SIR, The designation of a Christian minister to the pastorate is one of the most solemn, momentous, and affecting transactions under the sun. It is a spectacle witnessed by heaven and earth, by angels and men, by the church and the world. Surely no trifling cause, no ordinary event, ought to sever a connexion so sacred, founded on mutual consent, and cemented by the ties of a holy and heavenly friendship. Perhaps there is no relative position to be found amidst human society approximating so near to those pure, spiritual, and lofty communings which are felt and cherished by those ethereal spirits who stand before the throne of God and the Lamb. I have been much struck lately in hearing, reading, and witnessing the removal of many of the modern pastors of our Congregational churches, and have been led to exclaim, "Surely if the deacons and members of our churches were more rebus cœlestibus intentus, such things would not so frequently occur." In looking over the biographical records of our old excellent nonconforming fathers, we but rarely meet with an instance of their removing or resigning, unless the hand of God was manifested in a peculiar and obvious manner. They did not resemble wandering stars," but they shone like fixed planets in the different spheres allotted to them by Providence. The same affection which prompted them to live and labour among the people of their choice led them to spurn every temptation of a worldly and mercenary character, and to die amidst the bewailments and lamentations of their spiritual progeny. Surely some weighty and cogent reasons ought to be adduced for such an important procedure. Allow me to specify a few considerations, which I think operate in the present day to influence some of our ministers to alternate in their stations, and to leave their beloved flocks.

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I. A desire of extending their usefulness. This is one cause which we often hear assigned from some who are desirous of removing. A minister may be placed in a certain locality where the population is small, and the people so gross in their habits, lax in their sentiments, and sordid in their pursuits, that his labours seem to be almost in vain. For the want of early religious training, intellectual culture, or some dominant clerical or aristocratic influence, great and powerful prejudices may exist against the grand evangelical doctrines of the gospel. We admit that a minister so situated must feel very sensitively and keenly his position. haps between him and his charge there is no oneness of feeling, no reciprocation of thought, no congeniality of spirit, no uniformity of design. He wanders in his imaginings over depraved beings, reckless spirits, thoughtless minds, solitary and alone. There is scarcely a gleam of joy or hope falling on his mental vision to cheer or solace him amidst his arduous duties and Christian enterprises. The strong holds of depravity seem so invulnerable to all he can do or devise, that he is tempted to forego his sphere of labour. But he ought to pause and reflect, amidst his resolves. The leaven of the gospel may be working silently and secretly, like the under-currents of nature; a nucleus may be formed, of a spiritual character, which ere long may diffuse a moral beauty, a heavenly loveliness, causing his depressed spirit to exult with a feeling of hallowed joy and seraphic transport. Instances are known, and facts might be mentioned, proving the expediency and usefulness of ministers who have left smaller for larger spheres of labour; but it is a serious step, and requires much prayer and deliberation, and it is wiser to use caution and discretion, than præfestino, præcipito. It is true that Fuller left his charge at Soham, amidst the tears and

regrets of an affectionate and devoted people, for a more extended field at Kettering; while the late excellent Dr. Fawcett resolved to spend his energies and his life for the spiritual welfare of those who first invited him to fill the pastoral office; and though offers and invitations of a flattering character were urged and pressed upon him from other quarters, he nobly and manfully disregarded them, and, with a moral heroism, adhered to his pious purpose; nor did he ever repent coming to this decision. But where a minister is called to witness signal success, is made the instrument of saving many souls, of enlarging the territories of Christ's spiritual kingdom; where he has obtained favour in the eyes of the people, has caused his ministry, his character, and his talents, to tell upon the mass of the population by which he is surrounded, whether he is justified in leaving such a responsible post, or whether other congregations act wisely or judiciously in tempting him away, is a matter of grave consideration. Do not the evils resulting from such a course preponderate over the good he may be permitted to achieve elsewhere?

