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acter and culture: they show a disposition also to glean, from the vintage of others, grapes for his own wine-presses. If the young student seems bold beyond what was wise, and more severe than was quite charitable, there is this apology for him, that these were judgments before experience, and steps towards a higher culture and a broader and more judicious criticism.

Such were the elements of character with which Mr. Hawes came to his work as a minister in Hartford. What prophecy, and promise of usefulness, were contained in them, it was not difficult to discern. If the church over which he was placed was the first in Hartford, and, in wealth and intelligence, one of the first in New England, it had now for its pastor one of New England's strongest, and, intellectually and morally, most commanding young men; and he was fully appreciated.

After he had been a few months engaged in his work, Dr. Woods of Andover inquired of a parishioner how the people liked him. "Very much, very much indeed; but some of the ladies think him not quite careful enough where he spits."

"Tell the good ladies," said the doctor, " that they can afford to let Joel Hawes spit where he has a mind to;" though no man was more careful in such matters than he who thus expressed this warm commendation of his pupil.

CHAPTER V.

Early Pastoral Labors. — Rules for Study. First Child.

HE first five years of a young man's ministry

THE

usually determine its character. If he neither breaks down in it from over-exertions, nor falls out of it from incapacity, indiscretions, or indolence, he may be regarded as successfully established. His want of experience comes just where he has the greatest need of its advantages, at the beginning. The material which he has to mould is often crude, and sometimes essentially antagonistic. Some of the flock may be more inclined to lead the shepherd than to be led by him. Some pastors, too, mistake themselves for lord bishops, and count their office to be above the church, rather than a work of winning men to Christ, and teaching them in it.

It was the aim of Mr. Hawes to reprove and rebuke, not by dictation, but by instruction and example; to rule, not by priestly authority, but by the superiority of intelligence and the sovereignty of truth; to make his ministry a magnetism of selfsacrificing love and of gospel-truth.

He soon found, however, what every earnest and

wise pastor finds, in the economy of time and labor, the necessity of order, of system. Among the earlier entries in his journal, after his ordination, are the following principles and rules:

"I. I have spent more time in bed than is necessary. Seven hours in twenty-four, I know, are sufficient. Let me, then, restrict myself to this number; and when by indolence, or love of ease, I in dulge beyond this, deduct enough from the next night to make up the loss.

"II. My Monday mornings must be looked to. After an effort, I am apt to relax too far. Some business of easy performance must be allotted to that time which now I am very apt to lose. My exercise must be regularly and vigorously attended to, and every measure taken to preserve health.

"III. More time must be employed in devotional exercises, -in prayer, meditation, reading the Scriptures and other books of piety.

"In these seasons, I will labor to impress my mind with a lively sense of divine things, the greatness of my work, my final account at the judgment-day, my great need of divine guidance, and the willingness of God to bestow the favors which I need.

"Neglect of serious self-examination, and of deep, devout meditation, has exceedingly injured me.

"IV. I must be careful to improve the fragments of time; in company, must labor to do and get good. In my intercourse with my companion, I will strive to be useful, permitting no time to pass unimproved; in my walks, have something useful to occupy my thoughts; and let my diversions, so far

as possible, be made directly subservient to my growth in goodness and usefulness; always be in my work, and show by my diligence that I have no object but to promote the happiness of my people; be sparing in eating; and, however great the task or self-denial, pursue that course which I think will be most conducive to my present and future good.

"V. Be more stable in purpose. Never trifle with a book with which I have no concern. Let not my reading be so miscellaneous as it has been. For steady reading, take, for the present, Smith's "Theory of Moral Science;' for devotion, Edwards on the Affections.' Read carefully, and not to while away time; and may God bless me in my efforts to grow in knowledge!"

In the midsummer following his ordination, Mr. Hawes went to New Haven to attend a meeting of the Connecticut Missionary Society. This was the beginning of his connection with that institution, which had his hearty co-operation for almost half a century. Such a society," he said, "is a kind of insurance-company; and the stronger churches, by continuing to support the feebler ones, hold a pledge of assistance in their turn, if they should need it." At this time, also, he made his first appearance as a preacher in the chapel of Yale College.

The heat of summer, and the anxious labors of these first months of pastoral life, made some serious inroads upon his health, and caused a little despondency. "Lately," he says, "I have been greatly inclined to low spirits. I must guard against this

distressing state of mind, and especially against that peevishness and irritability, to which, at such seasons, I am strongly disposed." By the advice of his physician, he suspended his labors for a few weeks, passing most of the time at Saratoga, that ancient recruiting-place of invalid ministers.

On his return, he writes, Oct. 3, "Last evening we commenced housekeeping, -a new and interesting scene to us. It is my earnest desire to begin this new relation in the wisest and best manner.

"I would have my family a religious family, and all its concerns managed in the fear and for the glory of God. I would set myself to engage the blessing of Heaven upon me and mine. Oh, may the God of Abraham be my God and portion!"

The following year, Mr. Hawes suffered still more from depression of spirits and physical debility. Twice he was obliged to leave his work, once for three weeks, and once for nine. For a time, neither he nor the physician seemed to understand that it was dyspepsia that was making the trouble, that stealthy plunderer of the health and spirits of overworked ministers, and that a morning ride on horseback would be more promotive of health and the Christian hope than medicine, or even prayer, without it.

66 Knowing now," he says, "the nature of my disease, I feel encouraged to believe that attention to my food and exercise, with the blessing of Providence, will restore me to health. O God! give me health, if it please thee; but, above all things, give me submission."

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