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placent disposition, a desire of pleasing, a fear of offending, a dread of ridicule, a shrinking from singularity, may influence us to a hurtful affiliation with its spirit and manners.

When I notice that a professed follower of Jesus Christ manifests a more absorbing desire for temporal than for spiritual prosperity, for the accumulation of wealth than for promoting the glory of God; is more earnest to procure for his children a coffer of gold than a crown of life, I want affectionately to say to him, -"Be not conformed to this world." When I hear a professor of religion conversing with animation and interest about crops, markets, politics, news and fashions, and then notice that he is silent and indifferent when religious subjects are themes of conversation; I want to remind him of the exhortation of Paul,-"Be not conformed to this world."

When I observe a professor of religion seeking and enjoying the society of ungodly men, more than that of the saints, more punctual and cheerful in his attendance at the social and convivial party, than at the prayer meeting and the sanctuary; I should like kindly to whisper in his ear," Be not conformed to this world."

When I behold a professor of religion panting and grasping after the plaudits and honours of earth, eager to bind about his temples a fading wreath, climbing, till absorbed in his struggling, upon a crumbling pedestal of earthly fame; I want to direct his eye to the exhortation," Be not conformed to this world."

When I see a Christian female decorated with the gaudy trappings of fashion, eager to catch the gaze and admiration of the vain and thoughtless, imitating the glitter of the dissolute, and exciting the envy of the poor; Í want to thunder in her ear, so loudly as to startle and awaken her conscience,"Be not conformed to this world."

When I observe a Christian mother sending her children to the ball-room and the theatre, the fashionable assembly, and the festive party, among the profligate and licentious, to perfect their education and polish their manners; whilst I weep for her children, I want to repeat to the misguided parent the

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SOME expositors regard this clause as expressive of judgment against Israel, but we are inclined to agree with those who consider it as manifesting God's great love and forbearance towards his people, notwithstanding their backslidings.

The Lord will feed them as a lamb." This is emblematical of the tenderness and watchful care the Lord exercises over his children. A young lamb is intended here. Jehovah pities his children's helplessness, is mindful of their dependence, and forgets not their timidity and exposure. He will lead them gently, carrying them in his bosom, feeding and nourishing them.

"As a lamb." The similitude is peculiarly expressive of the love of Jehovah to the flock in Christ. Christ is the Lamb of God, and is beloved of God; the church, as a lamb," is beloved of God with the same love.

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The love that sacrificed Christ for the flock, saves the flock for Christ. Christ was the lamb offered to justice for sacrifice; the church, as "a lamb," is offered to justice for salvation. The satisfaction of justice is concerned equally in the salvation of the church as in the sacrifice of Christ.

"A lamb." Mark the unity of the church in the Son of God,—" many members," yet but 66 one body."

"He shall feed them as a lamb in a large (or wide) place." This betokens liberality; the largeness of the Lord's heart towards his people, the fulness of supply, treasured up for them in Christ Jesus.

The original intimates freedom in full enjoyment. Jesus Christ is the "large, wide place," in which the flock was set apart ere time began; "the large place," in which they are brought to feed in the appointed time; "the large place," in which they quietly rest; knowing also that this is "the large place," in which they shall range eternally, finding fruit sweet unto their taste, and rivers of

waters which shall be satisfying to their shaping his discourse to meet their souls. "The Lamb shall feed them." spiritual wants. How can he help feelHimself shall be their portion. Presenting that much of his labour is lost? communion with God, the revelations of When the weather is inclement, or the his word, the ordinances of his house, skies are overcast, instead of looking out and the enlightenings of the sacred half a dozen times to find a plausible exSpirit, are but glimpses of what will be cuse for staying at home, just recollect the full manifestation of the glory of that your minister must be as punctual this "large place." in storm as in sunshine, that many of the congregation cannot safely get out in very bad weather, and that if you are well enough to go abroad upon business you can have no valid excuse for absenting yourself from the house of God.

Truly, it is "a large place," for it embraces the lives, the interests, the spirits, the persons, of a countless host; herein all their exigences are met, their wants supplied, their comforts secured, their sanctification perfected, and their glory manifested.

