Preachers are to be as
Lighthouse Keepers
Never ask to be a mean, cringing, fawning
thing; ask God to make you a man — those are scarce things
now-a-days — a man who only fears God, who knows no fear of
any other kind. Do not give yourselves up to any man’s
power, or guidance, or rule, but ask of God that you may
have that humility towards him, which gives you the noble
bearing of a Christian before others. Some think that
ministers are proud when they resent any interference with
their ministry. I consider they would be proud if they
allowed it for the sake of peace, which is only another word
for their own self-seeking. It is a great mercy when God
gives a man to be free from everybody, when he can go into
his pulpit, careless of what others may think of him.
I conceive that a minister should be
like a lighthouse-keeper; he is out at sea, and
nobody can suggest to him that he had better light his
candles a little later, or anything of the kind. He knows
his duty, and he keeps his lamps burning; if he were to
follow the opinions of the people on shore, his light might
be extinguished altogether. It is a merciful providence that
they cannot get to him, so he goes on easily, obeys his
regulations as he reads them, and cares little for other
people’s interpretation. So a minister should not be a
weathercock, that is turned by the wind, but he should be
one who turns the wind; not one who is ruled by others, but
one who knows how to stand firm and fast, and keep his light
burning, trusting always in God; believing, that if God has
raised him up, he will not desert him, but will teach him by
his Holy Spirit, without the ever-changing advice of men.
- Charles Haddon Spurgeon, "Pride & Humility"
