would succeed in his ministry, must acquaint himself with the state and temper of his parish, and be content to feel his way before he ventures on any important measure; must labour to win the affections of his parishioners before he admonishes them; must be scrupulously attentive to the discharge of his own duties, that he may the more confidently press upon his flock the performance of theirs: must watch his opportunity that he may be heard the more gladly: must yield in trifles that he may carry greater matters must neither needlessly offend the prejudices of his people, nor unjustifiably encourage them in their errors: must point out their faults with tenderness; in

struct their ignorance with patience; tend on them in their afflictions with affectionate solicitude; and ever in his visits among them shew that interest in their temporal, which may enable him to exert a salutary influence over them in their spiritual, concerns.

The Diocese in which your ministry will be exercised, is divided into so many and distant portions, that in no one Colony can any very numerous body of Clergy be collected and even under the most favorable circumstances, the nature of the climate, the badness of the roads, and the want of proper conveyance will prevent that frequent and unrestrained personal communication with members of

your own profession, which must ever add so materially to a Clergyman's own comfort, and by the mutual interchange of pastoral experience, advance the cause of religion among his people. Much must consequently be left to your own discretion, and you will have need to pray fervently for God's Spirit to be with you, and to consult diligently the Scriptures and the writings of our most approved Divines, and to apply carefully to the Rubrics and Canons of your Church, for direction in the discharge of your ministerial duties. Wherever your station may be,

you can neither expect much society, nor conscientiously engage in it. Your chief acquaintance should

be the flock, which you are bound to feed*. A Clergyman can neither afford the time nor the expence of much company. The little which can be spared out of his annual income, is but barely sufficient for the occasional relief of the poorer members of his flock, for the increase of his own private library, and for subscription to those religious societies in connection with his Church, which will be found of such important assistance to him

*"The peasants of your parish are in many respects the properest company you can keep. You will not mingle with their pleasures and diversions; but the good pastor will often find leisure to enter their houses and cottages, and see and hear what they are about; and in this duty he will find amusement."-Dialogue on the Amusements of Clergymen.

in his pastoral labours. And with regard to time, he has not a moment, which he can call his own. "A minister's is an "herculean labour: his

Parochial Pas

turage.

"work ends not but with his life, "in that new objects of his care "continually offer themselves." Relaxation, indeed, he must have: but relaxation not for its own sake, but that he may return refreshed and more vigorous to the work, whereunto he has devoted himself.

I am far, however, from intending that you should seclude yourselves from all society. Cultivate the acquaintance of individuals respectable for learning or piety; daily enter the schools of your parish, and attach the young to