upon his ministrations, and that they are ready to discharge a thousand offices of kindness. But he dwells with intense solicitude upon what may be anticipated as the final result of his labors, as they regard both himself and them; and how ardent his desires and prayers, that the message he delivers, may prove a savor of life unto life to all who hear it.

And in order to accomplish an object so momentous, he labors by night and by day, at home and abroad, in season and out of season, feeding the sheep and the lambs of Christ's flock, in meekness, instructing those who oppose themselves, “if God peradventure will give them repentance, to the acknowledgment of the truth."

6. The minister of Christ should so announce his message, as to be pure from the blood of all men.

Paul, in his closing interview with the elders of the church of Ephesus, shows in a cursory manner, what part he had acted, and from what grounds he was led to draw the animating conclusion, that he was pure from the blood of all men. He appeals to their own convictions of his fidelity, in the discharge of official duty-"Ye know from the first-day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations which befel me by the lying in wait of the Jews and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you, publicly and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."

We may see from this simple, unvarnished statement of facts in relation to his course of procedure, that he had indeed imitated the example of Him who went about doing good. He informs us in a subsequent part of the narrative, that "for the space of three years and six months, he ceased not to warn every one, night and day, with tears."

His social visiting was, no doubt, altogether different from what marks the intercourse of many, who, adopting the formalities sanctioned by existing customs, exclude from their conversation topics of a religious nature. He determined "to

bolaby

know nothing among his hearers, save Jesus Christ and him cru-
cified."-Not that he was in any sense indifferent to the en-
croachments of error, or the insidious attacks of enemies. We
learn from his Epistles, that it was his undeviating practice,
never to give place to error by countenancing, or by conniving,
at the propagation of false doctrine, "no, not for an hour."
He loudly reproved the apostle Peter in the presence of the
other apostles, when he discovered indications of dissimula-
tion on his part. It must have been obvious to all with whom
he was conversant, that it was his sole object to glorify his
Lord and Master in the conversion and salvation of men, so far
as his instrumentality could have an influence, either by a
blameless deportment, or a faithful announcement of the gospel
message and particularly by such forcible appeals to the con-
science, as the familiarities of visiting from house to house
afforded facilities of making. It was from such considerations
that he felt authorized to affirm, that he "
was pure from the
blood of all men;" and no one invested with the credentials of
the sacred office, without pursuing substantially the same course,
can find himself standing on the same elevated ground, and be
cheered by prospects equally animating, as he looks forward
and anticipates the period as near, when he must "give an ac-
count of his stewardship."

The following may be seen to result, as conclusions from the subject thus presented:

1. We may learn the duty of such as are favored with the ministry of reconciliation.

It is to hear and obey the gospel message. When that message is announced with fidelity, obligations transcendently momentous are imposed upon such as listen to it. They are bound by the authority of Zion's King, and from the consideration of all that is solemn in eternal realities, to submit with cordiality to the claims of heaven. If ministers of Christ are bound to declare the whole counsel of God, all that counsel should of course be received. It is as clearly the duty of people to hear, believe, and obey the gospel message, as it is for ministers to announce it. Most obvious are the reciprocal duties of ministers and their people. It is not left at the option of the former

to consult their own ease and popularity, and to humor the prejudices of ungodly men, by concealing or keeping back certain parts offensive to proud and unsanctified hearts; but it is imperiously enjoined upon them by the great Head of the church, to declare all the counsel of God. They must exhibit the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, whether people will hear or forbear, and must cordially leave the results to be controlled by infinite wisdom and love. And how preposterous the part which such act, as censure pastors for declaring all the counsel of God. If parts of the message are offensive to some, and they array themselves in opposition to the truth, the controversy on their part is in fact with the Author of revelation, and with him they should settle it, and not censure and condemn Christ's ambassadors for announcing with plainness all the counsel of God, and thus endeavoring to clear their skirts of the blood of souls.

2. Such public teachers of religion must be awfully guilty, as heed the dictates of a temporizing and worldly policy in their ministrations.

