he must not overlook that great principle of their common degeneracy, self-righteousness. This is enthroned in the heart of every natural man. He is fallen from God to self. He loves himself supremely, lives to himself ultimately; and the genuine language of his heart is, "Who is the Lord that I should obey him?" This was the spirit of our original apostacy, and this has been the strength of our continued apostacy. Throughout the schools of philosophy, the rites of superstition, and the fondly cherished maxims and feelings of society, throughout all the history of unrenewed man, we can trace this inveterate principle of pride, daring and buffeting a thousand oppositions, and stoutly entering into judgment with the righteousness of heaven. Against this "strong man armed," the faithful Minister will earnestly contend; against this deadly evil he will preach, and labour, and pray, and this "root of bitterness" he will seek utterly to destroy.

But he has also to deal with the people of God. In the family of Christ there are babes as well as young men and fathers; and whilst he nourishes the former with "the sincere milk of the word," he supports the latter with "strong meat." "Upon him cometh daily the care of the church." May he not say with Paul, "Who is weak and I am not weak ; who is offended and I burn not?" He bears them all upon his heart before the throne of grace. Like a faithful shepherd he chides the wanderer, supports the weak, rebukes the froward, "makes them" all to "lie down in green pastures, and leads them beside the still waters." The great object of his ministry is to convince and to move; he will therefore seek every avenue to the understanding and the heart. He is charged with a divine commission; he will therefore speak with authority. It is a gracious commission; he will therefore speak with love Against prevailing error in doctrine, or wickedness in practice, he will "set his face like a flint." Here he will have no compromise; against these he will wage a war of extermination. But as the Gospel messenger, he is chiefly to abɔund in ministrations of tenderness, to lead the convinced and anxious soul to the cross of Christ, and "to appoint unto them that mourn in Sion, beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness."

Grave, solemn, chaste, affectionate, in all his address, he will equally shun vulgarity and affectation. In the discharge of his office, both to sinners and to saints, he will "act as a faithful and wise servant whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season," ," and "study to show himself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

That a Minister may thus fulfil his trust, he must himself be well informed in "the mysteries of the kingdom." He must be a diligent and enlightened student of the Scriptures. He must study the Bible in all its parts, and as a whole. In its perusal he must exercise sound criticism, as distinguished alike from lazy negligence, vain pedantry, and ingenious per version of the truth. To this end he should search the Scriptures in their original tongues, compare Scripture with Scripture, and call on every subsidiary means for the illustration or enforcement of divine truth. He should store his mind with various knowledge, not for the sake of gaining a literary reputation, or of slaking the thirst of a vitiated curiosity, but to devote its treasures to the service of the sanctuary. Above all, he must study his Bible on his knees, and in constant dependence on the presence and teaching of the Holy Spirit, who "guides us into all truth?!

Without this he may indeed become a good textuary, a profound critic, á subtle polemic, an accomplished orator; but as a Gospel Minister, he is all unfurnished, until, in the holy familiarity of faithful, humble, secret, and habitual prayer, he has learned to walk and commune with God, and draw the materials of his instruction from his own experience of God's dealing with his own soul.

But besides the great duty of preaching the Gospel, a Minister is called to discharge various other duties subservient to the same design— duties so important, that, on the faithful performance of them, the success of his ministry must, after all, in a great measure depend. The faithful Minister will actively promote scriptural education among all classes of his people, and thus early sow the seed, that, in due time, he may reap the harvest of salvation. The young communicants will be the objects of his peculiar care they are the hope of the Church-and it has long been our deep and settled conviction, that, at this season, their spiritual character is usually decided. To these, therefore, the faithful Minister will give his prayers, his councils, and his unwearied exertions. Nor will he fail to encourage such valuable institutions as Sunday-Schools-those great means of diffusing sacred knowledge-and he will countenance Bible and Missionary Societies, which God has so remarkably blessed in these latter days. The faithful Minister will visit his people from house to house, exhorting, catechising, and expounding the word with prayer. He is to make diligent inquiry into the state and progress of religion in families and neighbourhoods, and even to inform himself, as far as he may, of the Christian character of each individual. He is to heal divisions, and promote peace and good will among brethren. Here all his prudence, patience, and tenderness, may be abundantly exercised. The Minister, in these duties, draws near to his people, and his people to him. However impressive or awakening his public ministry may be, he cannot, from the pulpit, hold that personal converse which circumstances frequently require, and upon which the influence and success of his ministry will frequently be found to depend. It will also be the duty of a Minister to watch and improve the various dispensations of providence by which his people may be visited; for all God's providences may be made to promote the ends of his grace, while his grace may in turn be directed to sanctify and im prove the dispensations of his providence.

