Quiet Hints, Chapter 2–"A Mirror for Ministers”

Notes taken from Quiet Hints to Growing Preachers by Charles E. Jefferson, Chapter 2, “A Mirror for Ministers.”

“Probably no other man in the town is subjected to such a constant stream of criticism as the minister, and possibly no other man profits so little by criticism as he.”

“Those who make the fiercest onslaughts on him get in their best work when he is not in sight.”

“An anonymous letter has little healing in its wings.”

“There are in almost every congregation two or three keen-eyed individuals who are determined at all hazards to be ’faithful.’ But these persons are generally as disagreeable as they are faithful.”

Shall some sweet, sane saint call the Pastor aside and tell him gently of his sins? Possibly yes, but it is a hazardous undertaking, as many a saint has long ago discovered.”

“A congregation is at the mercy of a man, who although a minister, may have poor judgment, bad taste, a coarse nature, a blunted conscience, and a fatal gift for saying and doing the wrong thing.”