Letters to young men preparing for the Christian ministry

Preface

The Author of the following Letters, whose attention, for the last eight years, has been particularly called to the subject of educating pious young men for the Christian ministry, in the discharge of official duties, has frequently had occasion to address many of this class on topics vitally important to them as scholars, Christians, and candidates for the sacred office. Though these letters were originally written expressly and only for the benefit of those individuals thus addressed; yet, at the suggestion of some ministers of the gospel, and several officers of our public institutions, as well as at the urgent iv PREFACE.

request of many of those to whom they were written, they are now, with little modification, thrown into a public and more permanent form, for the benefit of others also, who are preparing to preach the gospel. That young men in this situation need much familiar and definite instruction on the topics here discussed, will, it is presumed, be universally acknowledged. The book is designed as a friendly companion of such students. Should it be the means of assisting in furnishing for the church, a more pious, learned and efficient ministry, the object of the Author in its publication, will be fully accomplished.

Boston^ August, 1837.

Letter I. Consecration To God

Design of the work — Holiness — Its nature — Holiness of man — Intrinsic holiness — Conformity to God in heart and conduct — Necessity of holiness — Essential to happiness in the present life — In the future life — In order to preparation for the ministry, 17—25

Letter II. Call To Preach The Gospel

Desire to do the will of the Lord — What constitutes a call to preach the gospel — Four things constitute a call — Respectable talents — Decided piety — Desire to preach from right motives — Good literary and theological education — Inquiry respecting the possession of such a call to preach — Reasons for desiring to enter the ministry — Not selfvi CONTENTS.

aggrandizement — Not pecuniary emolument — Not ease or pleasure — But the glory of God — Temporal and eternal benefit of man — Accomplishment of greater good — Where called to preach the gospel — Pastor or missionary — China — Syria — Greece — North or South America — As much a test of religious character to be a pastor as a missionary, 26 — 37

Letter III. Promotion Of Personal Holiness

What is growth in grace — Means for the promotion of holiness — Reading the Sacred Scriptures — Reading religious books — Prayer with occasional fasting — Self-examination — Fifteen questions of self-examination, with some remarks — Fourth question, evidences of change of heart — Exhortation to self-examination, 38 — 45

Letter IV. Duties Imposed By God

What duties prior to others — Duties of religion imposed by God — Reading and meditating on the Scriptures — Secret prayer — When and how often observed — Time spent in secret devotions — Morning and evening prayers — Seasons of fasting and prayer — Public worship on the Sabbath — Reasons for the discharge of religious duties — They are imposed by God — Personal benefit requires this, 46—52

CONTENTS. Tij

Letter V. Duties Imposed By Instructors

Mixed class of duties — Some of these are of a religious nature — Attendance upon morning and evening prayers in the chapel — Occasional or special religious meetings — Reasons for a compliance with these requirements — They are made by Instructors— Spiritual and eternal benefit — Neglect of them would make an unfavorable impression — Duties of a classical nature — Reasons for the discharge of them— Reasonable — Good scholarship — Usefulness — Faculty demand this — Laws of college should be obeyed — Reputation concerned, 53 — 59

Letter VI. Duties Volu>*tarilt Assumed

Duties imposed by God and by instructors — Duties voluntarily assumed — Duties from connection with literary societies — Arise from covenant engagements— Should be performed — Why — Social benefit requires this — Literary benefit requires this — Another motive is spiritual benefit — Covenant engagements bind to the performance — Other duties of an incidental kind — These arise from times and circumstances, 60 — 64

LETTER VIL

COURSE AND MANNER OF READING.

