deeply to impress the minds of the hearers. It is well known that the same truths uttered by different men produce very different effects on the same minds. Ministers ought to understand this fact, and to take advantage of it in their addresses. Different congregations require different treatment; and to some subjects the diffuse style is best adapted, while others require concentration of thought and of expression. The salvation of his people and the extending of religious influence into all parts of their characters and into all their conduct, should be the controlling objects of every minister; and in order to gain these objects, there is not a better rule by which to regulate his public instructions, than that which is couched in the Apostle Paul's remark, "In the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue."

The character and state of a congregation, will have influence upon a judicious minister's selection of language and illustrations. What to some persons is perfectly obvious, and may be used as an illustration of a difficult subject, would itself require an illustration in order to benefit some other men. There are words and phrases which are quite familiar to certain ranks of society, but which would be entirely misapprehended by other ranks. Common prudence and benevolence dictate, that in these things a minister should become "all things to all men." By this wise adaptation, while no essential principles of grammar or of rhetoric are violated, and no 'academic ears' are offended, the knowledge of religious truth is diffused, and men of limited acquirements may be made 'wise unto salvation.' But alas! how sadly does he mistake the design of the sacred office, in whose addresses are continually occurring words and forms of speech which convey no other information to the majority of men, than that he is marvellously learned; or which prove, as charity would fain believe, that he is so intent upon the salvation of certain men, that the mass of his hearers has escaped his observation. Let it not be thought, however, that men of thorough education are most in danger of erring in respect to the choice of words. Far from it. One of the most common results of sound learning is, to enable its possessor to make things plain.

Let a minister of the gospel cherish a proper spirit, and there will be little danger of erring in point of language. Rising above all inferior considerations, his aim will be to impress his hearers with the truths of religion, and thus to contribute to their salvation. Having before him this single object, he will not attempt to soar above their capacities, nor will he descend to any offensive forms of speech. He will not choose subjects, "which minister questions rather than godly edifying;" and his discourses will be pervaded by such an affectionate sensibility as will make it evident to all, that his heart's desire and prayer to God is, that his hearers may be saved. The cultivation of the Christian temper is of supreme importance to the preacher. It will deliver him from the temptation to fretfulness and impatience. It will prevent him from being

weary in well doing." It will stimulate him to pursue his "work of faith and labor of love," with a father's affectionate desire, so that he will be willing to impart unto his people, not the gospel of God only, but his own soul also, because they will be dear unto him. Whatever view we take of the minister, in all the duties and relations to which he is called, true sensibility is of vital importance. In the selection of language, not less than in other departments of labor, is its influence powerful and salutary; as an orator, especially as a Christian orator, it is indispensable to the highest success. With gratitude we add, that real sensibility is best cultivated by familiar acquaintance with the Scriptures and by habitual communion with God.

Those who have read the sermon named at the head of this article, will perceive that we have for the most part followed the train of thought which it presents. The discourse is worthy of perusal. It is marked by the usual good sense of its author.

In the perusal of it, we were deeply impressed with the importance of extensive preparatory study in those who are called to the care of souls; of a general acquaintance with the Scriptures; and of careful attention to each particular subject on which a discourse may be founded. For ministers "should consider it a sacred duty to understand the expressions of the inspired writers." It is "by reflecting on the words of the text and their connexion; considering the design of the writer; by consulting parallel passages; by ascertaining whether the language is literal or figurative; by becoming acquainted with the history of the particular period when the Scriptures were written, its manners, customs, and events; and by adopting correct principles of interpretation," that ministers "will be enabled rightly to divide the word of truth." pp. 6, 7.

We were also impressed with the importance of ministers' having an enlarged acquaintance with the human character; so that they may adapt their conduct and their instructions to the various classes of men, and may be prepared for every variety of situation in which divine Providence may place them.

Nor were we less impressed with the sentiment, that a minister of the gospel should be something more than a mere student. He must not only be conversant with the spirits of the mighty dead whose works still live, and will long live, and shed a benignant lustre on man's path to eternity; he must also feel a sympathy with the living, moving forms around him. He must associate with men as being himself a fellowman, in the exercise of all the charities of our common nature, as the friend and the guide, as the guardian and the comforter. Thus his discourses will belong to the age: they will be fitted to existing circumstances; they will flow from an everliving fountain, not only of knowledge and piety, but also of kind and solicitous regard for whatever concerns the temporal and the eternal well-being of those for whom he watches and for whom he must give account. A minister should be a diligent, affectionate pastor, as well as a laborious student. By combining, as far as possible, the qualities of both, he will be "a workman that needeth not to be ashamed."

The CHARGE and the other addresses delivered on the same occasion as the sermon, contain judicious statements of Christian doctrine and duty, and exhibit much fraternal feeling. Our readers will be gratified by a few sentences from the valuable Address to the church and society, with which Mr Stow of Portsmouth closed the services at the ordination of Mr Thresher.

'You will permit me, as the organ of this council, to caution you against that inordinate affection, which may blaze extravagantly for a season, and then, from mere exhaustion, decline and expire. Love that is at first intense and ardent, does occasionally settle down into a calm and steady attachment. But it not unfrequently happens that those who are the most ready and frank to express their love to their minister, when he commences his labors, are the first to exhibit coldness, and wish him away. To you, therefore, we make the suggestion-begin as you design to continue.

