slow to anger his forbearence is great. So with the true minister. He governs his tempers and passions, and is slow to avenge an adversary, without it is the devil. He remembers vengeance is mine, I will repay saith the Lord.

The horse is a proud, vain animal — carries a

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high head and is lofty in his demeanor; but the asse's head is bowed down and his appearance is humble, so is the true. minister. Like his Lord and Master he is meek and humble, has a lowly contrite heart and his head is bowed down in meditation and devotion.

The horse is restless and impatient, champs his bit, paws and capers, does not want to abide the will of his master ; but the ass is quiet, patient and submissive. So is the true minister of Christ. He is quiet in his duties, patient in trials, temptations and afflictions, is perfectly resigned to the will of his Master.

The horse's mouth must be held in with bit and bridle ; but with an old tow rope thrown over the neck of the submissive ass, his kind master can lead him through rich vallies of tempting grass and clover, and up steep hills and over rugged mountains ; and when he comes to little narrow bridges of nature's forming, which span deep precipices over which he cannot walk himself, all he has to do is to mount the back of his faithful sure-footed ass, close his eyes and he safely bears him over. So the true minister is easily led by the spirit of God through tempting vallies of glittering wealth, up and over the high hills, and bleak mountains, of trial and adversity, and duty, and when he reaches places that are so narrow and difficult, that he cannot walk himself, God sends him a horse or an ass on which he mounts, and rides safely over. Witness Luther, riding out of the city of Augsberg, on a horse without bridle or saddle, leaving thousands of enemies behind; who by night were vainly ii8 Foots for Christ,

plotting his destruction. I will instruct thee, and teach thee the way thou shalt go, I will guide thee with mine eye. As many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Are the horse and ass naturally tame, and destitute of everything that would likely cause them to be excessively stubborn and ambitious? They are not. To make them submissive and gentle was it necessary to domesticate them, and with knife to castrate them. So the minister must be tutored by the church and th^ carnal mind, as seed of sin must be cut out by spiritual circumcision. They are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ.

These animals are both white and this denotes the moral purity of the Christian ministry. Some horses are nearly white ; but a white ass is the whitest of all animals. So in this respect he is the proper emblem of the Christian ministry. The true minister is morally white. Naturally so, no — he is washed — self washed, yes. " O Jerusalem wash thine heart from wickedness that thou mayest be sound ; how long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee. Wash ye, make you clean, put away the evil of your doings." True ministers have done this, they are self washed. But are they self washed only, and clean every whit? No. Those preachers who are self washed only are the horses and they are not clean.. It requires more than an ordinary process of washing to remove the dark spots and blackness of skin produced by moral corruptioti. Nothing but a divine washing will accomplish this end. Jesus is like a refiners fire and like fullers soap, and he said to Peter : " if I wash thee not thou hast no part nor lot with me. Peter saith unto him, Lord not my feet only but also my hands and my head. Perhaps this will do for the outside; but it is not enough. Wash me, but not my feet alone, my head, my hands, my heart, wash me every whit. We need to be washed all over and inside too. Washed with what, not with water only; but also with the blood of Jesus Christ which cleanseth from all sin. Come now and let us reason together saith the Lord ; for though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as snow and though they be red like crimson they shall be as wool. What God washes is washed — what God cleanseth is cleansed. Purge me with his hissop and I shall be clean, wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Such is the process of moral cleansing God has provided, for man and to which the true minister appeals, applies, and to which he subjects himself for the holy spirit to apply, and by so doing he is cleansed from sin and the kingdom of Jesus is established within which regulates the words, thoughts, actions and general deportment of the man of God. So that he shuns that which is evil, cleaves to that which is good, and walks as Christ walked.

