as to lay a foundation for a spitual tyranny, and render scriptural discipline absolutely impossible; or, so to explain its independence as to effect a real schism in the body of Christ.

ticularly necessary, when the method by which we provide for a standing ministry in our churches, is taken into the account. There are points in reference to this, wherein we differ from others, and for which difference, we think we have satisfactory reasons.

The organization of distinct churches, arises from convenience and necessity; either where believers are too widely We could educate our chilscattered to meet together, or, dren for the ministry, as some too numerous to assemble, with other professing Christians do; comfort, in the same house. and the consequences would be, But, in the formation of these we should have in the ministry distinct societies, care should more general learning; minisbe taken, that the principles of ters would be connected with legislation, appointed for the the most respectable families whole church, should be ap-in the denomination; and would plied to every individual branch; be less despised by the world. that, instead of dissimilarity But then there would be less and estrangement, the tenderest piety and truth in our pulpits; sympathy and most cordial af- and the ministry would degefection may pervade the whole nerate to a mere secular conbody, like drops of water, cern. We think ourselves bound which, while separated, yet to look into our churches for being of the same element, will, ministers, and not into our nurbeing brought together, easily series; and to select men of mix, and blend in one; or, as personal religion, sound in the sister streams, which, though faith" Apt to teach;" whose divided for the sake of ferti- characters shall adorn, and not lizing a district, will ultimately disparage religion. Our reameet in one channel. This son for thus acting, is, we will infallibly be the case, if think, we adhere to the word each society be formed upon of God. It will appear plain the one great model,-" The to every one, that learning, measure of the stature of the however important in itself, fulness of Christ." can never supply the deficiency of personal religion; nor, respectability of connection, the want of soundness in the faith, and holy zeal. There seem to be different degrees and orders of gifts in the church, for different purposes, all of one origin" All these worketh that self-same spirit." But Christ does not send a mes senger beforehand to inform us, upon whom he bestows these

We see, from this section, that gifts in the church are of great importance. They are not merely ornaments, as some seem to suppose, but a treasury, a common stock, for the benefit of the body. It will follow, by clear and natural deduction, that these gifts require the most serious attention, in every society where they are found. This will appear par

gifts; we are to search for these gifts, and nurture, and bring them forward for useful

ness.

There are two remarks, which the section will support, and which we will endeavour to illustrate.

1. Churches are under an obligation to look out, and to encourage the gifts among them. If men carelessly and negligently squander their property, and reduce their families to indigence and beggary, we consider them criminal. But what property is for the support of a family, that gifts are for the support of the church; and, if growth in grace be an obligation binding, and the cultivation and use of gifts be the means to that end, it will follow, that to neglect gifts is a sin against Him who bestows them upon the church.

their Lord on earth, he made up the deficiency by miraculous gifts, when he ascended to heaven; which merely suggests, that, though learning is not essential to the Christian ministry, yet, as an auxiliary, it is highly desirable.

It is not wise to leave gifts, like fruit-trees in a forest, to produce, if they cannot be prevented; and, under such disadvantages, to bring forth their fruit in its most imperfect state. As fruit-trees need, and will pay for cultivation, so will gifts in the church. If you send a son to school, the first inquiry you make is, are his teachers competent? If you place a lad as an apprentice, you inquire, is his master skilful in his profession? If you call in medical assistance, or legal advice, you act upon the same principle. Why, then, I would

only place, where ignorance can be tolerated?

Gifts are not always so ap-ask, should the pulpit be the parent, and the spirit which possesses them so ardent, as that they are noticed by all.

Prayer-meetings-vil

In looking out gifts, imWhere, through diffidence, portant facilities present themmodesty, or other circum-selves. stances, they seem concealed, lage-reading-Sunday-schools it is proper to look them out, visiting the sick, and suchand bring them to light, and like exercises, where the gifts use means to make them an- of young men are unfolded. It swer the most valuable ends. will be said, every man that The generality of young men, can pray is not qualified to whom we call to the work of preach. We allow it; yet, if the ministry, are, in the first we notice in a youth, an aptiinstance, illiterate; we are glad, tude to accommodate his ideas therefore, to give them a re- and expressions to existing cirtreat from the world for a time cumstances; a diversity of lively in our academies, under godly impressions upon the imaginaand learned teachers. We find, tion; a good taste in selection, because circumstances render- together with correctness of ed it impossible for the apostles judgment and ardent zeal; we to go through a course of regu-may pretty safely conclude, lar study, during the ministry of God has marked out that man

VOL. VIII.