Books which students should possess — The Bible — manner of reading it — Hymn book — Reasons for i CONTENTS.

it — Manual of theology and devotions — The benefits to be derived from it — Classical books — Text books — Not necessary to own others — Books for reading obtained from libraries — What works should be selected for reading — Catalogue of them — On history — On travels — On belles-lettres — On biography — On poetry — On devotion — Manner of reading — Read the title page— Look at the preface — Take a view of the contents — Cast your eye on some topic discussed — When to read a book — Notice important places on the margin with pencil — Possess a common-place book — In reading, lift up the soul to God in prayer for assistance to improve, 65—74

LETTER VIIL

THOROUGH EDUCATION.

r What is implied in a thorough education for the ministry — Scholarship varies according to natural turn of mind — Necessity of thorough education — Opinion of the community requires it — The work to be performed dem.ands it — The times require it^ — The Great Head of the church requires it — Manner in which a thorough education is to be obtained — Students well prepared to enter college— Object of a collegiate education — Consequences of a defective education, .... 75 — 83

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LETTER IX.

HABITS OF STUDY.

Habits of study should be systematic — Plan of employment for each day — Rise at dawn of day — Dr. Doddridge — Dean Swift — Put yourselves in order for the day — Gen. Washington — x^ttend to secret devotions — Boerhaave — Give at ention to classical studies — Attend regularly and punctually recitations — Observe your meals t propar times — Take exercise at suitable seasons — Observe secret prayer before retiring to rest — Retire to rest seasonably — Your habits of study should be steady — Habitually diligent in studies — Habits of study zealously active — Cultivate habits of perseverance in study — Determination of success in study — Form a habit of attending to your studies accurately and fully — Accompany all your studies with prayer — Dr. Watts — Dr. Doddridge— J. Newton— Voice of the Bible, 84—98

LETTER X.

EXTERNAL DEPORTMENT.

External deportment should be reverent towards God — By looks — By words — By actions — Manifest a regard for yourselves — Your existence — Your talents — Your character — Have respect to mankind around you — Regard them as the creatures of God — According to their condition and relation in life — Be sincere, upright, and kind in your conduct towards others, 97 — 108

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LETTER XL

PECUNIARY EXPENSES.

Wherein is economy to be practiced — Tn dress — Comfortable and decent — Economy in expense for board—In the purchase of books — In the use of fuel and lights — In expense for furniture — In travelling expenses — In incidental expenses — Why should economy be practiced — An unjustifiable expenditure of money will be avoided — Much infelicity will be prevented — Economy will furnish the means of doing good — Method of inducing a habit of economy — Keep an accurate account of your expenses — Frequently examine your accounts — Consider that money confers ability to do good — Contetnplate on the consequenceg of possessing or not possessing the habit of economy, 103 — 112

LETTER XIL

TEACHING SCHOOL.

Ought a young man while pursuing a course of collegiate education ever to instruct a school — Reasons in favor of it — It serves to perfect knowledge of the elementary branches of education— Leads to an acquaintance with human nature — Prepares one to communicate ideas to others — Conduces to the attainment of self-possession— Promotes sociability — Relieves the tedium of study — Tends to promote a disposition of obedience to instructors — Gives an

CONTENTS. xi

opportunity for benefiting the young — Furnishes pecuniary aid, and thus increases the number of those who obtain an education — Reasons against keeping school — Deranges the course of study in colleges — Abridges scholarship — Apt to effect unfavorably the body, mind, and piety — Not disadvantageous to instruct after graduating and entering a theological seminary — Teaching need not be injurious to body and mind — Some colleges have arrangements for school-keeping — Collegiate students at the west should follow the practice of such students at the east, . 113 — 123

LETTER XIII.

TRAVELLING.

It is not wise for students generally to travel — More expensive than fur ministers — Reasons fjr it — Cannot travel with that honor to themselves that a minister can — Dissipates the iiind and deranges the body — Interrupts study — Does not derive so great mental improvement and personal accomplishments, as when the course of education is finished — Remarks on the manner of travelling — Mode of conveyance — Advice about conduct — Be particular in the selection of a tavern — Demeanor towards innkeepers, stage-drivers, and toll-gatherers— Circumspection in conversation and manners— Be regardful of external appearance — Endeavor to profit by travelling — President Porter, 124—134 xii CONTENTS.

LETTER XIV.

