1

the unconverted-his delightful commission to “comfort the people of God," and establish them in the faith of the Gospel.

Baxter wisely recommends us to make all possible use of the gifts of our people in an orderly way, and under our own superintendence, lest they should use them in a way of division against us. He remarks to Ministers, as one of the causes of schism-'a desire not to make use of the gifts that God hath given them for their assistance; '—and adds, I am persuaded, if Ministers had thus made use of the parts of their ablest members they might have prevented much of the divisions, and distractions, and apostacies that hath befallen us; for they would then have found work enough upon their hands for higher parts than theirs, without invading the Ministry. Experience would have convinced and humbled them more than our words can do. A man may think that he can stir up a block, or pluck up a tree by the roots, that never tried; but when he sets his hand to it, he will come off ashamed. And see that you drive them to diligence in their own works, and let them know, what a sin it is to neglect their own families, and their ignorant miserable neighbours; and then they will be kept humble, and have no such mind to be running upon more work, when they feel you spurring them on to their own, and rebuking them for the neglect; nor will they have any leisure for schismatical enterprizes, because of the constancy and greatness of their employment.'

2

It must however be remembered, that helpers are not Ministers. They may speak with exhortation, entreaty, and love, but not with authority. Their work should assume the character rather of brotherly admonition

1 See Isa. xl. 1, 2.

2 Conclusion of Reformed Pastor.

than of fatherly teaching.

commission intrusted to them.

They have no special
They must "speak as

the oracles of God, and as of the ability which God giveth;" but they cannot speak as "ambassadors for Christ." They may speak in his name (that is, in dependance upon him as their Head) but not "in his stead”—not as having a message and commission from him. They need at once to be excited, directed, and controled; and under this discipline we may cherish the "hope, when their faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by them according to our rule abundantly." They will indeed be to us, "instead of eyes; "3 their "work and labour of love" will act with considerable power, as one of the wheels in the great machine of perpetual motion; and their reward of grace will be with " Urbane and the beloved Persis," with "Clement and with other fellow-labourers, whose names are in the book of life." 4

But we must not forget, that the meanest member of the church sustains this useful character of a helper. How cheering is it to enter the pulpit (as the Apostle spoke of coming to Rome) not only to "impart to our hearers some spiritual gift; " but with the hope of being "comforted by their faith!" 5 When faith glistens in the eyes of an attentive congregation, how does it quicken our energies, interest, and love; producing from the impulse of the occasion thoughts far more striking than had been the result of the contemplation of the study! We need scarcely remark upon the daily help derived to our Ministry from the power of a consistent example, sometimes even more forcible than the pulpit Ministry.6 None can gainsay

1 1 Pet. iv. 11.
4 Rom. xvi. 9, 12.

2 2 Cor. x. 16. Phil. iv. 3.

6 See 1 Pet. iii. 1, 2.

3 Numb. x. 31. 5 Rom. i. 11, 12.

or resist this visible "seal of our Apostleship." As confirming every word of instruction, invitation, and encouragement; and as exhibiting the strait ways of the Gospel to be "paths of pleasantness and peace" this testimony is above all price.

Least of all, must we forget (though it has been before alluded to) the help, which our Ministry obtains from the prayers of our people. So sensible was the Apostle of the value of this help, that, distinguished as he was for eminence of grace, experience, and services, he pleads for it with the earnestness of a beggar requesting alms.1 Bishop Davenant justly traces the allowance of so many ignorant Ministers in the Church to the want of hearty supplication. And indeed a praying people will be sure eventually to be blessed with an acceptable and edifying Ministry. We are far more in the power of our people than we are at all times conscious of. Humanly speaking-our personal graces, the spiritual character of our Ministrations, and the consequent flow of consolation and fruitfulness with our people, very materially depend upon their secret labours on our behalf. We are the conduits of grace, by which the Church is refreshed. The Church therefore must pray for the continual supplies to be poured into the conduits; or they will return (like the nobles of Judah) "with their vessels empty; ashamed, and confounded, and covering their heads." It will doubtless be found, that the Gospel is promoted by the prayers as well as by the Ministry of the Church. Christians therefore should be reminded, that they owe this exercise of love to their fellow-sinners as redeemed by the same blood-to us, as in some degree probably the instruments of their salvation-and still more to our great Master, as the 1 See Rom. xv. 30. 2 Daven. in Col. iv. 3.

3

3 Jer. xiv. 3.

undoubted and sole Author of it. Let therefore the blessing, through the instrumentality of the Ministry, be sought in this way-"ye also helping together in prayer to God for us; that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons, thanks may be given by many on our behalf.” 1 And while we realize the delightful enjoyment of being raised on the wings of our people's prayers; they will not be without their recompence. For never is supplication sent up for a blessing upon the Minister, but it returns with tenfold blessing upon the supplicant's head.

At all events therefore, let the fallacy of the indolent notion be exposed, that Ministers are to do every thing. Let all our people be reminded of the immense burden of our work: "besides" the trials of the Christian life, "that which cometh upon us daily-the care of all the Churches." 3 If then they can do any thing, let them help us in winning souls to Christ. Let them spread the influence of the sacred leaven around them, "till the whole be leavened." Let them know our great need of their prayers and example to confirm our doctrine; so that, while it is perverted, misunderstood, or opposed on all sides, we may be able to point to their lives and tempers in illustration of its holy tendency and happy effects--“ ye are our epistle, known and read of all men-manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ, ministered by us."4

12 Cor. i. 11.

2 Specific remembrance of the Minister in secret and social worship, on the mornings of the Sabbaths especially (not of course forgetting his daily claim upon their remembrance) might be inculcated with the greatest, though perhaps unconscious, advantage to ourselves and to our Ministry.

32 Cor. xi. 28. "Cometh upon me "-rushing like a torrent, one after another, ready to bear me down. For the illustration of the peculiar emphasis of the term, Beza and Doddridge may be consulted, or perhaps a better commentator than either, at particular seasons of trial-experience. 4 2 Cor. iii. 2, 3.

CHAPTER VIII.

MISCELLANEOUS.1

A FEW particulars, which have not hitherto found a place in our work, may be here specified, such asThe importance of adult schools. These are indeed the complement of the School System. It is difficult to retain boys in the weekly school long enough to ground them in the principles of useful instruction. The Sunday School also is left without any other means of preserving the knowledge which they have acquired. The utility of adult schools-as an indefinite continuance of the course of instruction—is therefore of the highest consideration. The knowledge of the word of God is equally valuable to adults as to children; while their capacity of understanding it (though much hindered by inability to read) is far greater. Shame indeed will sometimes restrain the open confession of ignorance, which stoops to the first elements of instruction; yet on the other hand, experience even of the temporal disadvantages of ignorance (where the spiritual deprivations are not apprehended) supplies a constant stimulus for exertion. The smallness of numbers must not discourage. It is a great matter to persuade a person in the middle or decline of life, that in commencing his alphabet, he may be able by a few months of patient application to read his Testament. In a village therefore, but few may be sometimes found willing to avail themselves of the privileges of instruction. But an assembly of three or

1 Some useful hints on various miscellaneous departments of the Ministry, may be found in "The Country Clergyman's Advice to his Flock." By Rev. William Mudge. (Hatchards and Seeleys.)