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does not follow that he tells you no truth. In treating with such a man, he should say—“ His edge may be too keen, for candour and sound judgment; yet, if it lays open to me what I could not otherwise

see,

let me improve by its keenness. What hurt can he do me? He may damp or irritate others, by talking thus to them; but, let me learn what is to be learnt from him.” Such a man lifts a Minister from bis standing, where he settles down too easily and firmly. If I know a man to be of this class, I will distinguish: * This is the man: but that is myself!" If I would write a book to stand the fire, let me find out the sevel'est censor. My friend is but half the man: there is a consentaneousness of sentiment between us : have fallen in together, till we scarcely know how to differ from each other. Let the man come who

says -"Here I can discover you to yourself; and there!" The best hints perhaps are obtained from snarling people. Medicaments make the patient smart, but they heal. Yet a Minister must not take this in the gross.

He is not to invite rude men round his door. If he suffer his hearers to treat him irreverently-if he allow them to dispute with him on every occasion--he will bring ruin on the Church. The Priest's lips must keep knowledge. If a parent allow his children to question every thing, so that nothing is to be settled without a hundred proofs, they will soon despise their teacher, for they will think themselves able to teach him. The Minister must have decided superiority and authority, or he will want one of the principal qualities of his ministry. This is not inconsistent with receiving bints. He may mistake in some things: but he should

mark the complexion of his congregation in deciding how far they are to be heard on his mistakes. If the people are heady, forward, confident in their own sense, they are never to be encouraged. They are gone too far.

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VOL. III.

ON

THE LIMITS

WHICH A MINISTER SHOULD PUT TO THE

INDULGENCE OF HIS CURIOSITY,

WITH REGARD TO

PUBLIC EXHIBITIONS.

An extreme is to be avoided. Some persons would condemn even rational curiosity. But the works of the Lord are great : sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. I would not object, therefore, to visit the museum; or to go to see the rare natural productions often exhibited. I would enlarge, too, my views of man and the world, by frequenting the Panoramas of Cities. And, though I would not run after every sight, yet I would use my liberty in selecting.

But some are in an opposite extreme. They are found every where. But he, who sustains the character of a scribe of the kingdom of heaven, ought not to pe found every where. The man, who is seeking a heavenly country, will show the spirit of one whose conversation is there.

There is something in religion, when rightly appréhended, that is masculine and grand. It removes those little desires, which the constant hectic of a fool."

Every thing of the drama, and whatever is so distinctly the course of this world, must be shunned. If a Minister take one step into the world, his hearers will take two. Much may be learnt from the sentiments of men of the world. If a man of this cha

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racter who heard me preach, should meet me he would say, "Why I did not expect to see you here!" -then he ought not to have seen me there.

There must be measure and proportion in our attention to Arts and Sciences. These were the very idols of the heathen world: and what are THEY, who now follow them with an idolatrous eagerness, but like children, who are charmed with the sparkling of a rocket, and yet see nothing in the sun?

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Yet I would not indulge a cynical temper. If I go through a gentleman's Gallery of Pictures, I would say, This is an admirable Claude !"—but I would take occasion to drop a hint of something higher, and better, and to make it felt that I fell in with these things rather incidently than purposely. But all this must be done with tenderness and humility: "I tread on the pride of Plato," said Diogenes, as he walked over Plato's carpet: "Yes-and with more pride,"

ON TIL MEANS OF

PROMOTING A SPIRIT OF DEVOTION

IN CONGREGATIONS.

Let us ask,

66 What is man ?" He is a creature of feeling, as well as of intellect. We must interest him as we can. It is unphilosophical to depend on the mere statement of truth. No doubt there is a contrary error:

or what is the end of exciting attention, if there is nothing deserving attention ?

It is of the first importance, to PUT MEANING into every part of the service. In either extreme, of

appealing to the understanding or the feelings, there may be no meaning: in a dull and lifeless preacher, there is no meaning; and, in one of a contrary character, there may be nothing worthy of the name.

There is, besides, TOO LITTLE ATTENTION, in many Churches, TO MAN AS MAN.

I would consult his convenience in all lawful points. If he could sit easier on cushions, he should have cushions. I would not tell him to be warm in God's service, while I leave him to shiver with cold. No door should creak : no window should rattle.

Music has an important effect on devotion. Wherever fantastical music enters, it betrays a corrupt principle. A congregation cannot enter into it; or, if it does, it cannot be a: Christian congregation. Wherever there is an attempt to set off the music in the service, and the attempt is apparent, it is the first step towards carnality. Though there is too little life in the style of music adopted among the Moravians. yet the simplicity of Christianity pervades their devotion.

Order is important. Some persons, by coming in when they please, propagate a loose habit of mind. For man is a sympathetic creature; and what he sees others neglect, he is in danger of growing negligent in himself. If the reader goes through the Service as though the great business for which they are assembled is not yet begun, the people will soon feel thus themselves.

The Minister should take occasion frequently to impress on the people the IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK in which they are engaged. It is not enough to take it for granted that they feel this. We must take nothing for granted. Man needs to be reminded of every thing, for he soon forgets every thing.

MONOTONY must be, above all things, avoided. The mind is vagrant : monotony cannot recall it. There may be continued vehemence, while the attention is not excited : it is disturbance and noise : there is nothing to lead the mind into a useful train of thought or feeling.

There is an opposite error to vehemence. Men of sense and literature depress devotion by treating things ABSTRACTEDLY. Simplicity, with good sense, is of unspeakable value. Religion must not be rendered abstract and curious. If à curious remark presents itself, reserve it for another place. The hearer gets away from the bustle and business of the week : he comes trembling under his fears : he would mount upward in his spirit : but a curious, etymological disquisition chills and repels him.

In truth, we should be men of business in our congregations. We should endeavour both to excite and instruct our hearers. We should render the service an interesting affair in all its parts. We should rouse men : we should bind up the broken-hearted : we should comfort the feeble-minded : we should support the weak : we should become all things to all men, if by any means we may save some.

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