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LETTER II.

See that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. -EPH. v. 15.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CLERICAL MANNERS.

MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND:-In pursuing the subject introduced to your view in the preceding letter, a question presents itself, which seems to require some discussion, before we proceed to the details which are intended to occupy the following pages. The question is this-Is there any thing peculiar in the style of manners proper for a minister of the gospel? Ought the manners of a clergyman perceptibly to differ from those of a well-bred man of a secular profession? I think they ought. That is to say, I am clearly of the opinion that they ought to bear a stamp, in a variety of particulars, characteristic of the hallowed spirit and sacred office with which they are connected. All other professional men, indeed, would be the better for having the same sort of manners that I am about to recommend to ministers of the gospel; but with respect to the latter, they are so indispensably necessary to the complete attainment of all those advantages which manners can impart to their possessor, that they may be said, without impropriety, to be peculiarly clerical in their nature.

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If I were to attempt to exhibit the peculiarity in question, I should say it may be expressed in six words Dignity, Gentleness, Condescension, Affability, Reserve, and Uniformity.

1. Dignity. By this I mean that happy mixture of gravity and elevation in human deportment, which evinces a mind habitually thoughtful, serious, and set on high things. An air and manner opposed to levity; opposed to that propensity to jesting, which is so often manifested by some who bear the sacred office; opposed to what is grovelling; opposed, in short, to every species of lightness or volatility, which, however tolerated in young persons of secular professions, is barely tolerated, even in them, and certainly adds nothing to their respectability in the view of any one: but which, in ministers of the gospel, is peculiarly unseemly, and never fails to lower the estimation in which they are held by all discerning people. I have often thought, my young friend, that you were by far too ready to give way to your risible feelings. Every public man, and especially every clergyman, ought to cultivate that habitual sedateness, and command of his countenance, which will prevent his being the sport of every ludicrous occurrence, or merry-andrew, who may happen to be presented to his view.

The dignity of which I speak also requires its possessor to avoid those companies, in which language and scenes are likely to be exhibited, which ought not to be even witnessed by a minister of the gospel. If any thing of this kind be expected in a company before it assembles, a minister ought to decline making one of its number. And if, after he

has joined it, there be any indication of the approach of such scenes, he ought to take an early opportunity of escaping before they actually make their appearance. Even dining or tea parties, in which any thing like the reign of levity, and especially of revelry, is anticipated, ought to be invariably shunned by an ambassador of Christ. That you will not allow yourself to be present at places in which cards ›r dancing are made a part of the professed and prominent entertainment, I take for granted. But I will go further. When you are invited even to what are called family parties, and you find either cards or dancing about to be introduced, though it be on the smallest scale, and in the most domestic way, make a point of withdrawing. It is, on all accounts, better to be absent. When a clergyman allows himself to be found in the midst of exhibitions of this nature, though he take no part in them, yet, if he have a proper sense of Christian and ministerial duty, he will be more or less embarrassed; and, if he attempt to be faithful in reproof or remonstrance, may, perhaps, do more harm than good. Many a minister of Christ, in these circumstances, has been involved in conflicts, in the course of which his feelings have been lacerated, his dignity lowered, and his comfort wounded in no small degree. Lay it down as a fixed principle, that you cannot possibly be in light, frivolous company, or where frivolous engagements are going on, even if there be no other mischief, without having your dignity impaired. If the gravity and respectability of your character do not prevent every thing unseemly, or approaching to it, from occurring, it is no place for you. How much

better is it, with a wise caution, to avoid, as far as possible, all such embarrassing places and companies! "The prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself."

The dignity of which I speak should also prevent ministers, however youthful, from engaging in many of those recreations, which may not be unsuitable for others, but in which one, who is officially bound to be grave, ought not to indulge. If you happen to be thrown into young company, and any of the little plays, which are frequently resorted to by youth of both sexes, for passing away time, happen to be introduced, it will be by no means proper that you take any part in them. However admissible such plays may be for children, or for those who are just rising above the age of children, a minister, or a candidate for the holy ministry, ought to be more gravely and appropriately employed.

Again; the dignity of manner which I wish to inculcate, may be impaired by various little infelicities of deportment into which those who are not prudently and delicately on their guard, may be betrayed. I have known worthy men, who had so little knowledge of human nature, and so little sense of propriety, that they suffered themselves to be involved in angry contention with ostlers, with stagedrivers, with boatmen, and other coarse and vulgar men, with whom they were brought in contact. Carefully avoid every thing of this sort. Rather suffer wrong, than run the risk of a public conflict with those who are generally rude and foul-mouthed, and too often altogether lawless. It is unbecoming enough for any grave man to be involved in such con

troversies; but for a clergyman, it is peculiarly unbecoming. I might not always estimate his talents; but I should certainly always estimate his personal dignity by observing the degree of care and vigilance with which he avoided rencounters of this kind.

Further; when I speak of dignified manners in a minister of the gospel, I refer to that character of deportment which is opposed to littleness, not to say meanness, in his dealings. There is often found, in this respect, in some ministers, otherwise men of great excellence, a striking want of just taste and delicacy. They can higgle and chaffer about a cent, with almost as much pertinacity as might be expected from a beggar. They can resort to as many petty arts for gaining a favourable bargain, even in the smallest affair, as if dexterity in dealing were their trade. And, even with the poorest individuals with whom they deal, they are ready to contend about a trifle with the most determined obstinacy. In short, I have known men of the sacred profession, in whom the rage for little savings, in all their pecuniary transactions, appeared to be a besetting infirmity, and to follow them through their whole course, and on some occasions led them to exhibit themselves in a point of light altogether unworthy of their office. In making these remarks, I have no design to censure that habitual, and even rigid economy, which must, of necessity, and certainly ought to be practised, by those whose circumstances are narrow, and who have no means of enlarging them; and this is probably the case with a majority of those who devote themselves to the service of the church. In all such, a constant care to guard against unnecessary expenditure is not

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