It is made their duty to declare the whole counsel of God, and to deal faithfully with all the souls committed to their care and pastoral supervision. And how obviously do those act in the face of the most explicit divine instructions and prohibitions, whose leading object it is to be wafted on the gales of popular applause-who inquire whether this or that truth or doctrine will accord with the taste, feelings, and predilections of their hearers—or whether its suppression will be more likely to secure their approbation. Paul affirms—“If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ;"-and he assures us, that as soon as he was commissioned to preach the gospel, he no longer conferred with flesh and blood. "Wo is unto me if I preach not the gospel." The ministers of Christ should never suffer themselves to be swayed for a moment by the dictates of a temporizing and worldly policy. It is not, however, meant that they are warranted to disregard the esteem and approbation of those among whom they labor. The apostle testifies "I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means But it was never at the expense of truth that he

save some."

sought the approbation of any. And his character comprised just such an assemblage of the lovely christian, and ministerial graces, as should distinguish all who "watch for souls, as they that must give account."

3. How interesting and solemn the connexion consummated between a minister and his people, at his ordination.

"By prayer, and the laying on of the hands of the presbytery," he is set apart to a work arduous in its nature, and connected with the most fearful responsibilities that can devolve upon a mortal, as he is to be a savor of life unto life, or of death unto death, to all committed to his pastoral care. After the lapse of a few years at most, the pastor and his flock must meet at the judgment seat of Christ. And there, all that has occurred under his ministry must pass in solemn review. Who can describe, or form any adequate conception of the awful realities of the scene? What rapture will fill the soul of him who had been a devoted and faithful pastor, when accosted in language of melting tenderness and benignity, by the Judge-" Well done, good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." And with what emotions of transport will the pastor, and such of his flock as he was instrumental in raising to the rank of sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty, meet together in heavenly mansions, to celebrate the praises of Him "who loved them, and washed them from their sins in his own blood." Such as have been wise will then "shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that have turned many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever."

Standing as I now do in this consecrated place, and connected as I am with the pastor elect, I cannot deny myself the pleasure of addressing a few remarks to him, as well as to the people who are about to constitute his pastoral charge. And in doing this, I shall studiously avoid anticipating what may, with more propriety, be addressed to him and them, by respected brethren in the ministry designated for that purpose.

My dear son:-The time has arrived, when you are to be clothed with the authority, and invested with the functions of a minister of Christ-when you are to receive a charge in view

of the responsibilities of which an angel of light might tremble -when the object of your hopes, and prayers, and tears, and preparatory studies are about to be realized; yes, and when prayers, offered in your behalf, in your infancy, are about to be answered.

I can myself, never forget the scene, when your own dear mother, a few weeks after your birth, and but a few days before her death, admonished by symptoms too obvious to be mistaken, that the hour of her dissolution was rapidly approaching, desired that her infant son might be dedicated to God in baptism. You was then laid upon her arm, as she reclined upon her dying pillow, and was sprinkled with the baptismal water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. She then gave you the maternal benediction from a full heart of a dying mother's love-and prayed most affectionately and fervently, that your life might be preserved, that you might be educated, and be renewed and sanctified by the Spirit of God, and become a devoted minister of Christ-and closed in melting expressions of affection, and in the audible utterance of this prayer, for your spiritual and eternal welfare-"May the Father own him, the Son redeem him, and the Holy Ghost sanctify him,” And to that prayer, I now respond my cordial amen, in the presence of this congregation. The Lord grant you, my dear son, grace and strength to be faithful to your own soul, and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost is about to make you an overseer. So live and preach, so discharge every appropriate duty of a gospel minister, till called at death to lay down yourself and your commission at Christ's feet, as to be able then to say "I am pure from the blood of all men—for I have not shunned to declare all the counsel of God: And the Lord give you many souls as the seal of your ministry, and the crown of your rejoicing, in that day when he makes up his jewels."

A word, in conclusion, to this church and congregation. Dear friends and brethren-It is a subject that calls forth the congratulations of this auditory, that after the care and toil you have bestowed, the solicitude you have felt, and the expense you have incurred, in the erection and completion of this neat and commodious edifice, and after its solemn dedication to the ser