PREFACE.

 The nature and duties of the pastoral office form a subject of great practical moment. The thoughts suggested in this volume are largely results of the writer’s personal experience in the ministry² and of his observation of pastoral work in our churches. The literature of the subject, however, has of late become specially³ rich and valuable, and the hints which a careful study of this furnishes have also been freely used. The experienced pastor¹, for whom some of these suggestions will be needless, will remember that they were originally embodied⁴ in lectures delivered to the classes in the Hamilton Theological Seminary, and prepared for young men who, for the most part, were as yet inexperienced in the pastoral care.

 

With the earnest prayer and hope that the work may receive the approval of the Master and may contribute in some humble⁵ measure, to the higher effectiveness of the Gospel ministry, it is now submitted to the Christian⁶ public.

 

H. H.

 

Theological Seminary, Hamilton, N. Y.,

Oct. 30, 1879.

1 pastor   

n.牧师，牧人

参考例句：

• He was the son of a poor pastor.他是一个穷牧师的儿子。
• We have no pastor at present:the church is run by five deacons.我们目前没有牧师：教会的事是由五位执事管理的。

2 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

3 specially   

adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地

参考例句：

• They are specially packaged so that they stack easily.它们经过特别包装以便于堆放。
• The machine was designed specially for demolishing old buildings.这种机器是专为拆毁旧楼房而设计的。

4 embodied   

v.表现( embody的过去式和过去分词 )；象征；包括；包含

参考例句：

• a politician who embodied the hopes of black youth 代表黑人青年希望的政治家
• The heroic deeds of him embodied the glorious tradition of the troops. 他的英雄事迹体现了军队的光荣传统。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 humble   

adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低

参考例句：

• In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。
• Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。

6 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。