worldly communities. Pride is the polluted and polluting fountain of faction. It is pride that makes men turbulent and contentious; that renders them imperious, dogmatical and overbearing; that drives them upon the inflexible determination to have their own way, and that makes them regardless of the opinions and feelings of others. HUMILITY and LOVE would keep all quiet and orderly. There is one single passage of scripture, which, if sacredly observed, would forever shut out the divider of the brethren. “If there be, therefore, any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife, or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus."* The observance of this single injunction would ever preserve our harmony, and make our church meetings to be scenes where all the air is love, and all the region peace.

And where is our religion, if we do not obey this apostolic command ? We must come back to the first principles of practical piety, and cultivate the passive virtues of the Christian temper. We must remember that Christianity is being like Christ, and that unless we partake of that love "which suffereth long and is kind; which envieth not, vaunteth

*This passage of Scripture should be printed in large letters, and hung up in the full view of the congregation, every time they meet as a Christian church, that it might be referred to as the rule of their conduct and their spirit.

not itself, is not puffed up; which doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; which believeth all things, beareth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things;" we are only "as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal." The necessity of the Christian temper as a personal possession, and its importance, as a relative blessing, has hitherto been but feebly perceived, and reluctantly acknowledged. Amidst the controversies which have been carried on about the doctrines of revelation, the spirit of religion has been too much lost sight of. And what, after all, is the doctrine without the spirit, but the body without the soul? Strange indeed it is, that men, who by their own confession are apostate, ruined, helpless sinners, should want HUMILITY; and that they who believe themselves to be saved from hell by unmerited mercy, should be destitute of LOVE!

Never, until we are brought to a more implicit submission to the authority of Christ, and to a more distinct and practical recognition of the principles of true religion, can we rationally expect to see Zion a quiet and peaceable habitation. Heaven itself would be a region of storms if pride could enter, or love diminish, in those realms of perfect peace. We must crucify that selfishness, which fixes its exclusive observation on our own gratification, and cherish that expansive benevolence which looks upon the good of others. We must contend who shall be lowest, not who shall be highest. We must seek to please, and not merely to be pleased. In these things must our efforts begin, to suppress and prevent the division of our churches.

Let ministers inculcate this temper from the pulpit, and exhibit it in their conduct; let private Christians receive the instructions and copy the examples of their pastors. Let both remember that HUMILITY and LOVE are the necessary fruits of our doctrines, the highest beauty of our character, and the guardian angels of our churches.

MINISTERIAL DUTIES

STATED AND ENFORCED.

A

PASTORAL CHARGE,

DELIVERED TO THE

REV. THOMAS JAMES,

AT

HIS ORDINATION

OVER

THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH,

ASSEMBLING IN CITY CHAPEL,

LONDON.

BY J. A. JAMES.