The ass has much more courage than the horse. The horses eye and ambitious appearance indicate bravery; but he is very timid, will scare at a bird or rattle, and dash off his rider; but the ass will not notice these trifles. So with the devoted minister — he has true moral courage — fears neither men or devils, is not afraid that preaching the truth will destroy the church. He does not fear men, nor devils, nor any of their schemes, and plots, enough to keep him from preaching the truth as it is in Jesus. Preach and defend the Gospel he will, despite all opposition. His face is set like a flint — he saith not I am a child — " he is going to all to whom he is sent, and whatever God commands he speaks. His loins are girded with truth and righteousness, and God has made him a defensive city, an iron pillow, brazen walls against the whole house of wickedness, against kings, princes and priests. They shall fight but they shall not prevail ; for I am with them saith the Lord to deliver them, and thou shalt break up, pull down and destroy the kingdom of Satan, and plant and build up the kingdom, of Jesus, and none dare hinder or make thee afraid. While the minister of Christ is not boastful, or defiant, yet he is a man of unflinching intergrity, and true moral courage. The capacity of the ass for endurance is much greater than that of the horse. It is true the horse appears to be the larger and stronger ; but it is not so in fact. The ass's flesh, bones, muscles are much firmer, and harder than the horse's, and his bowels are not so large — less corn, and fodder grass and gas, in him, and he is much heavier than he looks to be. Your horse is a fine size — sixteen hands high, well muscled and in good order, put him on the scale and I will weigh mine ass against him. Your horse tips the scale at a thousand pounds you say — plenty large for a charger — were he heavier he would probably be clumsy and not near so fleet. Now weigh the ass which is the same height, but does not look near so large. He tips the scale at fifteen hundred pounds. So it is with the true minister, he does not look large, is not puffed up with bigotry and presumption; but when his moral weight is ascertained he is much heavier than those of vain ambition. And he is much cheaper too, because his belly is not swelled up with the gangrene of covetousness. Though they seem weak, yet they are strong. They wait upon the Lord and renew their strength day by day — grow stronger and stronger, and become moral giants in the church of God. Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens. And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and he bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.

The horse abhors a burden, it is difficult to place it upon him ; but the ass is submissive, will permit heavy burdens placed upon his back, and will carry them without murmuring. The true minister, like the ass is a burden bearer. He has on Christ's yoke — is burdened with responsibility — with the care of souls, and the churches ; he is burdened with study, with spiritual meat and drink, for the people — the glory of the heavens the majesty of God and the weight ot the divine hand presses upon him. He is a great burden bearer; no wonder his shoulders are stooped and his head bowed down.

The ass is not adapted to the purpose of cavalary — hence he has not been used much in carnal war- fare; but he has borne many precious things; spices, balm, wine, food, and clothing to the army. So the ministers of Jesus Christ bears the precious treasure of the Gospel, to the army to cheer the soldiers, with the blessed hope of immortality, and to assure them that though they fall, they shall rise again, and be incorruptible if they are only true to Jesus. Witness McFerrin, Kelley, and many others both north and south following the armies, bearing the precious truths of the Gospel — imparting spiritual food to the sick, wounded and dying, as well as the living.

The horse is vicious — fights his own species hard ; but the asses are agreeable among themselves, and are hard to enrage; but when they do fight it is awful — they kick and bite and paw as nothing, but an ass can.

And there is nothing a jackass hates so much as he does a stud-horse. His scent and appearance fill him with rage, and if he can get access to him, he pounces upon him with fury, and pounds him in the dust. So with the true Christian ministers — they are peaceable among faithful brethren ; but they cannot endure a false preacher — they will pounce upon them whenever they come into their presence — kick them with feet shod with gospel steel and hew them with the sword of the spirit, and pound them in the dust. Witness the reformers of the sixteenth century, in their contest with the Pope of Rome and all his greedy, ill-bred horses. They neighed, capered and kicked, and pawed with the spirit of the devil; but alas for them, the cup of their iniquity was full and they had to drink it under its intoxicating influences, they stumbled and fell and were pawed in the dust, by a few faithful unswerving asses.