Nor should we ever overlook the tender office of visiting the sick. Besides our peculiar obligations as Christian pastors, there are here touching appeals to the heart of humanity, that will powerfully draw us to this duty. Indeed the Minister who shuts his ears against the calls of affliction, is equally dead to the sympathies of his nature and the success of his ministry. For never is he clothed with such moral dignitynever armed with such subduing power, as when standing by the bedside of the dying sinner, he turns his eye to the cross, and bids him to "behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world," Religion thus will be felt as the business, not merely of the Sabbath or the sanctuary, but as the business of life. The devoted Minister will be regarded, not merely as the stated professional lecturer, but as the spiritual father, who, with unceasing anxiety, watches over their souls, as one who feels his pleasure in the duties of his office, and whose richest reward is to see "his children walking in love, and growing in grace."

III.-The trials, comforts, and encouragements awaiting the faithful minister the various names by which he is distinguished, as 66 minister"

or servant, "soldier," "watchman," imply labour, difficulty, and danger. These things arise from various sources; but his first and greatest trial springs from the fault of his own nature. Even with a heart renewed by divine grace, and zealous for the divine glory, he is still sensible of such remaining corruptions as tend greatly to interrupt his comfort, impair his strength, and mar his usefulness. There is not one ministerial duty that is not felt attended with serious difficulties, arising from temptations to unbelief, languid affections, imperfect views, impatience under trials, and the like corruptions of the heart This is a "sore evil." Paul felt and deplored it in his own case, exclaiming, as in an agony, "O, wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death." But by the grace of God the gospel minister is enabled to overcome even this opposi tion. "I thank God," (says Paul)" through Jesus Christ our Lord."" "Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory." And when faith waxes faint, and love cold, he may realize peculiar promises, fitted to sustain him in peculiar circumstances. Under every trial he is assured-" My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness."→→→ "Most gladly, therefore, does he learn rather to glory in his infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon him."

The next great trial (springing from the same bitter root) lies in the blindness, unbelief, and alienation of all those whom he is called to address. They are all, without even one exception, naturally opposed to the great objects of his ministry-the glory of God, the grace of Christ, the witness of the Spirit, the love and holiness of the gospel. Indeed, if the heart were on God's side he should have nothing to fear, for his cause is God's. The amiable reformer, Melancthon, tells us, that when he commenced his ministry he was high in hope. Supposing that nothing could resist the persuasive force of truth, he calculated on the joyful reception of the gospel wherever he proclaimed it to sinners, and anticipated, one continued triumph through the whole course of his ministry; but after repeated mor tifications he was compelled to exclaim, that “Old Adam was too strong for young Melancthon." Yes, the opposition of the heart to God has been the faithful minister's affliction and complaint in every age. He may, indeed, hold forth the promises of the gospel, but the unbelieving heart will not receive them; he may urge the requisitions of the gospel, but the unsubdued heart will not obey them. To his every argument it has a ready reply, to his every motive an effectual antagonist, to every arrow of the Lord an impenetrable shield, till he finds that all his shafts are spent, and the heart of the sinner still unsubdued. Does he then exclaim, "Who is sufficient for these things?"-he is relieved with the divine assurance, 66 our sufficiency is of God." Yes, weak in himself, he is "mighty through God." "He can do all things, through Christ which strengtheneth him." The divine presence attends him. "He is a worker together with God." And even though his ministrations should be accompanied with few apparent tokens of success, so that he is ready to exclaim, "I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought," yet he will remember that (while there may be success unknown to him) success is not his work, nor that for which he is accountable. To labour is his part; to bless his la bours is that of his Master.

His last trial is the persecution which the faithful servant of Christ is often called to endure from the enemies of truth and righteousness. He may not, indeed, be injured in his person or property, but his principles will be misrepresented; his character will be traduced, his peace disturb

ed, and his usefulness may be grievously impaired. It has been thus in every age, and, in the nature of things, it must be so. The kingdom which he proposes to set up is not only "not of this world," but directly opposed to the principies and maxims that govern the world. "If ye were of the world (says Christ to the first ministers of the gospel) the world would love his own; but, because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." Is he, therefore, to despond? No. He should regard this as part of that severe but necessary discipline, by which Christ trains his soldiers. It should lead him to greater watchfulness, more self-distrust, firmer dependence on divine council and strength, and especially to more earnest prayer. And why should he despond? "If God be for him, who can be against him?” May he not say with David, "I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God!" Or, with Nehemiah, in that fine spirit of intre pidity which looks the foe in the face, and inspires the lofty sentiment— Should such a man as I fly!" Or, with Paul," Troubled on every side, but not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." But, in all these trials and difficulties, he feels that he hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful; and, "having fought the good fight, having finished his course, and kept the faith," he triumphs in the glorious anticipation-" henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day."

