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.
+THE PASTOR.+
* * * * * * * *
+SECTION I.+