of those gratifications which must result to him as a scholar, from an acquaintance with the pages of classical literature: but as a preacher, we send him to learn his science, and the best method of imparting it, to the models presented in the scriptures themselves: and call him from the Grecian or the Roman orator, to learn of Peter, and Paul, and James, and John; above all, to sit at the feet of Jesus himself. For, if these remarks are just, respecting the servants, they must apply with still greater force to the Master; and the parables of Jesus contain more perfect examples of the wisdom and beauty of his instructions, than any sketches of his continued discourses furnish; because they are finished, as to the detail of their imagery; they are not mere outline-they are filled up, and the occasions of them are recorded sufficiently to enable us to ascertain with precision the sentiment conveyed in the figure employed.

THE MINISTRY WHICH GOD APPROVES.

THAT preaching must be always deemed the most scriptural, which, while it attracts the vicious by the force and affection of its appeals, is found to reclaim them by the purity and divinity of its principles. The sermons which only please the superficial, or interest the learned by their speculations or gratify the polite by their taste and eloquence, may indeed give a transient popularity to

the preacher-which he ought to despise, if lent him on such grounds; or distinguish him as a man of elegant literature; but the ministry which God approves is founded upon the grand and convincing doctrines of the gospel; and while it often gives offence because of its plainness and simplicity, never fails to subdue human obduracy, and, gathering the vilest characters around the cross, while it pronounces their pardon, requires their obedience.

DUTIES.

REVEALED TRUTHS AFFORD TO FAITH ITS PROPER EXERCISE.

THESE are of a nature inexplicable by any merely mental powers; and to be apprehended only by a principle as spiritual as themselves. The senses, and objects of sense are adapted to each other. The reason, and subjects of reason, are mutually intellectual, and precisely accordant. But doctrines which are not cognizable by sense, nor attainable by reason, demand a faculty of their own, by which they may be appreciated and apprehended. And let not the sceptic exult, as though this concession involved the rationality of religion--it is most rational always to suppose faculties adapted to the subjects to which they are to be applied; and I do not see, if the being of God be admitted,

and it be granted, as an inevitable corollary, that it is of infinite importance to man to know his duties to his Creator, how this knowledge is to be obtained, except by revelation, or how revelation can be supposed to act, except by faith. The things which we want to know, in such a connexion, lie beyond the line of nature; and reason sought them in the exercise of all the brightness of her faculties, and the ardour of her inquiries, until baffled and wearied in her researches, without having discovered "the mystery which was hid from ages and generations," she was compelled to desist, and to confess that "the world by wisdom knew not God." Then revelation interposed; and "life and immortality were brought to light by the gospel." Nothing contrary to reason can be justly alleged against her; but we find every where, every thing that surpasses it. She leads us beyond the confines of nature, to lose ourselves in the Infinite-beyond material suns, to adore the uncreated Fountain of Light. She takes reason by the hand, as the companion of her way, till the powers of reason fail-and then, spreading her immortal pinions, bears the spirit into eternity and places it at the foot of the throne of God.

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CHRISTIANITY DISTINGUISHED FROM MODERN PHILOSOPHY,

"THOU shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” In this duty christianity distinguishes itself from modern philosophy; which, affecting an universal philanthropy, trampled upon home, interests, and natural affections. It theoretically projected the moral cultivation of the world; and commenced its disastrous and ruinous career by plucking up the hedge planted around the domestic and social enclosure. It made attention, to the individual, a crime; while it boasted of love to the species. Revelation advances hand in hand with nature. Its auspicious influence begins at home. It is felt first by the family-then in the neighbourhood. It acknowledges patriotism, without forgetting humanity and serves the cause of universal benevolence, by cherishing the charities of natural connexion. But here it does not rest-nor was ever designed to stay its beneficent purpose. Every human being is my neighbour, when that human being is in want, and I have it in my power to succour him. It more than adopts the maxim of the heathen poet-"I am a man, and nothing human is foreign from my heart." It turns sentiment into action—and urges conviction to exertion. It writes upon the heart, “Pure religion and undefiled, from God even the Father, is this-to visit the fatherless and the widow in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." Match

less combination! The God of purity, who demands the sanctity of his creatures, and says, "Without holiness shall no man see the Lord;" is also the God of love-and commands, "Be ye kindly affectioned one towards another. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

Wherever christianity has flourished, mercy has reigned. She has imparted to our country her proudest superiority. It is not the superiority of her genius-although the fame of her children has filled all lands, and gone forth to the end of the world. It is not the superiority of her armsalthough she has carried her thunder to the most distant climes, and subjected to herself the world of waters. But it is the superiority of her charities. She is satisfied to yield to matchless Greece, to imperial Rome, and to many a modern state, the splendor of palaces, and the magnificent monuments of architectural skill: but she yields to none, she surpasses all, in her beneficence; and she subordinates even the arts to her compassion, and displays the fairest and most perfect models of their excellence in her houses of mercy. This is her living temple-consecrated to the God to whom she owes her liberties-and from whom she received the command, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

Exulting in his favour, and adopting love to him as the principle of our lives, we shall find that the