By the Rev. J. P. MACQUEEN.
IN proportion as Mr. Fickle represents a temperamental disposition and character, whom we should all, by the grace of God, seek to avoid in its just applicability to ourselves, so Mr. Faithful represents a type that everybody, and especially ministers of the Gospel, should strive graciously and earnestly to emulate. Both characters, diametrically opposite, have been in the world since mankind fell in Adam, and they are likely to continue in every age to the last of Adam’s posterity. In Jacob’s last prophetic utterances there is a description of Mr. Fickle in the person of Reuben, “unstable as water, thou shalt not excel.” Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, in his own inimitable way, describes Mr. Fickle as “a man of collapsible moods.” Though this character is not necessarily a person of criminal propensities, like the thief, or burglar, or even the habitual liar, and though indeed this temperamental freak, in its abnormal degree, may be more his misfortune than his crime, he is nevertheless as surely a nuisance and an annoyance to society as those. Neither is he necessarily a Mr. Facing-Both-Ways. He may even be otherwise amiable.
It is sad enough to meet, and to be compelled to have dealings with, such a person in the ordinary everyday business of life, but it is lamentable indeed to find such as members of the Church, and especially in the sacred office of the ministry. Mr. Fickle is characterised by a capricious restlessness, instability, and inconstancy, which render his words, actions, professed principles and convictions, as unreliable as the fleeting sunshine, showers, and shadows of April weather, notwithstanding the tone of confidence, vehemence, and dogmatism with which he may give utterance to them. One may rest assured that as a general and almost invariable rule, Mr. Fickle will be an expert in appeasement policies and compromise, where more stable characters deem that vital principles are at stake, and that compromise is a concession to the forces of evil. The only efficacious remedy for this lamentable fickleness and capriciousness, where the glory of God and the good of His Cause are concerned, is, on the part of the particular individual, double prayerful watchfulness and constant gracious alertness against a besetting sinful infirmity, and, on the part of his fellow-Christians, persevering prayer on his behalf. Especially does this apply if and when Mr. Fickle is in the responsible office of the ministry.
It is a much more pleasant task to describe Mr. Faithful. He is all that Mr. Fickle is not. It is written concerning Hananiah, for instance, that “he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.” What more noble epitaph could one wish to deserve, at the end of life’s journey, than this divinely-inspired one? Joshua, and all who truly imitate his noble example and gracious resolution are, in every age and clime, worthy of the same blessed category as Hananiah. “As for me, and my house, we will serve the Lord,” typifies the most blessed of homes conceivable this side of glory. “Everything in the domestic circle moves smoothly when grace oils the wheels.”
All Christians, and especially ministers of the Gospel, should solemnly and prayerfully consider that it is on uncompromising fidelity to principle and conviction, founded on the Word of God, and supernaturally applied by His Spirit, reinforced by practical consistent godliness till the end of life, rather than on intellectual brilliance and academic attainments, with all due respect to them, that the Word of God lays stress as the final commendation of the Gospel minister. “His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over
a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew xxv. 21). “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” “He that endureth to the end shall be saved.” These Scriptural passages, read in the particular light of the first chapter of first Corinthians, and the Word of God generally, would correct much of the present-day un-Scriptural views of the precedence of high academic attainments as qualifications for the Christian ministry.
When a minister of the Gospel, above all people, forfeits the confidence of his fellow-men in his reliability, on account of repeated instances of his wind-like changeableness and fickle capriciousness, it is difficult to conceive a poorer or more pitiable character. On the other hand, a Gospel minister, distinguished for the constant fidelity and inflexible firmness of his Scriptural convictions and practice, is as admirable and noble a being as our fallen race, by the grace of God, can afford. No language can too strongly denounce, however, the professed Gospel minister who obstinately refuses to consider the possibility that, after all, he may be wrong, in disputed matters, where and when other conscientious godly ministers of the Gospel differ from him. In conclusion, then, should Mr. Fickle in the Gospel ministry—the last place he should be found in — ever complain and blame others for his loss of personal favour among the godly, let him consider seriously how much his unpopularity is the inevitable outcome of his besetting fickleness, and consequent unreliability. Let his, and our, gracious penitent resolution be, practical obedience to the Divine exhortation:—”Be ye steadfast, unmovable—.”