that it is more expensive to support grog-shops, paupers, and officers for the detection and punishment of crime, than it would have been to have given their minister a respectable maintenance. In their case the Scripture is fulfilled “There is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty." Are these pictures of fancy? No, my hearers; nothing is wanting but the introduction of names to convert these descriptions into veritable history.

It is not uncommon, in this country, for two, three, or four churches, to unite in calling a minister, who preaches to them in regular succession. Is this practice to be defended? Some suppose it may be on the ground of absolute necessity; preachers are so scarce, that churches cannot in any other way be furnished with the bread of life. Instances of this nececessity may sometimes occur, but they are by no means so common as many are accustomed to suppose. It is in vain for the human mind to attempt to improve the plan suggested by Infinite Wisdom. If a little spiritual instruction, once a month, is sufficient to give health and vigor to the soul, why has God commanded us to remember the seventh day and keep it holy? But what is the condition of the churches supplied in this irregular manner? Do they thrive and flourish? If your observation corresponds with my own, your answer will be decidedly in the negative. Like the field of the slothful, they are generally, if not universally, all grown over with thorns, and nettles have covered the face thereof. Among such churches very little interest is felt in the institutions of religion. Seldom do they engage in Sabbath school instruction, and if any religious and benevolent associations are ever formed, they are formed only to languish. The day of their formation is the period of their greatest glory. The amount of support which the minister receives bears an inverse proportion to the number of churches he attempts to supply. I know an aged father in the ministry, who has for several years been supplying four churches, preaching to each once a month, and he has received for his services in a single year eighty-four dollars. Having a large family to maintain he is compelled to labor upon a little farm to procure the means of subsistence, and on the Sabbath visits some one of his churches, performing the circuit once in four weeks. His feeble churches remain feeble still, and as soon as their minister leaves them, it is quite probable they will become extinct. If they would select some central location and all unite in giving their pastor a competent salary, and regularly attend upon his instructions weekly, they would doubtless enjoy the propitious smiles of heaven. Are they indolent, or why is it, that many professors of religion will not attend preaching, unless the meeting house is brought to their door?

In a neighboring state, all the Presbyterians in a large county, are connected with the same church, some of whom reside fifteen miles from the place of worship. They are punctual in their attendance at the sanctuary every Sabbath with their families, regarding the inconvenience of distance a small matter, compared with the enjoyment and advantages to be derived from weekly religious ordinances. By their united efforts, they are able to give their minister a handsome support; in return he devotes his time exclusively to their spiritual interests. The result is, this church is vigorous, influential, and respected by other denominations and by men of the world. Suppose, for their private convenience and personal ease, they were to adopt the policy against which I have been speaking, and divide this large and flourishing church into three or four little churches, and then rest content with preaching at distant intervals, how soon would they begin to languish, how rapidly would they decline, and how little would they be respected.

Some persons, who live so remote from any place of worship, that it is impracticable for them to attend preaching on the Sabbath, will perhaps be ready to ask, but what shall we do? If it is not possible for you to support the gospel among yourselves, with such aid as benevolent societies may furnish,

our duty is plain. Strike your tent, and say to your religious friends, "Come e and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of acob, and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths." If ́ou are situated on a bleak and rugged mountain, which, with your incessant abor, would, afford only a scanty subsistence, and you should hear of a pleasant nd fertile country not far distant, where the industry of the husbandman reeived its rich rewards, would you not speedily change your location? Are ot the spiritual interests of yourself and family of infinite more importance han your temporal prosperity?

Here I cannot forbear to notice the culpable conduct of some professed Christians, who, to improve their worldly prospects and accumulate wealth for themselves and children, abandon their homes, their church, and their preacher, plunge into the wilderness, and become wholly absorbed in "the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches." Seldom if ever do they hear a preached gospel or receive any kind of religious instruction. The parents lose their relish for the Bible and its duties, and the children grow up in ignorance and sin; together they pursue the downward course to ruin. They desired wealth. "God gave them their request but sent leanness into their souls." The churches they leave are enfeebled by their departure and sometimes brought to the verge of dissolution; and well may they complain in the language of Paul, Demas hath forsaken me, having loved the present world, and is departed to Thessalonica"-some suppose he was engaged in a land speculation. Such Demases abound in our day to an alarming extent.

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Emigration is by no means criminal. On the contrary, a pious colony may accomplish much good, by transferring their home to a new settlement, if they take with them and sustain the institutions of religion. When they "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness," and make their worldly gains subserve the advancement of his glory, they may expect they will doubtless enjoy the smiles of a gracious and approving Providence. But those, who profess to serve God, while they are really the servants of Mammon, who prefer gain to godliness, who turn their backs upon the institutions of heaven, and voluntarily exile themselves from his sanctuary, who barter their religious privileges, and put in jeopardy the souls of their children for a few acres of land, will most surely be visited with spiritual famine, Heaven's heaviest judgment in this world; and in the world to come a more fearful doom awaits them. The providence of God then speaks in a language not to be misunderstood, that those churches, which contribute cheerfully and liberally to sustain the weekly ministrations of the gospel, who are willing to sacrifice personal ease to enjoy the ordinances of God, shall be blest in "their basket and in their store," in their own souls and in the souls of their children, while the indolent, the penurious, and the worldly-minded professor, shall "walk in darkness seeing no light."

