The marking of the 40th anniversary of my ordination as a gospel minister underlines the passage of time. Such a realisation prompts reflection on the past and an examination of the course we have followed over the years of our ministry. Paul was aware of the approaching end of his pilgrimage when he wrote "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." I am not unmindful of the criticisms directed at F P ministers including myself over the years and which, in my own case, has recently arisen amongt former sympathisers and friends. I would respond to such criticisms by looking back upon my 40 years and examining the essential elements of my labours. 40 year ago I was directed to Jeremiah chapter 1 by Dr Ian Paisley as he preached at my ordination service and exhorted me to follow in the footsteps of that great man of God. A newspaper report of the ordination service states: "Dr Paisley pointed out that Jeremiah's ministry was very similar to the ministry needed today, as Jeremiah also laboured in an apostate age, an age of truth rejection." It is to that chapter I return tonight.