which he had manifested, was occasioned by the injunction of his father, who had threatened, that if ever he went to hear the fanatics, he would turn him out of doors. Having now heard, and being unable to conceal the feelings of his mind, he was afraid to meet his father. Mr. D. sat down and wrote an affectionate letter to him, which had so good an effect, that both father and mother came to hear for themselves. The Lord graciously, met with them both; and father, mother, and son, were together received, with universal joy, into that, church.

ly the immediate subject of it, but every other being in the universe. No wonder then that the Apostle, in describing one of the most lovely of all the Christian virtues, should say, "charity envieth not."

2. Should any ask, What are the injurious effects occasioned by envy? it may be answered, that a large proportion of all the crimes, that have ever disgraced the human character, have been the result of envy.

ous for the crucifixion of Jesus? What injury had he done them? Do we not hear them acknowledge," "He hath done all things well; he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak." Why then conspire his death? Pilate, who sat as judge, and who sought to release him, shall explain it; he knew, that for envy, the Jews had delivered him. It was the unsullied excellence of his character which excited their envy. His holy life, his ardent zeal in the cause of righteousness, his unbounded benevolence, continually reproved and tormented them, till their envy became insupportable.

Why did the Jews of Asia contradict and blaspheme, when Paul preached the gospel of peace to them? The sacred historian answers, when they "saw the multitudes," that came to hear the word of God, "they were filled with envy.'

This hateful foe lurks in almost every breast, and often mars the sweetest joys of life. It can never be indulged, but at the expense of peace and contentment. It is a dis-: ease that drinks up the spirits, and banishes every ray of cheerfulness from the soul.

What but this occasioned the first act of murder, that ever tinged the earth with human blood! What but envy excited the angry passions of Cain against his brother! Why did Joseph's brethren conspire against him? The scriptures furnish the answer; Being mov ed with envy, they sold Joseph in to Egypt." Why could not Haman be happy while basking in the rays of a royal court, so long as Morde cai enjoyed a part of the same hon-' our ? The answer is plain, his heart rankled with envy. When an honour, which he had vainly contemplated for himself, was conferred on this uncourteous Jew, it was too much for an envious heart to bear. The world appeared too limited for them both; he therefore resolved upon the destruction of Mordecai. What moved Saul, to attempt the destruction of the man who had saved his empire? Reason and philosophy may do It was envy. He could not bear the much to curb and suppress the expublic applause so justly given to ercise of this hateful disposition, the stripling hero. Once and again but they can never extirpate it from he had been in the hands of the the breast. If it be not eradicated, man whose life he now sought, and it will remain like a smothered fire, who refused to suffer any to harm which needs only a little agitation him, because he considered him as like a gust of wind to blow it into the Lord's anointed. He knew Da- a flame. The only effectual cure," vid to be more righteous than him- is the implantation of holy love. self; and, overwhelmed with this "Charity envieth not." Where this conviction, he would for the mo- prevails and reigns, it overcomes all ment, be silent, and weep, and pro- the malignant passions of the soul, mise; but hurried on by this in and brings every thought into sweet fernal passion, he again pursued subjection. Under the influence of his prey like a partridge upon the this heavenly temper, we are enamountains, regardless of all his sabled to "lay aside all malice, and cred promises. guile, and hypocrisies, and envies,

3. It will be natural to inquire, whether there is any effectual cure: for envy.

Why were the Jews so clamor and all evil speaking."

True charity teaches us to love our neighbour as we love ourselves; to love our brethren, to be pitiful *and courteous. How lovely is this heaven-born charity, which disposes us to be kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake bath forgiven us."

From the foregoing description of the odious nature and fatal consequences of envy, let every Christian be admonished never to harbour such an unworthy guest. Suppress the first risings of it in thy soul, or it will rob thee of thy peace, and leave thee wretched and miserable. Cherish with holy solicitude, that "charity which is the bond of perfectness." The exercise of this holy principle will serve to beguile away the tedious hours of misfortune and adversity; it will solace thine heart, and abide with thee all the journey of life; it will accompany thee to that blessed world, where faith and hope are known no more; but where perfect love forever reigns,

B.

For the American Bap. Mag.

ADVICE TO CHURCHES ON THE CHOICE
OF MINISTERS.

To the Baptist Churches in America.

Beloved Brethren,

I REJOICE that so many of you are supplied with pastors and teachers after God's own heart. I pray that their usefulness may be continued for a great while to come. But some of you are now destitute of the stated ministrations of the word and ordinances of Jesus Christ. You are looking and praying for some one to go in and out before you, and to discharge the various important duties of a Christian Pastor. And in all probability, the unrelenting hand of death will soon sweep from the walls of our Jeru salem many, who have fought a

good fight, and who have been burning and shining lights in the golden candlesticks of our God.

