THE YOUNG PASTOR'S GUIDE: OR" LECTURES ON PASTORAL DUTIES. BY ENOCH POND, D. D. = PROFESSOR IN THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, BANGOR. BANGOR: PUBLISHED BY E. F. DUREN. WILLIAM HYDE, PORTLAND; TAPPAN AND DENNETT, BOSTON. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1844, by E. F. DUREN, In the Clerk's Office of the BANGOR: PRINTED BY SAMUEL S. SMITH. District of Maine. gift Tappan Presb. ilssor. 2-3-1933 INTRODUCTION. THE studies pursued in the Theological Seminaries of our country are chiefly calculated to prepare the youthful preacher for the more public duties of the sacred office-for the devotions and instructions of the sanctuary. He commences with the study of the original languages of the Bible, and of the principles and mode of its interpretation; that he may be able to go to it in an intelligent manner, and draw from it the real mind of the Spirit. He next proceeds to a consideration of the various truths and duties of religion; views them separately and connectedly; combines them into a system; inquires into their evidences and history; weighs the objections that have been urged against them; considers their practical uses and benefits; endeavors to impress them upon his own spirit; and prepares to enforce them upon the hearts and consciences of others. He is now in possession, in some good degree, of his materials of labor. He holds in his hand "the sword of the Spirit." But as yet, he has not learned to wield it, in the most effective manner. He has not learned to employ his materials to the best advantage, for the edification of the church, and the salvation of souls. He proceeds, therefore, to another department of study ;— that of dividing and enforcing the word of truth;-that of inculcating the doctrines and duties of religion, in the form of sermons. To understand a religious doctrine or duty is one thing. To be able to exhibit it, in the form of a sermon, that shall be instructive, impressive, and profitable to a promiscuous assembly, is quite another thing. And this latter thing is of no less importance to the minister of Christ, than the former. While the several branches above noticed are in progress, the student is reviewing the history of God's dealings with his church ;—of its revivings and declensions, its corruptions and |