Christ only that can keep us alive, either as individuals, or as churches. While, therefore, we recommend the means which he has prescribed, we devoutly add, with the Apostle, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all! Amen.

THE PASTOR'S ADDRESS TO HIS CHRISTIAN HEARERS, ENTREATING THEIR ASSISTANCE IN PROMOTING THE INTEREST OF CHRIST.

BELOVED BRETHREN,

THE ministry to which God by your election has called us, forms a distinguished part of the gospel dispensation. Divine instruction was communicated under the Old Testament, and an order of men appointed of God for the purpose: but their work can scarcely be denominated preaching. They foretold the good news but it is for us to proclaim it. The poor having the gospel preached to them is alleged in proof that the Messiah was come, and that they were not to look for another.

The very existence of Christian churches is in subserviency to the preaching of the gospel; or they would not have been described as golden candlesticks, the use of which is to impart light to those around them. We speak not thus, brethren, to magnify ourselves. There is an importaat difference between Christian ministers, and the Christian ministry to acknowledge, exists for your sakes. or Cephas-all are yours; but the latter, of extending the Redeemer's kingdom, is that for which both we and you exist. Ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

The former, we are ready Whether Paul, Apollos, as being the chosen mean

These considerations will enable us to account for the joy which the apostle expressed in Christ's being preached, even though it were from envy; and may teach us to rejoice in the same thing, though it be in the most corrupt communities, or even from the most suspicious motives. But though God may cause his truth to triumph, wherever and by whomsoever it is taught; yet it should be our concern to publish it willingly, and to the best advantage. The primitive churches were not mere assemblies of men who agreed to meet together once or twice a week, and to subscribe to the support of an accomplished man who should on those occasions deliver lectures on religion. They were men gathered out of the world by the preaching of the cross, and formed into society for the promotion of Christ's kingdom, in their own souls, and in the world around them. It was not the concern of the ministers or elders only: the body of the people were interested in all that was done, and according to their several abilities and stations took part in it. Neither were they assemblies of heady, high-minded, contentious people, meeting together to argue on points of doctrine or discipline, and converting the worship of God into scenes of strife. They spake the truth; but it was in love: they observed discipline; but, like an army of chosen men, it was that they might attack the kingdom of Satan to greater advantage. Happy were it for our churches if we could come to a closer imitation of this model!

We trust it is our sincere desire, as ministers, to be more intent upon our work; but allow us to ask for your ASSISTANCE. Nehemiah, zealous as he was, could not have built the wall if the people had not had a mind to work. Nor could Ezra have reformed the abuses among the people if nobody had stood with him. But in this case, the elders, when convinced of the necessity of the measure, offered themselves willingly to assist him. Arise, (said they,) for this matter belongeth unto thee; we also will be with thee: be of good courage and do it. Such is the assistance, brethren, which we solicit at your hands.

We might enumerate the different ways in which your assistance in promoting the interest of Christ is needed. We might ask for your prayers, your early attendance, your counsels, your contri

butions, and your example: but what we have to offer will arise from a review of the different branches of our own labours.

In the discharge of our work, we have to do with four descriptions of people, and in dealing with each we stand in need of your assistance: namely, serious and humble Christians-disorderly walkers-persons under concern about salvation--and persons manifestly unconverted.

First: It may be supposed that in every church of Christ there will be a considerable proportion of serious and humble Christians. Our work in respect of them is to feed them with the wholesome doctrine of the word, and to teach them the mind of Christ in all things. The assistance which we ask of you, brethren, in this part of our ministry, is that you would not only pray for us, but be free to impart to us the state of your minds, and whether our labours be edifying to you or not. It is not so much by a sys

tematical statement and defence of Christian doctrines that believers are edified, as by those doctrines being applied to their respective cases. This is the way in which they are ordinarily introduced in the scriptures, and in which they become words in due season. But we cannot well preach to the cases of people unless we know them. Add to this, the interest which you discover in the things of God has a more than ordinary influence on our minds in the delivery of them. You cannot conceive the difference between addressing a people full of tender and affectionate attention, whose souls appear in their eyes, and answer, as it were, to the word of God; and preaching to those who are either half asleep, or their thoughts manifestly occupied by other things. By looking at the one, our hearts have expanded like the flowers before the morning sun thoughts have occurred, and sensations have been kindled, which the labours of the study could never have furnished. But by observing the other, our spirits are contracted like the flowers by the damps of the evening; and thoughts which were interesting when alone have seemed to die as they proceeded from our lips.

