an important aid in acquiring new and interesting ideas, and in enlarging their views of the works of creation, providence, and redemption. But how different the prospects of those who have a religious teacher, that is confined to a narrow circle in his publick discourses. Sameness must be a peculiar trait in his instructions; and with a few exceptions, the people of his charge will have contracted and illiberal views. Whilst they make but little progress in divine or useful knowledge, they will verify the saying. Like priest, like people. And indeed how strangely ignorant are the majority of some congregations respecting the various doctrines and duties of Christianity, and other important and interesting truths closely connected with them. The range of subjects to which the minds of some professing Christians seem to be confined, may be comprised within the limits of five or six chapters of the New Testament. And how very narrow and limited are their ideas respecting the universal kingdom of Jehovah. and the range of his operations! The views of some individuals are confined chiefly within the limits of their own parish; or at fartherest, extend only to the sensible horizon, which forms the boundary of their sight. Within this narrow circle, all their ideas of God, of religion, and of the relations of intelligent beings to cach other, are chiefly circumscribed. What may be the nature of the vast assemblage of shining points which adorn the canopy of their habitation, and the ends they are destined to accomplish in the plan of the Creator's operations, they consider as no part of their province to inquire. There is a certain narrowness of view and principle of selfishness that pervade the minds of many professors of religion, which lead them to conclude that if they can but secure their own personal salvation, they need give themselves no trouble about the glory and extent of the kingdom of the Most High. What need we care, say they, about nations in the far distant

parts of the world, and about the divine works in the planets and stars; our business is to attend to the spiritual interests of our souls. But such persons seem not fully to understand in what salvation really consists, and what is conducive to their spiritual growth, nor to appreciate those tempers and habits which will qualify them for the enjoyment of eternal life. It forms but a very slender evidence of their being the children of God, if they wish to rest satisfied with the most scanty and vague conceptions of his works; and if they do not ardently aspire after a more enlarged view of the greatness and glory of his empire, and of whatever may tend to expand their conceptions of the inheritance of saints in light.

But how great the influence of a gospel minister over the minds of the generality of his hearers, either to render contracted or to enlarge their views; to render them bigots, or to cause them to abound in all Christian and useful knowledge. If the pastor feed his flock from all that richness of provision which the great Shepherd, in his abundant fulness has provided, instead of having leanness sent into their souls, they will enjoy a feast of fat things. Each one will have his portion of meat in due season; while the whole will be edified and sanctified. Then what encouragement for ministers of the gospel to hold forth variety as a prominent trait in their publick discourses.

7th. The beneficial influence on the minds of young people, should be viewed as an encouragement and powerful excitement for the bringing forth of things new and old, in the religious instructions from the pulpit. If an extensive variety of topicks should be introduced into the publick discourses of the sanctuary, by connecting the manifestations of Deity in the system of nature, and the discoveries of science with the objects of religion, it would have a tendency to allure the attention of the young to religious subjects, and to afford mental entertain

ment and moral instruction to intelligent minds of every description. And certainly every wise and well instructed scribe must feel a lively interest in so gaining their attention, as to excite them to an inquiry of the great things of the kingdom. Are youth the peculiar hope and encouragement of a minister's usefulness? Then they certainly claim a particular regard in the choice of his subjects and illustrations. But variety and novelty are highly favourable to attract the notice and impress the minds of the rising generation. Are young persons generally fond of reading novels? And are they much in quest of new things? Then let singular texts and subjects be occasionally chosen and elucidated; that they may be led to a perusal of the holy scriptures in view of the marvellous things therein recorded. Doubtless if a suitable portion of the manifold varieties, singular events, and wonderful phenomena of divine revelation should be judiciously illustrated from the pulpit, many young people, from a laudable curiosity, would be incited to hear the word preached with readiness, and would eagerly peruse the sacred volume for entertainment and instruction. Does the Bible abound with such a variety of novelties and divine wonders only to be read, and not to be the theme of gospel heralds? Do not the age, the active principles, and dearest interest of children and youth, in a special manner require that they derive a due portion of food from such nutritive provision? I am well aware that some may be ready to reply, Young people are so thoughtless concerning religious subjects, and so bent on the vanities of youth, that they should be addressed with subjects of the most pungent and alarming nature. But is it not a fact that the generality of youth do frequently have their minds much exercised about the concerns of their souls? Moreover, does not a continued series. of doctrinal and terrifying subjects serve to impress on their thoughts that the duties and essence of reli

gion are very much of a gloomy and disconsolate nature? Then may they not only hear discourses of the most solemn import, and observations of a very striking nature, but let the varied peculiarities and beauties of the gospel be delineated; that Christianity be not presented to their youthful and tender minds in a forbidding aspect, but in its most attractive charms and lovely forms. Would a minister of the gospel be influential and useful among this important class of his hearers, let his conversation and sermons evince his respect for them, and manifest his solicitations for their present and future wellbeing. Let them not only be affectionately reproved and warned, but let them be encouraged, animated and drawn by all the varied motives and excitements which can be derived from the volume of divine truth. Their youthful days and vigour of life, their golden period of existence, plead for an interesting variety in the instructions of their pastor.

8th. In order to enlarge congregations and build up society, it is highly important that ministers of the gospel hold forth variety as a prominent trait in their publick discourses. The beneficial effects resulting to Christian society and to community from an extensive range of subjects well chosen, and from a variety of apt illustrations, are numerous; and that of the satisfaction and enlargement of the people of a minister's charge, is of great consequence. There are the learned and the unlearned, the diligent inquirer after truth and the slothful, the moral and the immoral, within the limits of almost every parish; and there is a rich plenitude in the divine word, from which something may be brought forth appropriate to their diversified taste and circumstances. And in scattered and broken societies, how essential that the instructions of the sanctuary have an interesting variety; that the people be built up, and not broken down! But how often, and indeed how justly is the complaint made, that there is a great sameness in

the topicks and discussions of the pulpit! How many in the ministry have all their subjects comprised within a very small circle, and their illustrations quite limited! And, on the same account, comparatively few enter the threshold of the sanctuary: hence, ministerial usefulness is greatly restricted. What next? The feeble church is deprived of their pastor. It is doubtless true, that in many places, different sects and indifference to a preached gospel, cause societies to be in a divided and broken state. Moreover, it is equally true that in many places where few assemble together on the Lord's day, respectable congregations might be collected by a scribe who would hold forth variety as a prominent trait in his publick discourses. It is a matter of fact, that a certain number of texts and topicks are so frequently introduced by ministers of the gospel, that when one of them is named, no small part of the congregation wish themselves home, or else invite sleep. Then let new texts and new subjects be introduced, as often as those that are old; and this variety will prove a remedy for such lamentable effects. Let ministers generally select some of the varied and interesting texts which have not yet been discussed in the sanctuary; and the expressions, singularity and curious minded," will not fall from the tongues of the illiberal and illiterate. Since God, in the course of his Providence, has disclosed to the present age a far more expansive view of the glory of his kingdom than former ages could obtain, for the purpose of illustrating the revelations of his word, shall not proportionate advances, and suitable improvements be attempted? Who will dare assert, that the scribe who has access by his studious efforts, to contemplate this wondrous scene and its rising grandeur, and yet withholds from communicating to the people the increasing displays of the divine glory, does not thereby hazard the divine displeasure? In relation to this point, and the present particular, the

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