Hints and helps in pastoral theology - Plumer - II - Chapter 3 & 4

Required reading
Hints and helps in pastoral theology by William S Plumer (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapters 3 (A call to the ministry) and 4 (The character of a true minister).

My summary
In Chapter 3 Plumer discusses the call to ministry.  Elements of the call include:
(i) a strong and abiding desire for the work springing from a supreme love to Christ;
(ii) a deep and abiding sense of personal weakness and unworthiness;
(iii) a comfortable persuasion that we may yet hope for needed grace and strength;
(iv) a high estimate of the office itself;
(v) the possession of the necessary learning and power of explaining and enforcing truth;
(vi) the consent and approval of God's people;
(vii) leadings of Providence which throw light on Scripture as well as receive light from it;
(viii) a conviction of duty.

Then in Chapter 4 Plumer teaches us about the character of a true minister.  A minister should be:
(i) neat and tidy;
(ii) punctual;
(iii) grave - not a buffoon, not a jester, not a trifler;
(iv) not sour or morose;
(v) industrious;
(vi) prudent;
(vii) wise;
(viii) self-denying;
(ix) kind;
(x) genuine and have fervent piety.

What grabbed me
I always like encouragements to work hard: 'A minister should be industrious. In the sacred office nothing can excuse laziness. Sloth is a reproach to any one, but in a clergyman it is an odious vice. We have a right to hope that God will bless our honest endeavors ; but where has he promised to bless our laziness ? Parker says: "A terrible malediction awaits the indolent minister." Never murder time, or it will one day strike you to the heart. The true spirit of a minister is a spirit of toil. No marvel that the apostle said to his young friend Timothy : " Preach the Word ; be instant in season and out of season ; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine ; watch thou in all things ; endure afflictions ; do the work of an evangelist; make full proof of thy ministry; meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them." This is a mere sample of the urgent terms in which one aged apostolic minister would arouse in a young servant of Christ the spirit of diligence. Whatever health or energy any minister possesses, let him joyfully lay all on the altar of God. '

God does not bless laziness.

Next week's reading
Read Chapters 5 (Benefits of genuine piety) and 6 (Other good fruits of piety).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.