where generates the storms and contentions and miseries of life; where kindles the fire that is never quenched, and where breeds the worm that never dies,-faith in the cross, I say, chases away from this bosom, every unholy, every contending passion, and makes it serene as the vernal morning; calm as the unruffled waters. The faithful pastor will not depend for the success of his ministry wholly on public and stated exhibitions of divine truth. He must be often among his people, to instruct, admonish, and warn them. It was predicted of Christ, that he would feed his flock like a shepherd; that he would gather the lambs in his arms and carry them in his bosom. His life, which is the great example for his ministers to imitate, shows the manner in which he fulfilled these predictions. In private conversation, the messenger of mercy can more easily adapt his instructions to individual wants, and thus rightly divide the word of God, giving to each his portion in due season. Private conversation, if chastened and elevated, if dictated by truth, and guided by love, never fails to interest the heart. When applied to divine subjects, it quickens and animates piety, and has often carried conviction to many a bosom, which has remained steeled to the most lucid exhibitions of truth, and the most powerful appeals from the pulpit. The faithful pastor will be the friend of his people. He will identify his interests and his happiness with theirs. Like Ruth to Naomi, he will say, Where thou goest, I will go; thy people shall be my people, and thy God, my God. He must watch with a parental solicitude over the youthful part of his flock. He should address them from the pulpit, con verse freely with them in the social circle, and as often as possible assemble them together to impart kind and appropriate instruction from the word of God. No part of his charge should awaken in his bosom a deeper and more lasting interest. Youth are specially exposed to temptation. The gay and alluring scenes of life are opening fresh before them. All the passions which glow in the youthful breast, urge them on to mingle in these opening scenes without restraint. As yet they know not the deceitfulness of the world; the hollowness of its pretensions; the emptiness of its joys; the changing nature of its fair prospects; or the scorpion stings which follow its unhallowed indulgences. Gay, and thoughtless, and unsuspecting, they rush onward as the bird hasteth to the fowler's snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. For want of kind and faithful friends in the ministers of Jesus, many a youth whose prospect was opening fair as the cloudless morning, has launched at venture on the sea of life, quickly stranded his bark amidst the wrecks of infidelity and passion, and sunk to an untimely and inglorious grave. The minister of Christ should be like a guardian angel, gliding noiseless and unseen among his spiritual charge, intent on the work of truth and love. This discourse contains instruction for the pastor elect. The success, my dear brother, with which you discharge the duties of the pastoral office, will be owing, under God, to your qualifications and faithfulness. Strive, as far as in you lies, to understand and to declare the whole council of God. Search the scriptures. Draw from them your system of theology; your views of the character of God; your views of Christ,―of the Holy Ghost,—of the plan of salvation, of the moral character and future destiny of man. Waste no time in metaphysical speculations or useless study. The philosophy of the christian religion is a philosophy of facts; clear, plain, easy to be understood; proved by the word and works of God, by the history of the world, and by christian experience. Give yourself wholly to these things, that your profiting may appear unto all. Never forget, that the proper influence of the christian ministry is a moral influence. So far as you cannot persuade men to walk in the right paths, you must commit them to God in fervent prayer, and with the kindest feelings leave them to the retribution of another day, however painful and heart-rending it may be. One of the greatest trials of a godly minister is, that he can accomplish the benevolent designs of the gospel only in part. This day, my dear brother, should be accounted one of the most interesting and solemn periods of your life. With your flock before you; with the authorities of the church on your right hand and on your left; with the eye of the omniscient Judge, searching your heart through and through, you are about to be invested with the responsible duties of the pastoral office. The man who does not feel, deeply and solemnly feel, on such an occasion, is unworthy to be a minister of heaven. Woe to the flock who will hang their harps on the willows, as he leads them beside the cold streams of Babylon. Bound together, as we are, by all that is dear in the ties of brotherhood; by all that is sacred in parentage and home, by the scenes of childhood and youth; by a similarity of pursuits, of christian faith and feel ing, we have often indulged the fond hope, that a wisc Providence would cast our lots in the same portion of his vineyard, that we might be mutual helpers in the work of the ministry. But he has otherwise determined. Thus the dreams of life must vanish away and give place to its solemn realities. Preceding you in age and academical pursuits, and being called, for three successive years, in the capacity of instructor, to guide your intellectual efforts, and watch over your youthful steps, while absent from the paternal roof, and partly amid the snares and temptations of a college life; and during this time being more than once called to watch around your sick bed, amidst the anxieties of a dangerous disease, which threatened to cut short your hopes and your life; it is with mingled emotions of joy and gratitude to God, easier felt than described, that I behold you this day taking your stand on the theatre of public life, and consecrating your talents and attainments to the church of Christ. It is a moment which it becomes us to consecrate wholly to devout and thankful feeling. Henceforth, my dear brother, new scenes, new joys, and new trials await you. Estimate not your character or preaching by the breath of popular applause. It will vanish away like the morning mist. It will break like the bubble on the stream. Strive to have a conscience void of offence towards God and man. Sink not under reproach, or trials, however severe or unmerited. It is enough for the servant that he is as his Master. Amidst prosperity and adversity, praise and rebuke, joys and trials, preach the word, be instant in season and out of season, hold on your christian course unbending as the mountain oak and steady as the wheels |