There are words which are unacceptable, because they indicate a wrong temper in the person who uses them. "A word fitly spoken, is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." In his most powerful remonstrances, and in his most awakening appeals, a preacher should make it manifest that he is actuated by feelings of benevolence. Solomon has left us a striking example of the affectionate manner in which the most faithful warnings may be given. Some of his most solemn cautions and severest rebukes are coupled with the language of paternal tenderness. "My Son" was a favourite expression with him, even when he was about to announce the most unwelcome truths. How calculated was this to win the attention. To conciliate the feelings and to prepare the way for the reception of what he had to communicate.

The same manner and spirit were exemplified by the prophet Jeremiah, when he reflected on the conduct of his countrymen, he exclaimed, Jer. ix. 1. "Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! And especially was this tender feeling manifested by the apostle Paul. "For many walk, says he, " of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ." Philip. iii. 18. He was always desirous of " Speaking the truth in love." In his conduct to the Corinthians, he expressed his sorrow that he had written. "For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season." A minister should always use words which show that he feels a deep and affectionate interest in the present and eternal welfare of his hearers.

There are indeed some preachers who think they have gained an important point, if they can succeed in making their hearers angry. They then expect that some great good will be accomplished. Hence they adopt an abrupt,coarse-and half-savage kind of address. They break through all the decent forms of society and mistake rudeness for christian fidelity.

There may be here and there a person whose mind raises him just one degree above the brute creation, who can feel nothing but words like these. Yet they are not acceptable words. Where they are the means of converting one soul, they probably confirm in irreligion and wickedness one hundred.

Such a mode of address has its origin, to use the mildest terms in detective views of christianity; and in an ignorance of human nature. It is the goodness of God that leadeth us to repentance. And it is the kindness of man giving a tone and earnestness even to the voice of reproof and warning that finds its way most readily to the hearts of his fellows. It is what goes from the heart, that reaches to the heart. A preacher should imitate the prophets and the apostles if he would be successful. And what words did they use ? Listen to them. "Turn ye, turn ye, O house of Israel, why will ye die." As though God did beseech you by us. "Brethren, my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved." Rom. 10. 1.

It was tender expostulation and intreaty, mingled with solemn warnings, and the outpourings of a soul filled with the love of God, and an affectionate concern for the salvation of his fellow men, that gave Whitfield such a power over the vast multitudes, who attended his preaching. He would frequently be in tears before he began to speak. And while he was addressing the people on the grand concerns of judgment and of mercy, he was sometimes compelled to pause and give relief to his feelings by weeping. If we who are ministers had more of the spirit of Whitfield, it would not be difficult to seek out acceptable words. Instead of studying and contriving to produce some mechanical effect, the promptings of the heart wonld dictate words which in the hand of the Lord would become effectual to salvation.

To you my brother who are about to be ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, this subject, should be one of peculiar interest. When you consider, that you are set for the defence of the gospel. And that the great object of your life will be to bring sinners to the obedience of the faith, and that these objects are in a great measure to be attained by the words in which you accost your hearers, you must feel that a great responsibility rests upon you. The never dying interests of this congregation are to a certain degree committed to your trust.

Your use of right or wrong words my brother, will have an important influence not only on the increase or decay of personal piety among your people, but on their unutterable bliss or their unutterable anguish. The probability that they may be your crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord God-or your most bitter and cruel tormenters in the day of God's wrath, will sometimes make you tremble.

How important then, that when you stand before this people, you should use sound speech that cannot be condemned. Let it be your concern at all times that you may be a workman who need not be ashamed

When the apostle is speaking of the necessity of using words which can be understood, he illustrates his views by alluding to military practice. If, says he, the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for the battle. The trumpet is sounded to summons the soldiers to arms-to tell them to advance or to sound a retreat. But if it give an uncertain sound they will be at a loss what to do. So it will be with your hearers; if you use signs which they do not understand. If through your unskilfulness you should sound a retreat instead of an advance. If you should parley with the god of this world instead of sound to arms and to contest-you will not be instrumental of saving the souls committed to your charge. You may be the means of their final ruin. If you would profit your hearers and desire that your own profit should appear to all-meditate on these things. Give yourself to reading, and ask for the wisdom which cometh from above.

Endeavor to understand the nature and power of words generally. Especially the meaning of the words which the Holy Ghost teacheth. Be mighty in the scriptures. And by previous meditation and study, cast off the mere verbage of speech. Compress your thoughts in as few words as possible. Bring them together as the rays of light are by a glass brought to a focus. Then they will shine more brightly on the minds of your hearers, and penetrate their hearts with a warmth that is celestial.

If in addition to the observance of these things--you live my brother, under the influence of a spirit of piety; cherishing the simple desire in all your labours to do good and feeling constantly your dependance on the Spirit of God to prosper all your ministrations-then you may confidently anticipate, that the Lord will give testimony to the word of his grace, and that among this people the word of the Lord shall have free course and be glorified.

And now my brother, I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified.

HAVING been set a part to the gospel ministry by prayer, and the laying on of hands, we now recognize you, my brother, as placed in that sacred, and responsible office. You will meet the people of your charge, in the character of a teacher, and an ambassador for Christ. It will devolve upon you to explain, and illustrate the adorable perfections of Jehovah; the nature, and claims of his moral government; and the character, and state of man as a subject of that government. You are invested with divine authority, to propose to men, terms of peace and reconciliation with their Maker. On the part of Jehovah, you are bound to maintain his honour, and the rights of his government. Should you misrepresent his character, or relinquish any part of his rights and claim, how will you answer it at the tribunal of your Judge? On the part of your fellow-sinners, you are to labour to secure their salvation. Should you fail in stating the terms of life, as they have been proposed by Jehovah himself, and misguid your hearers, will they not perish, and their blood be required at your hands?

