. to heart broken parents, whenever they occur. But I DENY that the proportion is so great, in that particular class, as to warrant the insinuation. The publicity of a minister's character, and the consequent notoriety of any delin quency on the part of his children, will account for the degree of attention which is excited. The sons of his hearers may go far greater length in irregularity of conduct, without any particular observation. In such cases, it would be scarcely candid to refer to the private habits of the parents, if otherwise exemplary and unimpeachable, to account for, or diminish the criminality of these delinquent children; and still less would it be deemed just and impartial to select some particular class of the laity, and after instances of indiscretion had been selected from individual cases, to exhibit the whole, as if they were characteristic of the habits of that class. It is a trite remark, that ministers are but men; and alas! men of like passions;" and that they should sometimes fail in "keeping their own vineyards," while they are attending officially to "other vineyards," will not excite surprise in those who acknowledge the depravity, or deplore the weakness of our nature! But let me ask your correspondent IMUS, who seems unhappily acquainted with some of the "lowest" specimens of the class which he holds up to the gaze and censure of the public, whether it was an act of candour and generosity to expose the personal failings and irregularities of any of his brethren? Whether the family pictures he has drawn are not likely to be studied by the captious and inquisitive, the prying and gossiping members of congregations, for the purpose of finding out their corresponding prototypes in the domestic circles of their pastors? Whether the attempt at sarcastic description, and dramatic smartness in some of his representations, though abundantly vapid, may not have the opposite effect from checking and restraining the excesses to which he refers, by the excitement of those feelings which may be too naturally produced in the way of re-action? Whether trivial, and even harmless matters are not visited with a degree of censorious animadversion, which is far removed from that "charity which thinketh no evil," and "hopeth all things?" Whether, in one word, the general tendency of the entire article is not to lower the estimate formed of the character of Christian ministers, and of ministers' families, instead of elevating the tone of public feeling and of public confidence? It is possible that IMUS may have witnessed some extraordinary cases, and may have drawn his conclusions too hastily; but this, Gentlemen, does not exonerate the Editors of the Congregational Magazine from the charge of inadvertent publication. The essay tends to degrade the Christian ministry, by sweeping insinuations and illiberal reflections on those who happen to be either more SOcial in their habits, or more musical in their tastes than some of their neighbours. It is possible, that the pursuits of the censor may have disqualified him from deriving pleasures from "the concord of sweet sounds;" and he may possess either so much philosophy, or so much apathy, as not to have required the soothing influence of harmony. On account of this mental hardihood, he may never, like good Ralph Erskine, have found even "a pipe" a subject for moralising; and because it happens to be more unfashionable than a snuff-box, though far less deleterious in its effects, he may choose to denounce it as a perilous indulgence! All the while, he is exciting unkind and ungenerous feelings, .compared with which, the habits or the tastes he has censured, are truly as "the small dust of the balance." When I think, Gentlemen, of the great number of the sons of ministers who have been, or who are useful members of society, and ornamental members of Christian Churches; when I reflect on the scanty means for the support and education of their families, which the pitiful spirit of the age doles out to those who "minister in holy things;" when I consider, notwithstanding, how generally the sons of ministers, by virtue of character and talents, rise to stations of respectability and influence; and above all, when I advert to the very numerous instances, of the sons of ministers becoming most efficient ministers themselves, I am surprised at the feelings which could lead a man like your correspondent, to the severe invectives and unkind conclusions which he has so piously spread over his late communication. I doubt not the sincerity of his intentions; but I fear that the evil will so greatly neutralize the good, as to justify the censure of the candid, and to gratify the spleen of the censorious! I am, Gentlemen, Your's respectfully, JUSTUS. March 7, 1826. ་་་ CO I believe, usually and justly been considered as aiming at a higher sphere, within which the claims of the pastor form but a limited and subordinate part of the obligations which lie upon a Christian church. In the course of many years' experience, with extensive acquaintance among our churches, I have often been gratified to observe how delicately and wisely, for the most part, all personal considerations are treated, and sometimes omitted. It would be a lamentable thing if ministers, on those occasions, were to furnish ground for suspicion that they were actuated by a sort of esprit du corps; which, I fear, would be the case if the main design of ordination sermons were to set forth the claims of pastors. Nor can a young minister of refined and just feeling sit under such a discourse without sensations of pain. There would also be an insupportable sameness in the service, if all ministers who engaged in it were to make the pastor the continual and principal object of at