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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 '. ! n i i Z'^yniiuiiK 1 I I »J > • 9.- -i^ TWIWfe. jsji*- ■ -W«*.*»»«s.- ■ ■ .-37*.J»»r^'-'»B«i*»ai3»~ •'^■M»,i*f»- 1 i THE HERALD OF ZION; BEING A SERIES OF ESSAYS, ADDRESSES, &c.. ■*■ it ^cki'm ^^ ^k^ ^k^kiki} Wm^, I; 1 BY AN ASSOCIATION OF ImBt iWlobist Bmim, CANADA. " Who is sufficient for these things.' « MKI« TORONTO: T/IOMAS CUTTELL ic SON, PRINTERS, KING STREET. 1856. CONTENTS. PAGF. Dedication ^ Revivals of Religion ; an Easay ; by the Rev. James Edgar 5 Intellectual and Spiritual Progress, &c. ; an Essay ; by the Rev. Thomas Crompton 13 Address, delivered at the Ordination of Two Ministers, at the Primitive Methodist Conference, 1856; by the Rev. Thomas Crompton 31 390 S^' 13EDIC^V.TlOIsr. TO MV FAITIirUL AND AITECTIOXATI:: FRIKND, THK llEA-. AVZNX. LYLE, WHOSE CALMNESS IN TUIAL, INFLEXIBLE PERSEVERENCE IN DOING GOOD, AND ADOUNDING CHRISTIAN EXCELLENCIES, HAVE ENDEARED HIM TO THE AT^THOR, JA.MES Eua^n. REVIVALS or HELIGION. AN ES?AY, RFv\D AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST MINIST[-:RS* ASSO- CIATION, HELD AT Hamilton, Ai-ril IUth, 185G. BY KKV. -lAMKS EDOAK. Dear Fathers and Brethren, The advancement of tho Kingilom of Christ is intimately inUTWoven, witli all that is f;roat and good in Morals, Science, and Art, witli all tlijl is {rraiui and sublime in councciion with m m'd higher and clornal interests, that all other .siil)j'-'Cts, tlie dh-covories of Navigators, the achievements of rnilosophers, tiie triumphs of \V;irriors, and the world-wide renown of State:.men, dwindle into in.significance when com;)ared with it. All temporal things are bounded by the horizon of time, liut the interests of the Kedeemor's Kingdom reach on through llie limitless infinilies of eternity. ISince tliiit dread eclip>^e wliich passed Ufmn man in Eden, brutalizing liis natiir?, and devilisinf liis sou!, Revivals of Rcli'iion have been absolutely n.'quisite. The Church has found ihem hualnahle. It must b9 palpably obvioas, to every unprtjiidiced mind, tiiat th.^y meet tiu existing exigencies of tiio Churcli, exigencies every where existing, and, to bj met, ordy by Revivals. Sinners are dead, the electric shocks and trumpet voices of Revivals burst tho catacombs where they are immured, under successive lays of " trespasses and sins," and tlirough the agency of tho Holy Spirit, impart unto them spiritual lite. Sinners are diseased, Revivals impart a hcahhy action to all the functions of their souls, pure their corrup- lions, and infuse new vigour into their spirits. SiiMiers ar© 6 cnsluvrd, Rovivah bronk tlie iron ycko, snap tii« f.-ftors, dissolve tlie infltumce which cii(WebIo.s thrm. and sot ihcin nl I'hcrty. Sinners hnng on the gossairu-r thread of life, within iht; hii;,'o jiw.s of destruction, Uevivnls stretch ont '.heir loi.^r, stroni,' arms and hli them from th<' very marrrin of the hmokin;: pit. Never wxro exigencies ho important, never were they .so fully met. Uv/o cu.i rninpiite lltr ralnr nf the blcay.hi^s Rrilvnls rmif-r? What is if, to Jiave one's sins all hlottrj out, all lorniv.-t. .' NVhat is it, to ha introduced into the '• family of (mkI," and l-'Tome :\ Ienr;timate member tiioreof ? What is it, lo have the ■■'"111 wa.M I, .sannitied, made holy? W|„it is it, to be " more than Conq-erer," in thf? di-aih cn-.Tiici ? What is it, to be n-hored into, and become one (,f, tlie siiiloss inhabitants of heavf n ? Vv at is it, to rrilect the -iory of God, not as the m.on refl 'Ms Jho sun, but to absorb that glory, to li ive tho j:'oiy of Cod liin^rtlio sold to ov. illtwiiij,' ? What is it, to be fanned wil." ' iho z-^pl'srs re- il vl v.iMi the edoiirs, and tvan-iporttd ui'i lh,> aniiiems of the " N'uvv J.Tusalem" ? What i^ It. t , b- 111 h ir, a joint hiir, wi'h Je.'-ins Chri.^l/ 'i'tll w-* jT'savfd oi;,syo iiihabil.uits o f tl: lo.-t 's ro-rrvid in lire, :i!>, tt 11 lis what V"U n|)[)er Eden, tell iim, ol' tl.o ;:I,,ries \'!iicli envelr.pj you. ,.;' the srJi,-.fucli<.n yoii eiijny, of t.';,^ di :niii 's uiih whxli yc.ii are v.t..;!, of (ho >fi!riidMiir, the I! i-iiili/ence, by whb: h yon aro -iirn.inided, «i"l "f t'.-^ •• AR :,ioi;r:, ];X(Ji:i:;>l.\G, IlJ'j-ilNAL, Wr:j(i!iT (iV ( L(.i:V." which yrn fnr>verei,;oy, ihronoh m'\i;is of u, \i-,-.'iis ? Toll lis, yi — ciivel.) ;( 1 i^!i isi- of tlie pit ; vo l.'vel,.-.!, l,y n-* yi'ldinj. to the i.^l,; nee of Revivals? Could we take ih • sieandinus (,f ;li;- •• J.;:ko of fiiv," ascertain tiie nature of the " second death,'" r.m! c ^mpiehend that incorn- pr^hensible calamity, the loss of li,.^ :oi;l, (hen, but not till tli -n, could we ascertain the vaiuc u( luc blctsiiers hccurcd by Revivals of Religion. TiiP)-'^ is a rr juisifcrip.ts for Rm'iafs, liight and heat, nutriment and atino>^phere, ore not more fb^isntial to man's physical develupement, than Revivals to save hiH soul. The nature of man bcinp opposed to «pirit- u«litv, cliniTinfT with deatli-like tenacity to ii.i.inity. it requires mnro'tlmnl.Minui amMicy, to iivluce hitnio iot ^o \m Imld. Sin has warped llie atrections, biased the judgement, beuiMer- cd tho intellect, shipwrecked the hoi.I, a.ul h-tl the nnrnT str.n.hul on the barren rocks of dcsohuinn, where be cannot help himself. No iMmvm >eI.n,.liMrr can alter man's nr.turr , no PhiU.sophical ncinnrii eui T>-ni\Mc his inlelloct, no eon.i.inalion ot tirort, ap:irt Iruin Divine nueucy, can save him ln,m inipemlin- ruin. Thn ties, wliich uniied man lo his (ind have b. . i. .m vend, the coup'.ir-^, which join.d him to piiriiy and li- av.m, have been loosed, an I h- n')'v hurries ih.u\ llie inclined pi. .11 - n[ iniq-iity 10 it-: feart'.l Icrihiiiiai.-n— ti.e niid-nijli: .^liadis of everlaslin},' ylooni. Til" 'jreat tni-ier-spiili of iiiijUiiy, e.\. rts all ins one tovv.-rinuC but now pn),'iiu;.'d lal.Mil-, h> hinder llie advaneem-nlr.f CIpIm',. Ki i-'lom, a;il nr.nr. !,•/.■ its ii.lb.- ence. Frr(|:u;:l!y has he secirrd hniiian iLHriin.eiitalUy to assist him in ihi- bll-wnrk, and [*ar;,a;n •.,!> and Armies have l,..entlius emjil.y.d. Tho infernal cabin, t n.viT di-cnssed a t^. 'I'ho .ipas of indifil ren-e limn i-^he. lierc. Till' ni'jht-indeof worldly mindedne^s iia~ (i.rra-e.l itsn.-.rcotic imaienee, Iroin cartii's centre to i;s cir. luni Tmice. Selii^h- ness, ihf jutitjeriiaut of the Cliri-tiiii world, hr.s earth fer its Temple, and lecminj: millions for its wnrsmpi'ers. Fuhliion, the petenl (ioddess waves he." gilded wand, and her liosta of votaries yield a blind submi^son. Specnlaiion piofTers its golden iiand to the mass, poin's them to lie- Kly.-ian bowers which wealili creates, and the sensual paradise, which 8 its favourites enjoy. All these are exerting their influence, and it is directlv opposed to piety. The deadly malaria which moves on tl:o vviiijjd of Death, is not more destructive to the animal organization, than trie atmosphere of tl.e world, to spirituality. Are not Revivals requisite? In the great- ness of her folly, the Church has, at times, tried to do without them, — vain attempt ! Egypt would as soon flourish without the Nile, vegetation progress without sun-light and showers, iiiiman life exist without oxygen, as the Church piogress without Revivals. It is equally true, that no substitutes can he found for tiiem. State endowments, splendid and cos.ly edifices, overwhelming and weahliy congregations, a talented and popular Ministry, and the contributions, of Art and Scii'iice, can no more \it;ilize the(>liiirch, and save souls, than roses scatt'Mod on a corpse, can cause the pulse of health again to llirob in the arterial sysiom. The wjlnence tf Rriica's ).s Divine. There is a Divinity in them, occur when they may, a powe? attends them, mthiiig le.-s than omnipotent. Psychology attributes tli! ir iniluoncc to the power of man's mind. We know hotter, the j)()\ver that spread out the u.iiverse, that jiiled the hcavc'is. is present in Revivals, and nothing short of that power can save souls. The spirit u hich brooded over tJic sahle ciiaos of our world at its creation, is the same, that hroods over the terri'ole mid-nig!it, in tho sinner's soul, ilhiminating tliat flight ful ahyss — tho unregonerato heart, and revealing its complete depraviiy. Is it pos-i!;le to have such an agency and innnonci.', in active operation, without tho highest advan- tage ? Cirtainly not. Tlie bem fit secured in tiic transfor- mation of mini! or spirit, and its assimilation into the Divine nature. The prison house of the sinner's soul is hroken open when the spirit descends, the dragon of his heart falls, tho hell-priests are expelled ; a new creation lakes place, and the fe|)irit, which was gravitating to hell, with fearful veloci'y, is re- stored to its proper orbit, and attracted to God a.s its true centre. I 9 What an admirable work! llow worthy of Ciod! The material crpation was sublime, when the giant mountains raised their lofty heads and leaned against the .sky, when the the sun first poured his golden flood over hill and sea; uh.n mii-ic floated on every zophyr, when happiness and buauty were every where present, and "when the morning ^lur. .^un- t.>-Kh,T, and the sons of God shouted for joy/' Ji'.u lu-w nu.ca more ''loriuus the '• new crealicir' in the soul / Ti,o cuukir-s of iniquity vanishes at the presence of the yymi; chiius becomes order, deformity is turned into h •uuiy, nn^ery is exchunrred for happiness, and the mind, as d.'lir.uU of i)iety, as is Saham ,f vegetation, blossoms with the verdure ot ui.dying existence, and the spirit formerly an out-CM.t troui .od, lit only for the "outer darkness," now rell.cts the glory ot heaven, bears the image of tie Eternal, and enters u;>on a destiny, as high and lasting, as God can make it. It inust b.^ plain that the benefits accruing to the Church, nn earth and in heavon, from Revivals of Religion, ar. hKalculahk. A cunununrv ul.ich enjoys the descent ol tii. Holy Spirit, obtains an dova.ion not to be socured by ai,y ouier means At such times, God comes down fr .m ti.o h- r.vons, and dispenses the blessings of his grace ui;i. a po^u, .aiily b-'com- in- himself. Distance, previously exislii.g, is niuovrd, and man ascends the Tabor of communi.ni, meets his mak.'r, and has fellowship, the same in nature, as that enj-yed by the " gloriiied throng." The people of the Saviour, while enjoy- in.r a season of revivals, feel in a peculiar sense the gates of he^aven open, and the celestial stream of h<.ly iniluence descends upon them, xiUing their hearts to overilowing. At such times, the weak become strong, the tiniid brave, the disconnected united, the retiring forward ; one chases " a thousand and two puts ten thousand to il.ght." To enumerate Ihe blessinas then received or describe their value, would be as wise, as'to attempt to number the sands, which girdle the Pacific, or tell the worth of the jewels, in the saint's " crown of life." We should not forget, that heaven lakes part, 10 and the greatest part, in the assault made on the " powers of darkness," when revivals take place ; and also shares in the triumph when success is securtd. A fresh impetus is then given to the pulse of joy in heaven, and its vibrations are felt at the farthest extremes of that blessed world. Not an order of being, from the spirit of the thief, saved at calvary, when Jesus died, to the liij^^h arcli-angel next the throne of the Eternal, but is thrilled with transport when sinners are saved. No otlior event calls forth such joy, exacts such tributes of praise, or is deemed so important. The launching forth of a inag[iitic( lU world, with all its appiirtenancesj bright and fresh from the hands of its Creator, would beget joy and gladness among the sinless angels of God, but not such higii, and ever increasing joy, as takes place when souls, are rescued from the indescribable wretchedness of the " second diath." It, therefore, becomes a serious and most important enquiry, what can be done to secure Revivals OF Religion ? There is a qualification, ministers and mejnhers must have to insure success, strikingly expressed in a single word — " lIOlilNHSS," without which, little car be accomplished. When the C'li;irch becomes holy, and Ministers holy, souls will bo saved, by hundreds and thousands. It is requisitei absolutely rxiuisitc, that both should be holy. A holy minister and an unholy Cl.'urch can accomplish Httl", because they are divided. The time which should be spent in " cryings and tears," lor God to save, is spent in questioning the propri- ety of such high toned piety, and so much ado about religion, Siitan gets the advantage, keeps it, rnd succeeds in ruining souls. In many cases, members in the Cliurch are quite in advance of the Minister, in piety ; consequently, the union of soul requisite to insure success cannot be obtained, and souls remain unsaved. But the unholy Minister is responsible to God, for standing in the way of sinners' salvation, and so is the unholy Church. The curse of excommunication, from the lips of the august Judge, will tell the degree of guilt 11 incured by both parties, and the ever echoing thunder-waib of damned souls will proclaim its extent. There is a cold heartrd ciuelty, a criminality in hindering, d»recily or indi- rectly, the work of God, which we at present do not comprehend, may be. cannot. The great want of the Church is Iloliness !— Holiness ! We do not want so much to cultivaie tlie minds, as the hearts. It is well to have a pure style, it is belter to have a pure soul} the one is an accomplishment, the other a necessity. The most uselul men have been the most holy. Clowes and Morgan, Bramwcll and Smith, Finney and Caughey, men who have taken high ground in religion, have been eminently iuccessful in promoting Revivals. God has put an inseperable connection between holiness and usefulness, and we cannot divide them. We are peculiarly circumstanced, and our accountability is most momentous. The grave is fattening on sinners' bodies, and hell is echoing with their groans. What shall wc do ? Sit silently by and enjoy ourselves, and congratulate ourselves on being safe ? God forbid it. Christ forbid it. What shall we do ? Mourn over past failures, and question the propriety of future eflforts ? Heaven and the Bible say, No I The cries of the dying sinner, and the triumphs of the expiring saint, bid us, go on. Hell with its groans, and heaven with its arth ns, bid us, go on. Jesus from the cross and the throne, bids us, go on. Time, with its vicissitudes, and eternity, with its solemnities, bid us, go on. And we will,— proclaiming, while living, and testifying, when dying, that Jesus " IS ABLE TO SAVE UNTO THE UTTERMOST ALL THEM TiL\T COME UNTO GOD BY HIM." « INTELLECTUAL AND SPIRITUAL Substrbicnt to llinisttml $mtss. AN ESSAY, RKAD AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST MINISTERS' ASSO- CIATION, HELD AT Hamilton, April 10th, 1856. BY REV. THOMAS CROMPTON. Mr DEAR Brethren, — % You will be aware, that the subject we have to consider is '= Intellectual and spiritual progress subservient to Ministe- rial success." I moht sincerely wish the task had fallen inlo better hands than mine; and though I much dislike apologies, I may be allowed to state, that for some months past, such have been my eiigagements, that I have felt really straitened for time to prepare my thoughts on this subject, in the manner I desired. You will, however, I believe, take kindly and in- dulgently what may be advanced. Our subject is divisible into three parts :— first, mental pro* gress ; secondly, spiritual progress ; and thirdly, the subser- viency of such progress to ministerial success. Pirsl, — Mental Pkogress. \ou will, I presume, readily acquiesce to the sentiment that mind is the glory of man. Wo also know that mind is that which places liitn at the top of all earthly existence, and makes him the connecting link between the purely spiritual and the material parts of the universe. Mind possesses do- minion over matter, and often over circumstances ; and hence 2 14 material objects, and the circumstantial occurences that take place among men, as the mind comes into contact with them, ore made to adminisster to our instruction ; while facts that have been adduced, and tJioughts shaped and uttered by other minds, can be taken up by our minds, and consecrated to the purposes of their ever onward progress. Wiien mind is al- lowed free scope, and induced to put forth its powers, it shows itself possessed of powers <pd judgment, which produces conviction, and elicits thought - I gained : but it is wen w j (eelings, and yet do „„y produce a groat ""P'-^'Xf^ inl» vifh "C producinR liulegood. We may '-P-- ^^^ f^^^,„j i^ .0 bring u.lo . deeply inlaid conv.uon^ 1 1 eg- ^^^^^ ^^ ^_^^.^^^^^___ aclion the ilnnking faculty m a n, i„j„,„ent; and it ,„, t„e -Jer,tnnding a,,a c„„vt„c,n^^e^^.^ ^^^^ „e can ,hu,, influence >'- -» ° ^^ „^ „„,„ querent ele- f„, trutl,, for man, for Cod I > o^J and the beautiful _a„d that make I'"" '»" " ' „„i,h we may gain acce,, „„ be enlisted a» '"' '- ';„^J „ ,„ „ture, that by the to, and work upon, h,=, '" " ""„, „, „,eat and lasting proft „se of them, we can be the means o. t _^^^ „, him ; and yC at the »a.ne ttme, we ,.