abode, in serious and solemn silence. What would be the consequence, if every hearer, at the close of the publick service, were to linger about the church, receiving and paying civilities; making social inquiries; hearing or telling news; or even conversing on the subject of the minister's discourse? Is it not evident that a scene of noise and disorder must ensue, and that the practical influence of the exercises of the sanctuary, would probably be very transient? And shall a minister, by his own example, sanction any thing which, if it were to become general, would produce incalculable mischief? I have known many a congregation, especially in the country, the members of which were in the habit of spending a considerable time, both before the commencement, and after the close of the publick service, in social chat, and sometimes in that of a very light and unsuitable kind. And I must say, that, in general, when I have observed this, I have been strongly inclined to lay a large share of the blame at the door of their pastor. If a proper example had been, in all cases, set by him, such a practice could not have been long kept in

countenance.

18. When you are seated in the pulpit with another minister, LET YOUR CONVERSATION WITH HIM BE IN A LOW AND INAUDIBLE

VOICE. I have known a minister, sitting in the

pulpit with a clerical brother, to talk so loudly that the sound of his voice might be heard almost over the whole church. I have known others, so far to forget themselves as not only to smile, but to laugh outright, at something which had been said in the course of this pulpit dialogue. Every thing of this kind, makes an unpleasant impression, and ought to be avoided. Let all conversation in the pulpit be conducted in a whisper, audible to none but those who are engaged in it; and let the most perfect gravity of countenance be constantly maintained. There is no doubt that cases may occur in which a smile in the pulpit may be very innocent. But how shall the members of a congregation know when, or how far, it is so in any particular instance? The motto of every christian, and especially of every christian minister on all such occasions is, "Shun the very appearance of evil."

19. Sometimes when a brother occupies your place in the pulpit, you may be called upon to make a prayer, either before or after sermon. Whenever this is the case, CAREFULLY AVOID

MAKING THE PRAYER A VEHICLE OF FLAT

TERY to him who has just preached, or who isa bout to perform that service. This is frequently done; and yet it is obviously, in a high degree, both criminal and contemptible. We may, indeed, sometimes, almost apply to it the language of an inspired apostle, on another oc

casion, and call it "lying to the Holy Ghost." Let no such impious sycophancy ever pollute those prayers in which a whole assembly are expected to join. Let me also put you on your guard against flattering a brother, who has just laboured for you, in a manner less impious, but still worthy of being totally condemned. I refer to the manner in which many ministers are in the habit of making their grateful acknowledgments to their brethren, for the official help afforded them; too frequently in the style of flattery, sometimes in that of a very gross kind; lauding their sermons in strong terms; and addressing them in a way which, if it do not minister to their vanity, it is because it is too fulsome to be mischievous. Shun every approach to this sin. To thank a brother for his services, if they be really valuable, is, in common, quite enough. If there be, in any case, a call to go further, and to express a favourable opinion of a sermon, let it be done with studied moderation, and always rather fall below the truth than transcend it.

20. When you appear in the sanctuary as an ordinary hearer, let your deportment ever exemplify those rules of SERIOUS, MEEK, AND RE

SPECTFUL ATTENTION WHICH YOU INCULCATE

ON OTHERS. It has been remarked, that some clergymen are among the most inattentive and irreverent hearers that enter the house of God

Perhaps one of the infelicities of their profession is, that they are too apt to hear as criticks; to be constantly measuring the discourses of others, by those canons of composition, which they have been in the habit of regarding as obligatory; and when these are palpably violated, to manifest by their looks and manners, the disrespectful feelings which occupy their minds. Hence, they turn away from the preacher, as if desirous of escaping from the sound of his voice, gaze about the house, or lean down their heads, as if endeavouring to compose themselves to sleep. I have also known ministers who were in the constant habit of placing them-. selves, during publick prayer, conducted by others, in such postures, and to indulge in such employments, as have, to say the least, very little of the appearance of devotion.

Some

clergymen, during publick prayer, are frequently, if not generally, employed in looking round the church, in adjusting their dress, in fixing their hair, and in constantly changing their posture, as if impatient of the continuance of the exercise. All this is indecorous in any one; but especially in a minister of the gospel. If he allow himself thus to act, what can be expected from the mass of hearers, who always look to those who sustain the sacred office to go before them in devotion, purity, and every

thing that is ornamental in christian deportment?

To this point allow me to direct your particular attention. Let none have occasion to say, that your devotion is official, not personal; and that, when you are out of the pulpit, you can be as remote from the solemnity which becomes the house of God, as any of your neighbours. On the contrary, let your serious countenance, your wakeful, erect, fixed attention, your meek, respectful air, your universally devout manner, even when you are seated among others, as a common worshipper, manifest that you are yourself really engaged in those things which, from the pulpit, you recommend to others. Remember that, if your performances in the pulpit, from sabbath to sabbath, put to the test your ministerial gifts; your manner of attending on the service of the sanctuary, as a common worshipper, puts to an equally decisive test your christian graces. When you join, then, in the devotions led by another, and listen to instruction from a brother's lips, endeavour to lay aside the feelings of the minister, and to sit, as an humble, candid learner at the feet of the Saviour's servant; recollecting that, if you are saved, it must be by the same rich grace; and if edified and comforted, it must be by the same simple, precious,