tention. The main design," I apprehend, ought to be to seize so favourable an opportunity for representing, in the most public manner, to the church then present, and to the numerous witnesses of its faith and order, the importance REMARKS ON ORDINATION SER- of that station which they occupy MONS. (To the Editors.) It was with some surprise and concern that I read the remarks in your last number on "Appropriateness in Ordination Services." The writer seems to have formed a low and defective view of that important part, "the sermon to the people," and I should be sorry if his notion of it were to become the general rule. So far from "the main design" of that service being to address the congregation on their duty to the pastor, it has, in the Christian community and the world, so as to direct their attention to the high character they have to sustain, individually and collectively, in the discharge of the varied duties of their profession as a church of Christ. This profitable discourse, appropriate gives scope for a vast variety of to the design of the Christian ministry, and calculated to advance the objects for which the pastoral relation is to be sustained. Such discourses are eminently adapted to the solemnities of an ordination. References to the duties immediately owed to the pastor may or may not be made, according to the topics selected by the preacher, or the view he proposes to give of the obligations of the church. Those duties are generally comprised, in spirit and substance, in the exhortations given to the society united for the fellowship of the Gospel under the ministry of the word. The edifying manner in which this is usually done shows, on the part of ministers, a correct feeling, and a truly scriptural view of the work to be performed, when they have to discourse on the privileges which an ordination is calculated to perpetuate, and the duties which ought to follow it. THE DUTY OF DISSENTERS ON THE QUESTION OF NEGRO SLAVERY. GENTLEMEN, It was with peculiar pleasure I learned from the last number of your valuable work, that the Protestant Dissenting Ministers, of the Three Denominations in London, had held a meeting for the purpose of petitioning Parliament for the gradual abolition of negro slavery, in his Majesty's West India Colonies; and can only regret, that that venerable body have not hitherto held so prominent and distinguishing á place among the labourers in this great cause of justice and mercy, as might have been wished. I have been induced to trouble you with this communication, from a strong desire to see Protestant Dissenters, and especially Protestant Dissenting Ministers, distinguishing themselves in this sacred cause, a cause that must deeply interest every Christian patriot, and lover of liberty. It is by no means my intention to proceed to any discussion of the general subject which is so fruitful of topics illustrative of the folly and wickedness, the peril and loss of the system of cultivating our colonies by the labour of slaves; as I mean, the heredi tary and ardent love of true civil and religious liberty. It is to liberty, asserted and secured by law, that we owe our peaceful existence as a separate community of Christians. It was for liberty, especially liberty of conscience, our fathers contended and suffered. And on no question relative to the liberties of any portion of British subjects, ought Protestant Dissenters to look with apathy or indifference. As a body, we may hold in the contempt they deserve, the calumny of those who, when they would fasten on Protestant Dissenters, the imputation of but partial affection to the British constitution, represent our views of Christian liberty, and the constitution of a Christian Church, as necessarily producing a partiality for a form of political government, different from the free and happy institutions under which it is our happiness to live. But no Protestant Dissenter ought ever to shrink from the avowal of his devoted attachment to the sacred cause of liberty; that liberty which 1. A Godly Letter sent too the Fayethfull in London, Newcastell, Barwyke, and to all other within the realme off Englande, that love the cominge of our Lorde Jesus, by John Knox. Math. 10. He that continueth unto the end shall be saved. Imprinted in Rome before the Castel of the Aungel, at the signe of sainct Peter. In the moneth of July, in the yeare of our Lord 1554. looks to law as her protectress, vation, printed at an early period while she diffuses through mankind of the art. Observing with pleathe blessings of her benign and sure, in your" Literaria Rediviva" happy reign. We may be assured department, extracts from scarce nothing can be more fatal to the works of merit, I have ventured to progress and security of freedom, send you the titles of several of than indifference to it. And I them, and to trouble your " Booktrust that the secure enjoyment of worm" readers with two or three its blessings will never lull Pro- queries respecting them. testant Dissenters into a forget- Commercial Road. J. M. fulness of its value, or an indifferency to its diffusion through the world. All our solicitudes, alike for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the unhappy Negro slaves, dictate to us that the boon of liberty can alone secure to them every other. As Christian lovers of liberty, not as merely political advocates of freedom, still less as the promoters of licentious faction, under colour of that sacred name;' but as the lovers of that freedom which Christianity sanctions, and must establish wherever it prevails, I could wish to see Protestant Dissenters among the foremost of the ranks of the philanthropists who are engaged in the contest, happily the peaceful contest, of African liberty and happiness. Nor can I allow myself to lay down my pen without so far wandering from the immediate object of this communication, as to observe, that it is chiefly because it may beget the suspicion that Protestant Dissenters have declined in their virtuous love of liberty, and have deserted that sacred cause; I regret that year after year should pass away without an effort on our part to perfect the religious liberties of England, by the repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts. A LOVER OF LIBERTY. 