TRAITS OF CHARACTER, MENTAL AND MORAL.

Decision — What it is — Its importance — Resolution — Dr. Young — Its necessity to the accomplishment of purposes — Courage — Proper definition — When needed — Independence — No man great by imitation— Perseverance — What it means — Try — Keep on trying — Judgment — That act of the mind by which we form opinions — Should be cultivated— Common-sense — Definition by Mr. Hall — Case of a Methodist minister — Dr. Worcester, Mr. Evarts, and President Porter — Self-control — Necessary to happiness and usefulness — Christian duty, 135—144

LETTER XV.

What moral practices are — Temperance — In eating and drinking — Gregory — Two mottoes — Duty of ministers — Sir William Temple's definition— Plato's remark — Dryden's saying — Maxim — Cleanliness— Much neglected — Its effects — Whitfield's saying — Rowland Hill's opinion of it — Punctuality— Very important — Cecil's observation — Maxim of the Duke of Newcastle — Gen. Washington a striking instance of punctuality — Industry— Its effects — Injunction of the Apostle — Quotation from Dr. South — Sallust's remark — Almsgiving — A duty — Enjoined in the Scriptures —Devolves upon all, according to their ability —

CONTENTS. xiu

Never should be made in an ostentatious manner — An interest should be manifested in favor of all benevolent enterprises, 145 — 158

LETTER XVI.

I>^TERCOURSE WITH THE WORLD.

The nature of that intercourse which is desirable — Should be kind — Its happy effects — Mr. Jefferson's advice — Be courteous — To be a Christian in heart and life is to be in the most important senses a true gentleman — Dr. Brown's description of courteousness — Intercourse should be social — Solomon's opinion — Gurnall's remark — Be ingenuous— Deadly Upas — Never affect ignorance nor knowledge — Let your intercourse be circumspect— Exhortation of the Apostle — Demeanor in the presence of ladies — Conduct of two young men — Their acknowledgment — Intercourse should be profitable — Seek the benefit of others — Profit yourselves — Manner in which vacations should be spent by students, . 159 — 171

LETTER XVII.

BODILY EXERCISE.

Importance of bodily exercise — Testimony of various individuals, clergymen and physicians — Manner in which exercise affects the human system — Account of this from the New Edinburgh Encyclopedia— Exercise should be such as to affect the system generally — Journal of Health rexjv CONTENTS.

marks — Exercise should be systematic and regular— Prof. Hitchcock's observations — Opinion of the Directors of the American Education Society— Exercise vigorous, but not violent or excessive — Walking — Riding horseback — Gymnastic exercises injurious — Rule for exercise — Exercise taken daily — Testimony of Docts. Mussey and Jackson — Remarks of Rev. Dr. Cornelius— Exercise should be in the open air — Morning air — Exercise ought to be convenient and agreeable — Task exercises not good — Exercise should be manly or digniiied — Prof. Hough's remarks — Quantity of exercise — Remarks of lord Bacon — Saying of Hippocrates — Exercise profitable in a pecuniary view — Case of a clergyman — The results of exercise great and good — In respect to health — In regard to life — In giving vigor of body and mind — In respect to an increase of knowledge — Opinion of Presidents Griffin and Chapin, Professor Ripley and others, . . 172 — 193

LETTER XVHI.

REVIVALS OF RELIGION IN LITERARY INSTITUTIONS.

Why revivals in literary institutions are desirable — The great number of unconverted young men in them— Seven thousand students — Five thousand in an unconverted state — These young men will have a powerful effect on the community — Will be legislators, judges, lawyers, physicians, ministers— By revivals, the number who enter the ministry will be increased — Proportion of graduates

CONTENTS. XV

who have entered the ministry — By the effects of revivals the design of colleges answered — President Edwards's remarks — God answers prayers — What shall students do to promote revivals — Look into their own hearts and learn their state — Strive to become oppressed with the worth of souls — Think of the exposure of impenitent classmates — Feel deeply for their condition -^Pray for their conversion — Excite Christians to make efforts for revivals — Converse and pray with the impenitent, 194—205

LETTER XIX.

