THIS VOLUME IS
Reading edition
GRATEFULLY DEDICATED.
PREFACE.
The nature and duties of the pastoral office form a subject of great practical moment. The thoughts suggested in this volume are largely results of the writer’s personal experience in the ministry and of his observation of pastoral work in our churches. The literature of the subject, however, has of late become specially rich and valuable, and the hints which a careful study of this furnishes have also been freely used. The experienced pastor, for whom some of these suggestions will be needless, will remember that they were originally embodied in lectures delivered to the classes in the Hamilton Theological Seminary, and prepared for young men who, for the most part, were as yet inexperienced in the pastoral care.
With the earnest prayer and hope that the work may receive the approval of the Master and may contribute in some humble measure, to the higher effectiveness of the Gospel ministry, it is now submitted to the Christian public.
H. H.
Theological Seminary, Hamilton, N. Y., Oct. 30, 1879.
CONTENTS.
SECTION I.
The Divine Call to the Ministry
Proofs of the necessity of a Divine call; Modes in which this call is manifested: 1. The internal call; 2. The call of the church; 3. The call of Providence.
SECTION II.
Settlement in the Ministry
1. Choice of a field; 2. Obligations assumed in becoming a pastor; 3. Ordination.
SECTION III.
Public Worship
Objects to be sought: Unity of thought; Sustained interest; Religious impression.
1. Pulpit Decorum. 2. The Service of Song: Sympathy of pastor with choir; Selection of hymns; Devotional singing. 3. Reading of the Scriptures: (1.) The selection; (2.) The reading; (3.) Comments. 4. Public Prayer: (1.) The form; (2.) The matter; (3.) The order; (4.) The manner. 5. Preaching. (1.) Sermons: Doctrinal; Experimental; Practical. (2.) Exposition: Advantages; Methods.
SECTION IV.
Social Devotional Meetings
1. Prayer-meetings; 2. The covenant-meeting; 3. The inquiry-meeting; 4. Meeting for examination of candidates for the church; 5. Meeting for the officers of the church; 6. Church meetings for business.
SECTION V.
Administration of Ordinances
Preparatory instruction; Administration—1. Of Baptism; 2. Of the Lord’s Supper.
SECTION VI.
The Pastor and the Sunday-school
Interest in Sunday-school essential to pastoral success; Methods of pastoral work in the school.
SECTION VII.
Pastoral Visitation
The duty of visitation: 1. Its limits; 2. The method; 3. Its advantages; 4. The visitation of the sick.
SECTION VIII.
Revivals of Religion
Nature, sphere, and necessity of revivals; Methods of promoting them; Evils to be avoided.
SECTION IX.
Cultivation of Social Life in the Congregation
Necessity of pastoral direction of social life; Suggestions as to methods.
SECTION X.
The Pastor as an Organizer
Importance of organizing power; Necessity of the study of the people; Methods of organization; Development of intellectual gifts and stimulus to higher education; Development of gifts for the ministry.
SECTION XI.
Funeral Services
Necessity of simplicity and brevity; Eulogies of the dead to be avoided; Subject-matter of funeral address; Services at the grave; Attentions to the bereaved.
SECTION XII.
Cultivation of the Missionary Spirit
Importance of the missionary spirit; Methods of promoting it: 1. Regular missionary contribution; 2. Stated missionary sermons; 3. The monthly concert.
SECTION XIII.
The Pulpit and the Press
The press made to subserve the pulpit.—1. By a religious newspaper in every family; 2. By the circulation of books and tracts; 3. By the education of the judgment and sentiment of the people.
SECTION XIV.
Relations to Other Denominations
1. Cultivation of friendly intercourse; 2. Mutual recognition of sincerity of character and intention; 3. Occasional exchange of pulpits; Union meetings.
SECTION XV.
Change of Field
1. Evils of change; 2. Inadequate causes of change; 3. Valid reasons for change.
SECTION XVI.
Ministers not in the Pastoral Office
First, Evangelists: 1. Foreign missionaries; 2. Home missionaries; 3. Revivalists.
Second: Teachers.
Third: Licentiates.
SECTION XVII.
Pastoral Study
1. The Method; 2. The Subjects: (1.) General Culture; (2.) Biblical and Theological Culture; (3.) Sermon Preparation.
SECTION XVIII.
Pastoral Responsibility
What it includes; Limitations of it.
SECTION XIX.
The Pastor’s Outer Life
1. Business Relations; 2. Political Relations; 3. Social Character; 4. Personal Habits.
SECTION XX.
The Pastor’s Inner Life
Power with God the condition of power with men; The promise of the Holy Spirit; Means of maintaining an inner life “endued with power from on high:” 1. The habitual practice of secret prayer; 2. The habitual self-application and self-appropriation of Divine truth; 3. Habitual self-surrender and consecration to Christ and His work; 4. An habitual looking above for the reward.