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

page of the gospel reproaches him for his selfish care; for the gospel everywhere proclaims this precept, Love not the world, nor the things of the world: if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. The wealth, which he delights in, he cannot easily obtain; for in such a country as this the salaries of ministers, though sufficient for comfort, for ease, for content, are not sufficient to satisfy the demands of covetousness. He is compelled therefore to turn his attention to pursuits foreign from his profession, by which he soon loses his reputation; or he contrives to save money by a mortifying course of meanness and inhospitality, which renders him the object of derision. I will only say then, that a generous people will attend to the wants of their minister, and will never put him to the painful necessity of giving them any hints on the subject.

II. A second duty, which results from the love and esteem of a people to their minister, is to attend his ministrations. Christians go to church for the sake of worshipping God, of joining in the celebration of the holy ordinances, of hearing the divine word, and of being instructed and confirmed in the belief of the doctrines and in the practice of the precepts of the gospel. These higher motives are not incompatible with another of an inferior kind, esteem of their pastor. If they entertain a sincere affection and respect for him, they will delight to meet him in the house of God. Though he may be neither a weak nor a vain man, though he may have an humble opinion of the merit of his own performances, and may not be fond of popular applause; yet he cannot fail of being mortified, if the seats of the church are frequently empty, and if he commonly preaches to a