My advice is, that, when you ascertain that any one is becoming seriously thoughtful on the subject of religion, you keep it, for a short time, to yourself. Indeed, that you thus keep the fact, until his exercises begin to assume a definite shape and character; being careful, in the meanwhile, to attend to the case with conscientious diligence yourself. When you judge the way to be open, communicate a knowledge of the situation of the individual to one or two of those persons in whose knowledge, piety and prudence you have most confidence, and whom you know to have the peculiar confidence of the individual in question. The case of the spiritual seed, is a little like that of the natural. When we place a seed in the ground, we allow it a little time to vegetate under the concealment of the soil. He who should go every few hours to the spot where it was deposited, and drag it forth, in order to see how the process of vegetation was going on, would be considered as a very unwise husbandman. So he who, in

regard to seed of a much more important and delicate nature, will not give it time to shoot and grow a little, before it is forced on the publick gaze, acts a part, I must think, by no means adapted to promote the best interests either of the individual immediately concerned, or of the church. If he would consent to wait a short time, the view taken would probably

soon be found much more pleasant and edifying, or to assume a character which ought not to be made publick at all.

17. Guard against CONVERSING TOO MUCH AT ONE TIME, with those who are under serious impressions. I am deeply persuaded, that, in many cases, the minds of such persons, in consequence of being incessantly plied with conversation, even though of good quality, yet from its excess as to quantity, have been kept in a state of agitation and conflict, longer than they would probably otherwise have been. And the evil has been, no doubt, increased, as I just hinted, when a number of individuals, of different degrees of knowledge, piety, and judgment, have undertaken to inculcate, each his peculiar views, on the persons in question. I am confident that although persons in this deeply interesting state of mind, ought to be frequently instructed and exhorted, by competent counsellors; yet few things are more injurious to them than to be annoyed by incessant, common-place conversation. It is an utter mistake to suppose that they are benefited by being always in society, even of the best kind. They need much time for retirement, self-examination and prayer, and ought to be referred much to the Word of God, and the teaching of the Holy Spirit. A few thoughts at a time, from a pious friend, clear, seasonable,

instructive, and to the point, will be most likely to be useful. After receiving these, at suitable intervals, they ought to be left much in their closets, with their Bibles and their God; and to be frequently told to look rather to the Saviour than to man for help.

66

18. Be not too hasty in encouraging those of whose seriousness you have a favourable opinion, TO GO FORWARD AND MAKE A PROFESSION OF RELIGION. This is undoubtedly often done with very undue precipitation Persons of very tender age, and others, previously, of very equivocal character, have been, literally, "hurried to the Lord's, Table in less than a week after the commencement of their serious thoughtfulness; without allowing them time fully to count the cost ;" and before they were able to put their exercises to such a test as might be satisfactory to themselves or others. Hence many young persons, of both sexes, in a few months, or even weeks, after making this solemn profession, have found themselves unexpectedly bereft of all comfortable hope; their evidences of christian character gone ; their interest in the subject in a great measure lost; and their minds filled with regret that they had been so hasty. It was now, however, difficult to retreat, and their whole lives, perhaps, have been spent in a heartless, and of course, a comfortless profession.

It is readily granted that neither scripture nor reason fix any precise period, during which candidates for church communion are bound to wait, in order to put the stability of their religious character to the test. And it is equally evident, that extraordinary prescribe rules for themselves.

cases ought to But, in general,

it is evident that there ought to be a few months, at least, of serious and prayerful deliberation, before taking a step so solemn, so momentous, so irrevocable; a step likely to be followed with so many interesting consequences to those who take it, and to the sacred family with which they propose to become connected. Let no desire to see the rapid multiplication of professors, ever lead you to depart from this principle. I have more than once repented having given what afterwards appeared to be premature encouragement to come to a sacramental table; but never did I repent advising to a few month's deliberation and delay, when the preparation was doubtful.

19. In conversing on the subject of practical religion, especially with those who are not well informed on the subject, BE SPARING IN THE USE OF THAT TECHNICAL LANGUAGE, which many continually employ. I refer to a number of phrases, of standing use in many pious circles, which, although the meaning intended to be conveyed by them is undoubtedly

correct and important, are yet so remote from the language of ordinary social intercourse, that they sound strangely, not to say unintelligibly, out of the circles to which I allude. Many pious ministers and others are in the habit of using this language in a manner, and to an extent, which I know render their conversation not a little revolting to those who are unaccustomed to it, and frequently present a serious. obstacle in the way of their acceptance and usefulness.

"a

As it is desirable not to be misunderstood on a subject so important, I think it proper to give a specimen of the phrases to which I refer. Thus it is by no means uncommon to hear it stated, that a great revival has broken out" in such a place ;-that there is "a great religious stir" in this or that congregation ;that such an individual, or such a number of individuals, have been "struck under conviction ;"that a particular person appears to be "in the pangs of the new birth❞—that a person whose anxiety on the subject of religion is very great, "has been roughly handled, but is likely to be brought through;”—that such another "has been happily brought through;" that so many, in a certain place, are "brought under, conviction," and so many "have obtained hopes," &c. Now, although I am con