salutary influence over the minds of their fellowChristians, and form an admirable instrument for preserving the purity of the church, and administering its laws. Chosen by the communicants on account of their superior worth and attainments, they enjoy the confidence of those over whom they preside, and are regarded by them with that powerful sympathy which voluntary choice, unless the objects of it are guilty of egregious misconduct, never fails to inspire.

Is it not then apparent that elders are men in whose hands there is placed a moral instrument of powerful efficiency, and should they not therefore make it their daily endeavour to wield that instrument in such a manner, that it may be productive of good to the Church of Christ? Should they not labour to cultivate personal religion, and to exhibit a walk and conversation becoming the gospel, that others seeing their good works, may be stimulated to the cultivation of similar graces? In vain will they reprove the backsliding, if their own piety be of a questionable kind. Should they not study to acquire an accurate and extensive knowledge of the sacred writings, that they may be able to instruct the ignorant, and to resolve the doubts of those who are involved in perplexity? Should they not take a deep interest in the diffusion of Christian knowledge, and the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom, giving their countenance to every plan of usefulness, both that they themselves may be the honoured instruments of increasing the glory of the Redeemer's name, and that the energies of those who are committed to their care may be directed aright, and prevented from sinking into a state of listless inactivity? Should they not strive to act with prudence, and circumspection in all the affairs which come under their consideration, ever looking with a single eye to the glory of their Master's name, that they may acquire a larger share of the confidence of the Christian people, and be enabled to exert over them the greater moral influence? Should they not labour to avoid even the

appearance of evil, living in all godliness and honesty, lest any actions of theirs, however innocent in themselves, should, in consequence of unfavourable circumstances, be converted by the wicked, who are ever prone to judge harshly of the conduct of professing Christians, into weapons of attack against the pure and holy religion of Christ? Should they not, in a word, regard themselves as the guides of the people of God, stationed over them for the purpose of exciting them, both by precept and example, to the diligent and faithful discharge of their duties, and responsible therefore in a certain degree for their improvement, as well as for their own? To them indeed, as well as to the preaching elders, may be applied most justly that striking passage in the book of Ezekiel iii. 17: "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul."

Such are the duties which the very nature of the case demonstrates to be binding upon those who have assumed the office of the eldership; and such are the fatal, and such the salutary results which the careless or the diligent discharge of these duties is calculated to produce. What ground then for serious reflection, and what motives to unsparing self-examination do these considerations suggest! How fervent should be the prayers which the elder of the church presents to God, for strength to enable him to walk uprightly, and for grace to guard him from every course which might prove a stumbling-block to others! Should not the duty which he owes to Christ, and to the members of the church be ever present to his mind? The man

who knows that he is wielding a weapon which may prove fatal to the lives of others, should certainly give especial heed to his movements: and the servant of Jesus who knows that the gospel is a double-edged sword, with the one edge powerful to heal, but where its healing virtue is depised, powerful with the other to destroy, should use his utmost efforts to bring its salutary edge into contact with the consciences of men. It it an awful responsibility which rests upon the heads of those who undertake the spiritual oversight of the Church of Christ. Stewards of the mysteries of God, they are engaged in a task of the most momentous kind; and their labours are productive of consequences which extend through the duration of eternity. Their employments have reference not to the fleeting interests of this world, but to the immortal destinies of the soul; and when they neglect or abuse their spiritual functions, they are pursuing a course which may involve thousands in a ruin beyond the reach of remedy. Theirs is not the negligence of the men who bring misery upon themselves alone. Theirs is the negligence of the guide, whose dying groans are mingled with the groans of the victims whom he has led astray. Like the general whose unskilfulness or folly has consigned his men to the sword of the foe, their blood they commingle with the blood of others; and the sting of their own death must carry the concentrated venom of a thousand dissolutions.

14th November, 1834.

W. L.

AN ESSAY, &c.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY.

OUR once crucified, but now exalted Redeemer, has erected in this world a kingdom which is his church. This church is either visible or invisible.

By the invisible church, we mean the whole body of sincere believers, of every age and nation, "that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ, the glorious Head thereof." Part of these are already made perfect in heaven. Another portion are at present scattered over the earth in different denominations of professing Christians, though not certainly distinguishable from others by the human eye. And the remainder are in future to be gathered in by the grace of God;-when the whole number of the "redeemed from among men," will be united in one holy assembly, which is the "spouse," the "body of Christ, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.”

By the visible church is meant the body of those who profess the true religion, together with their children. It is that body which is called out of the world, and united under the authority of Christ, the Head, for the purpose of maintaining Gospel Truth and Order, and promoting the knowledge, purity, comfort, and edification of all the members. When

A