You are not left, as are the sons of natural science, to the feeble investigation of reason. A divine revelation is put into your hands. The bible is your guide; from that sacred book, you will derive all the instruction which you may impart. It will be a question with you, Sir, of the highest importance. What does the bible teach? Rising above the frowns and applause of men, and above the pride of human intellect; and submitting to the guidance of divine inspiration, you will teach your hearers the eternity, omnipotence, omnipresence, omnicience, and immutability of God, his inflexable justice, his infinite, knowledge, wisdom, holiness and benevolence. You will teach the doctrine of the Trinity; that there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one. You will exhibit the spirituality, extent, and justice of God's moral law; you will show from the scriptures, that through the interposition of Christ, not one jot, or tittle of it is made void, but rather that it is fulfiled, and magnified. You will teach men the total depravity of their hearts; that the carnal mind is enmity against God, and therefore, all their moral actions are unholy. That the unholy disposition of their hearts is their only inability; that it is their duty to love God, repent of sin, and believe in Christ. That as the heart in man is fully set to do evil, there is no ground of hope, that any will return to God, unless they are renewed by the Holy Spirit; but as God usually affords his grace, in connexion with the use of means, it is important they should attend on the dispensation of the gospel, which is to be preached to every creature. With great plainness, you will declare, that the sufferings and death of Christ have made an atonement for sin, and are constituted the only medium of pardon and acceptance with God.

You will also teach your hearers, that the blessings of grace are bestowed upon sinners in a sovereign manner; that God saves them, and calls them, not according to their works, but according to his purpose, and grace which was given them in Christ Jesus, before the world began. That as the salvation of believers depends upon the merits of Jesus Christ, and upon the promise, and power, and honour of Jehovah, they shall never perish. And, solemn and painful as it may be, to point out the guilt and danger of those whom you love, yet, you will declare from the word of God, that he that believeth not shall be damned, and shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.

The course of duty which lies before you, my brother, presents none of the facinating charms of popular applause. The prejudices and lusts of men will be arrayed against you. In the discharge of your duty, you will be met by formidable talents, kindled to action, by that pride which disdains the humbling doctrines of the Cross. This is a day of rebuke and blasphemy. Put on therefore the whole armour of God. Though your love to the truth, your faith and patience may be severely tried, yet we have confidence, that you feel bound, by ties, stronger than the fears of death, to preach the faith once delivered to the saints.

In rightly dividing the word of truth, you will remember with tender faithfulness, the humble penitent, whose language is, What must I do to be saved? You will point such to the Lamb of God, whose blood cleanseth from all sin; and explain to them the nature, and necessity of the atonement which he has made. Here, you will delight to exhibit before them, the character of the adorable Redeemer; and, for their encouragement, assure them, that in him dwells the fulness of the Godhead-that he is God over all, blessed forever-and that, being the true God, and eternal life he is able to save to the uttermost, all that come unto God by him. Also, that he is graciously disposed to receive them, and bas said, him that cometh, I will in no wise cast out. And here you will not fail to distinguish that affectionate, humble reliance on Jesus, which the gospel requires from a bold confidence, which is the offspring of deception.

While discharging the duties of a pastor, with this people, you will labour for the edification of the church; in doing this, you will teach them the nature, and design of the ordinances of the gospel. These ordinances you will administer; and also, take the oversight of the discipline of the church. The ordinances of the gospel are of great importance, and you, my brother, are under the most sacred obligation to administer them, according to the pattern laid before you in the scriptures. You are there commanded to baptize those who receive instruction, and believe; and you are not commanded to baptize any others. As a qualification for baptism, Inspired men required repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; and the Holy Spirit has recorded the baptism of many such, and of no others; you will therefore baptize such, and no others.

Believers, in the apostolic age, were buried with Christ by baptism, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. No intimation is given that baptism was, in that day, ever conceived of in any other mode; you are therefore authorized to bury by baptism, or which is the same thing, to immerse believers; but you have not scripture authority to administer upon them any other ceremony, under the name of baptism.

The churches, which were gathered by the apostles, were composed of baptized believers, both male and female; and we do not read, in the scriptures, that any others were received into them. You will therefore, my brother, receive such and no others into this church.

The spirit of inspiration has recorded, that the Lord's supper was administered to churches composed of those, who professed faith in Christ, but has made no record of its being administered to any others; you have therefore divine authority for administering that ordinance to baptized believers, both male and female; but for administering it to any others you have no divine authority.

In the discharge of your pastoral duties, you will visit the several members of your flock, as their circumstances may require; and particularly, the chamber of sickness and death. There, it may be expected, your heart will often be moved with the tenderest sympathy; but there too, an awful responsibility rests upon you to be faithful, to the trust reposed in you.

In the discharge of your arduous and difficult duties, nothing may be substituted for spiritual mindedness, " it is life and peace." You will need the constant teaching, and guidance of the divine Spirit. By his influence the understanding is illuminated, the heart quickened, and the doctrines, precepts, and promises of the gospel are clearly apprehended, and become precious to the soul. It is of great importance, my brother, that you should live near your divine Lord; that your daily deportment should be such, as becometh the gospel; that in all things, you should set a worthy example before the people of your charge; that your life should be a course of prayer, and watchfulness, and self denial; this will impart a salutary and powerful influence to your public labours. You will then not be left in darkness, but will enjoy the light of life.

While you study to show yourself a workman, approved unto God, and that your profiting may appear unto all men, your dependance wil will be humbly placed on the Holy Spirit's gracious aid. In all your trials, a life of faith and prayer will be attended with abundant support and comfort. "I charge thee therefore, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead, at his appearing and kingdom, preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. Watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, make full proof of thy ministry.