December 28, 2011

Hints and helps in pastoral theology - Plumer - XXII - Chapter 28

Required reading
Hints and helps in pastoral theology by William S Plumer (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 28 (Should I become a foreign missionary?).

My summary
Today Plumer encourages the reader to consider becoming a foreign missionary.

Most of the chapter is spent dispelling excuses for not being a missionary, such as a lack of:
(i) health;
(ii) patience;
(iii) cheerfulness;
(iv) knowledge of human nature;
(v) knowledge of languages;
(vi) a calculating mind;
(vii) a willingness to obey;
(viii) ability to adapt;
(ix) ardent love;
(x) personal industry;
(xi) willingness to go.

Then to ascertain a call to foreign missions, Plumer speaks of the:
(i) leadings and actings of God's wonderful providence;
(ii) direct agency of the Holy Spirit on the heart.

What grabbed me
I liked the last paragraph which was basically a prayer: 'Oh ! that He, " from whom all blessings flow," would pour down his Spirit upon us, anointing us afresh with an unction that shall abide, and enable us all joyfully to go where we are sent, and to run whither we are called, so that by any means we may " speed the flight of the angel who has the everlasting Gospel to preach unto the nations."'

Amen!
Next week's reading
Read Chapter
29 (The duty of Americans).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

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