1. _Be a student everywhere._ The pastor's business is to deal with the
human mind and the actual experiences of men; he should, therefore, go
through the world with his eyes and ears open, thoroughly studying men
and life around him. In the street, in society, in the social meeting,
the mind is to be ceaselessly at work, observing character, studying
phases of experience and life, and gathering materials for mental work.
Many of the best trains of thought, most interesting views of
Scripture, and most effective illustrations will be suggested in
conversations and in the prayer-room. No man can afford to lose these;
for, springing as they do from direct contact with the people, such
trains of thought are most likely to meet the wants of the congregation
and deal with the questions most vital to them. The studious pastor who
preserves these texts and thoughts and illustrations as they occur will
be surprised to find how rapidly they accumulate, and how fresh and
rich they often render his thinking and instruction.
2. _Have a book always on hand._ Every life has its spare moments, and
much may be added in culture and knowledge by a right use of them. Most
of the current literature of the day, and much in standard biography,
history, science, poetry, and art can be read in this way, if the right
book is at hand. A half, or even a quarter, of an hour each day will
accomplish the reading of a large number of volumes in a year; and if
these are well selected, they will greatly add to the minister's
breadth and intelligence, while they will refresh rather than exhaust
his mind.
3. _Consecrate a specific part of each day to severe systematic work in
the privacy of the study._ The habit of general observation and
reading, before suggested, can be no adequate substitute for this. The
time thus appointed for hard study should be sacredly devoted, and no
ordinary occurrence be allowed to interrupt. The advantages of this are
obvious. (1.) A habit once fixed is an ever-increasing power. The mind
acts with greater rapidity and force when the habit of study at fixed,
regularly recurring periods is formed. Instead of spending hours in
vain attempts to fix attention and concentrate thought on the subject
in hand, the mind enters at once with full energy into work. The more
fixed and long continued the habit, the more easy, rapid, and powerful
the mental processes. This is one secret of the immense amount of
brain-work performed by some men: by fixed habits they instantly
concentrate mental force, and work at white heat. (2.) If these hours
are once fixed, and are fully understood by the people, they will
ordinarily be free from interruption. The congregation will conform to
the pastor's plan and will respect his fidelity in preparing for their
instruction on the Lord's Day. What part of the day should be selected
for the study cannot be determined by any rule; it must depend partly
on the minister's habits, and partly on the necessities of his
position. Ordinarily, the morning is best. The liability to
interruption is less, and it leaves the afternoons and evenings free
for visitation, meetings, and social life.
Let me add, nothing but a high ideal of the ministry and a fixed
purpose to realize it will enable a pastor to persist in such a course
of study. He must believe in it as a solemn duty he owes his God, his
people and himself, or he will fail. Indolence is often fostered by a
false dependence on genius or on the spur of the occasion to give
effectiveness and brilliancy to public utterances. Unthoughtful
hearers, also, will often praise the off-hand, unstudied sermons and
discourage elaborate preparation. Besides this, there are obstacles to
study in the pastor's work. He has cares connected with the sick, the
afflicted, the erring; executive work in the organization and
discipline of the church; and duties he owes society in the varied
relations of life. These are often pressing, and the danger is that
they crowd into the hours for study. Many a man circumscribes his own
intellectual growth and pulpit power, making himself permanently a
narrower and weaker man, by allowing these outside cares to destroy his
processes of mental discipline and growth. Here nothing will overcome
but a profound conviction that study--persistent, regular, life-long
study--is the solemn, first duty of every man who ventures to stand up
in the pulpit as an instructor of the people. Let other duties have
their place, but the first, the most imperative duty of him who teaches
others is to teach himself.