misguided, or they never could have led them to such conclusions; and they have only to revert to the great, original, universal commission which Christ has left to all his ministers, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature," to see that this commission has been transcended; and that they have dared to publish, in the name of Jesus, the maxims, the watchwords of party strife.

It has been made a question, whether it is right for ministers, under any circumstances, to accept of political promotion and office. This ministers have sometimes done-more frequently, I think, in some other denominations than in our own. They have been representatives, senators, councillors, justices, and have had the epithet of honorable, as well as reverend, prefixed to their names.

In answering the question here proposed, it must be borne in mind that every minister of the gospel is already in office-a high, holy, spiritual office-an office under the administration of King Jesus-an office which should take precedence of every other, as in point of importance it transcends every other. It is clear, therefore, that he should accept of no earthly office which is incompatible with this, or which in any way interferes with the faithful discharge of it. If a minister is unable to preach the gospel; if from age, infirmity, or any other cause he has ceased to preach it, and no longer regards himself as an acting minister; I see no objection to his accepting office, more than to any other man's doing the same. if there is any office which a pastor may hold, which will not take up his time, or take him from home, or in any way prejudice or interfere with his ministerial duties, there may be no objection to his accepting of such promotion. But to hold an office, which shall take him from his study, his family, his pulpit, his people, two or three

Or

months, more or less, in a year, and shut him up in some hall of legislation, or confine him to the performance of mere political duties, I see not how any acting pastor or minister can consent. I see not how he can reconcile such a course with his ordination vows, and with the high obligations which he is under to Christ. He may get an "Honorable" prefixed to his name, but he virtually degrades that name. He sacrifices the highest and holiest office on earth, to one of mere secular dignity and duty.

There are certain offices of a partially political character, which ministers, as such, are expected to sustain, and which, when called to it, they may sustain with propriety; such as chaplaincies to courts, legislatures, and other regularly constituted political bodies. Such bodies have important duties to discharge, in which they ought to acknowledge God, and to seek his direction and blessing; and if they are disposed to ask the assistance of ministers, their assistance should be cheerfully and devoutly rendered.

There is another class of chaplaincies about which there has been some question; I mean those connected with naval and military operations. The objection here lies against the operations themselves. It is assumed, that all war, and everything preparatory or pertaining to it, is wrong; that there should be no ships of war, soldiers, army, or militia; and that for a minister to connect himself with a regiment of soldiers, in the capacity of chaplain, is to give countenance and encouragement to war, and thereby desecrate his sacred profession.

I have not time here to go fully into this question of war; nor is it necessary. After considerable reflection on the subject, the following points seem to me obvious:

1. Civil government, including laws and penalties, is

an institution of God. It is, of course, a wise and benevolent institution, and one which ought to be sustained.

2. Mere civil power cannot be relied on, in all cases, to sustain and enforce law, and execute its penalties on those who transgress. Combinations may be formed, and are formed, with a view to trample on the laws, and set them at defiance, which no mere civil authority is able to overcome. Hence,

3. There is a necessity, if government is to be steadily and firmly administered, that a military power should be provided somewhere, to sustain the civil authority, to enforce (if need be) its injunctions, and execute its penalties. In this view, I see no medium between the provision of an adequate military power, to be placed behind the civil, to be resorted to in case of emergency; and the ultra doctrines of non-resistance, and the utter prostration of civil government.

To protect ourselves instincts, which clearly

I might further insist upon the right and the necessity of military power, from the manifest right and frequent necessity of self-defence. The law of self-protection and defence is one of the first laws of nature. With the means of self-defence, nature herself has furnished almost every animal and insect. from injury we are furnished with teach the will of the Creator. But if the whole animate creation, from man down to the meanest insect, is so constituted and furnished, as to seek to protect and defend itself; then surely governments may defend themselves; and they may lawfully provide themselves with the means of doing this. Nor is there anything in the Scriptures, properly interpreted, which goes to contradict this first great law of nature and reason.

It will be seen, from what has been said, that I do not regard military power as inherently and necessarily sinful.

It may be employed for sinful purposes, as it generally has been. It may be, as it often has been, dreadfully abused. But in itself, and in its proper use, I regard it as lawful and even necessary; and hence a chaplaincy in connection with it (unless when employed for purposes of aggression) I must regard as not incompatible with the ministerial profession and character. As to the desirableness of such a station, or the duty, under particular circumstances, of entering into it, I here say nothing. I only say, that I see nothing in it inherently or necessarily sinful-nothing which an intelligent and faithful minister may not in conscience approve.

I conclude this discussion, with suggesting, two opposite cautions; both of which may, in particular cases, be needful.

1. Let the minister of Christ beware how he becomes engrossed in politics. Every day's observation teaches us, that this is an exciting, engrossing subject. It is a dangerous subject for the Christian to be deeply concerned with, and more so for the Christian minister. Let him ever remember, that he is called to higher and holier things; that he is engaged in a great work, from which he cannot come down, to contest mere political questions, and enter the arena of political strife.

2. On the other hand, let the minister of Christ be cautioned against undervaluing and neglecting his appropriate political duties. As I have said already, these are important duties. They are duties which cannot be safely or properly passed over. The minister should make them so much his study, that he may understand them, and be prepared intelligently and faithfully to perform them. And if, after all his study, he finds that he lacks wisdom, then "let him ask it of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.”

LECTURE XXIV.

Respect for the Ministry. Is it greater or less now, than formerly? How respect may be forfeited; and how acquired, and retained.

THERE is an impression abroad in the community, that ministers are far less respected now, than they were a century ago; that both the office, and those who sustain it, have fallen into comparative disrepute. Whether this impression is correct, or not, I shall not now undertake to decide. Certain it is, that the habit of feeling and mode of intercourse between pastor and people are materially changed. Formerly, ministers were more distinguished than they now are, by the peculiarities of their dress, and of their general appearance. They were less familiar and sociable with their people; kept them at a greater distance; and were regarded, often, with a degree of reverence bordering on fear. This kind of feeling, and the influence accompanying it, have in great measure passed away; but they have given place to another kind. of influence which may be equally strong, and which, as many think, is of greater value;-the influence which one pious, intelligent, familiar, devoted friend may be supposed to possess over another. Minister and people are accustomed to live together, now, on terms of intimacy and equality. They associate freely, and without restraint. They confer together on topics of general interest, and, as occasion offers, afford mutual assistance and advice. The influence of the pastor (supposing him