ousness. This
is really more true of present day sectarian preachers than it was of the
false teachers in the first centuries. Does not the ministry of the
present day resort to the telling of amusing stories, and touching
incidents, and fabulous tales to amuse and allure the people, and are they
not making merchandise of them? Are they not receiving large salaries? And
no matter how poor you may be you must pay your preacher or else you have
no hearty welcome to membership. The preacher can sit in his easy chair
with folded arms while you labor and strive for his support. He can spend
his evenings in luxury and pleasure while you are tossing upon your bed
thinking and planning how to clothe and feed your little ones and get
money to pay your church dues; for you know full well if you do not pay
you will be snubbed and rejected and finally cut off and made believe, if
possible, that you are on your way to hell.

The remainder of this chapter, beginning with the twelfth verse is a vivid
description of the hireling ministry of these days. For the benefit of the
reader we will quote and number each verse and give brief comment. 12.
"But these as natural brute beasts made to be taken and destroyed, speak
evil of the things they understand not, and shall utterly perish in their
own corruption."

They are not governed by the Bible, but as "brute beasts" follow their
covetous ways, speaking evil of the holy commandments of God, which they
do not understand. They are the "blind leaders of the blind."

13. "And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count
it pleasure to riot in the daytime. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting
themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you."

The excursions of sightseeing and pleasure, the picnics and parties they
count great pleasure. Characters that engage in such revelry and
worldliness are spots and blemishes to Christianity. We are commanded to
keep ourselves unspotted from the world. "Sporting themselves with their
own deceivings while they feast with you." They will teach their young
members that it is no harm to go to the party, to attend the shows and
fairs, the suppers and entertainments, to play cards for amusement, and
many like things; and with their own deceivings they will feast with them
in such sports.

14. "Having eyes full of adultery, and that can not cease from sin;
beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous