The Christian pastorate

Preface

I

AT EARLY thirty-five years have passed away

since the writer first entered upon the duties

of the Christian Pastorate. The earlier periods of

his public life introduced him successively to all the

principal phases of pastoral responsibility. From

those days to the present, he has been an interested

observer of the manner in which pastoral duties have

been discharged (or neglected) in his own and other

Churches, at home and abroad.

As an instructor of candidates for the ministry,

during the last fifteen years, he has had repeated

occasion to review and discuss the whole subject,

both in the light of his personal observation and of

what has been written in reference to it by others.

4 PREFACE.

In sequence of such experiences he has felt called upon to prepare the present volume, with the design of supplying a desideratum in the literature of the pastoral office. Most of the books on this subject, heretofore published, have had reference to conditions of Church organization and action, very different from those of the voluntary Churches of this country. None of them have referred prominently to the great evangelical experiment incepted, more than a hundred years ago, for " the spread of scriptural holiness over these lands," and throughout the world, under the auspices of " the people called Methodists."

In view of the success of that experiment, and of its widening prospects, it now seems high time that the theory and practice of pastoral duty, as accepted by American Methodists, should have a full exhibit, as well for the information of others as for the more systematic instruction of our own young ministers. Moreover, as the duties of Churches and pastors are reciprocal, interblending at every point, it is to be hoped that our official members and people generally, will henceforth become more studious of those duties and of our whole system of Church action, as

PREFACE. 5

seen from its practical center, the pastoral point of view. The aim of this book, therefore, is not merely to elevate the standard of pastoral character and efQciency, but also, by general circulation, to increase the working power of the Church in every department.

Prompted by concurrent motives of so great interest, the task of the author has been an agreeable one, and he awaits the result of its execution with hopefulness.

EvANSTON, May, 187 i.

L p

'ONE but he who made the world cajt make a minister of the gospel.^'' ^ John Newton.

'^ Some preachers study their sermons without studying the

people to whom they are to preach the?n.''^

Rutherford.

^By repeated experiments we learn that though a man preach like an angel, he will neither collect [a society) nor preserve a society which is collected, without visiting them from house to hotcse.'' John Wesley.

* The ministry is the best calling, but the worst trade in the worldy Matthew Henry.

Contents

GENERAL INTRODUCTION.

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF RELIGIOUS OFFICES.

Ideal of the Christian ministry found in the New Testament. Better comprehended through a consideration of its historical antecedents. ■ Primeval origin of sacrifices. Probable divine appointment. Symbolic • design. Importance of the Patriarchal dispensation. Faith an element of the worship it enjoined. Origin, diffusion, and consequences of idolatry. The Jewish priesthood. Symbolism of its office and system of worship. The prophets. End of the Mosaic dispensation. The ministerial character of Christ. Its comprehensiveness. Harmony of the Messianic offices. Christ a Prophet. The great Teacher. A Foreteller of future events. The priesthood of Christ. Sacrifice and intercession the great central function of the Messiah. Christ's kingly office. No succession to his priesthood possible. . . . page 25

Chapter I. The Christian Ministry As Instituted By Christ, The Head

OF THE CHURCH AND FOUNDER OF THE NEW

DISPENSATION.

Christ alone had the right to appoint whatever services his Church might require. Christian ordinances being few and simple, only a spiritual ministry was needed. Christ's example and precepts in the establishment of such a ministry authoritative. Calling and instruction of khis disciples. First public mission of the Twelve. Mission of the Seventy. The moral harvest-field. Mode and authority of Church discipline. Tests of character. Ministers must be prepared for persecution. Christ's instruction gradual. Prayers for his ministers. The great commission involves the pastoral office. Apostolic idea of the ministry. Ordination of Matthias. Apostolic admini.^tration in tlie I

Church at Jerusalem. Results. Appointment of deacons. Ordination of elders in all the Churches. Paul's address to the elders of Ephesus. Peter's exhortation to elders. Apostolic measures for instructing and training future ministers. Summary of the Pastoral Epistles. The divine call. Personal and ministerial character. Ministerial studies. Pastoral influence and Church discipline. Instruction and appointment of future ministers. Mosheim's comments on this phase of apostolic labor. Scriptural portraiture of the Christian ministry. . page 53

Chapter II. The Ministerial Call — Historical View

Old Testament examples of the divine call. Christianity employed only spiritual agencies for its propagation. Practice of the apostolic Church. The call and appointment of Matthias. Of the seven deacons. Of the apostle Paul. Of the elders of the Churches. Great though gradual apostasy of the Church from the true theory of the Christian ministry. Adoption of the terms priesthood and priest. Encroachments of the hierarchical principle. Unknown to Justin Martyr. Developed by Cyprian. Strongly stated by Chrysostom. Enlarged and confirmed by the Apostolic Constitutions. Disorders attending clerical elections promotive of monasticism. Waste of the best talent of the Church during successive centuries. Results of the sacerdotal theory. Joint imitation of Judaism and Paganism. Device of the mass. Transubstantiation and kindred errors. Dishonor of Christ and his perfect sacrifice. Tenacity of the error even in modern times. The opposite extreme. Traces of the true theory still left in forms of ordination. Gregory of Nazianzen. Pluralities and non-residence. Bernard of Clairvaux. The great Reformation reacted in favor of the New Testament idea of the ministry. Luther. Calvin. The English reformers. The ordination formula of the English Church. Bishop Burnet's comments. Rebuke of hypocritical pretenders to a divine call. Fletcher of Madeley. Legh Richmond. Deplorable results throughout Great Britain. The Wesleyan revival gave great prominence to the doctrine of a divine call to the ministry. Providential guidance of Wesley in regard to the subject. Maxfield. Wiiitefield. Results of a just conception of the ministerial call. . page 74

Chapter III. The Ministerial Call — Practical View

The Christian ministry not a priesthood, but a service to which men are called by the Holy Spirit, and also by the Church. Scriptural examples. The Holy Spirit calls in divers manners. Different experiences of the apostles and of other true ministers. Different stages of inquiry and of conviction. Danger of demanding ultimate convictions at the stage of preliminary inquiry. Proper view of minor questions. The great central inquiry should be as to God's will. Modes in which God's will is indicated. Primary anxiety. The divine impulse real, but not compulsory. Analogies of Christian experience. Increased light follows obedience, leading to clear and positive conviction of duty. Corroborative action of the judgment. Dignity and responsibility of the office. Personal adaptation depends largely on cultivation. Reason for the usual experience of an early call. Moral and spiritual adaptation. Motives. Providential guidance. Corroborative action of the Church. Coincident experience usual and desirable. Distinction between the internal and the external call. Apostate Churches void of spiritual authority. Concurrence of reasons. Conviction of duty should be followed by zealous preparation. May be expected to increase throughout life. The ministry only one among many agencies of Christian usefulness page 105

. CHAPTER IV.

CLASSIFICATION OF MINISTERIAL DUTIES. — THE TWO GREAT

FUNCTIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY —

EVANGELICAL — PASTORAL.

Duties of the ministry numerous. Embraced in two principal classes. Preaching and the pastoral care have a common object, but different modes of attaining it. Distinctions. Correspondences. The two functions separable. Limitation of the pastorate. Preaching diffusive and of constant obligation. Specially important as a means of introducing the gospel. Illustrated in Christ's example. The pastorate appointed near the close of his earthly mission. Ordinances instituted. A plurality of preachers needed. The disciples and apostles went forth to preach two by two. Causes for the division of ministerial labor. The Sabbath a special occasion for preaching. Erroneous theories. I. Importance and universal adaptation of preaching. 2. Moral and perpetual obligation of the preaching office. Evangelism aggressive. Fields should be sought. Pastoral work chiefly done on week-days. Time to be redeemed for pulpit preparation. The gospel not limited by parochial jurisdiction. Ordinations not limited to actual pastors. Ministers should not forsake their calling. Ordination contemplates both branches of ministerial duty. Scriptural examples. Corruptions of the ancient Church. Forced ordinations. Tactual succession. Character and results of the theory. Practical unity of evangelical Churches as to the practice and design of ordination. Ordination vows and charges page 133

Chapter V. Special Character And Responsibility Of The Pastorate

Preliminary views. The office anticipated in Judaism and in prophecy. First fully appointed and established by Christ near the close of his earthly mission. Its three watch-words "feed, guide, guard." Its continuance in the Church, with variations in different countries, times, and circumstances. Characteristic differences in State and voluntary Churches. Advantages in the latter. Correspondent though less favorable condition of the New Testament Churches. Scriptural standard of pastoral character, i . The pastoi-al character of the Messiah as foreshadcnaed by prophecy. 2. The developed character of Chi'ist as the chief shepherd of God''s spiritual fold. The shepherd and the lamb blended in Christ. The sheep of Christ's fold to be distinguished by a mark upon their foreheads (character). The Church the Lamb's wife. The new Jerusalem the eternal home of Christ's ransomed flock. The duty of under-shepherds to impress Christ's mark or character upon every member of his flock. 3. The appointment of pastors as Chris fs under-shepherds. Old Testament allusions. Christ's acceptance and employment of the same. His discourse on the shepherd and the sheep. His solemn and emphatic charge to Peter. The great commission embodies the pastoral idea and perpetuates pastoral obligation, 4. The apostolic idea of the pastoral office. Direct precepts. Figurative illustrations of pastoral duty, (i.) Teachers. (2,) Watchmen. (3.) Overseers. (4.) Fathers. (5.) Builders. (6.) Stewards. The obligation of faithfulness. The responsibility of the pastoral office intensified by, i . The divine appointment. 2. The nature of the work. Heretofore regarded as a personal agency. Its organic power. Its sufficiency must come from God page 153

Chapter VI. . Qualifications Desirable In A Christian Pastor

High and peculiar qualifications demanded. The most important classified. I. Experience. I. Of piety. 2. Of a divine call. 3. Of Church life and labor — e. g., in Sunday-schools, lay preaching, and home missions. 4. Of the power and pleasure of exerting good influence. II. Knowledge. Its essential value. Different branches. I. Self-knowledge — physical, mental, moral. Helps to self-knowledge. Advantages, 2. The knowledge of society and of men. 3, A knowledge of books. Its necessity. Classes of books. 4, An acquaintance with theology, (i.) Biblical. (2.) Doctrinal. (3,) Historical. (4.) Practical. 5. Skill in the modes and means of using knowledge.

Knowledge most valuable for its uses. In education, training and discipline superior to mere learning. Different systems of education with reference to these objects. The greatest possible combination of advantages desirable. Error of those who neglect advantages within their reach. Will the Church hereafter tolerate such neglect ? Responsibility of ministers and Conferences. Causes of inadequate efforts to acquire knowledge. History illustrates the necessity of institutions for ministerial education and training. Personal effort necessary to profit fully by educational advantages. Institutions should be practical, specially in cultivating powers of expression and influence. III. Character. Distinguished from reputation. Phases of character. Special importance of ministerial character. Demand and scrutiny of the Church respecting it. No point of character to be overlooked. Each one the architect of his own character. Importance of an exalted ideal and of a constant study of character. Fletcher's " Portrait of St. Paul." Ministers should study and portray Scripture characters. Historic characters. Characters of living men. Character in its essential elements. A. Personal traits. Amiability. Dignity. Discretion. Definiteness of aim. Impartiality. Independence. Decision. Energy. Perseverance. Courage and hopefulness. B. Religious qualities of character. Heavenly-mindedness. Love. Sympathy. Heart-power. Increased attention to its importance. Zeal. C. Habits or modes of action. Activity and diligence. Accuracy and thoroughness. Promptness and punctuality. Self- adaptation. Paul's example. Inventiveness. Consistency. Bishop Ken's portrait of a pastor, Wesley's address to the clergy page 177

Chapter VII. The Duties Of A Pastor — Personal

Pastoral duties classified. Personal duties arising from physical RELATIONS. Importance of physiological knowledge and cultivation. Vigorous health. Exercise. Jay. Dempster. Temptations to inactivity. Danger of feebleness and bad habits. The iviprovement of time. Necessity of a plan. Wesley's rules. Specimen of a plan. Mode of securing the co-operation of the people. Advantages of a systematic distribution of time. Mental Cultivation. Ministerial life favorable to a broad culture. Danger of losing enthusiasm. A sketch. Topical study. An important motto. The preparation of sermons. Mental productiveness. Thinking to be blended with exercise. Hard study recommended. A pastor's library. Topics it should represent. A. Ministerial helps. B. Helps to general knowledge. C. Helps to thought and mental growth. D. Miscellany. Modern advantages in book-buying. Church libraries. Caveat against light literature.

Newspapers, Proper mode of reading. Classification of extracts. The pastor's note-book. Its design and uses. Domestic and

RELIGIOUS duties. PAGE 244

Chapter VIII. The Duties Of A Pastor — Public — Official

Serial order of treatment proposed. An organized Church prerequisite to the complete ideal of a pastorate. A pastorate equally necessary to a complete Church. The pastoral office not essentially modified by variations in Church polity. Pastoral economy of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The itinerancy. Its design and spirit. A new pastor FORMING acquaintance. Facilities and helps. Motives for a prompt and full acquaintance with all the members of his Church and congregation. The duty of being social and courteous. Value of kind words. Presidency of the leaders' and stewards' meeting. The reception of MEMBERS a pastoral responsibilit)'. Argument of Coke and Asbury. Probation. The pastor's duty to enroll probationers and diligently instruct them. Reception to full membership. The administration OF BAPTISM. To children. Adults. The proper period. Administration OF THE Lord's-Supper. CONFIRMATION a pastoral duty, not a sacrament or exclusively episcopal rite. The Church Record. Its proper keeping a duty of the preacher in charge. Its importance and several departments. Special uses of Church records. Publication recommended. The appointment of class-leaders and committees. The preservation of order and harmony. The pastor as a peace-maker. Church discipline. Pastor's relation to Church trials. Dismissing and receiving members by certificate. Welcome to strangers. page 271

Chapter IX

relations and duties of a church to its pastor.

Duties reciprocal. The pastorate a divine gift. The Scriptures indicate the following duties of Churches to pastors : i. To receive them gladly and welcome them cordially. Paul's instructions. The "open and eifectual door." The humblest members share the responsibility of a pastor's welcome. 2. To give pastors an attentive and reverent hearing. The minister entitled to this in behalf of the Master. Consideration due to youthful ministers. 3. To sustain them generously. Estimates should be just and liberal, comprehending not only family support, but intellectual wants. Church libraries. 4. Churches and Church members should love their pastors and pray for thenu

5. Should recognize and sustain their spiritual authority. 6. Should honor their pastors and guard their reputation. 7. Should co-operate with them earnestly in the work of the Lord. 8. Should comfort them in affliction, and dismiss them kindly. Justice and liberality to superannuated ministers. Mutual duties in a system of pastoral rotation. PAGE 303

Chapter X. The Pastor As A Leader And Guide Of Worship

A pastor's obligations extend beyond his Church members. The sanctuary open to all. Universal man a worshiper. Christianity adapted to his religious necessities. Errors of ceremonial worship. Essential character of true worship. The pastor a recognized leader in worship, public and social. Great responsibility arising from this position. Requisite preparation. The initiation of worship. Church associations should be sacred. Sin of polluting a sanctuary with secular amusements and common uses. Possible forms of acceptable worship. Principal elements. Singing praise. Its universal obligation. A pastor's influence upon this branch of worship. Prayer. The proJDer attitude. Scriptural exhortation. Responses. Elements of edifying extempore prayer. Means of preparation. Its faults. Scriptural direction. The Lord's prayer. Reading the Scriptures. Modes of rendering this exercise interesting and profitable. The holy sacrament as an occasion of worship. Religious objects attainable. Prayer-meetings. Their prominence in Wesleyan economy. Means of securing attendance and of rendering them profitable. Various kinds. Suitable places. Mode of conducting, Skill needed. Profitable variations. Modern experiences. Bramwell's rules. Love-feasts. Their antiquity and design. Importance of a skillful presidency. Opposite faults of dullness and excitement. Mutual edification the object. Inquiry-meetings. Special design. Occasions and advantages. Pastoral requisites to their success. Class-meetings. The pastor should be a good class-leader. Should regularly lead a class. Should visit classes. Worship in social assemblies to be promoted by pastors page 318

CHAPTER XL

the PASTOR IN HIS PULPIT.

Importance of preaching. Its bearing on various activities of the Church. Its relation to pastoral duties. Elements of success in preaching as part of a pastor's work. i. He must cherish just ideas of the office and responsibility of preaching. 2. An exalted idea of the character and results of a sermon. 3. The pastor should practice a judicious brevity. 4. He should make sure of variety in subjects and modes of treatment. 5. He should practice continuous expositions of God's word. Remarks of Crosby, Spurgeon, and Tholuck. 6. He should acquire the habit of mentally preparing sermons while doing pastoral work. 7. He should deliver his sermons with feehng and effect. 8. He should sustain his pulpit utterances by his life and example. 9. He should regard prayer an auxiliary of pulpit success. Spurgeon's exhortation. Glorious privileges of a Christian pulpit PAGE 342

Chapter XII. The Pastor In His Sunday-school

Advantages of a division of Christian labor illustrated in the history of Sunday-schools. The Sunday-school idea not new. Embodied in the original appointment of the Sabbath. Developed in Judaism. More perfectly developed by Christ. Long overlooked by the Church. Revived near the close of the Eighteenth Century. The Schools of Raikes, secular and philanthropic. Wesley saw that they might become nurseries for Christians. Gratuitous instruction and Church affiliation made them such. The Sunday-school should always be an actual and recognized auxiliary of the Church — a part of itself and its work. Causes which might put it and the pastor in a false position. Special claims of a Sunday-school upon its pastor. His true relation to it that of a spiritual overseer. Summary of a pastor's duties to his Sunday-school. I. To impress on parents their duties and obligations. 2. To enlist teachers and show the importance of their work. 3. To raise funds. 4. To afd in selecting books and periodicals ; also, 5. Lessons and plans of instruction. 6. To devise plans of improvement. 7. To address the school and preach to children. 8. To catechise and see that children are grounded in Christian doctrine, 9. To maintain a teachers' Bible-class. 10. To read up on the Sunday-school enterprise and study its philosophy. 11. To encourage the connection of children and teachers with the Church. A pastor should take broad views of the design and power of the Sunday-school system. Its aid to missions. Its agency in promoting systematic beneficence — in recruiting the Church. Its promise for the Church and the world. Pastors should co-operate with each other in general Sunday-school measures, and in securing the cumulative advantages of Sunday-schools. They should enlist children for life. They should give to Sunday-schools their constant sympathy, solicitude, and co-operation. How to retain the larger scholars page 359

I

CONTENTS. ly

CHAPTER XIIL

THE PASTOR AND HIS SYSTEM OF BOOK, PERIODICAL, AND TRACT SUPPLY.

Importance of making the press auxiliary to pastoral work. Danger of its opposite influence. Necessity of warnings against corrupt publications, and of instruction with reference to reading as a means of Christian improvement. Pastors should encourage the provision of good BOOKS and libraries in all Christian families. Our system contemplates this work. Recent neglect and its consequences. Remedies and means of making them successful. Home colportage. Sin of indifference. Religious Periodicals. Motives for their circulation. Tract and volume circulation as an agency of evangelization. Precedence of Wesley and activity of early Methodists in this cause. Its past progress and results full of encouragement to future effort. The Church requires pastoral activity in this department. Approved agencies and methods page 373

Chapter XIV. The Pastor And His Lay Helpers

The Church designed for results, not ceremonies. Internal results to be an instrumentality of external growth and power. Messianic prophecy and the Savior's commands contemplated both. The apostolic Church illustrated both. Faithful Churches designed to be working Churches. Proof from Christ's addresses to the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. Successful labor requires organization. Pastors should study the importance and art of organizing successful measures and agencies. Duty of furnishing religious employment to Church members. Necessity of system. Comprehensiveness and efficiency of our Church system. Its three departments of finance, pastoral aid, and home evangelization. I. Finance. Christianity demands liberality in giving, also activity in all good works. Requisitions of the Church in both regards. Work a means of grace. II. Pastoral and Christian helpers. Class-leaders. Means of promoting a general appreciation of class-meetings. Of securing a supply of competent leaders. Female class-leaders. Their special adaptations. Duty of instructing and examining leaders. The higher objects of the class-meeting. Different necessities of pastoral work in different places. City and country. Mission schools. Union efforts. A just catholicity recommended. Effective Church action demands cordial sympathy and constant co-operation between a pastor and his people. The pastor is invested with important duties, e. g.: i. To work his own Church system thoroughly.

2. To appoint extra committees, as occasion may require. Optionally, 3- To organize a Christian association within his Church. 4. A reading circle. 5. A private Prayer Union. 6. A Ladies' and Pastor's Christian Union. Importance of enlisting women in the active service of Christ. III. Home evangelization. Lay preaching a part of our Church system. Its double advantages. The pastor and his lay preachers. Open-air preaching. Local preachers' conventions and associations. Present desideratum in respect to this agency. Possibility of increasing its power. Wesley's remark. Praying Bands. Idea and character. Their proper work. These agencies not designed to relieve the Church as a whole or individual Christians from responsibility and active Christian effort. Possible modes of doing good. Cavil of an objector. Moral machinery important in its place. Yet only valuable as an auxiliary to the work of the Spirit. The duty of making all things subsidiary to the extension of Christ's kingdom. Magnanimity toward fellow-laborers page 384

Chapter XV. The Pastor In His Relation To Revivals And Revival Agencies

The nature of true religion. The necessity and nature of revivals. Old Testament examples. Scriptural prayers for revival. Exhortations, promises, and prophecies. Christianit}' itself a revival. Christ's ministry of a revival type. His precepts and promise of the Holy Ghost point to future revivals. Spiritual decline of the ancient Church. The Reformation a revival. Methodism a revival. Its historic idea. Frequency and prevalence of modern revivals. Ministerial duty to be studied in the light and hope of revivals. I. Why should pastors seek to promote revivals? I. In order to promote the salvation of men.

2. In order to promote the work of salvation to a wider extent. 3. Revivals harmonize with man's wants and God's will. 4. They are of great advantage to the Church. Testimony of Edwards, Dr. Sprague, Bishop M'llvaine, Wesley, and others. 5. Revivals increase ministerial power. 6. Revivals are the harvest seasons. II. How may revivals be promoted? The history of revivals should be studied. I. Christian preparation. 2. The outpouring of the Spirit.

3. Revival preaching. 4. Continuous Christian effort, (i.) Prayer. (2.) Christian conversation. (3.) Judicious instruction. (4.) Fervent praise. (5.) The activity of young converts. General evangelical agencies. A. Protracted meetings. Analogy of the Christian Festivals. Advantages enumerated. B. Camp-meetings. Origin. Character. Prospective continuance. Claims on pastors. C. Daily prayer-meetings. III. Means of perpetuating the fruits of revivals. Church membership. Watch-care, sympathy, and instruction. Methodism adapted to pastoral work. Relation and necessity of pastoral work to revivals and their best fruits page 419

Chapter XVI. Pastoral Visiting

Christianity a social system. Its sociality consecrated to important ends, specially in the line of ministerial influence. Pastoral visiting theoretically approved, but practically neglected. Analysis of the subject. I, The objects to be attained. Not merely social enjoyment, but Christian influence. I. With reference to the people. 2. With reference to the pastor kifjiself. 11. Scriptural proofs and illustrations of the duty. I. The example of Christ. 2. The practice of the apostles. 3. The i7tdirect teaching of the Scriptures. III. The best modes of accomplishing the work and objects of pastoral visitation, i. Preparation — intellectual, spiritual. 2. Systematic attention to the duty, (i.) A due allotment of time. (2.) A proper districting of the field. {3.) Special appointments with families. Distinction between calls and visits. (4.) Special attentions to the sick, afflicted, and needy. Elements of success in a pastor's visits to the sick, A pastor's rights. Relief for the needy. Difficulties considered, IV. Motives for faithfulness in pastoral visiting, i. It is essential to full proof of the power and influence of the ministry, Wesley's views and experience. Success of Methodism. 2. It increases congregations, 3. It creates influence and sympathy. 4, It is an essential complement of faithful preaching, 5. It promotes revivals. It is the work of a shepherd as distinguished from that of a hireling, A labor of love, repaid by sympathy and increased usefulness page 459

Chapter XVII. The Pastor In Society

Society makes claims upon him. False and degraded position of English clergymen two hundred years ago. Contrasted position won by talents and learning. Daniel Webster's tribute to the clergy of America. Different uses of the term society. The pastor should not mingle in gay society, but in that of the intelligent, the moral, and the religious. Position toward which he should aspire. The influence he should exert by his presence, his words, and his example. Kecj)ing God's watch. Words from George Herbert. Conversational abilitv. Importance and means of acquiring it. Clerical manners. Governing principles better than artificial rules. Offensive traits of manner and character. Undue sensitiveness to be avoided. Charity toward others. Readiness to receive hints and corrections. Pastors sustain confidential relations to society. The endearments of those relations when properly sustained. The pastor in scenes of joy. Of sorrow. Vital points at which he touches society. Motives for watchfulness and discretion PAGE 481

Chapter XVIII. The Pastor In His Family.^

True Christianity not ascetic. Marriage the law of society. Ministerial exceptions. Churches generally prefer married pastors, but only when well married. Serious character of mistakes in matrimony. Errors to be avoided. Qualifications demanded in a pastor's wife. Traits of character to be cultivated. Motives and means of improvement. Joint responsibility for mutual and parallel improvement. "What is to be desired in a minister's family. The wife's part. Difficulties of maintaining a model home in ministerial life. Yet necessary to do so for personal and public reasons. The family a field of responsibility and privilege. Well-regulated family life favorable to ministerial success. Home courtesies demanded from a pastor. . page 493

Chapter XIX. The Pastor In His Relation To Christian Activities And Enterprises

The Church has various forms of action, indirect as well as direct. The pastor should therefor^ be ready for every good work, but discriminate against doubtful measures under any pretense. He should co-operate with, I. Public charities. 2. The cause of temperance, (i.) Abstaining from all forms of intemperance. (2.) Preaching on the subject. (3.) Inculcating it in the Sunday-school. {4.) Encouraging societies. (5.) Distributing tracts and pledges. 3. Young Men's Christian Associations. Character and relations of these agencies. Elements of success. 4. Domestic missions. Church planting and training. 5. Foreign missions. The home pastor should regard the world as his field. Should enlist the sympathy and liberality of his Church in its behalf. Means to this end. (i.) He should acquire missionary knowledge. (2.) He should impart it systematically and perseveringly. (3.) He should, by precept and example, encourage liberal giving, self-consecration, legacies, and prayer. (4.) He should act in unison with the Church at large. He may thus most effectually do his own work and rise to the dignity and responsibility of his position page 504

Chapter XX. The Pastor In His Relations To Education, The Press, And The Country

Modern education an outgrowth of Christianity. The American educational system specially indebted to Christian influence. A pastoral privilege and duty to co-operate with educational efforts. Pastors should visit schools. Should encourage the education of the young. Should commend institutions exerting a Christian influence. Pastors may often employ the press as an agency of good. Their connection with newspapers, secular and religious. Cautions and suggestions. Notoriety not to be sought for. No redundance of good reading in the world. The preparation of books for Sunday-school libraries in strict harmony with the design of preaching and pastoral labor. Better qualified than others to know what line of books are most needed. Tracts and Tract volumes. Literary labors tributary to preparation for the pulpit. Double use of good matter. Mental power increased by activity. Political rights and duties of ministers in the United States. Proprieties and responsibilities of their position. PAGE 515

Chapter XXI

THE pastor's RELATION TO CHURCH BUILDING AND CHURCH EXTENSION.

Church edifices a necessity to the advancement and permanence of Christianity. The advantages of modern pastors in having churches already built for their use. These advantages increase their obligation to work for posterity. Church building in America popular and easy, but needs leadership. Pastoral responsibility. Not to bear the material burdens of Church enterprises. But i. For good counsel. 2. For promoting unity of action. 3. For securing the best practicable style of architecture. 4. Avoiding and paying debts. 5. Selecting and acquiring sites. Breadth and importance of the church building enterprise. Its monumental significance. Characteristic difference between church building in America and Europe. Sacred and important uses of a church. A place for sacred instruction. Sanctuary for the administration of Christian ordinances. Place for funeral solemnities. The birthplace of souls. Relations of an earthly Church to the temple not made with hands. Church extension. Motives that should govern in church building. The true design of a church may be perverted page 524

CHAPTER XXII. THE pastor's ecclesiastical RELATIONS

Various forms of Church polity not necessarily unfriendly to the essential unity of Christianity. The true remedy of antagonisms between different branches of the general Church. Heart unity, not outward conformity, the desideratum. Pastors may promote it. They should form their Church relations intelligently and permanently. They should be true to the system they adopt. Itinerancy, i. In harmony with Scripture. 2. Adapted to the wants of humanity. Life-long settlements obsolete. Instability of the pastoral relation under that system. The demand for variety superior to the theory of settlements. 3. Hardships of the itinerancy overbalanced by its advantages and pleasures. Obligations of itinerant ministers. To their system and associates. Fraternal obligations. Preachers' Meetings and Ministerial Associations. Connectional Relations of Presiding Elders and Bishops as chief pastors. Relations to neighboring pastors. Claims of Christian charity. Ecclesiastical exclusiveness contemptible. A pastor's relations to young men called to the ministry. His position favorable to the giving of counsel page 532