The Ring of the Right Metal

&Quot;Let our district stand on no grades, but on a completed work. Let every man (clerical and lay) prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing, (not that others are below him on grades—he also, deficient, but) in himself alone, as he exclaims in humble thankfulness, 'I have finished the work Thou gavest me to do'"—Rev. H. A. C. Walker in S. C. Advocate.

Mr. Editor: The South Carolina Conference, if famous for anything, is famous for its appreciation of the elder brethren. Bishop Andrew once remarked this as exceedingly noteworthy. Thus while keeping a watchful eye commendingly upon the rising strength of its younger ministry, the older are not forgotten, and shoved off as effete. In so doing there is great reward, for wisdom is associated with age, as is activity and strength with youth. Brother Walker has been well known in the service of the Church in our boundaries for the last half century. We grow to think that in the course of nature he cannot have many more decades to go in and out among us, but we are glad that ere he goes hence, he has written the words at the head of this article. They have the ring of the right metal in them; surely that trumpet gives no uncertain sound. They are ethically, reasonably, religiously right. Some of us for nearly a decade have been calling attention to comparisons, gradations, deficiencies, and the like, always more or less offensive, but he leaps at once to the idea of a completed work. The first, it is true, was not without its use, leading as was intended to this very end. Doubtless many smiled at the idea of 'rolls of honor' in connection with church work, while others did anything else but smile as they were written down deficient, but unpalatable medicine is often efficacious. 'I have finished the work' ought to be the aim of every preacher and layman among us. A year of unparalleled fiscal stringency is passing, the more creditable of course will be the completed work, in this direction, taking rank with the Macedonian Church, the riches of whose liberality abounded the more under the deepest poverty and affliction. The outlook financially is not encouraging. The pressure on preachers and people is felt severely, but the harvest months of the Church remain, and steady effort will bring up 'a completed work' as the report for the annual gathering in December. The eyes of many are upon this issue, and it is probable there will be less room for covering up deficiencies this year than any other, as by order of the Conference each church in every circuit will have full credit for success or failure in the next publication of results. Let us all be up and doing. A. M. C.