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Do not harangue at dinner tables. It is un pleasant to hear a minister of the gospel, especially a young one, address those around a convivial board, in a preaching, authoritative manner. It is unsuitable to a festive occasion, and revolting to delicate minds. Converse in a low, modest, respectful tone, with those who are seated near you, and seldom elevate your voice so as to be heard by the whole company, unless you are questioned, or otherwise addressed, by some one at a remote end of the table; and, even then, let your manner be studiously mild, unostentatious, and remote from dogmatism.

Avoid with special care all controversy, especially religious controversy, on such occasions. It is peculiarly inappropriate at convivial meetings. You must be very hard pushed indeed, not to be able, with a very small measure of address and delicacy, to put aside every thing of this kind, without giving offence.

Instead of eating more than usual at a table where there is a great variety of delicacies, rather eat less. Eating, even a little, of various attractive dishes, is more burdensome to most stomachs than an equal quantity of a single plain dish. A person of studious habits can rarely go far in indulgences of this kind with impunity, and ought, of course, where there is much temptation, to set a double guard on his appetite.

Besides, it has a much better appearance, for one who is known, in common, to live plainly (as most clergymen do, and as all ought to do) to manifest no particular disposition for extra indulgence when many delicacies are before him.

Be careful always to set an example of strictly temperate drinking, when dining in company. Instead of taking more strong drink than common on such occasions, rather take less. A man, as I have said in a former letter, under forty years of age, if he be in good health, ought to drink nothing but water. For the present, then, as I know you to be in good health, I would say, touch no kind of strong drink, however plentifully it may be flowing around you. And even, at any age, be admonished not to take more than one glass of wine, or at most two glasses, at the same dinner. The example of a minister is so unspeakably important, that you ought to be continually on the watch to shun the very appearance of evil. And the wide spreading desolation occasioned by stimulating drinks, is such, as that every clergy men ought to consider himself as peculiarly called upon to act, as a kind of official conservator of the publick virtue in relation to this point.

Never sit long at the dinner table, after the cloth is removed. Not only because a clergy

man is to be supposed not to have time to waste in this manner; but also for the purpose of bearing a kind of practical testimony against the habit of "tarrying long at the wine" after din

ner.

9. In all your visits, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, AVOID GIVING TROUBLE. Against this rule perhaps none are more apt to offend than inex perienced young men, who have no families of their own, and whose attention has never been practically drawn to the different ways and degrees in which a single troublesome visiter may break in on the order, and impair the comfort of a family.

While you consult your own comfort, then, to a reasonable extent, wherever you go, remember that the comfort of others is to be quite as carefully consulted This is to be done by making as few demands on their time and attention as may be; by encroaching as little as you can on the ordinary routine of their movements; by having as few wants and peculiarities as possible; by never calling upon them, unless in a case of necessity, to prepare a meal for you at an unseasonable time, and after their own is completed; by eating and drinking whatever is set before you, without exciting the suspicion that you are not suited; and by endeavouring, in every variety of method, incapable of

being specified, to accommodate yourself to the habits and comforts of those whom you visit.

Every one knows that, when he goes to a tavern, the more good things he calls for, and the more fully he puts in requisition all the luxuries, resources, and servants of the house, the more pleasure he gives. But you will never, I trust, feel yourself at liberty to act upon this principle, when you avail yourself of the hospitality of your friends.

When you are an inmate, then, in a friend's family, for a single day, or longer, be careful, as far as possible, to conform, in every minute particular, to the stated order of the family, Allow no part of it to be set aside for your sake. Ascertain the usual hours for taking their several meals, and never detain them a single moment, if you can possibly avoid it. Make a point of being within at an early hour in the evening, so as not to interfere with the usual time for domestick worship, and retiring to rest. Employ the servants as little as possible in waiting upon you, and in going on errands for your accommodation. In short, study to accommodate all your movements to the ordinary habits and convenience of the family to which you are indebted for its hospitality. Christian benevolence demands that you pursue this It is only "doing to others as you would that they should do unto you. A re

course.

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gard to your own interest, also, demands it of you. For it cannot be doubted that those who find you a very troublesome guest, will be glad of your departure, and not very anxious that you should repeat your visit.

10. Be careful IN RECEIVING, AS WELL AS IN PAYING VISITS. When you have a house of your own, be hospitable. Your duty as a christian, and as a minister, will demand it. Receive and treat your friends with unaffected benevolence and kindness. Entertain them comfortably, but always plainly. "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." But remember that what is called hospitality may be carried too far. When a minister of the gospel, under the notion of complying with this duty, "keeps open house," and allows his dwelling to be made a tavern, he does injustice to his family, and criminally consumes his own time. For to every guest some time must be devoted, and to some, much time. I have known some clergymen in populous towns, a large portion of whose time was employed in this manner, to the utter destruction of their studies; and whose households were thereby kept in a course of constant toil and confusion. As to the question how far you ought to go, in this respect, I can lay down no general rule. Christian wisdom. must direct you.

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