I cannot perceive the force of this remark, because, whatever was the nature of the instructions they received, it is abundantly evident that they commenced their ministry before the time of their tuition expired. Immediately after their conversion, they were sent to teach and preach the kingdom of God. Nor is there a particle of proof that any of them ever became men of learning in consequence of what they were taught in the school of Christ. There is, indeed, proof that they did not. For after the ascension of their blessed Lord, when the rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled. saving influences on the hearts of sinners. It is true, their speech and their preaching was not with enticing words of men's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that the faith of their hear ers should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. No one can look around him on the churches of Christ either in the United States, or Great Britain, without being convinced, that the preaching of the gospel by plain, unlettered men, has been the power of God to the salvation of thousands of souls. They may be despised by men of learning-no one may write an address, or letter of commenda. tion on their behalf; but they are not without their consolation; for when they look on the seals which They did enjoy, no doubt, the God has given to their ministry, benefit of his instructions. But sure- they can say, with heart-felt satis ly no one can suppose that the Sa- faction: "Ye are are our epistle, viour was employed in teaching written in our hearts, known and them the rudiments of language and read of all men." I am not willing, science. His instructions were of Sir, that these faithful and successa higher and more important nature. ful servants of the Lord Jesus, He was not among them in the should be pronounced incompetent character of a school-master, but of to preach the gospel, because they a prophet. He was not a teacher cannot construe a sentence in Latin, of science, but of moral and reli- or Greek. It would be impossible gious truth. He taught them the for me to tell how many valuable things concerning the kingdom of ministers, with all their labours, God. He discovered to them their would have been lost to the world, obligations to God and their neigh and to the church of God, if these bour-their fallen and guilty con- calculators had sat as censors on dition-and the medium through their qualifications. Had the mod which pardon and acceptance could est and unassuming Carey, when he be found. In this way he qualified first commenced his ministry, a his disciples to preach the gospel. peared before them, he would have .And in this way every minister must been remanded to his work-seat be taught by the word and Spirit of again-Fuller would have been God, or otherwise, whatever litera- frowned into silence-and Booth ry honours may add lustre to his would have been told, that it would name, he is unfit to be a minister lessen the dignity of the ministerial office to admit his claims. Blessed The assertion against which I be God, no such unscriptural inter contend, is not only at variance with dicts were laid upon them, and each scripture facts, but with facts which of them has given full proof to the are constantly occurring within our world, of the eminence, and useful own personal observation. How ness to which men may attain when of Christ. often have we seen the labours of imbued with a unlearned men accompanied with endowed with vigorous powers of mind, even though they have not been liberally educated. It gives me much pleasure to perceive, that some of the most emiinent and pious men agree with me in opinion, that a liberal education is not necessary to qualify a man to preach the gospel. I have before me the "Plan of a College for the instruction of Asiatic Christian and other Youth in eastern literature and other science." It was drawn up by the missionaries at Serampore; who, though in the early part of their ministry, they would have been reproached as incompetent, will now perhaps be considered as worthy of the office. These excellent men judiciously remark, "When the Spirit of God convinces men of sin, he enlightens their understandings; and, in the instru ment used, he generally employs a knowledge of the previous ideas of the sinner, as the means of convincing him that these are erroneous and destructive. This is remarkably exemplified in many ministers deemed illiterate, who, if little acquainted with the rules of grammar and rhetoric, from their possessing a thorough knowledge of the ideas of the common people, often reach their hearts more effectually, than ministers more learned but less conversant with common life." In these observations I fully coincide. They are just, they are supported by facts, and could only have been made by men who are well acquainted with the philosophy of the human mind. In recommending their plan to the patronage of the public they say; "The benefit which pious young men, who at a more mature age may devote themselves to preaching the gospel, may reap from the institution, will not be small. They may be directed to pursue precisely those studies they most need, and this for three years, or two, or even one. In the mean while, they may be employed occasionally in itinerating through the 327 country around, or even sent on short journies, and a trial be made of their talents and fitness for the work, while they are improving. their minds. Thus every latent gift may be drawn forth, and employed in the most judicious manner. ད It is evident from this extract, that the pious and learned missionaries