Lemuel Haynes
Monday, December 25, 2023
10:53 AM
Lemuel Haynes (1753-1837) was the first African-American ordained clergy-person in the Americas.  He was the son of an African-American Man and a White Woman.  He served out a period of indentured servitude.  He was a veteran of the Revolutionary War.  
From the sermon "The Character and Work of a Spiritual Watchman" an ordination sermon preached by Lemuel Haynes in 1792.  
1. It is necessary that those who engage in this work, love the cause in which they profess to be embarked; that the love of Christ be shed abroad in the heart: Hence our blessed Lord, by those repeated interrogations to Simon whether he loved him, has let before us the importance of this qualification in a spiritual Shepherd. The sad consequences of 〈◊〉 those into the ar|my, who are in heart enemies to the common|wealth, have often taught men to be careful in this particular. The trust reposed in a watch|man is such, as renders him capable of great de|triment to the community. He that undertakes in this work from secular motives, will meet with disappointment. What a gross absurdity is this, for a man to commend religion to others, while he is a stranger to it himself! "The pious preacher will commend the Saviour, from the personal fund of his own experience." Being smitten with the love of Christ himself with what zeal and fervor will he speak of the divine glory! Love to Christ will tend to make a min|ister faithful and successful. The importance of this point, urges me to be copious on the subject, were it not too obvious to require a long discussion.
2. Wisdom and prudence are important quali|fications Page  8 in ministers; hence that injunction of the great preacher, Mat. x.16. Be ye there|fore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. He is a man of spiritual understanding, whose soul is irradiated with the beams of the Son of Right|eousness,—has received an auction from the holy one,—is taught by the word and spirit, and walks in the light of God's countenance. He has seen the deceit of his own heart,—knows the intrigues of the enemy,—sees the many snares to which the souls of men are exposed,—and not being ignorant of the devices of satan, he will endeavour to carry on the spiritual campaign, with that care and prudence, that he shall not get advantage. He knows that he has a subtle enemy to oppose, and human nature, replete with enmity against the gospel; and will endea|vour, in every effort, to conduct with that wis|dom and circumspection, as shall appear most likely to prove successful.
3. Patience is another qualification very ne|cessary in a spiritual watchman. His breast be|ing inspired with love to the cause, he will stand the storms of temptation; will not be dishearten|ed by all the fatigues, and sufferings, to which his work exposes him; but will endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4. Courage and fortitude, must constitute a part of the character of a gospel minister. A sentinel, who is worthy of that station, will not fear the formidable appearance of the enemy, nor tremble at their menaces. None of these Page  9 things will move him, neither will he count his life dear unto him, to defend a cause so very im|portant. He has the spirit of the intrepid Ne|hemiah, "Should such a man as I flee?" He stands fast in the faith; quits himself like a man, and is strong.
5. Nor must we forget to mention vigilance, or close attention to the business assigned him, as an essential qualification in a minister of Christ. A man does not answer the idea of a watchman, unless his mind is engaged in the business. The word, which we have rendered watch, in the text, signifies, in the original, to awake, and abstain from sleeping.† Indeed all the pur|poses of a watch set upon the wall, are frustra|ted, if he sleeps on guard; thereby himself, and the whole army, are liable to fall an easy prey to the cruel depredations of the enemy. The spi|ritual watchman is not to sleep, but to watch the first motion of the enemy, and give the alarm; lest souls perish through his drowsiness and inattention.
From <[link]> 
"Those who properly expect to give account, will be very careful to examine themselves with respect to the motives by which they are influ|enced, to undertake in this work. He will view himself acting in the presence of an heart-search|ing God, who requires truth in the inward part, and will shortly call him to an account for all the exercises of his heart." 
From <[link]> 
 A minister that watches for souls as one who expects to give account, will have done to plese but God. When he studies his Sermons, this will not be the enquiry, "How shall I form my discourse so as to please and gratify the humours of men, and get their applause?" but "How shall I preach so as to do honor to God, and meet with the approbation of my Judge?" this will be his daily request at the throne of grace. This will be ten thousand times better to him than the vain flattery of men. His discourses will not be calculated to gratify the carnal heart, but he will not shun to declare the whole counsel of God.
From <[link]> 
See also, [link]