REVIEW.

AN EARNEST MINISTRY, the Want of the Times, by John Angell James, with an Introduction by Rev. J. B. Condit, D.D., of Newark, N. J. New York: M. W. Dodd. 1848.

THE POWER OF THE PULPIT; or Thoughts Addressed to Christian Ministers, and those who hear them. By Gardiner Spring, D.D., Pastor of the Brick Presbyterian Church, New York. New York: Baker & Scribner. 1848.

SEVERAL publications on the duties and responsibilities of the Christian Ministry have recently appeared; and, we hope, have been read and pondered by those to whom more especially they have been addressed. We are indebted to the late Dr. Milnor for the republication in this country of a most excellent work, entitled, "Bridges on the Christian Ministry;" in which every individual sustaining the sacred office, or preparing to enter it, will find enough to make him exclaim: "Who is sufficient for these things!"

The works named at the head of this article, though less extensive are equally interesting and impressive. Their publication, at nearly the same date, the one in England, and the other in America, shows that, in the estimation of their respective authors, a necessity, equally urgent both there and here, exists for elevating the standard of ministerial qualifications. Such is the sympathy between the two countries, in all that respects religion and morality, that we might naturally expect a general correspondence in the state of religion, and in the spirit of its official servants. The treatise of Mr. James was called forth, evidently, from the conviction that the dissenting clergy in England needed a loud blast to awaken their flagging zeal; and our own countryman, Dr. Spring, must have written his book from a belief, that the pulpit with us, has lost some of its wonted energy; or else that it is susceptible of a greatly augmented power.

We shall not undertake an elaborate review of the above works; but merely give some impressions which their perusal has made on our minds.

The first and deepest impression is as to the unutterable responsibility of the sacred office. "To negotiate between God and man," as an ambassador for God, to echo his high mandates, and to beseech men to be reconciled to him ;- what minister can think

of such a commission, and not tremble? Had not our great Master assigned these duties to mortals, we should never have supposed it possible they could discharge them. We should have said, Let angels come from their home of purity, and, assuming visible shape, address to men the warnings and invitations of the gospel. But infinite wisdom has seen fit to order that earthen vessels should bear the treasure of the gospel, and that unclean lips should announce its solemn truths. How many reasons will at once be suggested confirming the propriety of such an agency! We will not dwell upon them; but will only remark, that the weakness and unworthiness of the agent, whilst serving to exalt the power and grace of God, cannot but deepen in the minister a sense of responsibility. A preacher of the gospel is to be pitied, who feels not this responsibility; and we sympathize deeply with him who does. Of all the professions, that of the ministry imposes on the spirit the heaviest load. The physician has his moments of deep anxiety. The awful crisis of life and death seems sometimes to hang upon his skill. The advocate, too, stands between the trembling prisoner and the gibbet; and feels, it may be, that character and life are suspended on his exertions. But in neither case does the pressure rise to that solemn pitch, which casts the eternal destiny of hundreds on the teaching, the example, and the spirit of the minister of God. As health returns, the physician can smile; and when the verdict of acquittal is given, the advocate's heart rises in exultation. It is certain, in both cases, that the effort has been crowned with success. But in the case of the minister, all that he can usually feel, under the most favorable circumstances, is a hope that he has not labored in vain. So often is he disappointed in what appeared to be hopeful conversions, many going back and walking no more with Christ,that he is sometimes almost tempted to think that in scarce a single instance is his preaching a savor of life unto life. This burden is upon his spirit at all times. He lies down at night with it. It comes upon him at early dawn. It goes with him even into his seasons of so called relaxation. "I have the care of souls!" is a thought that lies with mountain weight upon him; and more than any thing else, more than all the labors connected with his office, tends to bring on premature weakness and decay.

In perusing books like these alluded to, we are at times ready to say, Who and where is the man fitted to this great work?

Who has the temperament adapted to it, combining a sensitive nature, enabling him to sympathize with souls in distress, with the hardihood of nerves that shall render him proof against alienation, discouragement, and opposition? Who has learning enough, where so much research is required; or piety enough, where Gabriel's zeal would scarce meet the exigency? How often does the minister's heart sink oppressed under such thoughts, trembling lest, "having preached to others, he himself should be a cast-away!" But let us not despair. The work is assigned to us weak mortals, by one who knew all that weakness; and who has said: "My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness." "Lo, I am with you alway!" is the support of many a weary and desponding minister, as he sits solitary in his study; or rises, trembling through every nerve, to deliver his responsible message. Thanks to our Lord for this sweet promise, so consolatory under our conscious weakness, so encouraging amidst the obstacles we have to encounter!

