Page:Neatby - A history of the Plymouth Brethren.djvu/285

 who were too good-natured to refuse them hospitality, but who were wont to retail anecdotes very little complimentary to their unwelcome guests. The result was that “living by faith,” as it was called, became a by-word even amongst many perfectly orthodox Brethren. Tales were familiarly told and laughed over of men who, having failed in everything else, had taken to “faith,” and had succeeded in it so well as eventually to retire upon it. Such tales were of course mere satire, but they indicate the low repute into which the institution had fallen even within the sect of which it forms so prominent a feature.

This is the more remarkable because of the exceedingly high character of many of this ministerial band—men who lacked no recommendation, and who in respect of the great prerequisite of faith were not unworthy to stand by the side of the illustrious head of their school, George Müller. There were several such, of whom the most flippant observer would never have spoken without reverence. The scandals, however, were the inevitable outcome of the system. To require of every man who devotes himself exclusively to the ministry that he should possess a considerable measure of George Müller’s faith can only produce one result. Highly suitable men, who deal too strictly with their consciences to pretend to a faith that they do not possess, will be excluded. On the other hand, a great amount of spurious faith is bound to be manufactured, and light-minded or feebly enthusiastic men will press in on the strength of it.

It made matters worse that in the nature of things there could be no call to the ministry except the inward personal call of the aspirant. The community was thus