„.s^n .^^ ^.^_ ,Ho heart i» ^/'""^r-l'^H e! d .mprovem.'.t, that our Z: f::r.l.d -.t: may be Uld under cuUivation to the creates! use. , „ ,„wlv our own mental pecuhan- It is highly tmportanl to f'"')' °" j j, ^^.e ,heir , ,ie». The greatest, as well as the la ™^ ^,^_, ^"r:rVhl«r:trnrraryfn,edo„eman ;:rk::doT:ork,at.d aether f.^^^^^^^^^ ,U„,i„nal,.v endowed .^ <- „,trLp,j;.en,e„t for which U,tal neglect of •l'""'' " ,i,„do ; as, sometime, we may not posses, . great n=,u P ^^^^ „ ^^^^^^ diligent perseverance makes "P J j^.^ Acuities : an .re, for example, the reasonmg •"" "S'™'; „j„,, . p„Hi.. Kcerlained defect of imas.nat.on should not I 18 .pcakor to despair, but rather stimulate him to supply hia want by cuhivalion. thai he may be aided t > adorn the rugged palhs of research, and render attrac.ive the hard and dry Leveriiies of argument : and a consciousness of some wnbe- rility in the power of reasonHig, and an o.xch.sive tendency t<. what is brilliant and imaginalive, should induce h.m to aun a ,|,e due adj.^tment of those rcspec.iv. claims tint wh.t s .merely m.n'tal and illustrative, m:iy not supercede what Bulid and cssiMilial. ' As to olh.r mr^auH to b. used, for tl.e purpose of mental progress, we mnv p.st sny, that a s,.int of inqu.ry, to collect Lr. o„h.r info). nation, and know p^.->ing events : hab.ts of ol=:.rva,ion, to notice ohjocts and occurrences around ; i,„Prc<.ursc with nu-n ', and readir.,^ some of 'l"" l^^;'^ " boohs ; are ways and means by which ,o ,>bta,n -•' ^nals for .nental progress. But i-quiry, observation readn g and That el^, ;ill not be of much benetU, if t e muu ^o no concentrate thought on the things we thus gather. >\ hat s ,,,,„i.ed, as m.MUal food, must enter into the nandand^^ digested bv thought, if it be of much servu^e f a man ,.; not trau.ed to think, he may know a great deal w.hou loin, wise : he n,ay be a learned fonl. W.sdom ,s the ngh ap lu..ion and wise exercise of knowledge. Knowledge ,„ay have for its ol,.ct, facts and truth., or mere suppos.- r.onl and nnaginatiuus ; and thus it n.ay be euher true or ;;, .ood or%ad ; and may lead eith.r to fo y or w.sdom. The e;.nnot bo wi.iom without knowledge ; but there may b. n.uch kr.owledgo without wisdon.. In order to make men- :i;Less,wemu,tthink;and the di.criminaung (acuity nu^. be exorcised. True mental p,..gress does not only r::U::c,.isitions, but the right use of those acqm^^^^^^ by the mind. A person may gather much, and ret .u it, 1 unless what he gathers enters into his intellectua be.n Wtho exercise of thought, memory w.U resomble a great liber room : the process of thought shou d ma e thes^ colkcted-storc. form a part of our intoUectual-.elves. Hovr 19 ,i,out'i.> "f" 'I"""' "'"" .!, rao,i"i- Ti.i»is ■"'■"•■"'J c„„m tim- »1...„ .l-y ' "^ ,,.^ „„, ,„.k„ ,„e of „„„„1., ..r ..,.r-«- ■"-;;'■„,„ ,„„,. ui ..l,.,.nM«.., or ,,„„,,„„. ..n-'v ". -Inch V ^^ „,.,„„r..w. Our c„„v,r«uiM,s -»"-■;""'. I hM .r.'.uy.oFe- ,id, uvcr.hu, ..■.».". »"Jg'">'^' ,„„^. ,„ .„iJ ,„ live Ae. Tl,», n,nn, in ,nr,,nn.."«n<--;^^;,^,^, ,,,,„,,,,,, .rough ,„o vvorlJi. o,.e, ,.f 'l'""S'" ■; " „„.ay. U"' »" 1""^" , '„ „,„k, ..„>l hi» l'a«'"S ,o,y I.To,e : life '» I"™ ''^'" ' ,^ ^|„„„ ; ,,,,.1 if, when on , ,o„sh i> li'- n >c»P -" »" =' ; vac:,,,., echo «n»woT, . 1>M„U, 1,0 cri«, what •* i- '« ' , „,• regard. because he h„. ih'-t'l'' "'"'"■:,, ■ li.ey a.e "Id "' '="'"'" ,„e .en. hc,ul, a., - ^^ pursnhs, hecau-e .1,0) ..-e ,.^.^ ,„ ,,„,, ,„„p,«., by „,„„„,„ a.,d ,rac..ee. V ^J ^^ ^ _^_,^„„ ,„ ,„„. uclion. i "ii* '* Tho caUiV'i'H^n of Itie ,eartisofm..e importance tn^ .^^.^^ ^^ ^i,.,,,^ word, of Solomon may have sp.cui pi 4 20 of rcli^rion : " Kor,, thy hrarf with all diligenM, for out of it are the i.sues ol 1,1,.." We genorallv a..ume thai .ho8e who PspotiHo thn n.M.i.tt.rial oilicp, and toach poople the things of CJo-l, a.,, vnhi.vt. of suhsianiial piety: but there have been many sa.l in^t»Mu•rs .,f r.liirious (h-f. cton even in inininters ; mid il..'r.- is danj-er <.C Lcinfr .v,, much occupied re.pectin^r the' welKbfiri;r of oilicrs, us not (ully to secure our own. Wo may seirri, tli.' Sciptiires ; siu ly nnd preach for the good ol o.ir (. linw-nnn, and at (ho >anio time fail in haviiijr a pro- perannin tiioM" sacrrd i-.\er,i,,.s to our own spiritual im- provcni.Mii : ue may f.il in prfssing the truths we preach to others up..,, our own he irts ; and we may come short of re.•liizinL^ in our own cxpcriL-nco, the salvalioii we oirer by the <;os,,r| to ilu-.e vvlio hear us. If any cla^s of men need (;.MJ\ nr„r,« ,nur.. than aiioilier, Minisfors do ; ihat they may boih >avr ih.rn.vclvts, and llio.ve to whom they minister ihe- Wcrd (it lite. W'c >\umU\ 1)0 sure nf a iliomnpl, work of saving grace in our oun h.-aits. We all bvl.eve it is an awful thing to be a mrre pr. f .>sor cf reli^rio,, : it i,, the assumption of a charac- ter by p'T.>ons. that does not belong to them : it is the taking a religinns pr.,res>ion for unh.Jy ends. But, bad as this is, il is mudi w()r>e (o bo nn-nisters of the gospel, without having aa J.carNlcli e.vptrience of the religion we preach to others.. A man ,n:i> know the Scriptures— may serve God at hid altar, a.id hi. |,(o may be devoted to promote the institntjous and purposes of religion, and he may not have come to a real knnwlrdirn of the truih: he may be, all the while, short of realizu.g .he end of roligioM in himself; yea, he may turn ih very ordinances of God into means of self-delusion. And thefanhlui U:.xtcr, when speaking of a graceless minister, snys, " l)..ih it n..t make you tremble wh.'n you open the Bible, lost you should read there the sentence of your own conden.na.ion ? When you pen your sermons, little do you tlnnk yo., are drawmg up indictments against your own souls ^Abeu yuu are arguing a;.ii„st sin, you are aggravating vour 21 own. VVlion you proclaim to your licar. is ilic t'icUch .f riirist anil ;,'raco, you publish your .'Wii iii.ji.iiy in f'J"<'""f,' tlipm, aiiii Hi't yn Mpnak all this to your own ooiifu-iMi). " ] • n in' nlimi |m H. ynu nuMiiioii vour own iiihcri:aiicn : jt you drscribe tli" V'Vrt of hoavcn, you cicMCri!)" your inis^ry, lh.it |,;i v i:m ri'iLi to ii. What can you devise to .say, for tla- iu"-t p -n, I ui iiw.ll he arrainst your own souls? Oii ! ini-ciah!.- iih", lim a wmi should study and preach aj^'aiiisl hnn-i'ir. :iii I -;>. imI ;iI1 hin days in a ccuric of M'll'-coiidt.-innin!jf 1"' W ^ hl.uu'd ^Imtiilcr at tht3 bar.' idea ol being <:ra(ilr.-s pidtelait-; imd, aLso, troinblc at the thoii^iit of very meagre rli^inu^ ^^•. r, iice. Wluii we |)rr,'i('i on the nature, evidi iie-s. ;:iiii Iruus of reTcneration, let iiich.irge those vital tri-.;hs ol our imly reli- 'non home to our own hoM)uis ; and lei us pie^s the (pi"fsiioii iff closely to our coiiscieiices — wiule wc mike lo .nii lujit to soften down its voi';e — have we in possession now tiie jrracc that has renewed our hearts? Not were we oi.ce saved, hut are wo saved now, and do we stand at ihe pn-r-ni time in a state of coin[)lete acceptance with (loil ? ILive we now tiio full-orbed light of his reconciled face ; and are tiiiT', i:i our experience and character, tlie blessed evidenc "s ol leli^iou.s life and power. It is this experience of the thinnrs of Cod, — this substantial piety, that should -anctify our studies, our -piiii, our hibr.urs, and all our aims : tiiis should he the impure by which wc move in the patii of ministerial eH'orl. 'i'l.is is necessary to be in us, as a divine artlutus, to aelu.ite, peueirate, and energize our souls. The experience of povj,el prace, in its fulness, power, and glory ; and to know it as a constant, livina: reality, is absolutely necessary, to constitute a true and faithful minister ; and without this, nothing in the world can make his work a pleasure. Whatever a nynister koowa, 22 or knows not of lan-ua^ro, science, hi-tory, or literature- whatever he knows, or knows nol of matter or mind, he must know (iod iu Chri,t. All hin studies should lead to God. " lii-s ph.VMoand m.Mnphy.sics .shnuld he reduced to an experi- .nont.l th. .,.o,y,. Wi.,, ,,i„ ^^.^■^ ^^,j ^,^^, ,^.