ABDIEL.

HOW TO KEEP A GOOD MINISTER,
AND MAKE HIM BETTER.

By Dr. Humphrey.

"Esteem him very highly in love, for his works' sake." Though he should not be so popular nor so great a scholar as some of his brethren, if he loves his Master, and loves his work, and loves his people, and preaches good sound doctrine, treat him as an "Ambassador of Christ," sent to beseech sinners in his stead to be reconciled to God. If he is young and inexperienced, make such allowances as to shew him that he is surrounded on all sides by friends, who expect less than they would from one of riper age, and more power of physical endurance. This will encourege him to do the best he can, and he will grow as fast as you could reasonably expect. If he commits some mistakes, (and who that sustains any difficult and responsible office does not?) overlook them; or if they are of such a nature that he needs to be put upon his guard, let the duty be discharged in such a way as to convince him that he still retains the confidence of his people, and has only to be more careful in future.

Encourage him to deal very plainly with you. When he preaches what are called "hard doctrines," which you admit are found in the Bible, don't lay your heads down in token of disapprobation, nor unmistakably show by your restlessness how much you wish he would let such subjects alone. Remember that he comes to you under a sacred commission, as an Ambassador of Christ, and that he may not "shun to declare unto you all the counsel of God, whether you will hear, or whether you will forbear." It is true, if he has the spirit of him who said, "Woe is me if I preach not the gospel," he will" obey God rather than man," but if you constrain him to ejaculate "Who hath believed our report?" you will discourage him, and render yourselves unworthy of his faithful services.

Give him a chance to grow. In addition to the few books which he may be able to purchase, provide him with a good theological library, that he may have wherewithal to enrich his mind, and to bring forth out of his treasure things new and old. And having furnished him with tools, let him have time to use them. If he is disposed to appropriate his forenoons to study, as a good minister of course will be, don't interrupt him, except from necessity, or where the call cannot be postponed till the afternoon without great inconve

Attend punctually upon his ministry.nience. Let no frivolous excuse detain you at home either part of the day. It is very disheartening to a minister, when he has spent the week in laborious preparations for the pulpit, to look round upon a spare audience, and to observe how many are absent from their pews, whom he had hoped to benefit by

Give him a comfortable support. "The labourer is worthy of his hire. Even so hath God ordained that they who preach the gospel, should live by the gospel." To say nothing of the injustice of it, half starving a good minister is the poorest economy in the world. If you don't give him and his family

enough for to eat and drink, and wear, at a throne of grace.-Christian Treahow can his mind be free from those sury. wordly anxieties which would invariably interfere with the duties of his sacred calling?

Don't grudge him some few weeks, four at least, every year, for visiting his friends, and recruiting his exhausted physical and mental energies, you will be gainers by it in the long run. He will render you more and better service than he would if you were to allow him no vacation. No profession is so incessant in its demands, and so exhausting, as the work of a preacher and pastor. If now and then a constitution can bear up year in and year out, without taking any time to recruit, the great majority of really working men in the ministry cannot. Many will inevitably break down while young, if you can keep them all the while at the wheel, and those who hold out longest will inevitably suffer more or less.

ORIGIN OF HEBREW IDEAS.

THE etymology of the Hebrew language, as written by Moses, and spoken by the Israelites, furnishes an interesting illustration of the origin of the few abstract terms with which their minds were familiar. The abstract ideas of the Hebrew tongue may even now, in most instances, be traced to the object or circumstance whence they originated. Thus the idea of power, among the Hebrews, was derived from the horn of an animal; and the same word in Hebrew which signifies horn likewise signifies power, and may be translated in either way to suit the sense. The idea was originally conveyed through the eye, by noticing that the strength of the animal was exerted through its horn. The force thus exerted, especially Rally round him, when he is either when the animal was enraged, was the openly assailed, or clandestinely under-greatest which fell under their observaminded. Meet the few restless spirits in the congregation at the threshold, and give them to understand that your beloved pastor is not to be ousted in this way, and that you will stand by him to the last; that if they choose to withdraw, let them withdraw, and you will support him without their aid. Pray for him "without ceasing." Bear him always upon your hearts, when you come to a throne of grace. He needs all the help you can give him in your daily family prayers, and in your closet devotions. There is nothing which he so highly values as "the effectual fervent prayers " of his church.

