In this classic work, Archibald Alexander addresses those preparing for the ministry, emphasizing the importance of cultivating piety and personal devotion as the foundation for effective service in the sacred office. With clarity and insight, he dispels common misconceptions about the nature of ministerial work, providing practical guidance for those seeking to serve God and their congregations with excellence. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.