The subject therefore of the present address, either now is, or shortly will be, one of high interest to almost all the churches of our divine Redeemer. As on the one hand, there is not a greater curse among the judgments of Heaven, than a corrupt and unfaithful preacher, so, on the other, a good minister of Jesus Christ is justly esteemed among the richest blessings of a gracious God. Upon the choice you are about to make, hang momentous consequences. Fraternal union, the future growth of the church in numbers and in grace, the salvation of multitudes yet unborn, and the high honours of Immanuel, are intimately associ ated with the choice of a minister. We need the wisdom that is from above, to give advice upon this subject. But relying upon the Spirit of truth, and the dictates of inspi ration, we venture the following hints.

Let the church be fervent and incessant in her addresses to the throne of grace, for the direction and benediction of God. In this respect let the example of the blessed Saviour be imitated, who, before he chose his twelve apostles, spent a whole night in prayer.

You believe, that if God does not send you a pastor in love, you may as well be destitute of one. O, bę entreated then to pray the Lord of the harvest to send you a good minister of Jesus Christ; and to prepare you to receive him as a messenger of God. A word to the wise is sufficient.

Permit me now, dear brethren, to mention a few traits, which ought to be prominent in the ministerial character.

I. Entire devotedness to the cause of the Redeemer. The whole soul should be absorbed in the work of the ministry. With this blessed, this arduous employment, no other

distinct occupation should be allowed to interfere. Those ministers of Christ, who have engaged in worldly business, when necessity has not compelled, have generally been in as sad a predicament, as Samson,shorn of his locks. That fervent and holy unction, which commands attention to the word, that tender and affectionate solicitude for im mortal souls, which touches the secret springs of sensibility, and awak ens the drowsy conscience of the impenitent, is not likely to attend their ministrations. If Paul's exhortation to Timothy be disregard ed, and a minister do not give him self wholly to these things, his profiting will not appear unto all.

Search then, and earnestly pray for a minister of Jesus Christ, who can see magnitude and importance enough in the gospel ministry to command all the energies of his soul. - II. Suitableness to your circumstances. Inquire for a candidate, who possesses qualifications suited to your condition. A man may be fitted for one station and not for another. Our divine Redeemer qualifies his servants for the posts he: designs they should occupy. Their gifts make room for them, and they will be able to plant the standard of the cross, wherever he directs them to go. Your inquiry, therefore, must not simply be, whether a man is called of God to preach, but whether he be called to preach with you.

III Prudence. This is a quali fication needed at all times and places. It is so important, so necessary, that I can hardly persuade my self to believe that Jesus Christ ever sends a man into his vineyard, without a tolerable share of it. What mischief, what divisions and contentions arise from the want of it. Who can trace the meandering evils, which flow from a single imprudent word! Imprudent conduct is not less deleterious in its effects, The want of prudence, though it may not be chargeable with crim

inality, may greatly curtail the usefulness of an otherwise able minister of Jesus Christ. It may give re peated occasion to the enemies of our Zion, to speak reproachfully of her blessed doctrine, as well as of her public functionaries. A high degree of this grace should therefore outweigh, in the estimation of the church, a melodious voice, or even the charms of oratory. But a man's prudence cannot always be learned from his public labours. That unruly evil, which is full of deadly poison, will sometimes emit its most deadly contents in the social circle or in the private interview. la vain does a man imitate the zeal of Peter, or the eloquence of Apollos in the pulpit, if the graces of the Spirit do not mark his daily deport; ment.

IV. Soundness in the faith. Io almost every church, there will be some, who, either from the preju dices of education, want of knowl edge,or the carnality of their hearts, will hesitate and waver with regard to important truths. But lamenta ble are the effects when this is the case with the minister. His own errors, scruples and waverings will be propagated among the people of his charge.

Would you avoid the poison of heresy, would you escape the evils of instability, then look for a preacher, who is rooted and grounded in love; who is not easily shaken in mind, and who is steadfast in the faith.

When love of the world, or pop. ular applause, or the caresses of heretics,can swerve a man from the course of truth, he is by no means a suitable person to be at the helm of the ship. The minister of Christ is especially required to let his eyes look right on and his eyelids straight before him. Such conduct will insure the approbation of the virtuous and good, who, if they should dissent from some parts of his doctrine,would be constrained to admire his stability. PHILOZION.