collected during the day. The time, however, should be fixed with all possible consideration of convenience, and should be considered on our part as an engagement of regular occurrence and of paramount obligation. This economical system concentrates a large portion of our parochial visitation, while its orderly formality shuts out many interruptions which belong to domiciliary visits. Care however must be taken, that attendance upon these readings does not compensate for the self-indulgent neglect of the house of God— instead of setting an edge upon the appetite for the Sabbath Ministrations. Frequently however a peculiar blessing has attended these simple assemblies of the poor, which perhaps from their freedom and confidence, may be considered an oppropriate work and labour of love for the Minister's wife. As the last particular in this lengthened detail, may be mentioned the excitement of an interest in the promotion of the Redeemer's kingdom, as collaterally helpful to our work. Missionary and Bible Associations, especially the former, deal much in affecting and encouraging facts, though in the latter case it too frequently happens (unless the claims of the heathen are strongly pressed) that the subscription proceeds no further than the purchase of a good Bible at a cheap cost. The principles upon which these associations are formed are--the imparting of interesting information, and the inculcation of evangelical motives. For the former, the monthly publications of the Societies will furnish ample materials. The latter will be drawn in rich abundance from the word of God. The positive command of Christ*-his dying love-the value of the soul--the nearness of eternity--the "sure word of proph *Mark xvi. 15. ecy," as indicative of the purposes of God respecting his church—and the high privilege of being "fellowworkers with him"-all will combine to work with powerful constraint. The regularity of system should be introduced as far as possible into these Associations, especially in the collecting department, which should be managed weekly, where circumstances allow of it, and used as a medium of distributing information, and maintaining the tone of interest, as well as of gathering the contributions.* Monthly meetings must be considered an important component part of the system. Singing, prayer, select reading from the most interesting sources of information-personal application and excitement grounded upon it—concluding with Scripture reading or exposition, and prayer, will form an assembly of our people, with much parochial interest and effect, as well as with effective influence upon the general cause of Christ.† In these institutions the elements of vital religion are cherished in the subjugation of the natural principle of selfishness to that "charity that seeketh not her own;" in the awakening of a spirit of self-denial, pity, and intercession; and in a deepened sense of privileges, obligations, and responsibilities; so that the offering cast into the sacred treasury (though by no means to be despised) constitutes but a small portion of the The Writer heard of a Collector who gave a most satisfactory explanation of the interest and success of her employment-ascribing it to her conscientious adherence to two rules-regularity of collecting, and commencing her work periodically in prayerthe one marking the mechanism of the system, the other forming the living principle of the work. For a beautiful specimen of meetings for these purposes, long before they were known among us, see Memoirs of Oberlin, pp. 178, 179, lately published,-a most interesting sketch of Pastoral Biography. benefit derived: and thus the endeavour to diffuse the Gospel abroad is closely connected with its enlarged influence within our own spheres. In concluding this extended survey, the Writer would express his strong conviction, that the full exhibition of a Scriptural Ministry, combined with diligent labour in the Pastoral department, is the medium, through which the Spirit of God will produce among us an extension of true religion, which for explicitness, durability and consistency, will abide the day of trial, and cause even the enemies of the Gospel to "see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and that the Holy One of Israel hath created it."* It is not, however, an exclusive interest in any department that is desirable, but a concentrated attention to all. Whosoever, (to apply our Saviour's words,†) shall neglect one of the least ordinances of the sacred office "shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven.” We must be careful, however, not to attempt too many plans at once-not more than we have a reasonable hope of sustaining, and especially not more than is consistent with a primary reference to our personal communion with God, and preparation for our public work. Yet by regularity, doing one thing at a time, allowing a pause, by short exercises, and by such prudence as is consistent with zeal, (not letting a variety of exercises carry us beyond our strength,) much more may be done than is commonly imagined. ΕΝ ΤΟΥΤΟΙΣ ΙΣΘΙ.—1 Tim. iv. 15. * Isaiah xli. 20. † Matt. v. 19. |