But some may ask, what does a comfortable and respectable support include? Without attempting to specify minute particulars, I will mention a few things that a generous people will carefully provide for, if they consult their own duty and the happiness and usefulness of their minister.

1. Your Minister should be furnished with a Comfortable Habitation, and Decent Apparel. These things are so obviously indispensable to his comfort and happiness, that no one would suppose they could ever be overlooked by any people; but a slight observation will convince us, that the common necessaries of life are sometimes denied the minister. The remark was once made respecting a preacher. "If he were doing much good to his people they would give him a better coat." The meanness of his apparel was by no means conclusive evidence of his unfaithfulness. I know a devoted, zealous preacher, wholly given to his Master's work, who was exposed to the frost

and snows of a cold winter, because he had not the means to purchase an overcoat.

Paul says, that a bishop, or preacher of the gospel," must be given to hos pitality." In our times, frequent demands are made upon the minister for the exercise of this Christian virtue. But how can he perform the rites of hospi tality, if he is not provided with the necessary accommodations? Is this always done? We are no advocate for ministerial extravagance. Extremes ought carefully to be avoided. His house, his furniture, his style of living, his dress, and that of his family, should be neat and comfortable, so as neither to give offence to the poorer class by the appearance of luxury and splendor, nor to repel the more refined and wealthy, by poverty and meanness.

2. He must be Able to Educate his Children. This is a common Christian duty, but it is especially incumbent upon a minister. As he will have no estate to bestow upon his children, he ought to give them an equivalent, in a good education. Were he to teach them himself, he would interfere with the appropriate duties of his vocation, and inflict a material injury upon his people. From the avails of his salary he ought to give his sons and daughters a respectable education.

3. He Must have Books. Paul exhorts Timothy to give attendance to reading. Amid all his cares and trials the great apostle himself was accustomed to refresh and extend his knowledge in the same manner. He always remembered "his books and parchments.' It is a fact much to be deplored that most of our clergy are unable to purchase such books as are really neces sary to aid them in their studies. Perhaps there never was a time when ministers had greater need of such auxiliaries. The sentinel, who in these perilous times guards the walls of Zion must be completely equipped and ever ready for action. Error in all its Protean forms grows rife and luxuriates in our soil. The old land marks of truth are removed, new schemes devised to rob Christianity of its glory and destroy its vital energies. Infidelity, too, has marshalled her forces and taken the field in battle array. Her banner is now waving in the breeze, alluring to her ranks, the dissolute, thoughtless multitude. Her stores of abuse and ridicule are well nigh exhausted, and she is now endeavoring to press into her service the aid of science. By deep research, she professes to have discovered, that Moses has made some important mistakes respecting the time of the world's creation; and that his account of the deluge cannot be sustained by the legitimate results of scientific investigation. Vigorous efforts are made, funds contributed, printing presses established, societies organized, and periodicals issued to oppose and overthrow the religion of Christ. The facilities that our country affords for intercommunication renders it easy for infidel societies in our large maritime cities to diffuse the poisons of their sentiments through all the veins of this extended republic. How shall the mischievous effects of this formidable array of wickedness be 'counteracted? Who shall resist and drive back this desolating flood of iniquity? Who shall expose the infidel's sophistry and unmask the turpitude of his dark designs? Who will show that the declarations of science and the revelation of God are perfectly harmonious? It must devolve upon preachers of the gospel; it is their appropriate duty.

To be well qualified for the wide range of ministerial duty, those who are set for the defence and propagation of the truth, must acquaint themselves with the original languages of Scripture, must survey the extensive fields of science and literature, must be familiar with sacred and profane history, and have a general knowledge of the political and religious doings of the present age. They must be ever ready to feed their flocks with the rich and varied instructions of divine truth, must bring forth from the treasury things new and old. For

these purposes they must have books. The minister who does not refresh and invigorate his mind by constant reading and study will contract and impair his own intellectual powers, and feed his flock upon stale truths and husky repetitions. Let him have a competent salary, so that he can make a liberal appropriation yearly for mental furniture, and his people will be richly paid in the freshness and vigor of his instructions, and the cause of truth will find a more successful and efficient champion.

4. A Minister must be an Example of Liberality. Precepts on this subject will have but little influence, if the preacher does not enforce them by his example, and show, by a cheerful obedience to the commands of his Master, that he loves the cause of doing good. But if his salary is so meagre that he has scarcely sufficient means to obtain the necessaries of life, the enjoyment of this pleasure is denied him. Will he not feel embarrassed in pressing this duty upon others, if his own name never appears among the contributors to the cause of benevolence? Many ministers have greatly promoted their usefulness by dispensing charity to the poor and unfortunate; and by contributing liberally to advance the cause of religion, their example has had a beneficial influence upon others. The minister who does not give is usually suspected of covetousness, often no doubt with great injustice; for there may be a willing mind, when the actual performance would bring distress upon his family. A kind and generous people will relieve their pastor from such perplexities, and furnish him with the means of gratifying his benevolent feelings, performing an important Christian duty, and setting a pattern for their imitation.