Another thought suggested by reading these volumes is, that whilst a lofty standard as to the pulpit is insisted upon, sufficient allowance is not made for diversity of talent, and variety of gifts and natural temperament, in so large a number as is required for this work. A great many ministers are needed. A great many must be educated. Existing churches are but poorly supplied, and our vast and growing country is threatened with a famine of the bread of life. Under these circumstances, it will not do to wait until men can be found who shall possess all the qualifications desirable in the ministry. We are obliged to accept many who are inferior in original genius, and who can never perhaps rise above mediocrity. It is so with every profession. It always will be so. Nor do we think the pulpit will deteriorate, provided a due proportion of its occupants, the same proportion observed in other professions, are stars of the first magnitude. Whilst we want a great many ministers, we can do with a very few brilliant ones. The lesser lights shining in a humbler sphere, will not lose their value; whilst the greater are revolving in a wider orbit, and exhibiting an intenser radiance.

One would think, in reading the works above named, that a large proportion of the ministers of the gospel would be disheartened; that, seeing such a disparity between their attainments and the standard inculcated, they would say, We can hope to do but

VOL. III.

little in a profession which demands such qualifications. But let none so reason. If the intention be pure, if the spirit be such as God requires, great good may be accomplished even where other important, though less important,- qualifications are wanting. We may recollect, that our Lord entrusts to one ten talents, and to another but two; and that the great imperative point is that each shall occupy according to his several ability. Nor is it reasonable in congregations to expect that their minister shall exhibit the eloquence of a Chalmers, the depth of an Edwards, or the classic elegance of a Robert Hall. Such men, are the men of an age. They are the greater lights in the theological firmament. It is unreasonable to expect that the inass of ministers shall approach these distinguished minds. We can conceive that the church might even be less blessed by having a majority of such in her ministry. They are not in general the men to do the unobtrusive, but most needful, work of parochial duty, to accommodate themselves to the outcast and the ignorant, to be willing to hide themselves in the obscurity of retired parishes, and to go about from house to house among the sons and daughters of affliction. Yet are we thankful that God does raise up these strong minds to stand in the breaches, and defend the bulwarks of our Zion. They shew to the world that the pulpit has power in one direction; whilst a humbler order of sanctified intellect may operate in another, and at least equally important, sphere. In the first preachers commissioned by our Lord himself, there was but one John, one Peter, and one Paul.

Another reflection forced upon us in reading the works above named is, that of all the qualifications for the sacred office, exalted piety is the most indispensable. Every thing else is, in the comparison, "but as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal." A minister must be a man of preeminent piety, just as a general, be he ever so skilful a tactician, must ålso have preeminent courage. The power of the pulpit is dependent on this qualification, more than on all others. Piety is to the pulpit, what caloric is to the sun-beam; there will be no warmth without it. Without it, no lightnings will play, nor flaming bolt be launched. It is the electric fire that runs from heart to heart. Genius, without piety, is like a corruscation of the aurora, beautiful, but cold. But in giving such prominence to piety, we would not be understood as denying the importance of learning or of genius. How beautiful,

how effective, how glorious often, where all are in happy combination!

We feel constrained, however, to say, that every minister may rise to a dignity and influence, which shali make the pulpit efficient, and shall command the respect of all, if with but ordinary talent and no great amount of erudition, he nevertheless shall cultivate the utmost piety of heart. Let him be a good man. Let the conviction that he is such force itself upon all who see and hear him. Let piety shine in his life; let it impregnate with vital warmth every prayer, every scrmon, every exhortation. Men do not ordinarily criticize preachers on the score of deficient learning. They are much more apt to say, that the sermon lacks power, warmth, and emotion. We do not feel it. It is cold. It does not touch our sensibilities. But if deep piety, first felt in the heart of the preacher himself, is breathed into all his official duties, such criticisms will cease, and the pulpit will command the attention and the respect of all.

Several causes have operated, as we think, to weaken the power of the pulpit, some of which may be briefly noticed.

Among these causes, we may name the fewness of revivals. These blessed seasons were like favoring and heavenward gales. They have powerfully affected for good the ministry, putting new life into its services; and coming like the descending fire, to glow upon the altar, and consume the sacrifice. The preacher receives a fresh anointing from the Holy One; and the sermon, felt first in his own soul, is made to others the power of God unto salvation. Men of humble attainments, and ordinary talents, have often been known, at such seasons, to rise to a pitch of eloquence that seemed almost like inspiration. It was because the heart was inflamed with the subject. The Spirit of God came upon. them like cloven tongues of fire, and the place was shaken as with "a rushing mighty wind." Preacher and hearer were then deeply moved; the one speaking, and the other listening, as became the oracles of the living God. Did any deny the power of the pulpit then? But, alas, years have intervened since such seasons, as a general thing, have been experienced. Hence the ministry has become comparatively dull and the people worldly; and the truth, if spoken at all, is tamely and far less effectively uttered. If God, in his just displeasure, should withhold these seasons of refreshing, the pulpit will continue to decline.