If, then, you would have him an able minister of the New Testament, if you wish him to grow in grace, to be "mighty in the Scriptures," to "feast you with knowledge and understanding, and your children with the sincere milk of the word," give him books and time for preparation; attend punctually on his ministry; receive the ingrafted word with meekness and fear, as he "sows unto you spiritual things," let him "reap your carnal things;" rally round him when assailed, whether by "foes without or foes within;" be careful of his health, by allowing him time to recruit; and remember him daily and fervently

tion; and, sometimes, in its effects it was disastrous and overwhelming. Hence the horn soon became a figure to denote power, and when the idea was once originated and defined in their minds they could apply it to any object which produced a strong effect, either upon the bodies or the minds of men. An idea of power likewise originated from the human hand, because through it man exerted his strength. The same word in Hebrew still expresses both the object and the idea derived from it." Life and death are in the power of the tongue," reads literally, "Life and death are in the hand of the tongue." Sunshine, in Hebrew, is synonymous with happiness; the idea being originated by experiencing the pleasant feelings produced by the effects of a sunny day; and when thus originated, it was applied to the same and similar feelings produced by other causes. The abstract idea of judgment or justice is derived from a word which signifies to cut, or divide; it being originated by the circumstance, that when the primitive hunters had killed a stag, or other prey, one divided the flesh with a knife among those who assisted in the pursuit, distributing a just portion to each. Thus, the act of cutting and dividing their prey,

which was the first circumstance that called into exercise and placed before their senses the principle of justice, wasi. e., belongs to believers, or is placed to the circumstance from which they derived this most important abstract idea. -From " Philosophy of the plan of Salvation."

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My companions in doubts and fears of finding mercy at last, let me invite your attention to the grand fountain of peace.

You and I look inwardly to our hearts, and backwards to our past lives. There we see sin and unworthiness. These inspections are useful, indeed needful, to abase and humble us, and put us in the position in which Jesus meets and saves. But they cannot yield comfort. Peace and hope spring from a source without us. We must look out of ourselves, to the Lamb who was slain. A foundation for resting on is laid; but not in ourselves. Let me then state some of the views of Christ's righteousness which have occupied and cheered me, and which may be of service to you.

Its excellence is intrinsic, consisting in the obedience of Immanuel, as our surety, to the precepts of God's law, and his endurance of its penalty. It is the amount of what he did and suffered, from first to last, during his residence here. It is the character and glory of Jesus, God in our nature, exhibiting every perfection in fulness and harmony. This righteousness is the sole basis of our pardon, and the perfect standard of our sanctification. "We are predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Son." This righteousness imputed, justifies from every charge, and as seen, and trusted, and loved, transforms into its own likeness. Study Rom. iii. “But now the righteousness of God is manifest, being witnessed by the law and the prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, unto, and upon all who believe, for there is no difference, for all have sinned."

This cannot mean the attribute of rectitude or justice, because it is unto, their account, and is upon them as a robe to cover. It is not the perfection of divine justice; but the glorious medium through which it is shown in our pardon. See ver. 26. "Set forth, for the manifestation of his justice, in the remission of sins, that he may be just, and the justifier of the believer in Jesus." The testimony of David is brought "Blessed is the forward in Rom. iv. man whose iniquity is forgiven, and to whom God will not impute sin." And what is the ground on which it rests? Paul says that David describes "the happiness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness without works."