at Serampore do not consider a liberal education necessary to enable a person to give "such instruction as God has decided to be proper for the salvation of men." I must confess I was peculiarly gratified last evening while reading the Evangelical Magazine for November last. The passage which gave me so much pleasure is in the Memoir of the late Rev. E. Spencer, a clergyman of the church of England. His biographer remarks; How truly catholic was his spirit every Christian was his brother, and every minister his fellow labourer. Deeply versed in classical literature himself, he never despised nor undervalued the labours of those who had no such qualifications. He regarded every minister, of whatever church or denomination, very highly for his work's sake; and he has often sat as an humble disciple himself, to receive instruction from men, whom the pride and bigotry of other minds would have despised as teachers." For the memory of such a man I cannot but cherish sentiments of affection and respect. If all learned ministers had imbibed the same excellent spirit of Spencer, you would have had no distorted accounts of the state of religion in America, and your time would not. have been trespassed upon by this protracted correspondence. In addition to the opinions and conduct of these good men, I am greatly mistaken if you, Sir, do not agree with me that a liberal education is not necessary to qualify. man to preach the gospel. My knowledge of dissenting ministers in England, and of the regulations -y which the dissenting Academies are governed, has never led me to suppose that a liberal education was considered necessary as an introduction to the Christian ministry. I have always understood that many young men were preachers before they entered the Acad emy; that if they possessed a tolerable knowledge of the English language, and a facility in communicating their ideas, they were encouraged during the term of their studies to supply occasionally, vacant pulpits, and to preach in neighbourhoods destitute of the gospel. I have understood that the direction of their studies was regulated by a consideration of the age, capacity or situation of the student-that some received little more than an English education, while others were taught the languages, the elements of natural and moral philosophy, mathematics, and other branches of literature and science. This system of education for pious men who are designed for the ministry meets with my unqualified approbation. I think it best accords with the genius of the gospel. While it affords ample means of instruction for those who have youth and vig orous capacities in their favour; it condescends to men of low estate, by assisting them in acquiring a little knowledge, when their circum. stances, and time of life would orbid the hope of their becoming distinguished scholars. But how many of the men who have left your Academies with the approbation and best wishes of their tutors, and have been ordained as pastors of churches, must be considered as unworthy of the name of ministers, if you admit the principle on which the clergyman in NewYork has formed his calculations concerning the preachers of his own country. I hope I have expressed my views so distinctly that there can be no occasion for misapprehension. I am not the friend of ignorance, or the enemy of knowledge. I would that all the ministers of Christ were learned men. But as this is not the case, I dare not despise whom the Lord has chosen. I dare not speak of men in degrading terms, who have been the honoured instruments of turning many from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God. In my calculations of competent ministers, I dare not include those who deny the divinity of Christ, and the influences of the Holy Spirit, whatever may be their talents or learning. Neither can I exclude from the list of competent ministers those holy men whom God has instructed in the mysteries of his kingdom, and given them abundant honour by accompanying their plain but faithful messages with great success. I am, dear Sir, Very respectfully, Yours, LETTER IV. Rev. and dear Brother, February 9, 1820. I cannot persuade myself that the Presbyterian Minister,or his friends, really believe the condition of their country to be as bad as an English reader might suppose. I think their calculations of the number of competent ministers in the United States were first made under the excitement of very strong sectarian feelings, and have since been repeated under the influence of similar feelings, when they have wanted funds for the education of young men. In giving you my reasons why I think they have not full confidence in their own statements, I shall confine myself to one fact-the great exertions of these gentlemen in the cause of Foreign Missions. During the last year, the American Board for Foreign Missions expended about 40,000 dollars in the support of Missionary stations among the heathen. Now, if it really be the case that more than six millions of the inhabitants of the United States are destitute of such instruction as God has decided to be proper for the salvation of men; I ask you, can it be proper to expend so much on the heathen, while we are in such a heathenish state ourselves? I have always considered it an honour to be numbered among the friends and advocates of Foreign Missions; but, could I believe that six millions five hundred thousands of my fellow citizens, were destitute of competent religious instructors, I would immediately withdraw my name from the Foreign Missionary Society, of which I am a member. My next step would be to persuade