„^^^.,^j^^ J^^^ "'='■""'" '"' '"-^ "ot l.arnrd Chri.t ? To know God-to *'.'ve ChM^t ,n th. I,.art, and to experience the living, wit- "■-■S.M.IO-, .sM.ciifvin^r Spirifs inlluence, i>, ue all know, an essential ch.mom, to f.rm a ri^dit niiniMerial character ; and r'ifherthiutiut any minister bo long without this, it would he much hrMt.r, both fur him and the Church, that he leave llie work of the ministry fur holier hands to do. Am intrilectnal and learned ministrv is the call of some p..n,nn. of the Church at the present day : hut however im- p-riaut Mrenoth of ii,tellect and learnin-. may be. they can •".ly.sub.servo the end. of the Chriaian ministry as they are sancfhed hy rehgion ; for without it, those very qualifications wmch are m.de of such high account, might be employed ^linmst the vicil and cvperim-^ntal doctrines of the gospel. J 1.0 reM)urces of mind a.id learning cannot thoroughly be laid under contribution to pmmoto spiritual religion, if it be rn.ta matter of experience ; and they will only be used to thatgreateed, in proportion as it is enjoyed. Hence, how necessary th.u ministers not only be partakers of saving ^race, but that they enjoy it in its fulness. The ministry is a vvork worthy of the greatest powers of mir.d, and of the a^^med, rather than a |,o!y ministry, is the call of .he ^ "urch. I, liHs were to be the general aim of both Ministers and people, ,t would prove both the Churclrs and the world's 4?reatest curse. W|nle we would be second to none in plac.g a proper estimate upon n.ental ability in ministers yet, we boheve if ever the time comes when intellectual and luerary talents are sought, as the almo.t exclusive qualifica- tions fur the Christian mini.try,_when m.nd is looked for more than grace,-thc education of the head more than that •23 cf the heart -a«d uhen learning is i lizod to iLc tliscslrom of 8ub..nmial pietv, ii will I'C woo to iho true wlory and life of the Church. Ucrm:iuy is now cur-td wuh a learncc, hocausc, to a i?real extent, it i. a grao-le,^ and vifiJd nan- isiry We liuve only to look at Gc^rnum Nct^o-y, h r abundant proof uf the ^ad cllects of unsanctitiod talent and l..arnin<-, with re-p-ct to sound tlieolofry v.m\ spir^tnal ren- „ion. Ve sinccrrly rnul earnestly hop-, thai bo-.ii by our- selves and onr prnpl,, wl/iho resp'ctaUc mlont U properly regarded, in connection with tlie mini-try, that t!.e evaiijie - i^rnof the heart u, 11 ever b.o coi-idrre.i, above everythmj; rise, as the ^roat c-rrti.l to mipi>teri:a call and statu. H.non.-st 7^. ; for if there be not thi-'. inwrrd eva-'-zcli^m, nowr ran we expect an Lighly-lonrd cvangeli=m of iniluencc and labour ? But. in a.lJition to ihii spiritual state of mind, we on^^lit to make spiritual pro-re.s. Tliough religion is always one thin^-invari ably a.d unalTectcdly the saine, yet we believe or.r Ixfcri^ncc of it should bo proi;rcs.ice. We liavc alre-.iy ^i)own rliat pcr^onal j.icty is a nece^s^ry quaiificalion for the miuistcnal ofiiee ; and if .0, the more deep, lively, thorougli, and projrrPssive i ■> llic c.x-rcise of it \u our heart., the belter it will be foroursMvcsnud tie pnopb of our char-e ; and the more will t!)C true di-ni^y of onr caliirjT be sustained. L's- pecially are wo, who are ^et apart to the work of promot- i-.-r the intcrosts of the Church, called upon to prove tlie deep things of Cod. It it 1- ib-^ dn'y of Cliristians in peneral to " grow in cr^.co," if is most ciMnhuically our duty ; if thrv are to " Uwo the llrol principles of the doc- trine of Christ, and ^ro on to pprfeclion," Kich ov.ght to be our conduct ; if they mu^t bo exiiorted and stimnUUed to " press towards the mark" of vif:l liolinoss, :.nd " be filled with the Spirit,-' Mirclv that should be a lively icality ni our own experience. I.-l r,=, drnr bmhrrr, lament our religious mea'-rencss: let us mourn over our comparalive distance O 24 from God : let us regret that our studies and Bible readings liQve been to much merely professional, as a means of en* liyhteninjr, persuadintr, molting, and renovatin^r others, while our hearts have been too liule imbued and baptized by the Holy Spirit. " Although we have eiierjry, and elo- quence, and fluency, and fervency, and all tjie external qualities w liicii seem lo cd;ipt us to the ministry of the Word, il may be, (iod ^^ccs many a poor old w )man, in some retired cottage, in whom the qnalilication of pure, deep, heavenly, minded pioty, personal and pervading, dwells more richly" than in uh, his ministering servants. Let us stir ourselves up to a elosor walk with God tha.i we have hitherto expp- rienced, and at once press on to rich religious enjoyments. We say to our people, there is a fulness before you, the depths, and heights, and Iciioihs, and breadlhs of which cannot be measured. Wo tell them, on the authority of God's word, " Blessed are they which do hunj^er and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled" ; we tell them, to "ask and receive, that their joys may be full ; to seek, and find, and knock, that the door may be opened" : we tell them to " add to their faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and lo knowledge temperance, and to fempeiancs patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity ; ai:d to let these things bo in them and abound, that they may not bo unfruitful in tlie knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ" ; ai'd we say, with Paul, " Tiie veiy Ccd of peace sanctify you wholly, and make you' increase and abound in love, to the end lie may stablish your hearts unblamable m holiness." And ns we preach this 'o others, it is our privil'^r^e lo prove it in our own experience. If such bo our people's privilege, it is our's ; aiid if it bo their duty, it is our's more so ; because the irfluenco of our posi- tion a. id eharacler is much greater than thcir's. If our per- sonal piciy bo not progressive, onr zeal and energy will languish ; inasmuch as iho work of t:;e ministry cannot be fcubtained by mere e.\nic:i:cnt. A ^liniiicr's" heart and 25 Up. „«d fr«,"»t T.-lo«ch.. wUh li,.-co.l. from Ih. Ju, of God. TKirdlv-^Ve must now briefly notice the SuBS£KVtEKCT Thtrd/y.— vvem spiritual Progress to Miwa- oF Intellectual ard &pibituai. » TERiAL Success. TM, progr«» iB of gre»t imporUnce .0 any cl... of men , .„d e J^cially n.u,l it be so to miuislers of >el,g,o„ -meo , !.^H h the lofiie.t position in »ociety,-men who hav. who BUnd u. the loll e«po ^1^^^^ „ deal with the mtnd -'^ ^"Jt "l 'he . ^^^^^ .^ ri:^e:.r"™" ^""' »-^ • -:-" .r • 1 very P- "l""" "f '"'"^ '"^^'^ °"'"' '" '^TI^lZ' rumsunces of hia career ; and without progresa„e advance- lenta he things of God, his int.liec.u.1 efTort.. however rr,h,i, o2r%r d,^p and wide their range, must lack . iStlct: .nd.Ufe which »"' ^ «>--- f — nar^tively little profit to the generality of men. But bright rnteligeuce and deep pieiy combined -, mental "^-S-h ■"* ente devoteduess to G„d united in a minister; will eminently ml for his work, and enable him to wield 'he -ord » U e p™ri. so dexlerou ,ly, and with such precision of aim, hat eZ more or |o»s, be successfulin hi. work; but if h. ;: ,r^ss«s .nose q-alihcations in some considerable degree. he will l>e weak as anoiher man. The work of ihe ministry is one in which the whole m«n .honld be tasked.-the intellect and its faculties the mmd and t treasurv, tl>e heart with its emotions and sympath.e . kll endowment, and uU acquirements, mental and spmtua . n,,y be laid under contribution to ministerial success. What- Tver a mini:.er-s opponunitics for usefulness may be, he only can be successful in proportion as he possesses power for that end ; and assuming that he has roqn.Mte physical strength, according to his intellectual and spiritual progress, he atfuius power in the fu.t place to exhibit and entorce the trtilfc, while the power of religion in his own heart, his deep solicitude for success, and the power of the Holy Spirit which be carries with him, combine, with the power of intellect, to accomplish the great good contemplated by the christian ministry. A minister who is not acting as he ought is every day throwing away a portion of power, and wasting his mental 'and spirttnal self. As in nature end art external effects spring from invisible causes, 80 it is respecting the results of ministei '^bour. Every stream has its source. A house is first ere • a 1 1 the mind and then outwardly upon the solid earth. In every thhof -the ideal begets the actual ; invisible power produces visible results, principle developes itself in outward manifestation. A Minister having to do with the minds and hearts of men, it is only as he exercises mental or spiritual power, or both, that he can see the results of his labours in souls renewed, and in an aagmented and built up Church. By the use of this inward power he beholds outward effects, which redound to the glory of God and the good of man. The interests of ilie church require uncommon intellectual ability, at least in some of its ajjents ; but if a minister have no more than ordinary power of mind, he may, and ought to unite good common sense and ordinary intelligence with deep spiritual unction ; and if this power be diligently and zealously appiitd, he may, under God, be blessedly succeasful be"»f ' «,^^'-J:„r». «UhG.