PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

     An apology for publishing a book to ministers of the gospel might be necessary were it not for the fact that the voice of the Spirit and a chain of providences seemed to impress it upon us as a bounden duty. The reading after eminent ministers, for our own profit, was so helpful we felt like passing the good things on to our brethren. In order to lend a freshness to some of the "old corn," we have requested able men of our day to write upon certain subjects. Some responded while others did not and this made it necessary for the writer to take a number of subjects, which he had not originally anticipated.

     There has been no effort at literary merit, or to inspire the ministry to greater oratorical ability, but rather to holiness, faithfulness and effectiveness.

     The supreme importance attached to our sacred calling is best expressed by that prince of preachers, Charles G. Finney, in the following words:

     "Brethren, our preaching will bear its legitimate fruits. If immorality prevails in the land, the fault is ours in a great degree. If there is a decay of conscience, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the public press lacks moral discrimination, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the church is degenerated and worldly, the pulpit is responsible {or it. If the world loses its interest in religion, the pulpit is responsible for it. If Satan rules in our halls of legislation, the pulpit is responsible for it. If our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it. Let us not ignore this fact, my dear brethren; but let us lay it to heart, and be thoroughly awake to our responsibility in respect to the morals of this nation."

     Oh, brethren, let us take these things to heart. Yours for a clean rather than a big work.

     E. E. S.

PREFACE TO THE REVISED, THIRD EDITION

     The unexpected popularity of "Heart Talks to Ministers", calls for a third- edition. And with this we change the title to Heart Talks to Ministers and Christian Workers. The reason for so doing is that many who are not regularly ordained ministers, yet feel called to be soul winners, and this is the class we want to help. Those who are so "set in their ways" as to need no advice are few compared with earnest Christian workers.

     We have abbreviated the matter rendering it so concise and cheap that anyone can have a copy, and beg the reader, whether a clergyman or not, to help circulate the book, by sending marked copies to those who may read and profit by the same. Yours for a clean, rather than a big work.

     E. E. Shelhamer