II. Fickleness of ministers.-Some ministers are so versatile, they appear to be formed of such excitable materials, that they never seem stable or settled hence they are at the beck and call of every congregation going out seems to afford them more pleasure than stopping at home. They have solemnly taken the oversight of their charge in the Lord, and they are bound, by the most solemn obligations, to watch over them, to feed and nourish them, to instruct and encourage them, in return for their spontaneous and willing contributions. A stated pastor ought never to consider that he has the license of a strolling charlatan ; his warmest affections, his best energies, and his unceasing solicitude, ought to be given to his own people. If he is a man of commanding and popular talents, he ought not, for every trifling occurrence, for every little accidental circumstance, to menace his flock with

intimations of relinquishing his charge, and deserting his people. It is to be lamented that some amiable and excellent men are no sooner settled in one sphere, but they are looking out for another, not remembering that it is by "patient continuance in well doing we shall reap, if we faint not." A man of this mercurial temperament of mind, and unsettledness of purpose, is not likely to succeed to any considerable extent in any place. If many of our junior brethren in the gospel were to consult their own personal happiness, the glory of God, and the good of immortal souls, they would abide at their posts, and endeavour to irradiate, by, their example, preaching, conversation and influence, the people committed to their care, rather than risk the direful experiment of wandering from place to place, till their own strength and spirits are exhausted, their hopes unsatisfied, and the congregations rendered unsettled and unhappy, through their indiscreet conduct, and, it is to be feared, in many cases, interested ambition.

III. Unkindness and coldness of deacons. Every Christian minister ought to shine like the sun robed in his meridian splendour and beauty amidst the firmament of the church, and his deacons ought to move harmoniously round him as his attendants, diffusing a concentrated lustre of piety and holiness. They should be his privy council, his coadjutors, holding up his hands, stimulating his exertions, aiding his plans of usefulness, and carrying out his beneficent designs of mercy to those who are perishing for lack of knowledge. He needs their prayers, their sympathies, their encouragement. How much does the prosperity of a church, and the happiness of the minister, depend on them instrumentally. If his plans of usefulness are not espoused by them-if they hesitate, demur, and calculate, when they ought to act-if they are mercenary, grasping, and selfish, more ready to oppose than to assist, willing rather to retrograde than advance, speculating about punctilios more than fundamentals, mere

theorists rather than practical Christians-if they leave the minister to brood over his troubles, pursue his toils, and endure his difficulties, unaided, unsolaced, and unheeded by them, it must be trying indeed to his pious heart. There are some deacons in our churches who demean themselves in such a manner, and confer their favours in such a way, with so much hauteur and uncourteousness, that even their very acts of official duty, and deeds of Christian obligation, seem to flow from some fatal spring of coercion, rather than from a willing mind and a cheerful benevolent heart. Their most sanctimonious actions appear excors, animo abjectus, despondens. It must be harrowing to the feelings of a fine and generous spirit, a devoted and pious pastor, who is willing to labour, anxious to do good-who is constantly devising plans of usefulness and mercy for the good of perishing souls, to be secretly opposed, or coldly supported by those who fill such a prominent place in the church of God, so that the noblest efforts, the most sublime enterprises of the Christian ministry, are either directly or indirectly neutralized through their indifference, imbecility, incongruous apathy, or open or covert hostility. Under such circumstances, and placed in such a position, we do not wonder that some excellent men have thrown off the shackles, burst through the trammels, and sought a more congenial field of labour in some other part of the Lord's vineyard, rather than jeopardize their peace, pollute their consciences, keep truth and duty in abeyance, or forego the happiness of devising and trying all means to bless, restore, and retrieve ruined souls.