It will tend not a little to increase your interest in hearing, if you exercise yourselves on other occasions to reading and reflection. If you attend to the things of God only or chiefly while

hearing us, we shall preach to you under great disadvantage. The apostle complained of many things being hard to be uttered, owing to the Hebrews being dull of hearing; and that for the time when they ought to have been teachers, they had need that one should teach them again which were the first principles of the oracles of God. Thinking hearers give a facility to preaching, even upon the most difficult subjects; while those whose minds are seldom occupied at other times can scarcely understand the most easy and familiar truths.

Secondly: In every church we must expect a greater or less proportion of disorderly walkers.-Our work in respect of them is to warn, admonish, and if possible, to reclaim them; or if that cannot be to separate them, lest the little leaven should leaven the whole lump. But in these cases, more than in many others, we stand in need of your assistance. It is not ministers only, but all who are spiritual, that the apostle addresses on this subject; and spiritual characters may always expect employment in restoring others in the spirit of meekness. It is of great importance to the well-being of a church, that men are not wanting who will watch over one another in love, observe and counteract the first symptoms of declension, heal differences at an early period, and nip disturbances in the bud. By such means there will be but few things of a disagreeable nature, which will require either the censures of the church, or the interference of the pastor.

There will be instances, however, in which both the pastor and the church must interfere; and here it is of the utmost consequence that they each preserve a right spirit, and act in concert. There are two errors in particular, into which individuals have frequently fallen in these matters. One is a harsh and unfeeling conduct towards the offender, tending only to provoke his resentment, or to drive him to despair; the other is that of siding with him, apologizing for him, and carrying it so familiarly towards him in private as to induce him to think others who reprove him his enemies. Beware, brethren, of both these extremes, which, instead of assisting us in our work, would be doing the utmost to counteract us. We may almost as well abandon discipline as not to act in Consert. It was on this principle that the apostle enjoined it on

the Corinthians not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one, no not to eat.

Your assistance is particularly necessary to resist and overcome those unlovely partialities which are too often found in individuals We have seen and heard of towards their relations or favourites. disorderly walkers, whose connexions in a church have been so extensive, that when they should have been censured or admonished, either a strong opposition was raised in their favour, or at least a considerable number have chosen to stand neuter, and so to leave It is glorious the officers of the church to act in a manner alone. to see a people in such cases acting in the spirit of Levi, who did not acknowledge his brethren, nor know his own children; but observed God's word, and kept his covenant!

It is often extremely difficult for a pastor to go through with such matters without injury to his character and ministry. He being, by bis office, obliged to take the lead, becomes the principal object of resentment; and every idle story is raked up by the party and their adherents, which may wound his reputation, and impute his conduct to suspicious motives. If, in such circumstances, his brethren stand by him, he will disregard the slander of his enemies; but if they be indifferent, it will be death to him. Should such a conduct issue in his removal, it is no more than might be expected.

Thirdly In every church of Christ we may hope to find some persons inquiring after the way of salvation.-This may be the case much more at some periods than at others; but we may presume, from the promise of God to be with his servants, that the word of truth shall not be any length of time without effect. Our work in this case is to cherish conviction, and to direct the mind to the gospel remedy. But if, when men are inquiring the way to Zion, there be none but the minister to give them information, things must be low indeed. It might be expected that there should be as many persons capable of giving direction on this subject as there are serious Christians; for who that has obtained mercy by believing in Jesus should be at a loss to recommend him to another? It is matter of fact, however, that