be believed; and he was so friendly in his disposition and behaviour, that many were bound to him by this affectionate tie. His parishioners loved him as a brother, or honored him as a father; for they knew that he had engaged in the ministry, from pure, disinterested, and pious motives; that he discharged all its duties with diligence, fidelity, and sympathy. The affection, which they felt for him, never suffered any interruption; but as old age approached, and he advanced towards heaven, he became more firmly fixed in their hearts, like a tree, the roots of which penetrate still further into the earth, in proportion as its branches rise in the air. He was dear to his brethren in the ministry, who always welcomed him with smiles of complacence. He was dear to all his fellow citizens, who admired his good sense, and venerated his patriotism, his integrity, his benevolence, and his sanctity. As a kind master, a tender husband, and a most indulgent parent, he was in particular dear to his family. That he was dear to God we have reason humbly to believe; for the character, which he possessed, must have been formed by habitual devotion, by piety which filled his heart, and whence flowed all the virtues which he practised.

My hearers will learn with pleasure, that this good man enjoyed as much felicity, as usually falls to the lot of mortals. His days were passed with usefulness, an approving conscience, and the blessing of heaven; and though he was sometimes sick, and sometimes afflicted, yet the edge of bodily pain was blunted by patience, and the force of mental anguish was weakened by resignation. A constitution naturally delicate was preserved to old age by care and temperance; and to a world of unmingled joy he at length passed through the valley of

death, without experiencing the horrors, which sometimes overshadow the dismal region.

His example teaches an important lesson. It instructs those generous minds, who aspire to a high rank in virtue, that it is possible even in this world to be humble, sincere, upright, faithful, candid, mild, benevolent, and pious.

His example may also teach religionists to dismiss an uncharitable and bigoted spirit. It has been often asserted in the heat of controversy, that theological sentiments such as Dr Howard embraced are unfavorable to the cause of piety and virtue. The life of this good man is one confutation of this opinion. He was neither a Trinitarian nor a Calvinist; but his conduct manifested, that he was the friend of morality, the humble disciple of Jesus, and the devout worshipper of God.

We cannot forbear to lament, that we no longer enjoy his society in this world; but amidst our sorrow we find consolation. His body is consigned to the tomb; but he will long live in the remembrance of his friends; he will live by the recollection, of his many virtues: and should this kind of life be styled a mere imagination, and it must be confessed that alone it does not afford a strong motive of comfort, we have something more substantial to offer; he will live happily and eternally in another world for since the doctrine of immortality has been brought to light by the gospel, we have reason to believe that this life is the beginning of our existence, and that the good man by death is only advanced from a lower to a higher part of the kingdom of God.

S. after the Funeral of the Rev. Simeon Howard, D. D. minister of West Church, in Boston.

* Dr Howard was born at Bridgewater, in Massachusetts, May 10th, 1733; graduated at Harvard University, 1758; ordained at West Church in Boston, May 6th, 1767; elected fellow of the Corporation of the University, 1780. He died Aug. 13th, 1804.

SERMON XXIX.

DUTIES OF A PEOPLE TO THEIR MINISTER.

1 THESS. V. 12, 13.

AND WE BESEECH YOU, BRETHREN, TO KNOW THEM WHICH LABOR AMONG YOU, AND ARE OVER YOU IN THE LORD, AND ADMONISH YOU; AND TO ESTEEM THEM VERY HIGHLY IN LOVE FOR THEIR WORKS SAKE.

My brethren, as you intend this evening to introduce into the church another pastor, no text appears more suitable for this morning's discourse, than the words which I have read, and no subject more proper to be treated on this occasion, than the duty which the members of a Christian congregation owe to their minister.

The relation, in which a minister of the gospel stands to the people whom he serves, is one, which is not only the source of mutual satisfaction; but it is also one, which calls for the exercise of the kindest affections of the human heart. In this country particularly, where he is chosen and supported by the flock, over whom he is placed, and not imposed on them by a superior authority, and where the rights of a minority are so much attended to, that few ministers venture to accept a call, unless it is nearly unanimous, he is the object of their general approbation; and he is viewed, not as a lord over the her

itage of God, not as a domineering priest and spiritual tyrant, but as their father and friend, as the companion of their social hours, as their counsellor in perplexities, and as their comforter in affliction. If his lot is cast among a people of religious and sober habits; if he is a man of such decent talents, that they have no reason to be ashamed of him; if his character, though not faultless, is yet free from any scandalous stain; if his heart is sincere and kind; in particular, if he is circumspect in his conversation and discreet in his behaviour, he will pass through life the object of their love: if his talents and virtues rise still higher, he will be the object, not only of their love, but of their veneration. The obligation then of a Christian congregation to their minister may be comprised in these two words; they should love him, and they should esteem him. From this obligation of love and esteem result several duties; some of which I now proceed to lay before you.

I. I might suggest, in the first place, that it is the duty of a religious society to provide for the comfortable support of the minister, whom they esteem and love. But it is not proper to say much on this head; because it is not easy to touch it, without appearing to love the world more than God. A preacher of the gospel, it is true, has physical wants like other men; but wretched is that preacher, whose principal motive of entering into the ministry is the emolument, which he expects to derive from the office; for he possesses the temper, which effectually prevents him from discharging the duties of his station with pleasure to himself and profit to others. He should be disinterested and heavenly-minded; but his heart is distracted with avaricious anxieties. Every