zeal for the falvation of men, that earnest afpiring after perfonal holiness as an indifpenfable preparative for eternal felicity; which, if they ought to be the principle constantly predominant in every human heart, cannot be absent without peculiar guilt from the heart of the Minifter of the Gospel. Thofe are the fources from which are to be learned ftedfaft reliance on the wisdom and the goodnefs of the Almighty Creator and Preferver of all things; fubmiffion to his will, fortitude under difficulties, patience under injuries, faithfulness under trials. They are the fources from which the Chriftian Minifters of early ages learned undauntedly to fulfil the work of their miniftry in the face of perfecution appearing in its moft horrid fhapes, and backed by the fury of defpotic power. They are the fources from which in later times the chamF`ns of the Reformation learned gladly to

f

their teftimony with their blood. They

e the fources from which the teacher of Christianity in the prefent day is to derive the frame and temper of mind adapted to meet not only the common evils of life, and the common difficulties of his ftation, but what

ever more than common trials the providence of God fee fit that he should undergo. may

If circumstances induce a Clergyman to enter into religious controverfy, let him bear in mind the merited difgrace which polemical writers of all perfuafions have fo frequently incurred; and learn to think humbly of himself, and charitably of his opponents. Let him

put away (ss) all wrath, and clamour, and "bitterness, and evil speaking, with all malice." Let him not exhibit himfelf as a gladiator upon a stage, inviting the fpectators of the conteft to admire his prowess and his skill. Let him contend as becomes a Chriftian vindicating Christianity. Let him guard against being biaffed by groundless prepoffeffions, or interefted motives, in forming or in maintaining his opinions. Let him urge no argument farther than he fincerely believes it to be just and pertinent. Let him appreciate the reafoning of his antagonist with cool and difpaffionate judgement, and with a mind anxious, not for victory, but for the discovery and establish

ment of truth; and openly retract his former fentiments and affertions, if he becomes convinced that they were erroneous.

If a Clergyman engages in the task of education, let him remember that the duties which he owes to his parish are not diminished by his new employment; and that the first duty which he owes to his pupils is deeply to imprefs them with the principles, and to train them to the practice, of religion. The former of these cautions is the more proper to be fuggested, as exertions in raising his school to eminence will promife a correfponding acceffion of emolument, while increasing industry in his parochial functions would be in that refpect unproductive; and the latter, as, in proportion to his diligence in advancing his pupils in learning, he is in danger of being lefs mindful of attainments infinitely more important to them than learning, and without which learning itself will never prove a bleffing to the poffeffor.

There is one clafs of Clergymen, occupied chiefly in the higher departments of the bufinefs

business of education, whofe peculiar circumstances, duties, and dangers, if pursued into detail, would afford fcope for remarks and difcuffions of confiderable length; and may properly receive some brief and general notice in this place. I mean the Clergy resident in our universities. A A young man, after he has taken his first degree and has been admitted into orders, especially if he has been fortunate enough to obtain a fellowship at his college, is frequently led to refide principally in the university by prefent pecuniary advantages, and by the profpect or the hope of academic honours and emoluments. The tranquillity of his fituation, his freedom from domeftic cares, the noble libraries to which he has accefs, and the fociety of many. learned and excellent men by which he has the opportunity of profiting, afford him most valuable means of preparing himself to dif charge, under the divine bleffing, with fidelity and wisdom the office of a Chriftian Minister. Of these advantages there have doubtless been numbers who have reaped, there are others who are now reaping, the proper fruits. But the benefit refulting from

the favourable characteristics of the fituation in queftion is greatly diminished, and in many cafes is more than counterbalanced, by others of the oppofite defcription. The general studies of the place are not directed fo much as they ought to be to theological attainments: nor are thofe the attainments which fecure to the ftudent the academical diftinctions and rewards, which ftand highest in the general eftimation. These are circumftances not likely to be without their influence on the views and fentiments of a young Clergyman refident in college. And if he is engaged, as he commonly is defirous to be, in fome line of tuition, public or private; his attention is liable to be in a greater or a lefs degree drawn away from profeffional acquifitions, and fixed on thofe branches of learning and fcience, in which he is to communicate instructions to his pupils. In the mean time he lives without employment in his functions as a Clergyman. Or if he has the care of a church, it is probably of a curacy at a distance from the univerfity, whence he arrives on the Sunday morning a tranfitory vifitant, not to be feen again until

the