after a few years, they get greatly embarrassed with children springing up around them; claims increasing, and means diminishing, they are put to their wits' end to know what to do. The expenses of a domestic establishment, the purchase of books, the urgent necessities of many of their poorer hearers, sickness in their households, contributions to national or parochial societies, and various other causes, completely exhaust their trifling and limited incomes. And here, let it be observed, that some hearers of the gospel seem to have no correct views of their duty towards their ministers. They forget that the labourer is worthy of his hire, that he who ministers in spiritual things has a claim upon their carnal things. They willingly defray the expenses of their medical attendant, they cheerfully pay the lawyer for his legal advice, and some who profess to value the gospel can wantonly assume the most meretricious adornments, and yet withhold, or give reluctantly, a fraction to sustain or support the messenger of mercy. It is lamentable to see and know what difficulties, privations, and trials some good men have to pass through in consequence of their slender pecuniary resources. Many a knight of the awl and the needle can boast of a greater income, and participate more of the luxuries and conveniences of life, than many a holy and faithful minister of Jesus Christ. These things ought not so to be, and did the gospel produce its legitimate influence on the minds of those who hear it, they would study to make some personal sacrifice, forego some superfluity, or curtail some extravagance, in order that their minister might enjoy a better table, and make an appearance more suitable to his sphere in life.

V. Excessive labour.-" A good minister of Jesus Christ" has a deep, an abiding consciousness of his awful responsibility. Hence he is willing to labour in season and out of season; he is anxious to be found faithful to the souls committed to his care. It often happens that his constant fidelity, his

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unremitting exertions, his burning zeal, his holy deportment, his enterprising spirit, his philanthropic efforts for the good of souls, secure for him a large measure of spiritual prosperity. In every direction new scenes of usefulness are opening, new claims are presenting themselves-souls panting for salvation, seeking for deliverance from the wrath to come, claim his sympathy, excite his hopes, stimulate his exertions, and awaken his solicitude. side the stated and important functions of the pulpit, there are his visits to the chambers of sickness; village labours; various religious societies to organize, direct, or control; numerous families to visit, counsel, console, and instruct; catechetical lessons to the juvenile classes, and a word of wisdom and admonition to all. Indeed, a wise and laborious minister has no spare time, no leisure moments for foolish jesting, vain and frivolous conversation, for the sordid and subordinate objects of the world; his life is a life of labour, toil, exertionof doing good to souls-of bettering the saint, and benefiting the sinner. And it frequently happens, that the calls upon his mental and physical strength so multiply, that he cannot meet them; hence he wants some assistance, either lay or clerical, to carry out his Christian plans and his spiritual projects : if this is withheld or denied, he finds it essentially necessary to relinquish a part of his work, resign his charge, or remove to some other sphere, where his physical frame, not formed of adamant, and his nerves, completely unstrung by incessant labour and excitement, may find a degree of quietude and rest. The saying of that saintly and indefatigable man, George Whitefield, may be true-it is better to wear up than rust up. Still we must admit that a laborious minister, whose duties are arduous, whose flock is large, whose reading is extensive, and who is determined to make "full proof of his ministry," needs, like other men, relaxatio, remissio, avocatio, avocamentum.

VI. Want of studious habits.—A minister who would wear well, who is

anxious to see his people intelligent, wise, spiritual, active, and useful, must of necessity be a man of deep research and extensive knowledge. He must traverse the ample and flowery fields of Divine revelation, unseal the fountain of holy literature, hold humble and trembling converse with sacred and awful realities. He must scan and expose the latent, subtle, and specious sophistry of the human heart-he must be an every-day learner. If there is not a rich variety, a beautiful simplicity, a healthy vein of evangelical truth running through his pulpit exercises, a sort of spiritual lethargy will soon seize, with a torpedo touch, the minds of the people. The same similies, the same tropes, the same monotonous round of deep and mysterious doctrines, will cloy the spiritual appetite. He may ratiocinate profoundly, deduct logically, enforce authoritatively; but unless "Christ is evidently set forth crucified," there will be no spiritual magnetical attractions for the soul. Ministers should remember that their hearers have sometimes more reason to complain of fatigue and weariness than they have themselves. Trite, colloquial, common-place remarks, provincial sentimentalism, vulgar truisms, meagre rhapsody, will not do in the present day. If studious habits are not cherished and cultivated-if a lively, energetic, impassioned style is disregarded-if the occurrences of the week, political verbiage, or religious declamation are presented as a substitute for the gospel of Christ, no wonder that ministers behold vacant seats and deserted pews. Congregations must naturally become lifeless and listless where they have to pass through the same routine of unimpressible service week after week. To captivate the sinner and edify the saint, to rouse the formalist and alarm the hypocrite, to meet the wants and increasing intelligence of the times, requires a constant supply of heavenly wisdom, Divine grace, and deep-rooted piety. And a minister who is indifferent to the claims of his study, the cravings of piety, and

