The pulpit and the pew

Front matter

§^ap + Cqujrirjfjt %u

Shelf,.:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Preface

The author feels, and has so felt for many years, that there is a place in religious literature for a small work setting forth, as briefly as possible, the requisite qualifications and the mutual relations and obligations of the ministry and laity. Not one of the denominations of Christendom, so far as the writer is aware, has ever published a work covering the ground designed to be occupied by this little book; and feeling, as he does, that such a work is one of the great wants of the age, the author is encouraged to make the effort to meet the necessity.

As will be seen on a previous page, this unpretending little volume is dedicated to the ministry and membership of " the Church of our Lord • and Saviour Jesus Christ;" thereby embracing all Christendom. This is done, not to conceal from the reader the predilections of the. author for his own denomination — the Cumberland. Presbyterian Church — but because there is nothing in this book of a sectarian character — nothing to prevent so comprehensive a dedication. And, because of this fact, the author trusts and believes that hundreds and thousands outside of his Christian fold will read this book with interest and profit.

- In presuming to counsel his brethren, more especially those in the ministry, no one not in a like situation can even imagine the embarrassment which the author feels. He is reluctant (and no one but himself knows how

VI PREFACE.

much so) to assume to give advice to his brethren concerning a profession, in the discharge of the duties of which he is compelled to acknowledge and deplore personal shortcomings and inefficiency. So far as he is concerned, the author acknowledges himself to be "less than the least" of his brethren in ministerial fidelity; and instead of censuring he would prefer to kneel with the most inefficient of them at the Master's feet, and there, with them, confess unfaithfulness, and ask to be forgiven for the derelictions of the past. He is fully aware that his proper position, both in experience and efficiency, is greatly below many who are thus constrained to listen to him ; and it would be a matter of the most painful regret if he were understood to claim any pretensions to a standard of zeal and efficiency above the most humble of his brethren. The author has not attempted in these pages to describe what he is, but what he ought to be ; nor has he overlooked that scriptural admonition, "Thou that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?"

As to the success of this important undertaking, an impartial public must decide. Should this little volume, however, add to the usefulness and efficiency of the ministry and laity of the Church of our common Lord and Master, then the highest purpose and ambition of the author, in this particular, will most certainly have been accomplished.

T. C. BLAKE.

Nashville, Tenn., 1882.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

In preparing this little volume, I have availed myself of all the " helps " within my reach — have not only freely used the ideas of others, but often. their very words. The work is intended for all evangelical Christians ; and, whenever it was thought best to do so, I have not hesitated to appropriate any material which, in my judgment, would add to the interest and usefulness of the book. In brief, it is . the result not only of my own best thoughts on the points discussed, but likewise of the best gleanings which I have been able to obtain from others on these several topics. The only apology offered for writing it is an honest conviction that such a book as I have attempted to make is greatly needed. And, now < that the task is completed, the work is sent forth with the sincere desire and prayer that its usefulness may be commensurate with the field which it is designed to

occupv.

T. Q. B.

(vii)

Table Of Contents

PAKT I.— THE MINISTRY.

PAGE.

I. The qualifications and duties which are essential TO A SUCCESSFUL MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL 12