'If you love your pastor, as you should, "for his work's sake," you will of course provide thoroughly for the comfort of himself and family. And in making this provision, you will be cautious that no individual is denied the pleasure of doing his true proportion. The piety of that man is of small estimation, who could voluntarily deprive himself of such a privilege. He must have very limited conceptions of the worth of the soul-the preciousness of the Saviour-or the terrors of eternity.

'But though you may love your pastor, and express your attachment by acts of special kindness, do not flatter him. If he pray like a seraph, never tell him of it. If he be as pious as Baxter-as profound as Newton-or as eloquent as Whitefield-proclaim it not in his ears-let him remain so. If he is esteemed as a prodigy of intellectual strength-if he be admired for his ingenuity at interpretation-if his style should charm the fastidious ear of taste-if his voice be as melodious as the ducimer-Satan will inform him frequently enough to prevent his being too humble. If you flatter him at first, and afterwards should neglect it, he will naturally suspect you of alienation of feeling, or dissatisfaction with his performances, and consequently will be unhappy. If you are gratified with his services, there are a thousand methods in which you may express your satisfaction, preferable to that of fulsome adulation. Ministers' hearts are much like yours-capable of inflation by pride and self-conceit.

'Do not visit him too frequently-especially during the latter half of the week, when his mind is engrossed with the preparations for the sanctuary. It is for your interest-for the interest and honor of your cause that his discourses should be thoroughly studied, and bedewed with the tears of the closet.

'When you are in affliction-whether from the death of kindred, or from illness in your families, or from any other cause, get information to your pastor as soon as practicable. Never wait for him to learn your condition by mere rumor; but send for him as conscientiously as you do for a physician, and then you will be sure of his visits, sympathies, and prayers. Or, if you thus neglect to inform him of your trials, beware that you never accuse him of neglecting the afflicted. It is exceedingly unkind to keep him in ignorance of your sorrows, and then throw out bitter insinuations touching his want of sympathy or fidelity. 'Whenever he preaches, be early at the house of God, and there give him your, undivided attention. Give him your countenancesyour ears-your eyes. If, when conversing with him on a subject which you deemed important, he should turn away his face, or stare

vacantly around, or hold down his head, or indicate the least inattention, you would denounce him as insultingly uncivil. He comes to you with a message from the crucified Saviour, "Take heed, therefore, how ye hear."

And when the services of the sanctuary are concluded, you will best demonstrate your respect for him and the truth, by retiring directly to your habitations. It is a grief to the minister's heart to witness groups of his hearers, after worship, collecting in the aisles, or in the vestibule, exchanging salutations and conversing on topics foreign from the subject of his discourse. You may deceive yourselves into the belief that it is a mark of friendliness and brotherly love. But it is one of the most effectual devices of Satan, to take away the word out of your hearts, lest ye should believe and be saved.'

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

Proposals have been issued by J. J. Woodward for publishing a monthly periodical, to be styled THE GENIUS OF THE AGE, a Christian and Literary Miscellany, composed chiefly of selections from foreign publications, by the Rev. W. T. BRANTLY, of Philadelphia. It is to contain not less than sixty four pages each month, and to be executed in a superior style. The price is to be three dollars a year, payable in advance. "The productions of genius and piety are intended to adorn this work. The best articles in prose and poetry for the exhibition of evangelical truth, elegant literature and the arts, are promised to the future patrons of this Magazine. The English work entitled The Spirit and Manners of the Age, will be in some degree the model of this. It will be entirely free from all sectarian views of religion."

We have received the first number of THE TRANSYLVANIAN, or Lexington Literary Journal, edited by Thomas J. Matthews, A. M. Morris Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in Transylvania University. The work is published monthly at Lexington, Kentucky, and each number is to contain forty pages. The price is $2,50 a year. The following is from the prospectus:

"To diffuse more widely interesting and useful knowledge; to record the progress of discovery in the sciences, and of invention in the arts; to mark improvements in the science and art of teaching; to advance the interests of education in all its departments, and to

promote a pure and elevated morality, are the objects of The Transylvanian. The work relies for patronage on those who have tasted the pleasures of knowledge, and whose patriotism prompts them to labor for its diffusion. Judicious efforts to increase intelligence in this Western country, which is soon to exert an important influence on the destinies of the whole Union, should be kindly cherished by every lover of freedom. Should this work receive the necessary encouragement, the editor, aided by several literary friends, will diligently exert himself to fill its pages in a manner satisfactory to its patrons. The profits of the work, after satisfying all pecuniary demands, shall be devoted exclusively, by the publish. ing committee, to the increase of the Library and Philosophical Apparatus of Transylvania University."

Christian Fellowship, or the Church Member's Guide. By J. A. JAMES, A. M. Birmingham, England. Edited by J. O. Choules, A. M. Pastor of the Second Baptist Church, Newport, R. I. Boston: Lincoln & Edmands.

Natural Theology; or Evidences of the Existence and Attributes of the Deity, collected from the Appearances of Nature. By William Paley, D. D. Arch-Deacon of Carlisle. Пllustrated by the Plates, and by a selection from the Notes of James Paxton, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, London. With additional Notes, original and selected, for this edition; and a Vocabulary of scientific Terms. Boston: Lincoln & Edmands.

MISSIONARY REGISTER.

FOR MAY, 1829.

SUBSCRIPTIONS and donations to the General Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States, for Foreign Missions, &c. should be transmitted to Heman Lincoln, Esq. Treasurer, Boston. Persons visiting the city, to whom it may be more convenient to call at a central place, can lodge their communications with E. Lincoln, No. 59 Washington-Street, who is authorized to receive moneys for the Treasurer.