The practical success of a pastor greatly depends on the effectiveness
of the social meetings, yet much tact and constant attention are
required in conducting them. The impressions of the sermon here become
deeper and often reach definite results in conversion, while here also
the gifts and spiritual power of the church find development. The
pastor who devotes himself only to the pulpit, and makes this
department incidental, whatever he may become as a preacher, is likely
to prove a pastoral failure.