In Rom. v., the apostle illustrates and establishes this momentous doctrine, by a comparison of the first and second Adam. By one act the first federal head fell, and involved us in its guilt and consequences. In that dispensation strict justice reigned. Grace, with justice, reigns in the eternal covenant, and on a basis worthy of their union. The obedience of the second Adam does not consist in one act of conformity, or in the abstinence from one prohibition; but in a series of holy thoughts and doings, in accordance with God's law, during a life, first of humble privacy, and then of great publicity. The law was in his heart, and its principles of love to God, and love to man, impregnated all his conduct. Adam's single offence, as committed in the midst of every benefit, and in the face of every obligation, was very heinous, and exposed him, with us, to the merited punishment. The obedience of Jesus was yielded in a variety of positions, amidst every class of evils, against the most formidable temptations, and under every disadvantage. Adam fell in a Paradise! Jesus conquered in a desert. "By the disobedience of one man many were made sinners, by the obedience of one man are many made righteous."

One excellence belongs to the work and sacrifice of Christ, which has no parallel, and in which it is incomparable; "It magnifies the law, and makes it honourable." The Redeemer, in his divine person, was the lawgiver, the creator, the fountain of all law and order,

enough for to eat and drink, and wear, how can his mind be free from those wordly anxieties which would invariably interfere with the duties of his sacred calling?

Don't grudge him some few weeks, four at least, every year, for visiting his friends, and recruiting his exhausted physical and mental energies, you will be gainers by it in the long run. He will render you more and better service than he would if you were to allow him no vacation. No profession is so incessant in its demands, and so exhausting, as the work of a preacher and pastor. If now and then a constitution can bear up year in and year out, without taking any time to recruit, the great majority of really working men in the ministry cannot. Many will inevitably break down while young, if you can keep them all the while at the wheel, and those who hold out longest will inevitably suffer more or less.

at a throne of grace.-Christian Treasury.

ORIGIN OF HEBREW IDEAS.

THE etymology of the Hebrew language, as written by Moses, and spoken by the Israelites, furnishes an interesting illustration of the origin of the few abstract terms with which their minds were familiar. The abstract ideas of the Hebrew tongue may even now, in most instances, be traced to the object or circumstance whence they originated. Thus the idea of power, among the Hebrews, was derived from the horn of an animal; and the same word in Hebrew which signifies horn likewise signifies power, and may be translated in either way to suit the sense. The idea was originally conveyed through the eye, by noticing that the strength of the animal was exerted through its horn. The force thus exerted, especially Rally round him, when he is either when the animal was enraged, was the openly assailed, or clandestinely under-greatest which fell under their observaminded. Meet the few restless spirits in the congregation at the threshold, and give them to understand that your beloved pastor is not to be ousted in this way, and that you will stand by him to the last; that if they choose to withdraw, let them withdraw, and you will support him without their aid. Pray for him “without ceasing." Bear him always upon your hearts, when you come to a throne of grace. He needs all the help you can give him in your daily family prayers, and in your closet devotions. There is nothing which he so highly values as "the effectual fervent prayers" of his church.

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If, then, you would have him an able minister of the New Testament, if you wish him to grow in grace, to be mighty in the Scriptures," to "feast you with knowledge and understanding, and your children with the sincere milk of the word," give him books and time for preparation; attend punctually on his ministry; receive the ingrafted word with meekness and fear, as he "sows unto you spiritual things," let him "reap your carnal things;" rally round him when assailed, whether by "foes without or foes within;" be careful of his health, by allowing him time to recruit; and remember him daily and fervently

tion; and, sometimes, in its effects it was disastrous and overwhelming. Hence the horn soon became a figure to denote power, and when the idea was once originated and defined in their minds they could apply it to any object which produced a strong effect, either upon the bodies or the minds of men. An idea of power likewise originated from the human hand, because through it man exerted his strength. The same word in Hebrew still expresses both the object and the idea derived from it." Life and death are in the power of the tongue," reads literally, "Life and death are in the hand of the tongue." Sunshine, in Hebrew, is synonymous with happiness; the idea being originated by experiencing the pleasant feelings produced by the effects of a sunny day; and when thus originated, it was applied to the same and similar feelings produced by other causes. The abstract idea of judgment or justice is derived from a word which signifies to cut, or divide; it being originated by the circumstance, that when the primitive hunters had killed a stag, or other prey, one divided the flesh with a knife among those who assisted in the pursuit, distributing a just portion to each. Thus, the act of cutting and dividing their prey,

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