A Letter to a Preacher on His Entrance into the Work of the Ministry

This Letter, in miniature, was originally drawn up for the use of a young man in London (Mr. Samuel Woolmer), who, in the year 1797, gave up some flattering worldly prospects for the privilege of proclaiming the gospel of the grace of God, as an itinerant Wesleyan Methodist Preacher; and who has since that time laboured in his Master’s vineyard, with credit and success.

Some judicious friends, who saw the plan, urged the author to fill it up, and publish it; as something of that kind was much wanted, and was likely to ue very useful, both to the junior preachers and to the people. Submitting more to their judgment than his own, the work was accordingly sent to press, for the first time, in 1800. It shortly

after went through a second edition; and that having been for a considerable time out of print, a third edition has been repeatedly required and now a fourth.

In revising his work for another impression, many improvements suggested themselves, which were accordingly adopted; and several considerable additions have been made of subjects not less important than those previously introduced, which it is hoped will make the work more generally useful.

Many may be of opinion that the work might be still farther enlarged, with great advantage to the main subject. Of this the author is sufficiently aware; but as he intended no more originally than a Letter, and not a laboured dissertation on the Christian ministry, or any subject connected with it j he wishes still to keep within the reasonable bounds of his original plan.

Without the Author’s knowledge two foreign editions of this Letter have been published, one in the sister kingdom, and another in America: with

what correctness the Author knows not, as he has not read them- He is glad, however, to find, from the general report of his brethren at home, that this work has not only met with their approbation but has been very generally useful: and he hopes that in its present improved state it will be still more extensively so. This is the sole end at which he has aimed; and for the good that has been done by it, he cheerfully gives the glory to that God from whom all good comes; and to whom alone all praise and thanksgiving are due.

UUlbrook, Jan, 1, 1819.

My dear Friend, You are engaged in the most important work in the nniverse. Commissioned by Grod Ahnightj, yon are sent to explain and enforce that Mystery which had been hidden from former ages; that glorious scheme of salvation, the redemption of a lost world by the incarnation, sufferings, and death of Jesus Christ. Notwithstanding the work is so extremely awful and difficult, you may nevertheless take encouragement from the honour Grod has conferred upon you in calling you to it, to go forward with pleasure and delight; and this is requisite, that you may not be too much depressed by the trials necessarily attendant on an employment which will ever be opposed by the wickedness of men, and the malice of demons. But, while you take encouragement from the above consideration, a proper sense of the awfulness of the work, which should ever rest upon your mind, will keep you from being elated by your honour, as there is such A possibility of miscarriage, and such a danger of being unfaithful. However, these two considerations will serve mutually to counterbalance each other, and cause you to rejoice before God with trembling.

As you have, no doubt, deeply considered the nature of the work, and counted the cost; and have deliberately chosen your present employment, at the certain loss of every worldly prospect, and at the hazard of your life; permit one who has learned experience on a variety of points connected with a Preacher’s usefulness, and at no ordinary expense either (having had the pain to be often instructed through the medium of his own blunders) to give you the following Advices.

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