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unfavourable when he comes to lay siege to the inmost heart. He feels sometimes distressingly feels that for the most critical and the most necessary stage of the spiritual enterprise he prosecutes, he carries about with him a perpetual drawback and just in proportion as he is in earnest, longs to doff the gown of the order, and appear in the plain clothes of the man. The evil, however, viewed on its national scale, is of sufficient magnitude, and becomes so appalling, as to excuse boldness of speech on this and similar subjects. The tide of infidelity is swelling -the plague of religious indifference is spreading. Can we afford to give indulgence to a sentiment which, whilst it greatly circumscribes the number of labourers in Christ's vineyard, detracts also from the moral power of those engaged in the work? The disadvantages entailed upon the Churches by the long prevalence and mighty power of that sentiment cannot be suddenly got rid of could not, perhaps, under any circumstances, be got rid of within a generation or two. But our faces may, at least, be turned in the right direction. We may aim to destroy the living principle of the evil, by treating the ministry as an office, not an order. We may make gradual efforts to evoke and employ teaching talents, wherever they exist. And, by cautious changes, we may prepare a more general and efficient instrumentality for the

prosecution of spiritual objects, making the best use possible, meanwhile, of that which already exists.

In bringing these observations to a close, I

most anxious to commend the subject of them to the dispassionate consideration of the Churches, as one demanding close and unfettered investigation. The practical consequences depending upon correct views in relation to this question, are so incalculably serious, that it becomes a matter of duty to secure for it, if possible, the freest and calmest decision. I would earnestly conjure all who see reason to adopt the conclusion I have ventured to set forth, to guard against exposing it to needless prejudices, by making it the ground of personal insinuations and judgments. It is for them to bear in mind that, with this question are intertwined many devout and disinterested aspirations, many grateful recollections, many tender feelings, of Christian disciples, both in the ministry and out of it, and that the harsh laceration of sensitive minds is always to be avoided in commending novel propositions to the conscience. It should not be assumed that they who, if the foregoing remarks have weight, occupy an unscriptural position, seriously obstructive of active religious effort, have been placed where they are by motives inferior in any respect to those which have induced their

respective flocks to sustain them there. Amongst the ministers of the day, of every denomination, are men not a few, whose lives and labours have put them far above the suspicion of being swayed by paltry desires for self-aggrandizement—and there can be little doubt that if the changes which I believe to be required were effected tomorrow, such men would still remain the most efficient instruments of spiritual enterprise in the Churches. The prevalence of the views which have just been expressed, save in as far as it would break up a species of monopoly, would not lower the standing of such as are already engaged in the work of religious teaching, but in process of time would raise multitudes more up to the level of it-and render it accessible to all whom the Head of the Church had endowed with requisite qualifications. But, on the other hand, this is not a question which will admit of being shelved as inconvenient. It will ill become that allegiance which we all owe to Him who is emphatically THE TRUTH, to treat this subject as one which it is treasonable to broach, and useless as well as dangerous to discuss. I claim for myself, and for all who think with me, as clear a right to plead conscience in giving utterance to these opinions, and as full a title to respectful treatment from those who differ, as I am anxious to see awarded to themselves. The

sum, then, of what I ask, is this. The question is a momentous one in all its bearings-let it be fairly examined, and unreservedly discussed, as such. I have stated those conclusions to which inquiry has gradually led my own mind. It would have been beside my purpose to go into all the reasons which have contributed to give them shape. If I have erred, there is learning, talent, and piety enough in the Churches, to counteract the error, and, doubtless, they will do it. If, however, the views I entertain of the Christian ministry, are, substantially, such as were held and acted upon in apostolic times, the sooner we get rid of all the colouring which subsequent ages have thrown into them, the better for unadulterated Christianity.

CHAPTER VI.

THE TRADE SPIRIT.

CONTENTS.

INTEREST IN THE PRESENT INCREASED BY INTEREST IN THE FUTURE-CHRISTIANITY DOES NOT UNFIT MEN FOR SECULAR PURSUITS -TRADE, THE HANDMAID OF RELIGION-THE TRADE SPIRIT DEFINED AND DESCRIBED-STIMULANTS TO IT IN THIS COUNTRY-SOMEWHAT MODERATED BY THE POWER OF RELIGIOUS LIFE-BUT, TO A GREATER EXTENT, INJURIOUS TO IT-ILLUSTRATIONS-CHOICE OF EMPLOYMENT --SPECULATION-TRUTHFULNESS-HONESTY-CONSIDERATION OF THE GOOD OF OTHERS-TREATMENT OF DEPENDENTS-BELONGING TO THE HOUSEHOLD-WORKMEN EMPLOYED FOR WAGES-SIGNS OF

IMPROVEMENT--LOSS

TO THE CHURCHES RESULTING FROM THE

TRADE SPIRIT-OF RELIGIOUS VITALITY-OF SALUTARY DISCIPLINE -OF MORAL INFLUENCE-MISAPPREHENSIONS AND ILL-WILL EXCITED BY IT-CONCLUSION.

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