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 ministry and of his observation of pastoral work in our churches. The literature of the subject, however, has of late become specially rich and valuable, and the hints which a careful study of this furnishes have also been freely used. The experienced pastor, for whom some of these suggestions will be needless, will remember that they were originally embodied 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 humble measure, to the higher effectiveness of the Gospel ministry, it is now submitted to the Christian public.
 
H. H.
 
Theological Seminary, Hamilton, N. Y.,
Oct. 30, 1879.