-l-. .»dwo „ill be so mm, h"""*™ ^ . ^U prc«ncMh.mber, .h.U eome f-om the f ""'J, ';" oar preachi,,. will no. hagrantwi* the "J"'" ° , .Xrforma.ce. : but our warm be ,heer tbeorizu.g a„d .«1"«1 P°" ^,,^.„, f,„„ the hearts will po«r out »avmg truth mgu g ^^^^^^ ^.„ '-""'I r'- byTsalThr y tXclua, .ymboU era once not be held up by us as ne ° > , nutrimi'nt and great reality, but as 'h; ;»" -"i;, , . ^„ by .,1 who Spiritual purity-present =Ureauyo. y^^^^^^^ ^.^_ ^ ^^ believe. Our «-'" '° 'f ^.tac.er of messengers of God. .ngeU- vis,ls, and n *J ^"^ f ueadless and useless ,„ fine, our work vv.ll """« ""^ "^j ,, ,„ ,ver progressive f„™alities ■, but -"^- ' „\:rLimo„y in its behalf, not U,ing, we shall be e""" ^^'o f experience, saying. r:c:erveisra,:[^rw^conh----'-" Much in the way of ,e„ U "J^-^tlif tr pu^ eyes are upon thorn, n, P" "^ 7„„/.,^.,y, ,o see what „„d in the social e.rcle • and h.s s no,^,^^ ^ y^.^ ^^^^^^^^^^^ excellencies shu,e '» '^^"'; »™ f„|i„«, and then magnify butsomctin,es,.o ^f ^ "^c ^ ,o e Jalterns of goodness. U,en,. Minsters «- - ^ ed ^p ^ ^^^^^^^_ ^^. .^^ fervency, pur.iy. 1 te> "= «^P ^ ^,„^j „ ,ead in the devoted, self-denying, holy. 1 "ej J j^^j „( way of -Sonerauon and ho " - A ;^^^„,„j „,i,b is „,„isterial piety too h ghj s < ^^_^^ ^^^^ ^.^^^^^^ ^^ .e. up in the -"''^ ''"^^ ^ ,, -„l,,e». to the character conscience prescr be I And ; ^^^ ^^^_^^.^ .^_^^,^.^,, t":. ;;:'1:m bl'llS'Le. .eal. spirituality. hnmiUt, . 28 as it were the personification of all these qualities. Religion in its' briglitest and best traits should be wrought in our natures : shcild become part of ourselves. If it be possible, we should be as Christ was, religion incarnate." Our people are likely to be affected by the frame of our minds. If we are dry and savourless we shall not be the means of producing much warmth of religious feeling in our congregations. When our hearts are cold our preaching will be cold. When we live at an awful distance from God, we shall be unable to bring our hearers forward to high toned piety. But they will feel the influence of our close inter- course wiih God. Our deeply imbrued f'pirits will be felt through the whole sphere of our operations. It will breathe in the pulpit, and be everywhere ditl'usive, pervading all our duties and labours. Then we shall awaken others to a right appreciation of their " high Christian privilege ;" we shall lead them into the holy of holies and near the throne, that their life may be hid with Christ in God : we shall conduct them into the possession of the goodly land of chrisiian heritage, with its green pastures, refreshing streams, and clusters of fruit, and its milk and honey, corn, and wine. If our "fellowship is with the Father, and witli his son Jesus Christ," we nr.ay say to thosp whom we have begotten in the gospel. " Be ye followers of us as dear children." And the power of religion in the ministry exerts itself, not only to the edification of the Church, but to the conversion of souls. The holiest men among Chri^tion Ministers have been most successful in bringing souls to Christ. It has been so with the fathers of our own community ; so it has been in the history of Methodism ; so it has been throughout the annals of our protestantism ; so it has been in every htre of the Christian Church ; so it is now, and ever will be. They have an earnest anxiety for the salvation of men which is the product of the fin© perception of the things of God, and of the 89 deep rcUgiou, Ming ..ut U i« '^jf ^/J^'ltrnonet'. .„„„ of .„, foMhe CO,, e ».« of^- ^^__^^^^ ^^ ^ ,hey en feel, ""y ' ^„,„i„g fire, on the .ll«r of i„te„»U, from .l>e ^"^\Z"S^,%,, p«,po« which U their own hearts. And inc» ii« „e.er ...i»fied bnt in minuter,.! 8«cce«. B„t th„„,h we .houid no. b. ^^:^j:^rJZtZ „„.„i„i,e the.r »""'*' ,[„„p„«er..nd ,.i„ed usefulness. While «e ';°°^~ ° JLl, .nd p». i„fl„enee to the gre.t w"'" >" « '^^ ^Te v'ible .u«e.., forth oar most slrenaon, effort. ^ «» , „„r«.lve. we should look beyond the pre«n. '"'» '""T*;,.,. „„ b, with .he thought of wh.t »" tarvest o 8^ '" ^^ ,eapod from the held of »-">''»-•" '^J^'Z return void, of God f.i.hfull, lived «"■' P«"=^^ tvUn stem po«... The seeds ol Divine truth dropped by mm P-^_^ .n,..i„g vi^lUy. ^^:f':ZtSZ }L folotsor doubtless ,n many case. »,ll, »"' . iritoal influence good for ever. Thought 1«S«" "T S^^,' ^^ ,.„ .p„„ bogets its like. And if 'o"-" °' J^ ^e t^destroy ifU. .,„„g soil, the great enemy w.l n« be .ble . .^ y ^^^ some wind of he.ven, «>"»"<" '"'"'j ■" l^e u,o«gh.s of deposit it on more congemal S^^-f^/^.^^j J„,„ie. preachers, wri.ers, and V^^'^^J^^ .nd older thought. .go, .re living, ''""''- J^l^^l^'ZU .long the «. of ,h.n these th.t were ■"■""'J.J. ' „„«. of Jeru«.lem ; Galilee, on Ol^et's toP. or » .1 o bus^^^^^^^^^ ._^^^^^ ,nd by his .poslle' "« "«^y J™ ',,,.. „.ind., and are «"'«" "•« 'rttt'^rn o -nS. Right thought., now ruling the ^^\V^'^^ „» „„„,ie., .re .t the p«..nt .hough wh„e w,ih the f^ ^» „ do » in the ag« 30 •ome thirty, in some sixty, and in some an hundred fold, when oar heads are laid in the dust. Then dear brethren, let us consider what kind of thoughts our's should be ; and how well our hearts should be prepared by knowledge and grace to indite a good matter, that we may extensively subserve the great end of tiie ministry. And now my dear brethren, what more can we say. 1 fear your attention has been occupied too long already ; but I would say a lew words more if my dtjing so, could clinch what has been advanced ; if it would rivet any tiling in our remarks that is wortiiy, like a nail in a sure place with its point bent on the other side. What a vast amount of address- es, written and oral, which thoiigl) they gain full and free assent from the judgement and conscience, are nevertheless unreduced to practice. As we have united together for the purpose of mutual improvement relative to the important duties of our office, let us not rest short of reaping all the good we cai possibly derive from the doings of an association of this nature. Let our theological belief be in perfect conformity with the word of God, while our religious experience keep^^ in blessed unison with that belief. Let our views of gospel truth be clear and comprehensive. Let us seek clearly to understand and properly to distinguish tiie primary truths of the gospel system, their relation to each other, and to other truths that are of a secondary nature, that our body of divinity may, like the natural body, " be fitly joined together and compact- ed by that which every joint supplielh." Let us up my brethren, and think, and live, and preach, as thoroughly devoted servants of God. Let us up to higher aitainments and greater deeds. Let us vp, to the vigorous exercise of our powers, and to the cultivation and depth and strength, of the best sympathies of our hearts. Let ua up, and giid our loins for tho battle and the race. Let us up, and in the might 31 nf rod ascend the steeps of all difficulty. Let us up and while of God ascend t v ^^^^^ ^^^ ^„j ^^^ g,,^^ we survey the vast he ^^^ ^^ ^^^^^, necessuy there .sfbo^^^^^^^^^^^ with perseverance, and r aTdT :::; e'Tnob^ pur;ose, and hi.h resolve to o sometrn?that will be felt and Been in the day of reckon- TTulup T^nd praying to be inspirited from on high. incT. Let U9 up, -cnu v j r. -ssuranco, " your labour art our part, and we may rest on the ^^^^'^^^^ i Ird " ,,.aU not be in rain,-shall not be rn va.n ^n the Lord. gelibcrcb at % Ortiuatioii of MESSRS. IS. RIDER, ANI> U- ^ADK, PRIMITIVF, METHODIST M'N^^'^^.^,";,^,:!.^" j,^^^^^^^^ FERENCEOF185G. HELD IN JOHN srilLLTUlLRCII, HAMILTON. . BY REV. THOMAS CROMPTON. My Dear Brethren, 1 ;., . orpnt work : yon sustain ine directed solely to that end. 15/. I beg to remind you of the great importance of thi Ministerial Office. You .« aware, dear Brethren, «-''•■= christian Minis.ry 1, . caUieg of the highest moment : an,peakably vast tn.er sts depend upon it, both for time '"J "^ ^e nurlse of very much eonnecte.1 with it the exeeutton of he pur o^ of :\:;:-:-r;rroi,:t-.