tion, it is evident that I ought to seek, in all the ways that are accessible to me, to obtain the object of my desires.

Alas! how great would be the astonishment of this stranger, when one should say to him in reply-you are altogether in error. The people of whom you have been speaking, it is true, express a strong desire to believe the gospel; but they do nothing, absolutely nothing, to obtain what they say they desire. They never read the Bible; they do not examine the foundations on which it rests its authority; they scarcely ever pray, and when they do, it is very coldly; they care little for the society of Christians; and they act in every respect as if religious faith was the most useless, the most insignificant, and the most frivolous thing in the world-But these persons, then, speak in one way and act in another, the stranger would reply-Precisely so-And do you pretend that they are sincere? They repeat that they are, at least, if one can understand what they say-But it is either a mockery, or an inconceivable delusion. Whoever belies his words by his acts is a hypocrite; for hypocrisy is nothing else than the contradiction which exists between what a man says and what he does-between the appearance of a thing and the reality.

Men of the world-you who so often profess a desire to believe, and yet do nothing in order to believe, the conclusion is inevitable; you have been hitherto, and you are yet, guilty of HYPOCRISY. May you reflect upon it seriously!

THE IMPORTANCE OF SUITABLE TRAINING FOR THE GOSPEL

MINISTRY.

Several manuscripts of the lamented Dr. Fisk have been sent us by his mourning relict. Among others, we have found the following paper, which appears to have been intended as part of a contemplated inaugural address, or an introductory lecture, when he should enter on his duties, as professor of church history and church government, in the Western Theological Seminary. We have only to regret that it is incomplete. Yet as far as it goes, it is excellent; and we doubt not will be read with great interest by those for whom it was specially intended, and indeed by many others-We have also found the commencement of another paper on Mental Science, in continuation of the series of essays, all from his pen, which have been published in the Christian Advocate, on that important subject. But this is only a fragment, in which the subject of the contemplated essay is merely stated-Heu! Mors ultima linea rerum est.

The importance of a well educated ministry in the church, was never greater than at the present time. There never was a time when it could be considered unimportant. Next to personal piety, always indispensable, and good mental capacity, without which there can be no education, good mental training and discipline must be held in the highest estimation. The gifts of God stand first, by grace and by nature, not always united, but never to be separated in the ministry-next to these, stand high attainments in the government, direction, and employment of those gifts.

In the development of mind, every part of its education is important, from the first direction given by maternal lips, to the last instruction

which fits for the commencement of official duty. It becomes me now to speak only of that part of education which is considered as holding an immediate connexion with preparation for the ministerial office. But it is a fact that not a few minds, of native energy and subjects of renewing grace, have been so badly trained, either before or during their academic course, that all efforts to reclaim them, during what is called their theological course, are fruitless.

A well educated ministry, therefore, can and will be attained, only through our primary schools, academies, and colleges. But there are other departments of knowledge, imperfectly taught in these institutions, or not taught at all, which are indispensable. These cannot be adequately gained at the present day, except in seminaries for the purpose. The exigencies of the church, the methods of qualifying men for other professions, as well as public sentiment, render theological seminaries indispensable in this age. Whatever may have been the case in former times, or whatever may be the case hereafter, the question is settled for the present state of things. There are indeed some objections to institutions of this kind, but I know not what good thing there is among men, against which there are not some objections made. It is said they are expensive institutions to the church, and after all they are liable to become corrupt in doctrine, and so be engines of mischief.

It is true they are expensive in their first endowment-so are colleges and medical institutions, but they are not to be abandoned on that account. The fair statement of this question is, can the object be otherwise gained; and is it worth the expense when it is acquired? Unless it can be shown that the object, that is, a competent theological education, can be as well gained without this expense, or when it is acquired, that the acquisition is not worth the cost, the objection is not controlling. No argument is necessary to show that the object is unattainable in any other way at so small an expense, and as for its value, it is not to be estimated by money.

It is also true that theological seminaries may become corrupt in doctrine and do great mischief. But what is to be done? Is there any institution which may not become corrupt? The history of theological learning is full of perversions and corruptions, in all the forms in which it has been taught-in universities, in colleges, and by private instructers. This is an experiment, in some respects new, and therefore cannot be decisively estimated in the light of history. It is separated from the schools of philosophy; is in the hands of the church and under ecclesiastical supervision, and therefore as safe as means can make it. A question here arises, which presents this point in its true light: are we to make no adequate provision for a thoroughly educated ministry, because those means may be perverted? Rather let us trust God to preserve them in favour of truth, erect around them all the appropriate barriers against corruption, and embalm them in the prayers of the

church.