ANNUAL CONCERT OF PRATER FOR COLLEGES.

History of the Concert — Its origin — Established by the Directors of the American Education Society in 1823 — Reasons why established on the last Thursday of February — Observance advocated by religious periodicals — Concurrent voice of the community in its favor — Revivals in colleges between 1820 — 1823 inclusive — Revivals in the different colleges since — In 1831, revivals in nineteen colleges — Betw^een 350 and 400 converted— Since 1820, 1,500 young men converted in colleges — Manner of observing the Concert — The day should be spent as a season of special fasting and prayer — Private offices of devotion — Public services by prayer, addresses and remarks — Effects happy — Prayer should be offered for literary institutions in other lands as well as this, 206—215 xvi CONTENTS.

LETTER XX.

EFFORTS TO INDUCE YOUNG MEN TO ENTER THE MINISTRY.

Immense destitnt.ion of ministers — Want of ministers for the world — For the United States — Number of ministers needed every year — In 1860 this country will be peopled by 30,000,000 of inhabitants— Probable prevalency of Romanism — Necessity of ministers — To supply the want of ministers, some commendable efforts have been made — The church has awaked to this subject — Prays for this object — Many persons observe the Tuesday Concert weekly — Annual Concert of Prayer for colleges established — Resolution of the American Education Society — Monthly Concert of Prayer for this great object instituted — Particular subjects of prayer — Resolutions respecting this concert by ministerial bodies — Education societies — Theological seminaries and colleges — Efforts should be in proportion to the magnitude of the work to be accomplished — The preaching of the gospel the great instrumentality of the world's conversion — More young men should prepare for the ministry — Resolutions of the General Association of Massachusetts, and the General Conference of Maine — What ought pious young men to do — Read and meditate on this subject — Remember it at the throne of divine grace — Converse with young men who ought to prepare for the ministry — Number who ought to preach the gospel—Appeals to the consciences and hearts of pious young men, 216 — 236

LETTERS TO YOUNG MEN.

Letter I. Consecration To God

My design in this communication and those which follow, is to present some suggestions, the consideration of which may be of assistance to you, in preparing for the great and responsible \vork of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this first epistle I shall address you on personal holiness or entire consecration to God. I do this because it is a subject respecting which many seem not to possess clear and definite perceptions, and because the consecrating of yourselves to your Maker, Redeemer and Sanctifier, is the first duty you are called upon to perform. Until this is 2 done, you have taken no step aright in the important work which you have in contemplation.

The term consecration is synonymous with hohness. As the latter word is more biblical and more generally employed in speaking on this subject than the former, so it will here be used.

Holiness, in its primary and scriptural sense, is separateness or distinction on account of preeminent excellence, either intrinsic or relative. It is intrinsic when it really exists in an individual. God is intrinsically holy. He is, in his very nature, separated from all other beings by his preeminent or supreme excellence ; removed at an infinite distance from all natural imperfection, and all moral imperfection or sin, — being perfectly and absolutely pure and upright. Holiness is relative when it belongs to a person or thing, set apart from ordinary use to sacred purposes, such as the service of God. Under the Mosaic dispensation, the tabernacle and its vessels, the priests and their vestments, were relatively holy, and were called holy because consecrated to an excellent use — the service of God. But my object now is to remark particularly on intrinsic holiness, that " holiness without which no man shall see the Lord." As this holiness is the same in nature wherever it exists, man to be intrinsically holy, must be really conformed to God in heart and practice, separate from sin or moral imperfection. By this is not meant, that the holiness of man is equal in degree to the holiness of God. Holiness is a communicable perfection, and no creature possesses it in the same degree and manner that God does. God is eternally holy, the fountain of holiness. Creatures are holy by derivation. God is infinitely holy. Creatures are holy in a finite degree. God is immutably holy. But creatures as it respects holiness, are liable to change.