^^^^^^^^^^^ 34 the work. And while we readily admit that God ealla Into requisition various ui.sirumeniaiitie* and events, to »ub«erve bio bright debigtis, among men, and that all his people are workers logeiiier with him in the great work of the world'a conversion ; yet, it apjKjara, the Cliristian ministry is the moat prominent nM-uiis employed lor that end ; for how can the people believe in him of whom they have not heard, and how shall they hear wiilioul a preacher, and how shall men preach except they be Meut ? A. id the agency which ha» such a place in tlio divine arrangements as that of the ministry of liie word ot lite, and which has to contribute so much in tilling this iniglay chasm in the world's requirements; in- volves an imporiaii'.e the nature and magnitude of which we caimut fully conceive. " For after that, in the wisdom of (iod, the worJtl hy wisdom knew not God, it pleased God».by the fooh-ljvss of preaching, to siivc tlicm that believe." We are of tliu-e wlio believe .i.ut ; ^oachiug ii not a mere incidental appenda^'e to tlie church. We think that forms nud ceremonies ought not to be the central points of attrac- ti'.n. A sound and healthy Christianity demands that what is merely ceremonial thould be subordinate to the preaching of the word. It is popery that aims not so much to unfold the intellectual, rational, and spiritual nature of man, as to excite wonder at its mysteries and aggrandizements, and veneration for its sacraments, priesthood, and its legends of a saintly mythology. We arc protcstants, and believe that the altar of the priest must s.ill yield to the pulpit of the preacher. We say, with the sixteenth century men, " preach the word, the pure word of God." All men have a purpose to answer, a place to fill, a part to perform. A similar wonderful harmony to that which runs through all nature, attaches to persons, otfic^es, and callings. We might easily illustrate this by refering from the lowest condition in society to the highest, from the private citizen to the sovereign, and from the humblest christian in the church, to the most gifted and influential. And O ! how fiolemnly important is the pl«cr which tho ChrisiiHn tniMi«ter has to fill ! When we consider ih:.l the miiiisuy is lo answer ihe grealesl of all ends— lo "conver! Hinners troni the error .-1 liie.r ways, and have houU from dcail.'-ihat il has to do will. (I.kI and elerniiy.-and wi.U man's undyin{r imerests.-aud that no niean. are cqM«l lo ii in relation to the world's nltima.e moral dr.«tiny, we may tremble under a sense of ils v.st respon.- bililies. We shuuld often prayerfully po.:der over these reHpi)n»ihiliiiea. 2nJ. Aim at mental improvement as a means of filth fr ymt the more aobj to discharge your duty in preaching the word of life. We shall say comparitively little respecling this subject. You know that the ^chool-mastc^ is abroad ; you know thai with regard to mental acquiromonis, the pulpit should keep in advance of the pew ; you know knowledge is power ; and in proportion u. a niinister . .^scs-s it, if ii be sancufied he may be a greater and more useful man. Y..u kn..w it is needful for you to road, converse, observe, and think, especi- ally on subj.cis ll'^t pertain to your calling, in order (o aug- ment your stores of intelligence. But as the end ot the Christian ministry is, usefulness, let your acquirements be of the useful kind, rather than the ornamen al. And ever re- men.ber this fact,-you will always tind It necessary lo grow in knowledge, in order to subserve the work ot the ministry, if you live past ihrce score years and ten. Perhaps there is sometimes too large a proportion said, on occasions like this, respec>i..g inlelk'Ct.iai cuhivaiion. While we wish not to say one word tint would have the efil-.u of undervaluing the a('qui>iti(.n of knowledge in relation to the n.ini^try, and atTirm thai it is very proper and ncce>sary to direct the attention of young miui.iors to it, and stimulate them to mental ailammeiu:^; y-U the ministry n.ust not be made the means of mere intell. cmal (•.XLTri>e and display. llow often do young niiuiiicrs feci much luurc anxiety, and i 36 bestow far more labour on the intellectual cast of their icr* mona, and the finish they wi«h them to have in arrangement, in well-turned periods, in an elegant selection of terms, in rhe- torical flourish, and in high-sounding verbiage, than about how much gosfK'i trnih they can put into them, and how to utter it with effect: what trains of thought and reasoning, what illustrations and figures they must adopt, to speak in " thoughts that breathe and words that burn" ; how they can temper their thoughts and words, to break, or point them to pierce the heart; and how to give them life and shade, so as to engage atteniion, convince the judgment, and convert the soul, or edify tlie church. Where this exists, it is, indeed, a sad fault; and if we must, speak fully our sentiments respecting it, we cannot refrain to bay, that we consirler it an insult alike to man's highest nature, and to Gtjd. But while you shun, as you would a serpent's path, ^n error of this kind, at the same time diligently study improve- ment in knowledge ; ever remembering, that it can be made a great inbtrument of usefulness ; an J, that you may be cn- couraiicd as fur as such a considt rstion should have oftect, remember, aUn, that real worth will always be esteemed by right minds and sound hearts. Also be stimulated by the fa(it liiat this is an age eminent for the diifusion of knowledge. Py the words of an eloquent and esteemed living author 1 would encourage you :— " The oliyardiy of liierature is now republic. The learninc once banked up in Univor>itics has burst its restraints, and spread far and u ide its waters, so that where few drank before, millions now s-lake tlieir thirst. In ehort. learn in;: hns ceased to be the monopoly of a few, to become the f.o^-c^sion of many. 'J"hc hearer in the pews can judge of all the preacher .'ays in the pulpit. A pompom ipse dixit, or a Ixiiihasiic llt)urish, goes for nniliing n:)Wi though rpisccip:il lips give utterai'.ce to it. .^ divine irutjj which finds :ui echo in man's conscience, or shines in its own light, or \h seen to he sustained by l!ie Lib'e, or by the reason- ing of unprt j'jjiced minds, is hailed as a herald from lheskie«. i 37 \ though it should be enunciated from a tub, or uttered in the market place." Be encouraged then, my brethren, to im- prove in mental strength and Icnowlodge ; but oh I ever mind to let your aim be that improvement which shall subaerve the great end of the Christian ministry. 3ri. We next briejly allude to pulpit preparation. The true business of a minister, in respect to preparation for the pulpit, is to get as thoroughly acquainted with the truths of the Bible as may be ; and to know how to apply them to the consciences and hearts of men. The one is ac- complished by study, the other mainly by practice. The study ot the Bible is the great pre-requisite for pulpit ministration. " All scripture is given by inspiration of God; and is profita- table for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." While we admit the applicability of these words to all classes of Christians, they specially are suited to the Christian minister. They were the utterances of an aged and experienced apostle to Timothy, a young minister of the gospel ; and besides their general use they were obviously intended to remind Timothy that tills perfection as a preacher of the truth, consisted in his acquaintance of God ; and that fom this infallible source h« was to become thoroughly furnished for every good work. The grand end of the gospel ministry is to impress upon the minds of men the contents of that book which is God's revealed will, in order to efTect their enlightenment and regen- eration. The study of other books are only of use to the Christian minister according as they assist him to understand and explain the book of God. All sciences, systems, and creeds are to be tried by this book. Here are precept and doctrine of such a nature, that they cast all others into the shade; — and beciuse tliey are heaven inspired. Here arc depths of learning and store of thought of inexhaustible ampli- tude. Here are Ucasures of knowledge, poetry, eloquence 3S and also sublimity, beauty and strength of style, in comparison with which the contents of all other books are poor. There- fore the general and careful study of the scriptures will enable vou to bring things out of the Divine treasury new and old ; and to break plentifully the bread of life to those who hear you. I would caution you against that almost infinitesimal division* ing in sermons and that skeletonized preaching in which all the time of a discourse is occupied by the preacher hastily skipping from one point to another, that he