comparison with the numbers who continually listen to the sound of the Gospel; but cheering when it is viewed in comparison with others. Not to mention the fact in relation to the communicants of any Episcopal Church, I will merely state that in the life of a late most eminent and successful minister of the Gospel* belonging to another denomination, it is observed, that the communicants added to his Church during a ministry of thirty years continuance, averaged twenty-five a year. So that for the last ten years, we have exceeded that by an annual average of fifteen. So far then as numbers are concerned, we go not behind any, and have reason to be thankful. But this is a small matter. It is not the number of the communicants of a Church, but their spiritual character, which constitutes the subject of rejoicing. But on this point I am forbid by delicacy to say much. Let it be sufficient to remark, that with the most who have been admitted to the table of the Lord, under my own immediate ministry, I have reason to be satisfied. I have endeavoured to be guarded; and by some have been supposed unnecessarily severe. As it is, error has been made in some cases, but I am not aware that there have been in ten years, more than six cases of actual backsliding. There are some few who I think are not careful to walk as circumspectly as they ought, considering the solemnity of the profession they have made-some who have given too much up to worldly conformity, and are thus injuring their own spirituality and the cause of Christ. But as a body, I have reason to rejoice in God, that there is so much of real spiritual religion. My spirit has been continually refreshed with the idea, that with but little exception, (less, much less than is generally experienced,) I have no reason to doubt of the spiritual religion of those who kneel before this altar; and when I think that nearly four hundred, who have at previous times, or will now this day join with me in commemorating the dying love of our Master and only Saviour, Jesus Christ, are able to trace their first religious impressions, to the blessing of God,

* Rev. Dr. Payson, of Portland.

on my feeble ministrations, I have reason to say, 'my soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit doth rejoice in God my Saviour.' And then, as I remember that unto God, by whose grace alone all this could be accomplished, belongs all the glory, on this day hallowed as the day of the Lord, and hallowed as the tenth annual return of my first proclamation of the Gospel from this pulpit, I feel a peculiar emotion of gratitude to him who hath done it all, and say with peculiar emphasis, in the language of my text-Hitherto hath the Lord helped." "

In the admission of persons to a religious profession, he was particularly guarded and watchful. He not only conferred with them individually in private upon the important subject, placing in their hands also such books as he thought particularly adapted to their case, but he also assembled them together repeatedly before they came forward in either of the great ordinances of the Gospel in which they were to make their personal profession, for prayer and for such instruction as was adapted equally to them all. He was accustomed to say but little in his private conversations, but to direct especially all that he did utter, to the peculiar character of the individual, which he appeared to discern with great readiness and accuracy. The following, from one of the seals of his ministry, will illustrate this remark in a striking instance, though probably there were few cases in which he was so reserved in conversation as in this.

'Receiving the first serious impression of religious truth through the instrumentality of our departed friend's preaching, and looking to him for spiritual guidance and counsel, it might be sup

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posed that many recollections of his conversations, &c. could be furnished. It is nevertheless true, and is perhaps characteristic, that he made few or no remarks, or imparted no verbal instruction on the subject of religion out of the pulpit, to myself. Accompanying a much loved aunt at her request to hear him preach, the sermon, in the power of the Holy Ghost, convinced me of sin. I requested an interview at the vestry-room, where I remarked to him, I found I could not pray; the Lord's prayer taught me in childhood, being in fact all I could repeat after the struggle in my chamber, which resulted, through his aid, in submission to Him.

"His only remark or reply was, 'I do not wonder,' and he placed in my hand a small tract of two or three sermons on Regeneration. On returning this with a written remark on one of its passages, and being about to make a visit to Virginia, he placed a copy of Henry's Letters to an Anxious Inquirer in my hands, without remark. Being obliged in the spring to leave the city, and not feeling justified in coming at once to the Lord's table,,I stated to him the doubt; he did not at all urge it, but presented me with a copy of Bickersteth on the Lord's Supper.

"Of the same character has been all subsequent intercourse with him. It seems to me, that having delivered the Lord's message from the pulpit, he had no anxieties to urge it personally, but committed it to the Holy Spirit; or where instruction might be useful, modestly availed himself of what had been written by others, keeping, as it were, all obtrusive personal agency entirely out of the question, not seeking to magnify himself, but seeming to think himself less than the least.

"His quick discernment of character enabled him to see at once the nature of your difficulties; and he no doubt spread them with importunate prayer before God, rather than leaned to his own understanding, in much advice or conversation.

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"Of the glad hours' enjoyed under his preaching, what shall be said? They are known by those who heard him, and by

whom that did not, would the report be received? An apostle once heard unspeakable words, which it is unlawful for man to utter. Under the melting eloquence of that voice, now hushed in the sanctuary below, is it too much to say, that unutterable feelings, partaking more of heaven than earth, filled the heart bursting with its fulness? Whether in the body, or out of the body, was indeed forgotten, while the light of that heaven-lit countenance beamed upon you, and the kindling eye and uplifted finger and pause, upon which you hung breathless, gave an emphasis and a thrill to that hour of holy time which no other could claim."

He placed in the hands of those who desired to become united with the Church in any of its ordinances, the following circular, containing questions touching the great subject of personal experimental religion; to which he required from them answers in writing.

"As you are about to make a profession of religion, I am exceedingly anxious that both you and myself should be satisfied on some points of importance; and in order that this may be done, will you do me the favour, (for I ask it as a favour, not as a right,) to meditate on the following questions, and give me your views in writing? I have two great objects in view; one is, that I may be satisfied as to the correctness of your sentiments; and the other, that should I at any subsequent periods, as a faithful pastor, be obliged to remind you of any departures from the line of duty and of love, I may have the advantage of placing before you, your own deliberate conclusions when you joined yourself to the Lord in the bonds of a covenant which ought never to be forgotten. Read these questions-pray over them-compare them with the word of God. If they in the least depart from the simplicity of the Gospel, I have no wish that you should answer them. Satisfy

your mind on this point. I wish you to act conscientiously, and in the fear of God. This is one of the most solemn periods of your life, and you must act as with eternity in view. Take two copies of your answers, written both in precisely the same words. Keep one for your own satisfaction-read it once in every week, by yourself, and with prayer. Give the other copy into my hands. It is for my private satisfaction, as the pastor set over you in the Lord, and responsible for the manner in which I discharge my duty to you. May the Lord direct you, and keep you by his grace, and finally present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION.

1. Do I acknowledge and feel that I am a sinner in the sight of God?

2. Do I recognise the necessity of repentance, and what good reasons have I to suppose that I have repented of my sins?

3. What reasons have I to suppose that I have experienced that change of heart which is so frequently spoken of in Scripture?

4. Am I sure that as a sinner, unable to save myself, I am resting my only hope upon the sole merits of the Lord Jesus Christ?

5. Do I look upon the Lord Jesus Christ as a Divine Saviour, who took our nature upon him and died on the cross as an allsufficient sacrifice for the sins of the world?

6. Do I think that I am capable, without the influence of the Spirit of God, to turn myself to his service?

7. Do I feel as if it was my duty, as well as privilege, to spend a stated time every day in prayer to God; and do I take delight in this?

8. Do I believe that the Bible is the Word of God, and that I am bound to obey its requisitions?

9. Do I think that I ought to read the Bible with regularity and prayer, and do I love to do so?