the progression of vital religion in the soul, will soon find out that his people will gradually become disaffected, and desert him, or he must make up his mind, however painful the process, and reluctant the effort, to take his farewell of them. In the present age of reading, thinking, scientific discovery, moral improvement, and religious inquisitiveness, no minister can maintain his hallowed and elevated altitude in society, unless he is devoted to his work.

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VII. Dissensions in congregations. - This is a most serious evil; woe to those who gender strifes. The world is looking to the church of Christ for an exemplification of unity, peace, and love for all the social, sacred, and sanctifying amities of fraternal affection and heaven-born fellowship. If there is not a oneness of motive and design amidst the brotherhood of Christ-if there is not real concord to be found in a Christian community-where are we to look for it? When we behold Christians, like hostile battalions, waging war with each other pouring forth invective and sarcasm, depreciating character, throwing the garb of suspicion over acknowledged piety and virtue; more willing to wound a friend than to win a foe; more ready to magnify the failings of others than to conceal them; tenacious to aggrandize power, assume consequence, and exercise authority; anxious to monopolize all the credit for usefulness and spiritual prosperity; conducting themselves more like haughty aristocrats than humble Christians ; viewing with a supercilious gaze their poorer, and perhaps we may add more useful brethren ;- when we witness these things in a Christian church, we tremble for the ultimate issue. It is morally impossible for a benevolent and sensitive heart, a meek and placid spirit, one who is influenced and animated with the tender disposition and all-absorbing compassion of his Divine Lord and Master, to live long in such an uncongenial region, amidst such discordant elements. Nothing so effec

tually counteracts the influence of his example, the efficiency of his ministry, the operations of his hands, and the benevolent purposes of his heart, as this; every pious and serious mind must tremble to behold it, would shudder to aid it, and would, if practicable and possible, flee from it. It is so remote from every thing heavenly, spiritual, and godlike, that it deserves to be branded as fiendish-it is the very antipodes of Christianity. Need we wonder that some good ministers, placed in such circumstances, surrounded by turbulent and contentious spirits, amongst whom there are no feelings of amity, no affinity of disposition, no cordiality of purpose, and no reciprocation of affection,-who are resolved to fulfil their own designs, carry their own point, attain their own object, regardless of all consequences, should make up their minds to vacate their post and dissolve a connexion endeared to them by a variety of other considerations? Members of Christian churches should remember that they are all one in Christ Jesus; and if they assume the attitude of enemies, and maintain the character of antagonists, holy peace will expire, and spiritual prosperity will depart: they ought "to study the things which make for peace, and whereby one may edify another."

VIII. The consequences of ministerial changes. A good minister leaving his flock under any circumstances is very painful, and in many cases it may be considered as a direful calamity; but when he has the entire confidence and affection of his church and congregation, and is compelled to quit the scene of his labour through the officiousness, antipathy, or intolerance of a few, how serious, melancholy, and frightful is sometimes the result of such a procedure. What a deadening influence is produced! what forebodings are awakened! what surmises are excited! what a jealous suspicious spirit is felt in the minds of the people! The world is astonished, and