may complete his round within due limits, and which leaves his audience little better for instruction than when he begins. Bring your minds to bear upon the leading truths of Revelation •, and let there be condensed and solid thought bestowed upon them. Let your sermo. be full of beaten gold. Often write your thoughts, then grasp them, yet do not confine yourselves mechanically to every word you have written, but let the untrammoled mind have Iree scope to use new thoughts and words, that are the creations of the then present time, when the mind is bent to its task in full exercise. And while you are at the trouble to beat your gold and exercise yourselves much in composiuon, yet at times, after drawing your outhne, speak impromptu ; be not afraid occasionally to pour out your thoughts in extemporaneous effusions on subjects with which you are familiar. This will vary your mental exercises, keep you from pursuing one ever plodded routine, increase your strength of mind, and give you additional confidence m yourselves. But, my dear Brethren, pray over your preparations for the pulpit. Dr. Payson, who was a man eminent for prayer, considered the time he spent in prayer, in relation to his study, was his best spent time ; and was of opinion that he composed his sermons in less lime, and with far greater ease, when he prayed much over them, besides being of better quality, wiiile his uind became largely iuibued with the Bpirii's influence; and, iherefure, the more qualified for 39 delivering with effect what he had prepared. Let your Htudii'9 be penetrated, pervaded, and actuated by prayer, and you will, by this practice, reap important advantapes : your aini will more uniformly be to do good : your sermons will be more in unison with the mind of the Spirit ; they will possess proportionate iinction ; and you will go forth to deliver, in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, the blessed truths of your divine message. After all that i'hilology, litoraiuro, science, history, discovery, and Bibli- cal criticism can do, the Christian minister needs heavenly illumination — the living light of the eternal Spirit. 4th. Let your preaching he richly evangelical. Understand me when I say, your office is specially to preach the Gof^pel. While you shun not to declare the whole counsel of Gud, let the good news of redeeming grace be ever on your lips. This is strictly the gospel. And if a full, free,, and prese.it salvation be prominent in every ser- mon you preach to your fellow-sinners, you will bo emphati- cally and eminently preachers of the gnsjel. It will be your work to speak of the nature of Christian duties and moral virtues : it will be your work to give scriptural views of the Divine attributes : it will be your work to speak of the solemnities of judgment, and the awfulness of retribution : it will be your work to proclaim the demands and terrors of the law, to di-nounce God's threatenings, and warn the im» penitent sinner of his doom. But though this is part of God's pure word, and has its place, yet it is not strictly the gospel. It will be your duty lo awaken the ihoughtles.s, and arouse the slumbering sinner ; and produce convictioii in the hearts of the unconverted : it will be your duty to search out the latent mazes of sin in the human boiom ; and, as much as in you lies, to exhibit a withering nposure of popular vices ; while you show the folly and danger of living 40 " without God and wiihout hope in the world" : but this, though it answers such an important end, is not the gospel. It will be your duty to build up the Church, and by your ministrations to suit the almost endless gradations in the expe- rience of the flock of God ; to encourage the faint-hearted, confirm the wavering, counsel the perplexed, and feed the spiritually-minded : but though this may help devotion, and Imve great influence for good, it is, nevertheless, not the gospel. Mmd, my dear Bii'lhren, to publish tlie glad-tidings of a Saviour to lolt men. This must be done, and the other not left undone. While Paul cared so much for the welfare of the Cimrchcs : while he conrovcrted errors, delended doctrines ; counselled, exhorted, and had on him " the care of all the Churches" ; amid all these, he could say, " from Jerusalem, round about to Illyricum, he had fully preached the gospel." He said also, " We preach Christ crucified," and adopted the exclamation, " How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and that bring gcMil tidings of good things." Let tliis, dear Brethren, be the theme of your pulpit ministra- tions. Exhibit the cross : proclaim its doctrines. Put into your sermons clear and burning statements of "the love of God in Christ ; makinjr a full declaration of the great fact of the atonement. TeW to men, " This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." Say, " Cehtjld the Lamb of God, that taketh away the bin of the world." Without this, the sublimest strains of pulpit oratory are as nothing to the sin-stricken soul : without this, the most soaring, burning, and melting elo- quence is as sounding brass to guilty men : without this, a wide, deep blank rests in the ablest preaching. Bring to view the cross, then— simply, clearly, boldly. Speak of Jesus with an eloquence that comes from a feeling heart, warmed by his love. Proclaim him in the fulness of his sacrificial merits,— in the plenitude of his mediatorial grace,— and in all the glory of his saving character, 41 6lh. Manner and Style in Preaching. As to these, we say, first, avoid all mannerism and clap-trap. Be no mimic preachers : be yourselves : and if, with respect to natural qualities for public Bpeaking-, you are not of the most highly gifted, be yourselves notuithstanding. Study naturalness : tiie more natural, the more perfect. Guard against a heavy, dull, monotonous delivery on the one hand ; and against an uniformly high stentorian utterance on the other. The former will be an hindrance to the accept- ance of the word : the latter will prove a physical injury, by constantly taxing too much of your ttrength. Let your style be plain, pointed, terse. Bring little, or no refinement of speculation into liie pulpit ; and if, occasionally, a mo- ment or two b« spent in verbal criticism while preaching, yet, take up exceedingly little time with it in public : let ver- bal criiici^m be the work of your private study : there find out suiiable words, and bOund speech ; and be prepared to use them in the pulpit. Also, as preachers of the gospel, let there be in you an utter absence of self. It is. indeed, a sad thing to dispby self in the pulpit, instead of Christ and his salvation. We can pardon a mere orator on secular and political theme-, ishen we see his countenance beaming with self-complais- ance, tlie pr duct of a warm and infliited admiration within ; when wc see self in determined competition with this subject to gain precedence of it in the estimation of the listening throng; and when self-plausive indications in his looks, tope:^, gestures say how acute and adroit 1 am, and what a shrewd clever fellow is addressing you; this, though terribly repulsive, may, we say, be pirdonable in the mere declaimer and orator on things of comparative insignificance; but the like of it in the minister of religion while standing as th« ambassador of God to his guilty lellowmen, and while dealing with the weal or w^oe of immortal souls, is indeed unpardunabk. To see a man iu the pulpit with nis " tutuour of verbiage,"* 42 «9 John Foster destgfnated wordiness, full of empty display, ridiculously showy, and yet little or nothings to show, while a view of self-glorying runs through the whole exhibition, is one of the moat loathing of loathsome sights. Be simple and earnest. The gospel comes to man with unadcrnc'd simplicity, and there is in it such an absence of wrought up attraction, that if there be in the preacher a meri- torious display, if it be put in a tawdry garb there is a lack of harmony between the message and the messenger, between the matter and the manner of its delivery. When the gospel is so simple that it places salvation upon a belief of the truth as it is in Jesus, it should be communicated with a simplicity of manner. The truest and strongest eloaueiice is the simplest. Tame and very common place modes of expression may be much eschewed, and yet truth be made to stand foriii invested with a charming simplicity; for the more simply the truth is delivered, the more engaging and effective it is. Luther was for many years lot only the most celebnaed but the greatest pulpit orator living; aiid yet how simple he was. While his learned treatises in the defence of his 9.5 theses were very Useful to the theological friculty and the literary world, his simple pulpit eh»quence in the vernacular language, perhaps, did more fur thii Reformation in its first stages than the labours of his pen. Both were needed in those times. But it was his tongue that gave such an impulse to the grea^ cause with the masses of his countrymen. It was his tongue that moved and swayed the popular mind. It was his tongue that set in motion and gave an impetus to those holy elements which at length waxed into a tempest, and swept and aroused »he minds of the multitude. Though he was naturally gifted, and his gifts had been admirably cultivalcd and disciplined, it was particularly this strong, simplCj practical sense that brought him at once into sympathy with the people. A naturat and unafTected simplicity is sure to find an echo in every t'ound mind, and wUi often command a cordial response front the heart. 