E

for usefulness. Your attention | the body, and contract a debt. should be particularly directed What we owe to a perishing to discover whether the know-world, cannot be better disledge of such a person be pro- charged than by sending forth gressive, or not. For, in some men, who, by their amiable instances, we have seen indi- conduct, draw the minds of viduals make astonishing ad- men to attend to their advice; vances in knowledge for the while their doctrines, distilling first few months, who have, like dew, shall soften their for ever after, seemed to con- hearts, and point them to realms tinue stationary. of bliss.

The increase of churches in our denomination, renders an increase of ministers very desirable; but, the men we want are labourers, not men of fashion-men of sound judgment and unequivocal piety, not of fastidious genius, who shine and fluctuate like a meteor-men whose powers are devoted to the service of the sanctuary.

In

2

What a glorious reward for every such church, to hear of the success of those sent from her bosom on such messages of mercy! She is, by such means, extending, multiplying, and perpetuating her fruits in both earth and heaven. short, our obligations to God the Redeemer, and the church; as also the duty of benevolence to men, and what we owe to ourselves, all conspire to urge us to the important work, and say to us, "Be not weary in well doing, for, in due time, ye shall reap, if ye faint not."

2. Gifted members are bound to submit to the judgment of the churches to which they belong, concerning their supposed gifts.

Whatever is public stock, should be appropriated by pub

The obligations of churches to search for, and foster gifts, may be urged from the obedience they owe to Jesus Christ, who seems to have adopted this mode of supplying their necessities, in order to form a test of their fidelity. Surely individual churches are greatly indebted also to the body at large, from which they have been supplied with ministers; and, therefore, are bound to seek after, and strive to pro-lic consent. But gifts are pubvide ministers for other congregations. Were you, at this present time, destitute of a minister; would it be a matter of perfect indifference to you, whether any other church had a gifted brother to take his stand among you as your pastor? Surely not; and, certainly, indifference to the state and comfort of other churches, is ungenerous. To receive, and not repay, is to impoverish

lic stock, they belong not exclusively to the individual who possesses them, but are given "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ ;" and are, therefore, under the control, and at the disposal of the church.

Gifts usually discover themselves in youth, or in the early parts of our profession, when our experience is small, and

our judgment immatured. There are, perhaps, very few who have not, in the days of their first love, breathed the pious and benevolent wish-O that I were a useful minister of the gospel of Christ! But, it is manifest, that such a wish is not always prophetic; nor would it be prudent, in every instance, to cherish and encourage such a desire.

disgrace in the work of the ministry.

There seems a beauty, with which nature is pleased; in a church calling, and a brother obeying that call, as if it were the voice of his God and Saviour. He discharges, in this act, the obligations which are implied, and under which he brought himself, when he joined that church. He embraces a fine scope for the display of the benevolence of his heart among his fellow men. A world of important objects are before him, which must, to all eternity, be interesting, either in happiness or misery; upon each of which, by his instrumentality, God is capable of performing a miracle of mercy, and giving him his warmest wishes in conjunction with the joy of angels. He approves his heart and conscience in the sight of God, and establishes his fidelity to his great Master, while he escapes the charge of a wicked and slothful servant, by not hiding his talent, if it be but one, (and that a small one,) in a napkin, till his Lord shall return. Ridgmont.

It is certain individuals are not prepared to form a proper estimate of their own abilities. They are liable to view them through a medium too partial, or, from an excess of modesty, to consider them of less importance than they really are. Though we cannot consider the decision of any body of men to be infallible, yet there are substantial reasons why the decision of a church, concerning the gifts of an individual member, is more to be depended upon than his own opinion. They are more likely to be impartial in their judgment, less liable of feeling the influence of improper motives than himself. There are generally, in our churches, men of years, with a good share of experience; and a judgment, chastised by a series of adverse and perplexing events; in consequence of which, although the stamina may not be equally BELIEVE it, sickness is not strong with those of his mind, the fittest time, either to learn upon whose gifts they are call- virtue, or to make our peace ed to determine; yet the deci- with God: it is a time of dissions are likely to be more cor- temper and discomposedness; rect. To treat with contempt those must be learned and practhe concurring opinion of ex- tised before sickness comes, or perience and age, betrays a it will be too late, or very difvanity of mind, which pre-ficult to do it after. sages nothing but mischief and

ON DEATH.

G. K.

SIR M. HALE.

Juvenile Department.