Plea For The Ministers

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 272, 20 November 1934, Page 7

Plea For The Ministers

“Don’t Mali® Them Maids of AH Work” ADVICE BY NOTED DIVINE Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. Speaking at a civic reception, Rev. Dr. James Moffatt, the eminent Biblical scholar and translator, made a plea to New Zealanders not to make their ministers "maids of all work," as was done in the United States. Often a minister had to be almost everything. He had to bo a business-man and to run sideshows, so that he had not time to attend to his proper business. "Pray bo kindly to your ministers and you will get much more out of them," he said. One hundred clergy attended a complimentary luncheon to Dr. Moffatt.

In the course of an Inspiring address Dr. Moffatt quoted with approval the advice of Dr. Gwatkin: "Preach about God and preach about 20 minutes." Ministers had very little time in which to speak to the people. Why should they waste it in speaking about anything but the central thing? People wanted them to preach about God. Another saying commended by Dr. Moffatt was that of Bishop Stubbs; "Avoid the spirit of lying and don’t keep a dusty mind." The Bible was more fresh to-day than ever it was and that was largely due to modern criticism, which had made it a new' book. "Dr. Moffatt is one of the big men who belong to us all," said Archbishop AveriH in expressing Thanks. "He could not have given us anything more helpful than he has given us to-day."

Dr. and Mrs. Moffatt left for the south by the express this afternoon.