Vev. W E. Caldwell -g. PREFACE. THE following Letters, addressed to a beloved son in the ministry, have been put to press with the hope that the outline of ministerial and pastoral duties, which I have attempted to sketch for his benefit, may afford some profitable hints to others, who are just entering the sacred profession, or have not been long enough in it to derive a great deal of instruction from the best of all earthly teachers, experience. I cannot forget, that to this number belong several hundred young brethren, in whom I feel a peculiar interest, on account of the relations which we sustained to each other during the Collegiate stage of their preparation for the great work to which God has called them. And frankly to confess, that nothing could gratify me more, than to have each and all of them receive these letters, as from an affectionate father, would only be saying, that this is the light in which I should love to be regarded by them as long as I live. I am not ignorant, that much has been written by men of deep piety, distinguished abilities and large experience, on all the prominent topics embraced in |