might be employed in presenting it, with perspicuity and energy, to the minds of his brethren. Nothing is more manifest, than that he was no pastor of any church when he was at Ephesus, and as little was he clothed with this office when he first went into Achaia, and mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. Whether he ever was placed in the pastoral office, is, I suppose, a matter of total uncertainty. But whether he ever was so or not, it is evident, from the manner in which Paul speaks of him, 1 Cor. 3:6. that he was extensively useful in edifying the churches of Christ.

Some may, perhaps, feel a sort of jealousy of the principle I have been recommending, from the apprehension, that, if it were reduced to practice, it would tend in a considerable measure to supersede the pastoral office altogether; as others would be found engaging in many of those services which have been considered as exclusively connected with it. This jealousy, however, appears quite unfounded. The more the knowledge of Christianity is extended, the more its importance must be discerned, and the more minute and sacred a regard will be paid to all its institutions. No one can doubt that the pastoral office is one of these. If any one, then, is afraid that it will be brought into contempt, let him recollect that this must arise from ignorance, not from knowledge; from the prevalence of unbelief, and not from subjection to the authority of the word of God. The more men are impressed with the truth and importance of Christianity, the more will they see the necessity of that pastoral

care which requires a man's whole time, and undivided attention; and instead of there being any ground for jealousy between a pastor and his gifted brethren, the labours of the former may be much more extensively useful, by being seconded by the more limited exertions of the latter. In whatever way men's attention is led to the word of God, they will feel themselves constrained, not only to wait statedly upon the public administration of it, but also to unite themselves with a church of Christ. In this way, they will not only add to the number of the stated hearers of the Gospel, but to that of those to whom pastoral care is to be extended.

The above remarks are submitted to the consideration of all who feel interested in the prosperity of the Redeemer's kingdom; and I should be truly happy, if they should be the means of exciting a more minute examination of what the Scripture contains, on the subject to which to they relate. If I have misapprehended the import of the word of God, on this or any other subject, I hope I shall ever be disposed to listen to any proof that my views are inaccurate. On some of the points introduced under this article, I may differ in opinion from some, in whose sentiments, on other subjects, I most cordially acquiesce. But I wish, if possible, to engage in inquiry, not in controversy. As I have endeavoured to guard against dogmatical assertion in the above remarks, I hope, whatever objections may be brought against them, that they will appear in the form of calm and dispassionate inquiry, and breathe the spirit they ought.

If the word of God require the united exertions of

Christians in the common cause; if it appears a principle laid down in Scripture, that the great design of the Head of the church, in the bestowment of gifts, (whether in the form of miraculous communication, or of natural talents,) is, that wherever they are imparted, they should be applied, in one shape or another, to active usefulness; if this was the principle on which the apostolic churches manifestly acted, it is certainly one, which has been by almost all classes of Christians very little regarded. I have been induced to dwell the longer in illustrating its importance and advantages, from a conviction, that the application of it is closely interwoven with a more extensive diffusion of divine truth. Our country, we may safely assert, is, in a religious point of view, highly favoured; and yet, in many places, not only gross ignorance prevails, but the means of removing that ignorance are not enjoyed. Now, whence is this? Is it from want of gifts among Christians, taken collectively? No! Had we that apostolic zeal and self-denial, that would dispose men, qualified to be useful, to go to those places where they were most likely to do good; were their Christian brethren, on the other hand, who are possessed of property, to come forward, and second their efforts, with that promptitude and liberality which compassion for perishing souls should inspire; would there not be found gifts in abundance, to penetrate every corner of the land, to leave the inhabitants of no place destitute of some tolerable means of being made acquainted with the way that leads to eternal life.

Not many years ago, we heard much of the alarm

of invasion on England. But if this event, so much to be deprecated, should ever be realized, surely nothing like jealousy would subsist in regard to those who might attempt to retard the progress of the enemy. It would not be thought exclusively the province of military men. Whoever should contribute to harass him, to defeat any of his attempts, to cut off his supplies, or check his progress, would justly be considered as deserving well of his country. Our world has been invaded by ignorance and wickedness, in close combination. These most formidable foes have spread their baneful influence to the destruction of the present happiness and future hopes of its inhabitants. The enemy is at our gates. He is to be met with in every quarter. Many are daily falling victims to his sway. Ought it then to be thought improper for any one to endeavour to arrest that wide-spreading desolation that marks his steps, because they do not belong to some corps of regular troops professionally employed in the service? No! The case is too urgent. The enemy is in the midst of us. Our fellow-citizens are perishing. Is there not rather an imperious call for Christians to rise en masse, and every one employing the weapon he can use to most advantage, to do what in him lies to exterminate, if possible, such formidable foes from our world?

13

CHAPTER II.

OF CHOOSING A PASTOR.

SOME members of churches are apt to think, that a pastor cannot with propriety be chosen, without different persons being proposed for the office; that where there is not variety, there can be no election. This seems, however, to be by no means necessary; and if a church should be satisfied that a brother, who has been some time among them, is possessed of those pastoral qualifications which the Scriptures require, and find that he is one in whom they can unite, it will generally be found greatly to contribute to their harmony and comfort, to fix upon such a person, without naming any other. It usually happens, that the greater variety that is proposed, the more difficult it will be found to arrive at unanimity. All that is necessary to the pastoral relation is, that the pastor be the object of the choice of the church. If this is the case, it is not necessary that others should have been mentioned. Those, indeed, who know what is in human nature, will consider it a great advantage, if a church can come to unanimity in the choice of a pastor, without naming any one but the person who is the object of their election.

If different persons be proposed, there is a considerable risk of a church falling into a spirit of party, and of something occurring which may prove preju