Part Iii. Causes Of Ministerial Inefficiency Connected With Our Personal Character.
PART III. CAUSES OF MINISTERIAL INEFFICIENCY CONNECTED WITH OUR PERSONAL CHARACTER.457
The Writer is well aware of the extreme delicacy, consideration, and tenderness, which the treatment of this part of his subject requires of him. He can, however, truly state that, though for his personal profit he has diligently observed the Ministrations of his brethren, yet the material for remark which will now be detailed, is drawn rather from a painful acquaintance with his own deficiencies and temptations, than from a censorious scrutiny of others; and he trusts that it will be remembered that there is a wide difference between exposing the defects of his brethren in the pride of self-gratulation, and observing their failures in connection with a deep searching into his own heart for the purpose of bringing all into a condensed view for the common good.
The important influence, favourable or unfavourable, of our personal habits upon the Ministerial work, is obvious. The character of the individual must have a prominent part in forming the Minister; and therefore the causes that operate in the decline of the Christian life, must belong to this department of the subject. Particulars will now be specified.
102 VIEW OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY