"The Call to the Ministry" was taken from the second lecture of Mr. Spurgeon's Lectures to My Students, selections from addresses delivered to the students of The Pastor's College at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, London. Robert Carter & Brothers published the book in New York in 1890.

A cursory inspection of the kind of messages that are coming from modern pulpits seems to suggest that there are many men (and women!) that have answered "the call to ministry" who probably should never have been there in the first place; teaching outright that Scripture is not inerrant, suggesting deficiencies in the nature and character of God, forsaking the infinite glories of God's eternal work through the Cross of Jesus Christ, and etceteras. The observation of Mr. Spurgeon expressed to his students over a century ago is even more appropriate today: "That hundreds have missed their way, and stumbled against a pulpit is sadly evident from the fruitless ministries and decaying churches that surround us." The pastoral ministry is a calling that I take quite seriously and view quite solemnly; and I pray that this edition may be used to minister unto future ministers, if the Lord should tarry.

This updated edition in modern American language has been made available from our ministry. I attempted to stay as true to the original text as possible, making changes in grammar and structure so as to make the reading easier for this day and age. I've used some footnotes to explain certain illustrations or expressions, yet, only where absolutely necessary.