all my friends to do the same. I would urge them to commit the care of the heathen to those favoured nations of Europe, who are supplied with one minister for every thousand souls. I would then direct the streams of their benevolence to those parched and desolate portions of our land, where millions are said to be perishing for the water of life. These measures would be justifiable on the common principles of humanity. Though charity ought not to terminate, I can see no reason why it should not begin at home. In fact, it does begin there, and the grand object for which this principle is implanted within us, would be defeated if it did not. Though Paul was particularly selected as a minister to the Gentiles, yet he felt a deep and tender interest in the welfare of his own countrymen. "Brethren," says he, "my hearts' desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved." He uses even stronger language, when he says, "I could wish myself accursed from Christ for my breth ren, my kinsmen according to the flesh." I think then, if there are so many millions of our brethren. and kinsmen according to the flesh, "wholly destitute of proper reli-, gious instruction," the common principles of humanity require that we should expend our sympathies on them. If it be true that such a multitude of souls in our own country. are sitting in darkness and the. shadow of death, then a regard to economy would justify our inattention to Foreign Missions. The outfit of a Missionary to India is attended with much expense. When he has arrived at the place of destination, he must be supported for years till he has acquired the language. To effect any permanent good, he must translate and print the word of God; and these objects cannot be attained without drawing large sums from the treasury. But here are millions at home who have no ministers,except men whose “influence" is said to be little better than nothing; and if it do not help on the decline of depravity, it is totally incompetent to arrest it " Now any one may calculate how much more economy would be observed by employing Missionaries among these wretched millions of our own country. A Missionary could travel to any given place at very little expense. As soon as he arrived at: his station, he could at once, without waiting an interval of years, commence his labours. He would not have to exhaust his frame by learning a new language he would address every one in his own tongue. There would be no necessity to spend years in a translation—or to call for funds to defray the expense of printing. And he would soon. receive part, if not all his support from the people among whom he had laboured. How much more good then might be effected with the same means, in a domestic than in a Foreign Mission. Surely the souls of civilized Americans are as valuable as the souls of the inhab itants of Bombay or Ceylon, or even the wandering tribes of savages on our frontiers. If there are so many millions groping in darkness in this country, I must think that the principles of humanity and a wise regard to economy would dictate, that at present all our efforts should be directed for their good. I can only account for the annual expenditure of forty thousand dollars among the heathen by wise and good men, by supposing that they do not conceive their country to be so deplorably destitute of religious instruction as persons in England would be led to imagine, who have read the letter of the New York Clergyman. I am, dear Sir, very respectfully, Yours, Review. A Sermon, delivered September 8, 1819, at the ordination of the Rev. Stephen Chapin to the pastoral care of the Baptist Church and Society in North Yarmouth. By Jere miah Chaplin. Professor of Divinity in the Maine Literary and Theological Institution. pp. 28. For sale by Lincoln & Edmands, and James Loring. THE setting apart of an individ. ual to be the pastor of a church, is an event of the utmost importance. If the person be one whom the Holy Ghost hath made an overseer of the flock, the church of God will be fed, sinners will be converted, and the cause of truth promoted. To these who are converted, he will be "the savour of life unto life." But there will probably be those who will reject his message; to such he will be "the savour of death unto death." In a subordinate sense, it may be said of him, as of his divine Master, he is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel. The present discourse is occupied in illustrating and enforcing one of the important duties of the ministerial office. The text is taken from 2. Tim. iv. 2. Preach the word. After a suitable introduction, the preacher proceeded to consider, I. what the minister of Christ is required to preach. He is required to preach, not war, nor politics, nor philosophy, nor mere morality, nor those systems of theology which human wisdom has framed; but to preach the WORD. On this branch of the subject some very judicious remarks are made. But the greater part of the discourse is taken up in considering the manner in which the word of God should be preached. It should be preached-plainly,--fully,--earnestly,affectionately, and practically. The preacher con cludes with the usual addresses. This sermon, we believe, is calculated to do good. We wish it an extensive circulation, especially among those who "preach the word." Sound instruction is conveyed in a plain and pure style. The intention of the writer evidently is, not to amuse, but to instruct and persuade.-We have risen from the perusal of the discourse, we trust with a deeper conviction of the vast importance that a minister of the gospel should be emi |