IV. Suffer me now to address " the word of exhortation" to you, my friends, who have this day received a Pastor over you in the Lord. And, first, record your gratitude to the King and Head of the Church, who has given you a pastor according to his heart,” ordained him among you in love, and, as a worshipping society, preserved you from strife or division. During late years, several of our congregations have been distracted by strong contentions. Doubtless, God will make "the wrath of man to praise him ;" and the Spirit of God that "moved upon the face of the waters," and caused light to arise out of darkness, and order out of confusion, will, in his own good time, lead forth beauty and harmony, and truth and love, in glorious procession. We deplore not the conflict; for the Lord reigneth in the storm. The controversies that have agitated our church must have arisen; they are the offspring of that natural, and necessary, and eternal opposition that exists between truth and error, between light and darkness,-which may be repressed, but cannot be extinguished, until the chaff and the stubble, the hay and the wood have been burned up, and the dross consumed away, and the precious stones, and the silver, and the gold remain alone, in all their strength, and all their beauty. And as we deplore not the conflict, so we fear not the issue. Amid the fiercest contentions, truth can never be finally overthrown: but, on the contrary, opposition only calls forth her energies, enlarges her resources, purifies her principles, brightens her armour, and ensures her triumphs. Still is it pleasing to reflect, that, as a worshipping society, you continue to enjoy uninterrupted peace: you hear the storm without, but feel not its assault within; and, under these happy auspices, you have this day sealed an union so solemn and interesting. "Bless the Lord, O our souls, and all that is within us bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, our souls, and forget not all his benefits!" And now, my friends, that you have received a minister over you, in

the Lord, you owe him your countenance and encouragement. His duties are arduous, and much he requires your cordial and zealous co-operation. Especially you are bound to encourage his public ministrations. If to preach the gospel be his first duty, to hear the gospel must be your's. And, therefore, you will bear with me a little, while I speak with all plainness and sincerity, not in the spirit of a rigid censor, but of an affectionate minister; not, I trust, with bitterness, but with the meekness that is in Christ Jesus. Here, then, we are bound to remark a very great and grievous declension from the duty of public worship. We do not insinuate that this evil is of recent date, or by any means more chargeable on this than most of our large congregations. No. It is an evil of long standing, and of wide spreading extent, which we must all deplore, and, like other inveterate diseases, of slow and imperceptible growth. But it has at length becorse alarming, and unless specdily arrested, threatens to eat out the very profession of religion. When we compare the immense population of our parishes with the comparative handful that attend weekly upon the public worship of God,-yea, even an handful of the whole, where our most capacious houses are overcrowded with worshippers,- -we are struck with surprise and sorrow. The dense mass of ignorance and heathenism that is gathering around, is truly appaling. None but those who have carefully inquired into religious statistics, can have any conception of what a large proportion of our people, and of the people of other communions, remain utter strangers to the house of prayer, and, as far as public ordinances are concerned, live and die without God in the world. These aliens, if I may so term them, are, by the ordinary progress of population, daily on the increase. But there is another class who, though they have not wholly, yet have so nearly, deserted the house of prayer, that they can hardly make good their title to the character of church members. Perhaps a Sabbath or two, on the eve of the communion, or when they desire to have a child baptized, or when the morning is remarkably inviting, or perhaps when the still small voice of conscience disturbs them for a time, they may be seen in the house of God; but in general, they are strangers to its ennobling exercises. How many are there, too, both heads and members of families, esteeming themselves respectable professors, who count it very well, if they attend but every second Sabbath on public worship, or, at least, that they have fairly earned a day for themselves, when they have devoted two or three in succession to the service of God. Brethren, is this the countenance and encouragement you owe to your Minister? Is this the measure of gratitude you owe to your God?-But we are far from urging an indiscriminate charge against all. Of many, very many, still would we say with the apostle, "Beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak." We rejoice there is still a goodly number among us, who manifest their regard for divine ordinanees, like Joshua, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." These men are the pillars of a Christian church; they man its mouldering battlements in the hour of danger; they form its glory in the day of peace. The Minister whose heart would fail, and whose hands would hang down under discouragements, is upheld by their timely aid, and cheered in his arduous labours by their friendly countenance. To these, indeed, he owes much, and for these he should daily bend his knee, in devout gratitude to the Father of mercies.

But not only are you bound to countenance public ordinances→→→