In order then to be holy,"^ man must be entirely consecrated to God and his service, in body, soul, time, possessions and influence. All his corporeal and mental faculties must be employed in such a manner as to promote the glory of God and the happiness of his creatures; and they must be thus employed to the highest possible degree. This love and service for his Maker must be graduated only by his natural ability, that is, be entirely commensurate with it. The same may be said of the time allotted to him, the property with which he is intrusted, and the influence he pos-

* In this discussion, I speak of perfection in holiness, of what man ought to be in hohness, and not of what he really is in this respect in the present state of existence ; for, alas, no man, not even the most holy, liveth and sinneth not.

sesses. All these must be set apart and appropriated to the exalted purposes of glorifying God and benefiting mankind; and must thus be separated in their use from every thing that is sinful, impure, and unhallowed, and devoted to the highest and most exalted purposes. The whole man, body, soul, and spirit, should be entirely employed in doing the will of Jehovah, in exhibiting his glorious perfections to the view of intelligent creatures, and in promoting their highest possible felicity.

Is man then intrinsically holy ? He will be conformed to God in heart, or in his affections. Does God love being in general, and himself supremely; does he delight in the laws he has enacted — their precepts and sanctions, in the government he exercises, in the plan of salvation he has devised, in the means of grace he has appointed, in all his ways towards men ? So, if holy, man will. Does God rejoice in the conduct of his friends, is he displeased with the conduct of his enemies, does he hate sin and love holiness, does he desire his own glory and the best good of his creatures } So, if holy, man will. He will possess, in a degree, all the moral excellencies, all the moral affections that God does. He will be assimilated to him in heart, and thus separated from sin, all moral impurity, and set apart to the most glorious purposes.

Is man intrinsically holy, he will be conformed to God in conduct. He will be actuated by the same motives, have the same objects in view, and co-operate with him in promoting his cause. He will live in obedience to the moral law of God, which is a transcript of his moral perfections, and thus exhibit him to the intelligent universe. That holiness is obedience to the law is most evident. Sin is directly opposed to holiness, and as sin is the transgression of the law, so holiness must be obedience to the law. Now the law of God has respect not merely to the external conduct of man, but also and primarily to the affections of his heart, the true seat of all good and all evil. Obedience then to this law consists in love and its proper fruits. Thus speaks the Apostle : " Love is the fulfilling of the law." Do you ask what love ? The Son of God himself shall reply : " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment, and the second is like unto it — Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Hence we infer, that holiness consists essentially in love and its proper fruits. Tliese comprise all good affections and their proper fruits. And hence we learn, that all the Christian graces flow from universal love, or are but love in its different modifications. Such is the nature of personal intrinsic holiness.

A question now occurs — Why is this holiness or sanctity important to be possessed ?

1. Unless possessed, no one can be happy in the present life. Holiness is necessary to peace and tranquillity of mind. Without it God himself would be imperfect and miserable. Did he possess the feelings of envy, or malice, or revenge, or hatred, or impatience, or cruelty, or injustice, he would ever be vexed and discontented, and, consequently, unhappy. Nothing can mar one's happiness more, than evil propensities, affections and passions. The destitution of holiness is what produces the misery of unholy men on earth, and of wicked men and devils in hell. They have a temper contrary to God. And such a temper naturally torments and disquiets its possessor. In our evil disposition is laid the very foundation of everlasting misery. Until this disposition be taken away, it is as impossible for a wicked person to be happy, as for a sick man to be at rest. Affectingly striking is the expression of the prophet : " The wicked are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt." " There is no peace saith God, to the wicked."