5. The Minister ought occasionally to Travel for Health and Improvement. By a constant succession of arduous duties, his health is often impaired, his mind exhausted and depressed. A change of scenes, and a temporary relief from cares and active duties, is the surest remedy. A journey to a distant part of the country, and the interchange of thought and feeling with his ministerial brethren, might be of essential service to himself and to his people, After this short suspension of labor, he would return to his charge with improved health, an enlarged stock of knowledge, and an invigorated mind. Many have thought that important advantages would result to the church if ministers from different parts should occasionally exchange visits of a kind and fṛaternal character. Local prejudices might thus be removed and the bond of Christian affection strengthened. Few are now able to travel on account of

the scantiness of their salaries,

6. The Minister ought to lay up something for his Wife and Children in anticipation of his own Decease. I scarcely know an object better fitted to excite the compassion of a feeling heart, than the widow of a poor clergyman, left with a family of small children to the care of an ungrateful world, or of a penurious church. Accustomed to receive the respectful attentions of society, and to enjoy the comforts of life, she is at once overwhelmed with sorrow by her bereavement, reduced to a state of absolute dependence, and is soon compelled to feel the keen pangs of cold neglect. The respect and caresses she once received are bestowed upon another, and she is permitted to mourn over her miseries in solitary silence, or to repeat the tale of wo to her little associates in wretchedness. Ah! could the history of her sorrow reach the public ear, it would melt the icy heart of avarice, and relax the rigid grasp of the miser. If there is any thing aside from a consciousness of his own unfaithfulness, that can add keenness to the stings of death, it must be when the af, fectionate minister is called to leave his family to the complicated trials of affliction, ingratitude, and poverty. He must, then, he will, before that try

ing hour arrives, make arrangements to leave them a pittance, at least, to sustain them in the day of their calamity.

The amount of salary must also be governed by the circumstances of time and place. More will be necessary in a city than in a village; more, in a village than in a retired settlement. And in the same place, an increase of salary may sometimes be needed to meet the increased expenses of living. In all cases, and at all times, it ought to be sufficient to answer the purposes I have specified.

I might now proceed to notice and answer the various objections that have been made against contributing to the support of the ministry, but I will not occupy your time. If the solemn considerations now advanced fail to convince professing Christians of their duty, I cannot hope that a formal reply to objections would produce any desirable result. The sordid incrustations of avarice have so completely encased the hearts of some, who bear the Chris tian name, that neither the voice of man nor of angel can penetrate such adamantine walls. We leave such to their own delusion. But there are many well-meaning Christians, who err in this matter for want of due reflection, and when their duty is clearly presented, they will, no doubt, cheerfully perform it. Such, we hope, will kindly receive a word of exhortation.

Are you favored, my Christian friends, with the services of a faithful, devoted pastor? How do you evince your gratitude for this inestimable blessing? Do you endeavor to increase his usefulness by anticipating his wants, by sustaining him in his trials, and rendering his situation comfortable and pleasant? If you subscribe liberally to his support, are you punctual in paying that subscription? Do not forget that your minister must have something more substantial than promises. Many a one has been under the painful necessity of disappointing his creditors, because his church failed to fulfil their solemn engagements. Do not permit the reputation of your preacher to be sullied by your culpable neglect. But if you contribute promptly to his support, do you regard the appropriation in the light of charity, and do you give to your minister as you would bestow alms upon a poor mendicant? If so you will deeply wound his sensibilities and do him manifest injustice. As well may you consider the bill of your physician, your merchant, or your mechanic, a charitable donation. If he has sacrificed the prospects of wealth and devoted his time and talents to the promotion of your dearest interests, are you not bound by every principle of justice and of gratitude, to furnish him with the means of subsistence? Call it not charity.

Do not, I entreat you, compel your minister to obtain support from secular employments. His mind will be distracted, his heart become cold, and his services of little worth. The duties of a gospel preacher would give full scope to the powers of the tallest angel, and shall frail man pretend adequately to discharge those duties with a meagre portion of his thoughts and a fraction of his time? Relieve him from this fatal necessity and permit him to bring to your service the best energies of his mind and heart. If, however, he voluntarily engages in worldly avocations, and preaches mainly to advance his own temporal interests, the less you give him, the more perfectly he will be paid. That man cannot profit his hearers, who enters the sacred desk, with his mind divided between a mathematical diagram and the messages of truth, or with a bill of sale in one pocket and the bones of a vapid declamation in the other.

But do you withhold a just and generous allowance from your minister, that you may accumulate a large estate for your children? If so, Heaven will doubtless chastise your avarice and your disobedience, by compelling you to witness, as many a parsimonious Christian has done, the rumseller and the gambler rioting upon the spoils of your estate.