"...As the true pastor labors on in love, in the field in which God has placed him, and finds his labor not in vain in the Lord; as he sees the souls whom he has enabled to turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, growing in grace and in the knowledge of Christ, maturing in discipleship, abounding more and more in love and good works, he realizes that he is gathering fruit unto life eternal. He can say, with Paul, "What is our hope, our joy, our crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of the Lord at his coming?

Yes, "He that winneth souls is wise." "They that be wise shall shine as the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever."

Excerpt from "The Lutheran Pastor " by G.H. Gerberding, D.D. Copyright 1902, Augsburg Publishing House, 2nd Edition, 1915, pages 452-453