If this domiciliary inculcation of the truth would consume too much time, brevity must be insisted upon; and the excitement shall not be more, in the long run, than that which has so oft been loathingly endured by young and unconsecrated ambition, in "consuming the midnight oil." "No oil," (said a late vain and rough politician)" and but few candles have I ever consumed!"* and without taking down more than one half of the sentiment, we may, nevertheless discern its strong common sense ; and venture to assert, that animal spirits which languish in protracted and excessive study, would, undoubtedly be recruited in the vital air; and the necessity for "a little manual labour, in gardening especially," now "strongly recommended, instead of medicine," could, at once, be obviated, by the salutary stroll of a man of God among the rustic cottagers of his flock, or the middle class in towns, as the case may be; while, if time should press, the industrious poor will excuse the sternest economy in that priceless stuff, which life itself is made of.

As to the most approved mode of attempting the GREAT DUTY under examination, it might appear presumptuous for a non-official member of the Conference to volunteer suggestions to any who may have already enjoyed, or by the leadings of the Star of Providence may, hereafter, be permitted to enjoy,

* Cobbett's Preface to his Entire Works.

the rare privilege of attending courses of "Lectures" from either of our justly esteemed theological tutors, bearing directly upon it. Yet, as to the former, we cannot suppose either an exhaustion of the topic, or a disgust at seeming repetition; and one of the latter might, with advantage, turn his attention for some months, if not years, before he can be an accepted candidate for the ministry among us, to this, as well as other elementary branches of his future vocation.

"For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, aud counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it ?" (Luke, xiv. 28.)

THE BIBLE, then, we hesitate not to affirm, ought to lie open, almost from the moment when a pastor crosses ANY threshold. Nothing will so soon induce an under-toned utterance in the favoured family, of that grave, if not startled, challenge of the prophet, in respect to "the king's messenger,""Is not the sound of his Master's feet behind him ?” (2 Kings, vi. 32.)

This effected, and the more readily by using a pocket edition of "the best of books," he may begin to enquire of "his master," and exert his own best judgment too, as to that particular portion of "the bread of life" which may prove to this or that individual as "meat in due season.." Truly, "THOU

hast magnified THY WORD above all THY name !”

Infinitely more becoming our spiritual vocation is the outspread word of truth and reconciliation, than a 'peep at the Times," or any other ephemeral publication. Here is a region, in which even

"A half awakened child of man”

can seldom be found to tread otherwise than softly; and in which "the least" of God's servants may enunciate "wisdom among the perfect." Here, we may rest assured, is "a treat" for any of our decided friends, and the strongest lure for our many undecided ones. By this a table is at once spread in the wilderness, and

"Sublimer sweets than nature knew,
Invite the longing taste."

If so "led by the spirit," the liberty of a living paraphrase will always be cheerfully conceded to an "accredited" expounder of the scriptures; yet this must be §"currente calamo;" lest the interview be prolonged to the disparagement of other families. Should, however, a brief remark in passing provoke a reciprocity from the Head of the house, or any other enlightened person, the advantage of the visit may be mutual; and "the creature" of social intercourse may be instantly felt by all present to be “good indeed, and to be received with thanksgiving,

? With a running, or rapid, reed.

for it is sanctified by THE WORD OF GOD and prayer.” (1 Timothy, iv. 4.)

Among the numerous “INCIDENTS” which have occurred to the writer, in the exercise of this part of his sacred calling, few are more fragrant to memory than certain of those impromptu, and generally simple, attempts, of some old sage in humble life, to catch, or communicate, “ the mind of the Spirit,” in "the Word." One of these was in his first circuit, viz. Durham, to which he was sent as a supply," for six months. An old man,* a paralytic, who had been for a long time in "the furnace," and obliged to endure a protracted absence from "the habitation of (God's) house," which he so ardently

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loved;" on hearing that seasonable psalm, the 84th, read to him, "put in a word" respecting the third verse,- YEA, THE SPARROW HATH FOUND AN HOUSE, AND THE SWALLOW A NEST FOR HERSELF, WHERE SHE MAY LAY HER YOUNG, EVEN THINE

ALTARS, O LORD OF HOSTS, MY KING AND MY GOD!"

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Many a time (said he) I have envied the birds of the air, which can fly to thy house whenever they please!"

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the passage is very lengthy indeed. Among other of its "possible significations," he suggests the following:"The word for a sparrow signifies any little bird, *See Engraving.

and (if I may offer a conjecture), perhaps when, in David's time, music was introduced so much into the sacred service, both vocal and instrumental, that to complete the harmony, they had singing birds in cages hung about the courts of the Tabernacle, (for we find the singing of birds taken notice of to the glory of God, Psalm civ, 12), and David envies the happiness of these, and would gladly change places with them."

Dr. A. Clarke adds perplexity to "conjecture;" and with more boldness than we quite enjoy, of which this is not the only, or by any means the most notorious, instance, in his otherwise transcendant Commentary, decides upon placing the whole in a parenthesis. "It is very unlikely (says the learned Doctor)" that sparrows and swallows, or birds of any kind, should be permitted to build their nests, and hatch their young, in or about altars which were kept in a state of the greatest purity, and where perpetual fires were kept up for the purpose of sacrifice, burning incense, &c. Without altering the text, if the clause be read in a parenthesis, the absurdity will be avoided, and the sense be good. My heart crieth out for the living God (even the sparrow hath found a house, and the swallow deror, the ringdove, a nest for herself, where she may lay her young) for thine altars, O Lord of Hosts. '—' But I have no place either of rest or worship,' understood."