43 Be earnest preachers. Wiiile you g[uard against doin^ violence to your piiysical nature, preach with warmth and anii.tation. Such are the grand themes of the gospel that lucid perceptions, enlarged views, distinct and vivid thoughts concerning them, cannot but prompt to warm and eloquent utterence. It a preacher be thoroughly interested, what subjects throughout the whole range of knowledge are so adopted to excite a speaker's spirit, to move in their lowest depths the energies and passions of his nature, to arouse the elements of his emotional being, to inbreed all the feelings which are the very life of true eloquence, and lo task to the utmost all the resources of language, as those with which ho is furnished in the book of God. We can hardly see how a man can be cold while preaching of the love of Uod in the gilt of his only begotten son, of the wondrous atonement made for sin by the sacrifice of Christ, of the grmd doctrines of forgiveness and moral transformation, of the divine and InnT life brought into the human soul and main.ained there by the indwelling spirit, of the great day of judgement, and of interminable bliss or woe. f- urely if any thing can do it these subjects should rekindle soul fires, and cause the minister to speak in words of flume. The gospel delivered without warmth is not likely to do much execuiirm ; therefore let your preaching ba weighty and ii tense. The present age too ia an age of emphasis. Those are days not only of research but power and fire. Men need arousing as if with electric shocks ; and wlien aroused they need to be kept awake. Every thing should i ow be inten- sed ; it dt>es not do for persons to sit under discources which are so inditTerently delivered that the mind can without ifFoit give itself up to a thousand wanderings. Along with instruc- tion, sensation and power are required. If ever there was a period which demanded the combination of high thought and intensity it is the present. With regard to preaching the days of soothing syrups and healing ojiaies are gone. Old evenu sad truths, realities and facts, may be put into startling 44 shapes, singed with fire, and sent with electric force ; and lliis can all be done with simplicity. Clh. Let failh/idness and courage be characteristic in you. The mail win intends to act his part with proper effect in tlie sphere in which God 1ms placed him will find that life is no dt.y-drcam, no holiday, no silvery path in which ease and hiui-shiue and fair gi>nial weather are enjoyed ; hut he will riiid lite a hattle, nn earnest unremitting battle : he will have to be hutr-ted by the storm, and there will be limes wlien he must summon up his powers to .=itirring and vigorous contest. You will have your trials, and liials not only in the christian life, but which are peculiar to your calling, trials the poiLTtianceand bitterness of which no heart can know but your own. You will bj b^nptcd ;o discouragMn mt and miy have to say, '• wi.o l.aih believed our report." You may liave to mourn over supineno^s and neutiality in some who should jiiin hands with you in the good work of God ; it may be instead of rendering all possible help, they are not only in- active, but fukle, and fault finding. You may also beside this be the subject of strong temptation, while watchings. solicitudes and cares bi^rdcn your minds and oppress your hearts. These, and such as are of a kindred nature, are times when your patience will be tried and your nieeknes* and courage put to the test. Remember then that however lisefnl may be your life, and however di-tinouished your career, there wili be enough td convince you that yon really have few sourcps of qualification unless the service itself be your chief pleasure. You may expect a crown of thorns as well as your master. You must be prepared for xho mi^interpretntion of your motives the misrepresentation of your actions, and in some instances the failure of your best efTorts. You may seem for a time to labour in vai>.. You m ly suffer reproach, you may meet with malignant hostility or hollow friendsiup ; but a pure con- I 'St 45 A . amillnff God will be an ample rccompence." w „n„ Awake the energies of your naiure, and let a 'Z^JT'StL and aU- ^^e. And^-e energies combined with holy enthu.ia.m and fauh m C.od bear you onward in your work. 7//.. Prayf^rr God's blessivg upon your labours. To seek help from God in prayer is of great imporUnco to • ie.or You know that ministerial success is to De ":„r «=:•. b' :,' la .herofore i. i» .l.e ,„i..i.--» du^ l„d pivne« .0 direct hU earnest ,„pplica.,o,« to the jr and privue , |^ H,^ work of our Im.iJs li.e master sa, ing,- I ro»P" ' , . j^j ,,,„, work of our hands prosper thou it. 1 1 yoi^ oe p!,1 may plant and Apollos may water but tt ,s God ttho !i I " increase, and that our best sebemes and endeavo ' e in witbout bis blessing, you will percowe 'be neccssn "frminga rule of conduct upon the apos.obc adn.onmon, " conlinv" instant in prayer." Did the Christian Ministry link itself tnore closely .o Oud i„^ tard to its great du.ie,, acknowledging a snnple a I ,^1 eving dcpondeL upon him, we doubt not but there v Id M ow Ir/abundant prosperity. While you tax the ,.. e h c 1 Tea", and your physical strength also ,n propar uo 1^^ he discharge of duty recognise the ^- -« "X, d " tI miaht nor by power, but by my spn.t sanh the Lord. i o r^.fo tl/bestowment of spiritual gifts is "f-- ^ ' ou may advance to christian '^'^T^'^C^J^^ r„-y:f;ts;r:r:r:n^^^^^^^ - r::^:r;r:rtrr pe^u .trength for nought •, for what .s *«- '"^ ^^ that help 46 Satanic agency, worldly interpst, and fleshly lusta ? Without that help^will tic ondure llie di^couragomciita and IriaU of his office ? VVilliout lliat liolp will he be a faithful steward of the my.stcries ol (Jod, and a true expounder of christian doctrine ? VVitiiout ttiat help can the gospel be preached ari<;lu ? VViilioiii that help can it be prf ached with that holy yvhom I am personally acquainted, once said he remembered to have been told " iMy son beware of the bribe of ta'.ent : this was understood— Beware of the bribe of ap- plaass and this was understood. But then there waa another cauUon, which was a secret.— Beware of the bribe of uaeful- 41 Less ; this Could not be understood." Yrs my brethren thero is reason to beware, for even usefulness may be made the means by which to feed vanity and prule. But while you realize Huccess in pulling down strongholds, in taking the prev from the mighty, and in building up the church, remem* ber"that all you are and all you do, are owing to God's gift and power in and through you: and therefore say, " not unto us, not uuto us, but unto thy name be the glory." In conclusion dear brethren, let me say love your work; be devotees : this will prove the spring of ministerial action If you love it not, duty will be mere formality, while listless lancTour will prevade your doings. Be holy in body and soul. Let" entire devotedness to God, much prayer, aptitude to embrace opportunities of doing good characterize your lives By study and intellectual discipline prepare yourselves with whatever human qualification you can attain ; and then, let a diligent, and well directed energy inspirit all your doings : and thus being " steadfast, unmovcable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, your labour shall not be in vain ;" and the day of God will reveal a glorious harvest of fruit Irom the field of your toils. 1 * H T H K ^^lifiiif ^^^ " *>> I'RICB4D., c ...■.ai..in.4 1--^^ > Meeting ot l>.vi«)N read al the fortnaium and tlr^t A!>nudon, L.>gland.