2. HoHness is essential to happiness in the future Hfe. The soul is immortal, and must be happy or miserable forever, according to the character it possesses. It must exist unless God destroy it ; for it can no more annihilate its own faculties or existence, than a mirror can its property of reflecting the rays that fall on its surface. It may render itself WTetched by evil dispositions and practices ; but it cannot make itself happy even in heaven, while destitute of holiness. The reason of this is obvious. Heaven is a holy place. All beings who reside there are holy. Man, in order to be happy there must be holy too, for the element of heaven is holiness, and how can he be happy unless in his proper element ? As a person with no relish for food, cannot feast at the most sumptuous table ; so neither could the sinner delight in heaven, where all is holiness. He would pine at the heavenly banquet, for no appetite has he for the entertainment. A holy God would be an object of horror, and his service would be weariness. Does the sinner delight in sin in the present world ? In that also will he delight in the world to come. His affections then or heaven must be changed, or he can never be happy there. Besides, it is the language of inspiration, "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord," — shall be admitted into his joyful presence and to the bliss of heaven.

3. Holiness is necessary in order to preparation for the ministry of Christ. As every disciple of Christ should bear and reflect his image ; so especially should his ministers be eminently conformed to him in heart and life. They should possess the same affections that he does — be emphatically pastors according to the heart of Jehovah. Personal holiness is indispensable. And being entirely consecrated to God, they will have views and feelings similar to his, and be coworkers with him in the advancement of his cause. In their hearts and lives there will be an exhibition of God in his power and goodness, and thus they will glorify their Maker, Redeemer and Sanctifier. Ministers, without spiritual discernment, would, in the performance of official duties, be like blind men attempting to learn the science of optics, or deaf men pursuing the study of music. Such should never be intrusted with the cure of souls. Of an unholy minister, God may well say : " What hast thou to do, to declare my statutes ? " As Balaam prophesied and other ungodly men have sustained the sacerdotal office, so a graceless minister may preach the truth of God, and perhaps even to the edification of saints and the conversion of sinners ; but it will be to their own destruction, like that of Nadab and Abihu, who offered strange fire before the Lord which he commanded them not.

And now, dear brethren, permit me to exhort you to comply with the injunction of your heavenly Father, when he says to his people, '^ Be ye holy for I am holy." Sanctify yourselves for the work before you — set yourselves apart from every thing that is worldly and sinful to the service of saving souls. " Keep yourselves unspotted from the world," " crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts," maintain close communion with God, and exercise a spirit of entire and supreme devotedness to him. Let your principal aim now be to prepare in this respect for the ministry. Strive not only for holiness, but for high attainments in holi* ness. God calls you to do it, the church calls you to do it, the times in which you live call you to do it. I beseech you take heed to yourselves, lest after preparing to preach, and actually having preached to others, you yourselves should be among those who are cast away.

LETTER 11.

CALL TO PREACH THE GOSPEL.

I assume it as a fact, that you have heartily dedicated yourselves to God — set yourselves apart for his service and glory, in body, soul, and spirit ; and that you realize you are not your own, having been bought with a price, even the precious blood of Christ, and that therefore, you ought to glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are his. With you it is a primary question how you can, in the highest degree and in the best manner, glorify your Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier. You feel and pray as did Paul on his conversion, — " Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Your '^ heart's desire and prayer to God, is," that you may learn his will concerning you, and be disposed and enabled to perform it. So

CALL TO PREACH THE GOSPEL. 27

far as you can discover what is duty, you think it is to spend your days in preaching the gospel ; and this is the language of your conduct. This probably is the fact. Still you are liable to be deceived, and therefore it becomes you to examine yourselves on this point, that you may not rush into the ministry uncalled.

To assist you in ascertaining the truth on this subject, I shall consider in this letter what constitutes a call to the Christian ministry ; whether you have such a call ; and if so, what are the reasons why you should preach the gospel; and in what part of your Master's vineyard it is your duty to labor.

I. What constitutes a call to preach the gospel?

In almost every instance where the following things combine in a young man, it is his duty to enter the ministry, namely : respectable talents, decided piety, a desire to preach the gospel from love to Christ and perishing souls, and a literary and theological education, or the pecuniary means to obtain it, possessed either by himself or accessible by him through parents, friends, or some benevolent society. These four things plainly indicate it to be the will of Heaven, that the individuals who possess them should preach the