is zeal the only Christian virtue promoted by such unions; brotherly love is cherished and excited. The presence of messengers from other churches at the annual meetings of our societies, produces a friendly feeling and brotherly interest, not unlike that which a family experiences, when gathered together at their Christmas party. One great end of assembling the males of the Jewish nation three times a year before the ark, was to keep up a brotherly feeling between the different and distant parts of the nation. Nothing is so likely to cherish the fire of love, as the fuel supplied by works of zeal.

4. We should be willing to give, and receive ADVICE in cases of difficulty and importance.

Of course, the independence of the churches, and the right of private judgment, should be vigilantly watched, and sacredly preserved. We have no dominion over each other's conduct, any more than over each other's faith. The idea of control, is as repugnant to revelation, as it is to reason. And we are to resist unto blood, striving against the usurpation of foreign compulsory interference. But advice does not imply control. The dread which has been felt of the simple act of one church's asking the advice of a neighbouring minister, or an association of ministers, in cases of extreme difficulty, discovers a fear of domination, which is perfectly childish. How consonant with all the dictates of reason, and all the proceedings of civil life, is it, for two parties in a state of litigation, to ask the opinion of a third; or for one individual in difficulty, to solicit the advice of another.

K

When a minister and his flock are in some critical situation, let them jointly agree to lay their affairs before some two or three neighbouring ministers and laymen of sound judgment, for counsel and direction; and how often, by this simple, rational, scriptural process, would a society be brought back from the brink of ruin to peace and safety. But what if they should not take the advice thus given? They must then be left to themselves, and would be but where they were before. The disposition which scorns to ask, and refuses to take advice, savours far more of the pride of independence, than the love of peace; and of the temper which courts interminable anarchy, rather than be indebted for the restoration of order, to the opinions and persuasions of another. Men which stand out of the mist of passion, can see more clearly than those enveloped in the fog.

5. We should take a deep interest in the welfare of other churches, and in a suitable and proper manner express our sympathy, and afford to them our assistance.

We should at our church meetings remember in prayer, the cases of such as are in circumstances of affliction; and in the event of the death of a pastor, how consoling would it be to a bereaved church, to receive letters of condolence from neighbouring societies. There is one way, in which the most effectual help may be rendered by one church to another: I mean, pecuniary assistance granted from such as are wealthy to those who are poor. We are informed, Acts xi. 29, 30, that the disciples at Antioch sent relief, according to their abilities, to the poor saints in Judea. "Concerning the collection for the saints, as I had given

orders to the churches at Galatia: Even so do ye." 1 Cor. xvi. 1. I am aware that this is sometimes done out of a fund, raised by the joint contributions of the churches in a county or district association; but how great would be the effect produced, if a church, in its individual capacity, were from year to year to send a donation to some poor community in its neighbourhood. What a lovely display of Christian feeling would this be! How would it endear the societies to each other! It would assist those to gain an efficient and settled minister, who, probably, but for such help, would only enjoy the precarious labours of occasional and incompetent preachers. The comfort of many faithful and laborious ministers would be thus promoted, and the kingdom of Jesus Christ enlarged.

Ye rich churches in our large cities, and in the country, who, without effort, can raise for your own pastors ample salaries, I appeal to your liberality, on behalf of those many churches scattered up and down the land, which are withering for the want of a little of that wealth, which you could spare, without lessening the comfort, either of your minister, or your families. I would not rob the funds of Missionary, or Bible Societies, to replenish the little store of gospel ministers at home; but I will say, that no foreign objects should be allowed to interfere with the claims of those deserving and holy men, who are labouring for souls amidst all the ills of poverty, and all the cares and woes which such ills must necessarily entail.

Where is the favoured individual, into whose lap the bounty of heaven has poured the abundance of riches, and into whose heart divine grace has introduced the

mercy that is full of good fruits? here let him find an object worthy of his wealth and of his zeal. Let him become the nursing father of our poor churches. If he spend two thousand a year in this way, he may give forty dollars a year to fifty ministers. What a means of usefulness! How many infant churches would smile upon him from their cradle; and as they turned upon him, their eyes glistening with gratitude, would exclaim, "My Father, my Father!" In how many church-books would his name be enrolled, amidst the benedictions and prayers of the saints!

CHAPTER VIII.

THE DUTIES OF CHURCH MEMBERS IN THEIR PECULIAR CHARACTER AND STATION.

I. THE pastor's wife.

A station so honourable, so important, so responsible, must necessarily be attended with duties numerous, difficult, and of great consequence. Her situation stands next in influence, and therefore in responsibility, to that of her husband; the minister excepted, she has the greatest opportunity of any member of the church, to do good or harm. As a wife, she should be a bright pattern of all that tender affection, that unsuspicious confidence, that cheerful obedience, that undivided devotedness to her husband's comfort, which such a relationship implies; a lovely, spotless exhibition of connubial virtue. No man is in greater need of all the force of conjugal sympathy and love, than a faithful minister.

As the female head of a family, she should direct her household affairs with judgment, and be a model of order, neatness, and domestic discipline. A minister derives some degree of respectability from the state of his family. Home scenes, according as they are lovely or repulsive, form a beauteous halo round, or dark