brought back no such tidings as, in a different spirit, they were enabled to do, to the great joy of their brethren, of the conversion of the Gentiles, and of the great things "that God had done with them."* An entrance upon the great work of the ministry, without the spirit of prayer, would be to "go a" most fearful "warfare at our own charges." The kingdom of Satan would have little to apprehend from an attack of literature, or from any systematic mechanism of external form. The outworks may be stormed, but the citadel would remain impregnable. "The prey" will never be "taken from the mighty, nor the lawful captives delivered," by any other power than the Ministry of the Gospel clothed with Almighty energy. By this means the first attack was made by the servants of Christ in simple dependance on the faithful promise, waited for in earnest prayer.† The Christian Ministry is a work of faith; and that it may be a work of faith, it must be a work of prayer. Prayer obtains faith, while faith in its reaction quickens to increasing earnestness of prayer. Spiritual, enlightened, and encouraging views of the Ministry flow from the habit of diligent waiting on God. We may therefore safely conclude with Bernard,—' Utilus lectio -utilis eruditio-sed magis necessaria unctio, quippe quæ docet de omnibus.'

If then the candidate for the Christian Ministry never bows his knee at the throne of grace without making the momentous work before him a subject of large supplication, he will do well. But if he be led to add to his customary times of prayer seasons of retirement, consecrated to the sole purpose of contemplating the work, and separating himself to its † Acts i. 8, 14, with ii. 1.

*Acts xiv. 27. xv. 3, 4. VOL. I.

9

:

service, as in the immediate presence of his God, he I will do better. A man of special prayer will be a man of special faith and faith is the master-spring of the ministry-the power which enables "the worm to thresh the mountains,"* and, in holy confidence, to cast them down before him-" Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain."†

SECTION IV.

EMPLOYMENT IN THE CURE OF SOULS.

66

"EXERCISE thyself unto godliness," was one of the wise rules of the Apostle to his beloved son, for the course of his Ministry. And there is scarcely any rule which bears with more important application to the noviciate. Its connexion also with the rule of study in the succeeding context is worthy of remark. Giving attendance to reading," without the active exercises of the sacred employment, would form a most incomplete and inefficient ministry. The want of exercise is as hurtful to the spiritual as to the bodily system; and no studious habits will circulate with beneficial influence, unless their results are operative in Christian activity. The Apostle allowed no entrance into the lowest department of the Ministry, without a period of probation. Even the deacons must first "be proved."S Their natural capacity and spiritual qualifications, as well as their personal consistency, must be put to the trial, before they should " their office" in the Church of God.

no man can take the sacred office

* Isa. xli. 14, 15.

1 Tim. iv. 7.

use

Now though

unto himself,

† Zech. iv. 6.

§ 1 Tim. iii. 10.

until he be solemnly called to it by the Church, yet there is much subordinate employment in the cure of souls legitimately to exercise the natural capacities of the young probationer, to increase his store of experience, and impart considerable benefit to the Church, and reciprocal advantage to himself. The superintendence of a Sunday-school has been found, in various instances, of most important usefulness. Many have drawn from this employment most valuable lessons of practical utility in the future exercise, and during the whole course, of their Ministry. The instruction of the poor, whether in the way of casual intercourse, or with more or less of system, may be conducted with Christian humility, perseverance, and love, without infringement on the peculiar claims and character of the Ministry. And perhaps more preparation for future usefulness may be gathered from this employment, than from many months of contemplative study. An insight into the real condition of the future subjects of his parochial Ministration, and the acquaintance with their modes of expression, their peculiar difficulties and temptations, the causes of their ignorance, the wisest and most successful avenues of approach to them-this is knowledge, in which it would be well to be initiated, before the solemn obligation is undertaken, and which will be found of considerable benefit in giving an individual character to the tone of subsequent Ministrations. It is the defect of this knowledge previously acquired, that gives a general, and therefore unimpressive, character to the early ministrations of many young men of a right spirit. The most excellent sermons composed in the study, must, under such circumstances, necessarily fail in adaptation to the

wants and circumstances of the people-they must exhibit a want of sympathy in their distressesa want of consideration of their ignorance—a want of accuracy in drawing the lines of character, and consequently in directing the language of conviction or consolation, of "doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness" to the precise cases of just application. The visitation of the sick also, in the exercise of Christian sympathy, is of the highest importance to the probationer for the Ministry. Lessons are learned here that could never be learned

in the study. There the importance of the Gospel may be described or contemplated-here it is realized. There recollections may be digested with seriousness and accuracy of the vanity of the world, the nearness and prospects of eternity, the danger of delay, the blessedness of preparation, the deceitfulness of the heart, the power of Satan, the grace and love of the Saviour,-here the scenes are before the eye. Oh! how much "better is it to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting?"'* How important is the observant study of the sick chamber! How responsible is a frequent attendance upon it! How fruitful and convincing are the instructions connected with it! How varied and direct their bearing upon every department of public and private Ministration? Many have been trained for important usefulness in the Church by frequent, and, in many instances, painful attendance, upon this school of instruction.†

* Eccles. vii. 2.

t 'One of the best universities, and one far too much unvisited, is the retired apartment of suffering poverty, the cottage or the garret of the afflicted; and one of the best lectures in divinity, and most fruitful of Christian conferences, is conversation on the

The Ministry is not, like some branches of natural science, a work of contemplation, but of active, anxious, devoted employment. The spirit, business, and delight of doing good must therefore form an essential part of Preparation for the work. It would be well, indeed, for the disciple of the Ministry to let no day pass, of which he was obliged to say, 'Perdidi diem.' It would probably be well to act as much as possible upon system, grounded upon a deep sense of personal neglect, strengthened by incessant prayer, and maintained by a course of persevering efforts. Let him begin with his own family. Let him place their individual cases before him for distinct consideration and prayer-then pass on to neighbours, friends, societies with which he may be more or less connected, and with all of whom his connexion is most responsible. However his sphere may be contracted, the diligent cultivation of it will furnish abundant employ for his exertions. There are in the most limited sphere neighbors to be instructed--the sick to be visited-the young to be won over to the ways of God. Opportunities daily press before him, which are as "the price in the hands of a fool that hath no heart" to improve them, but which to him are treasures of inestimable price, and talents of most solemn account. The circle of influence, and the field of opportunity, will extend in proportion to the improvement bestowed upon them. Or even supposing their limits continue to be contracted, yet there will be sufficient exercise of faith, prayer, and labour, to

things of God with those "poor of this world," whom "God hath chosen rich in faith."-Many a Minister has there first learned the lesson of saving knowledge for his own soul, and thence has carried the best lessons which he could give to his people.' Bickersteth's Christian Student, p. 37.