2. Another curious article has got the quaint title of A Godly and a necessary Admonition concernyng Neutres and suche as deserve the grosse name of Jacke of both sydes. This title is at the head of the beginning of the treatise, but the book having lost the first title page, one has been supplied by an inge nious hand with the pen, and runs thus, A Godlie and Seasonable reproofe and such as deserve the grosse and ille name of profitable admonition concernynge neutres, Jacke of both Sydes. Imprynted at London in fleete streete, by Thomas Berthelet, printer to the Kynges Highness in the yeare of our Lorde, 1542. I should esteem it a favour, if any of your bookworms can inform me who is the author of this book, and the name of the printer, and year in which it was printed. 3. De vera obedientia. An Oration made in Latine, by the right Reuere'de father in God, Stepha' bishop of Winchestre, now Lord Chau'celour of Englande. With a Preface of Edmonde Bonner, then Archideacon of Leicestre, and the Kinges Maiesties Ambassadour in Denmarke, and now bishop of London; touching true obedience, printed, in officina ffra'cisci Rhodi Mense Januario, 1536. And now translated into Englishe, and printed eftimes, in Rome, before the castle of S. Angel, at the signe of S. Peter. In nouembre, Anno do. 1553. 4. A sermon of Repentau'ce, made by John Bradforde. This stands at the head of the sermon, but the title page has been very ingeniously written with a pen, in imitation of old English, and runs thus, A Godlie and profitable Sermon on Repentaunce. Made by John Bradford, preacher of Goddes Worde, and constant Martyr. Imprinted at London, by John Day, over against Aldersgate. 1556. I shall be happy to know if this imprint is a fac-simile of the original title, printer, year, &c. The above four articles are in good preservation, without paging. 5. A Dissuasive from Popery, containing Twelve effectual Reasons by which every Papist, not willfully blinded, n.ay be brought to the truth, and every Protestant confirmed in the same; written by Francis Dillingham, Master of Arts, and fellow of Christ's Colledge, in Cambridge, necessary for all men in these times. Printed by John Legat, printer to the Universitie of Cambridge. 1599. This is printed in the Roman letter. ORIGINAL LETTERS. ་་་་་་་་་་་་ No. XIV. Rev. Dr. Gibbons to he has promised that he will never leave us, nor forsake us. Mr. Wilkinson. My dear young Friend, You make apology for your delay in writing to me. The like apology I have reason to make in not answering your letter: assure yourself that not disrespect has been the occasion of my delay. My employments are great and numerous; and my afflictions too, since I last saw you, have not been small. But I say no more upon this matter. I most sincerely wish you much of the presence of God in the season of your preparation for the ministry; and it would be a pleasure to me to find you coming forth to the sacred service with a rich unction from on high, by which you may be a burning and a shining light, and may diffuse the knowledge and power of godliness among the souls among whom you may minister. I own I love to find an humble spirit in ministers, and candidates for the holy office. Low thoughts of ourselves, deep abasement, accompanied with earnest cries to God for his assistance, and dependance upon him through Jesus Christ, is the right temper to enter upon, and continue in, our sacred function. With the humble, God delights to dwell. But let this humility not work so as to sink us into despair, but so as to depart out of ourselves, and take a faster hold, by faith and prayer, upon an all-sufficient God. Let us remember that we go not this warfare at our own charges. He who sends us into the field has an armament with which to array us, and and, I would not have you discouraged if you find not those lively sensations, and pleasant relishes of divine things, which you may have once experienced true it is, that it is very desirable that we should feel ourselves mounting up as on the wings of eagles. But yet let us not despond if we can only walk, and not faint. I am well persuaded there may be much of the power of godliness where there may be little sensible motions in the soul of the affections, at times; or, at least, I would not determine the power of godliness from such sensible motions. Iron may not throw out a single flame, or as much as a single spark, though glowing from the furnace; and tow may be set in a blaze where there is but little fire. Perhaps in the beginning of the life of God in the soul, there may be much of the affections, and in the progress of it there may be a fainter experience of this kind. He who comes into a new country may feel himself much struck at the new scenes it affords; he who has long lived in a country may be more attached to it, by how much the longer he lives in it, and yet he may find few sensible delights in it—that is, love to God, love to Christ, that leads us to deny ourselves, to take up our cross, follow him, and keep his commandments: all which may be done, it may be, without any strong gales of inward joy, at least at all times. A passage occurs to me in that excellent man's, M. Ambrose, account of Lady Margaret Houghton. "I dearly love,' |