A ministry, well educated, must be taught in the principles of sound biblical exegesis, in the doctrines, precepts and promises, deduced from correct biblical interpretation-and in the organization, character, government and history of the church. Less than this cannot furnish a competent education for the ministry. To instruct well and fully in the first branch, must put in requisition more than the time, talents, and acquirements of any one man. Oriental literature and exegesis of the Old Testament, is enough for one man's life and study to teach.

Grecian literature and exegesis of the New Testament, will demand all the time and talents of any one teacher. The second branch is equally important, and should have the undivided attention of at least one instructer. While the first branch of instruction will teach a student how to understand his Bible, the second branch will teach him how to use and apply it, to himself and to others. To teach this correctly and practically, is immensely important, and no one man can do more than to fulfil the duty. The third branch is as laborious and indispensable as either of the other. The origin, character, and government of God's church are too important to be hastily passed over. Deep, careful, and even critical examination, are necessary, in a course of instruction on this branch. The church is a divine institution, whose organization, character and government are to be ascertained from the Bible. Its history is spread over a vast surface, interwoven with the history of many countries and different policies of government, involved in obscurity by the ignorance, prejudice, and superstition of ages. Ecclesiastical history alone is a laborious subject of investigation, and must occupy the patient and persevering attention of any one man's time and efforts, if he teach it profitably to his pupils.

In entering upon the duties of an office, specially devoted to the instruction of candidates for the ministry, in the origin, character, government, history, relations and destiny of the church, I may be indulged in a few remarks on the importance of this department. I appreciate the other departments of instruction, in this and similar institutions: they stand confessedly indispensable. But, if I mistake not, there is an importance attached to this department, which ought to have a higher estimate than it has sometimes received.

The things included in this department are unspeakably interesting. The mere fact, that it respects an organized society, which God regards with tenderness, preserves with care, blesses with his richest favours, and employs to effect the highest purposes of his glory, tells its interest and importance. Can we be uninterested, to know the true character and appropriate regulations of an institution, which God so honours, to which he makes known his will, for which he preserves the world, and governs all things; by which he makes known his manifold wisdom, power and grace? Can we over estimate the importance of correct knowledge, pertaining to this church?

The church of Jesus Christ has excited the most earnest attention of men. When she was confined, by the peculiar dispensation of God, to one nation, she was regarded with strong and affectionate attachment by some; and by others with fear and bitter enmity. Since she came under a new dispensation, and is set up as the light of the world, to bring the nations to God, she has been the object of scorn and violent hatred by multitudes in private and in publick, in the market place, and in seats of legislation: she has been persecuted by all classes of men, and in all possible ways which could express the malignant rage of men or demons. Others again, have regarded her with feelings of kindest tenderness and strongest attachment: accordingly, her interests have been promoted with much care, and cherished with earnest zeal. Thousands have watched her movements, and prayed for her enlargement. The organization and character of such a community must be a subject of high importance. To aid her sons, designed for her sacred ministry, in attaining correct views of what pertains to her scriptural character, form and government, is the first object of this department. The character, privileges and duties of her members; all the rights of

her citizenship; the ordinances and means of her instruction, regulation and sanctification; the character, qualifications, rights and duties of her officers; the influence she is intended and calculated to exert upon the world, and her instrumentalities for its accomplishment, are some of the things included in this first object.

The second is, to trace her history, and estimate the influences which have been exerted for her integrity, preservation, enlargement and purity; also the efforts to corrupt, change, cripple and destroy her. This object embraces facts of important character, spread through the records of more than fifty centuries. But a grand result of the whole is, to learn the development of God's plan and government, in the dispensations of his providence and grace toward his church.

These are subjects of vast importance to the minister of Christ. It is not a mere matter of speculative interest to ascertain what have been the forms of error, by which the church has been corrupted or disturbed; what have been the persecutions by which she has been assailed; where she has prospered and where languished; the causes which have operated and the instrumentalities employed for her enlargement or her diminution. Every thing which relates to the character and history of the church, must have great influence on the active duties of the ministry. There is, in God's plan of government throughout, an adaptation of means to the ends to be accomplished. In no department of his administration is there a more obvious and necessary adaptation than in the kingdom of his grace.

The ministry of reconciliation furnishes the most important agency which God employs in building up and educating his church. It is best adapted to exert a salutary influence over the minds of men, in all the stations and relations of life. But it is not merely because it is a living responsible agency, nor because those who exercise the office are subject to like passions with other men, and can therefore sympathize with the faithful and joyous, or with the tempted and afflicted; but because they can feed the people with knowledge, are well instructed in the things of the kingdom, and know how to guard them against the encroachments of error. Surely they must know the character and history of the church, in which, and for whose benefit, they are to exert such a vast influence. The mere statement of the objects and their influence, is an unanswerable argument for the importance of this department.

But at the present time there is a special importance attached to this branch of study and instruction. It is a day of great agitation and controversy in the church. In this agitation the ministry must participate, to a greater or less extent. It is impossible for them to be unaffected by excitements, which move the whole mass of society, and are shaking it to its foundation; excitements which affect the personal feelings and interests of all; and deeply affect the dearest interests of the church. Here a full, correct and definite knowledge of the church's character and history, is well calculated to settle our agitation, lead us to confidence in God, and to employ the best means to quiet, or regulate the excitements which arise. There is always danger in exciting the passions of men; an affectionate and even earnest interest in the pursuit of a laudable object, is indeed desirable and important, but an agitating excitement of the passions is never safe, unless it be directed by more than ordinary wisdom.

In matters of religious controversy the ministry must be deeply involved, from their office and responsibility. It is utterly impossible for

men, set for the defence as well as the inculcation of the truth, to avoid controversy in such a time as this. The adversaries of truth will contend, and must be left boastfully to occupy the field, or be opposed by those whose business it is "to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints." Here again the light of history, well estimated and improved, may have a very salutary influence upon the controversies of the day.

The same topicks of controversy may recur again and again, which have long since afflicted the church, and been settled in a way that ought henceforth to exclude them. Controversy is always attended by some unhappy influences, although oftentimes the means of eliciting and establishing the truth. When this has once been done in any given case, the historical instruction is valuable, to diminish the attendant evils and confirm the happy results.

The encroachments of error at the present time are made, as in former ages of the church's history, through the subtleties and speculations of philosophy. The errors may have new names, and some new illustrations, but their character is old, their influence long since developed, and their disastrous results stand recorded on the pages of history, as beacons to warn the present generation. Let the ministry be well instructed in the history of the church, and taught how to estimate newly revived errors by their old character and results, and much unprofitable speculation may be saved; in which event we may look for a more stable, consistent and useful ministry. We are already beginning to see a salutary influence of this department, emanating from some of our seminaries, and we hope for still more salutary effects yet to be seen. Among all the inventions of the age, the novelties and wonders are mostly produced by new associations of old facts and principles; new combinations of old theories and speculations; and new applications of the same philosophy, produce what is considered new light in theology. There are, in reality, few errors that are new; and as for theological truth, it is not susceptible of improvement. A thorough acquaintance with ecclesiastical history will most assuredly confirm every judicious mind in the truth of these remarks.

From the Christian Observer of Nov. ult.

CRITICAL REMARKS ON THE SICKNESS OF HEZEKIAH. The account of Hezekiah's sickness, with which we are furnished by the writers of the Books of Kings and Chronicles and the Prophet Isaiah, is one of the most interesting events recorded of the history of that excellent prince: yet it is, I think, rarely understood: and though it is plainly calculated, if not rightly understood, to be rather dangerous than profitable to the reader, it does not appear that any of the more popular interpreters have pointed out what I conceive to be the easy and natural solution of the difficulties with which it is confessedly encumbered.

Its chief difficulties may be thus briefly stated: That a pious king should, under a dispensation of which temporal rewards and punishments formed the immediate sanction, he treated with an early death; and that so distinguished a believer as Hezekiah should prize life so highly, and regard its termination with so much alarm.

A careful examination of the authorities which illustrate the history of his reign has led me to think that his sickness was judicial, and that Ch. Adv.-VOL. XII.

C