THE IMPORTANCE OF THE GOSPEL MINISTRY:

AN

INTRODUCTORY LECTURE,

DELIVERED

AT THE OPENING OF THE WINTER SESSION

OF THE

Theological Seminary

AT PRINCETON, NEW-JERSEY,

Nov. 9, 1827.

BY SAMUEL MILLER, D. D.

PROFESSOR OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY AND CHURCH GOVERN MENT IN THE SAID SEMINARY.

PRINCETON, N. J.

PRINTED BY D. A. BORRENSTEIN.

REV. AND DEAR SIR,

At a meeting of the SOCIETY FOR INQUIRY ON MISSIONS, composed of the students of the Theological Seminary, held on Saturday, the first of December, it was on motion unanimously

RESOLVED,

That the Committee whose business it is to superintend the publications of this Society, request for publication a copy of your Lecture, delivered before the students of this Seminary, at the opening of the present Session.

In resolving to make this request, the Society were prompted by the conviction, that it will be found highly acceptable and useful, not only to those who are already "set for the defence of the Gospel," but to all who shall aspire to this responsible office, and instrumentally, through them, to the great body of the Church.

AN

INTRODUCTORY LECTURE,

&c.

BELOVED CANDIDATES FOR THE HOLY MINISTRY,

It is evident that Ministers of religion must have been coeval with the first acts of social worship. Long before the institution of the Levitical Priesthood, there were, undoubtedly, persons who "ministered in holy things," that is, who presided in offering sacrifices, and in conducting the exercises of public instruction and devotion. Even among the ante-diluvians, we read of those who "preached" and "prophesied" in the name of the Lord; and after the flood, before the commencement of the Mosaic dispensation, we find mention made of "Melchisedeck, a priest of the most high God;" and also of "Jethro, a priest of Midian," who was, evidently, a worshipper of Jehovah.

After the establishment of the Aaronick priesthood, the line was more distinctly drawn than ever between the ministers at the altar, and those in whose behalf they ministered. New barriers were raised against all unauthorized intrusion on the appropriate duties of the priestly office; and weighty and most momentous was the trust committed to