and profession, in all their parts are raised into dignity and importance by their direct reference to eternity. For eternity he schemes, and plans, and labors.

He should become a philosopher also. He should make experiments on himself and others, in order to find out what will produce effect. He is a fisherman; and the fisherman must fit himself to his employment. If some fish will bite only by day, he must fish by day: if others will bite only by moon-light, he must fish for them by moon-light. He has an engine to work, and it must be his most assiduous endeavor to work his engine to the full extent of its powers; and, to find out its powers, is the first step toward success and effect. Many men play admirably on the organ, if you would allow to them that there is no difference between an organ and a harpsichord, but they have utterly mistaken its powers. Combination is the unrivalled excellence of the organ; and therefore he only can display its powers, who studies the chords and stops in all their infinite variety of resolution and composition, rather than the rapid motion of his fingers only.

But all the minister's efforts will be vanity, or worse than vanity, if he have not unction. Unction must come down from heaven, and spread a savor and relish and feeling over his ministry. And, among all the other means of qualifying himself for his office, the Bible must hold the first place, and the last also must be given to the word of God and prayer.

On the Assistance which a Minister has reason to expect in the Discharge of his Public Duty. MEN have carried their views on this subject to extremes. Enthusiasts have said that learning, and

that studying and writing sermons, have injured the church. The accurate men have said, "Go and hear one of these enthusiasts hold forth!"

But both classes may be rendered useful. Let each correct its evils, yet do its work in its own way.

Some men set up exorbitant notions about accuracy. But exquisite accuracy is totally lost on mankind. The greater part of those who hear, cannot be brought to see the points of the accurate man. The Scriptures are not written in this manner. I should advise a young minister to break through all such cobwebs, as these unphilosophical men would spin round him. An humble and modest man is silenced, if he sees one of these critics before him. He should say, "I am God's servant. To my own master I stand or fall. I will labor according to the utmost ability which God giveth, and leave all consequences to him."

We are especially taught in the New Testament, to glorify the Spirit of God: and, in his gracious operations in our ministry, we are nearer the apostolic times than we often think ourselves.

But this assistance is to be expected by us, as laborers in the vineyard; not as rhapsodists. Idle men may be pointed out, who have abused the doctrine of divine assistance; but what has not been abused? We must expect a special blessing to accompany the truth: not to supersede labor, but to rest on and accompany labor.

A minister is to be in season, and out of season; and, therefore, every where a minister. He will not employ himself in writing secular histories: he will not busy himself in prosecuting mathematical inquiries. He will labor directly in his high calling: and indirectly, in a vast variety of ways, as he may be enabled: and God may bless that word in private, which may have been long heard in public in vain.

A minister should satisfy himself in saying, "It matters not what men think of my talents. Am I doing what I can?"-for there is great encouragement in that commendation of our Lord's, She hath done what she could. It would betray a wrong state of mind to say, "If I had discharged my duty in such and such a way, I should have succeeded." This is a carnal spirit. If God bless the simple manner in which you spoke, that will do good; if not, no manner of speaking could have done it.

There is such a thing in the religious world as a cold, carnal wisdom: every thing must be nicely weighed in the scales: every thing must be exactly measured by the rule. I question if this is not worse, in its consequences, than the enthusiasm which it opposes. Both are evil, and to be shunned. But I scarcely ever knew a preacher or writer of this class who did much good.

We are to go forth, expecting the excellency of God's power to accompany us, since we are but earthen vessels; and if, in the apostolic days, diligence was necessary, how much more requisite is

it now!

But, to the exercise of this diligence, a sufficiency in all things is promised. What does a minister require? In all these respects the promise is applicable to him. He needs, for instance, courage and patience: he may, therefore, expect that the Holy Spirit will enable him for the exercise of these graces.

A minister may expect more superintendence, more elevation, than a hearer. It can scarcely be questioned that he ought to pray for this: if so, he has a ground in Scripture thus to pray.

I have been cured of expecting the Holy Spirit's influence without due preparation on our part, by observing how men preach who take up that error. I have heard such men talk nonsense by the hour.

We must combine Luther with St. Paul-"Bene orasse est bene studuisse" must be united with St. Paul's Meditate upon these things: give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all. One errs who says, "I will preach a reputable sermon:" and another errs who says, "I will leave all to the assistance of the Holy Spirit," while he has neglected a diligent preparation.

On Preaching Christ.

We preach Christ Crucified.-1 Cor. i, 25.

CHRIST is God's great ordinance. Nothing ever has been done, or will be done to purpose, but so far as he is held forth with simplicity. All the lines must centre in Him. I feel this in my own experience, and therefore I govern my ministry by it: but then this is to be done according to the analogy of faith-not ignorantly, absurdly, and falsely. I doubt not, indeed, but that excess on this side is less pernicious than excess on the other; because God will bless His own especial ordinance, though partially understood and partially exhibited.

THERE are many weighty reasons for rendering Christ prominent in our ministry:

1. Christ cheers the prospect. Every thing connected with Him has light and gladness thrown round it. I look out of my window:-the scene is scowling-dark-frigid-forbidding: I shuddermy heart is chilled. But, let the Sun break forth from the cloud-I can feel I can act-I can spring.

2. God descending and dwelling with man, is a truth so infinitely grand, that it must absorb all

other. "You are his attendants! Well! but the KING! There he is!-the KING!"

3. Out of Christ God is not intelligible, much less amiable. Such men as Clarke and Abernethy talk aublime nonsense. A sick woman said to me 'Sir! I have no notion of God. I can form no notion of Him. You talk to me about Him, but I cannot get a single idea that seems to contain any thing''But you know how to conceive of Jesus Christ as a man! God comes down to you in Him, full of kindness and condescension.'-Ah! Sir, that gives me something to lay hold on. There I can rest. I understand God in his Son.' But if God is not intelligible out of Christ, much less is He amiable, though I ought to feel Him so. He is an object of horror and aversion to me, corrupted as I am! I fear I tremble-I resist-I hate-I rebel.

4. A preacher may pursue his topic, without being led by it to Christ. A man who is accustomed to investigate topics is in danger. He takes up his topic and pursues it. He takes up another, and pursues it. At length Jesus Christ becomes his topic, and then he pursues that. If he cannot so feel and think as to bend all subjects naturally and gracefully to Christ, he must seek his remedy in selecting such as are more evangelical.

5. God puts peculiar honor on the preaching of Christ crucified. A philosopher may philosophize his hearers, but the preaching of Christ must convert them. John the Baptist will make his hearers tremble; but, if the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he, let him exhibit that peculiar feature of his superiority-Jesus Christ. Men may preach Christ ignorantly-blunderingly-absurdly: yet God will give it efficacy, because he is determined to magnify his own ordinance.

6. God seems, in the doctrine of the cross, to design the destruction of man's pride. Even the murderer and the adulterer sometimes become sub