accomplished; to close a debate; to sum up both testimony and argument; and to wield the judgments of an hundred individuals. But still the leading principles upon which he acted, are those upon which every man ought to act. They were these-Never to rise until he had good reason to think that he understood the subject; never but when he had sometning really important to say ;-to say it in the shortest, clearest, and most unostentatious manner possible; and when he had done, to-sit down.

It is not uncommon for youthful and ardent speakers to "take the floor," as the parliamentary language is, at the very commencement of a debate. In this headlong course, they seldom fail to discover in a few minutes, that they are altogether unfurnished with the information requisite to an intelligent and just discussion of the subject. But this is not the worst. Having fully committed themselves by this precipitate expression of opinion, they feel it difficult, if not impossible to retract; and are tempted to employ all their ingenuity, and to make many speeches, to patch and support their ill commenced work. Many a florid and ingenious declamation, and many a final vote, have been thus thrown away upon a miserable effort to appear consistent, when a little later speaking, and a little less speaking, would

have answered the purpose far better.-Believe me, there are few situations in which it is more important to the speaker him-elf, as well as to the comfort, and real benefit of the judicatory, to have his words few and well ordered."

12. Never rise to speak on any occasion, without SOLEMNLY EXAMINING YOUR MOTIVES FOR SPEAKING, REFLECTING DISTINCTLY ON THE PRESENCE OF GOD, AND SILENTLY BUT FER VENTLY IMPLORING HIS BLESSING AND AID. Be faithful with yourself. Set a guard, afresh, on your feelings and words. And beseech Him who has the hearts and the tongues of all in his hands, to preside over all that you say. If this were constantly done, how many hasty speeches; how many petulant speeches; how many ostentatious speeches; how many retaliating, passionate speeches would be banished from the assemblies of the church!

13. NEVER INSIST ON SPEAKING WHEN THE CALL FOR THE QUESTION BECOMES IMPORTUNATE.

When

He is very unwise who does this. an assembly have become wearied, impatient, and unwilling to hear, the best speech, in most cases, is thrown away. It is not merely, not heard respectfully, it is often not heard at all. Never attempt to speak in such a state of an

ecclesiastical body, unless you are very sure that you have something new and weighty to

offer. Frequent trespasses of this kind on the patience of a deliberative body, not only tend to diminish the influence of him who is guilty of them; but they also tend to irritate and exhaust the assembly, and to prevent the succeeding articles of business from being well done. He who wastes the time of such a body, is one of the worst foes to its comfort, its honour, and its usefulness.

14. On whatever occasion you may think it your duty to speak in an ecclesiastical judicatory, CAREFULLY AVOID ALL HARSH, SATIRICAL, SARCASTICK, ACRIMONIOUS LANGUAGE LET NOTHING ESCAPE YOU THAT IS ADAPTED TO WOUND FEELINGS, OR TO PRODUCE UNDUZ WARMTH.

It is not an uncommon thing for very worthy men, when they come to act in deliberative assemblies, to be extremely impatient of contradiction; to be, always in a degree, and sometimes deeply excited whenever they are opposed in their favourite plans. This arises, in some, from extreme nervous irritability, which, in spite of their better judgment, always throws them off their guard when the least opposition occurs. In others, unbridled peevishness, or arrogance prompt them to consider every kind of resistance to the measures which they propose, as a personal affront, and, treat it accord

ingly. Let me earnestly exhort you to set a strong guard against every thing of this kind. Whatever opposition may arise, study always to be composed and self possessed, and endeavour to fix in your mind, once for all, that others have just as much right to differ from you, as you have to differ from them.

Again; some speakers, in ecclesiastical, as well as other assemblies, seem to consider it as lawful to use almost any kind of weapon that will enable them to carry their point. Hence they endeavour to be witty at the expense of their opposing brethren; they speak with extreme severity of their arguments, of their motives, and even of their and express persons; their astonishment that men of "common sense, and common honesty" should attempt to advocate sentiments so "palpably absurd," and so evidently "subversive of all sound principle." And it is well if they do not sometimes indulge in language still more coarse and opprobrious. Never give countenance, by your example, to this mode of conducting debate among brethren in Christ. Remember that ministers and elders, assembled in solemn council to deliberate on the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, are neither bloody gladiators, nor artful pugilists, nor snarling politicians. Of course, none of the language or habits pardonable in such characters, ought ever to be witnessed among

them. Never employ language toward any fellow member which you would not be willing to have directed toward yourself. Treat every brother, and his arguments in a respectful and fraternal manner. There is a respect due to their office and situation, which may not be always due to their persons. While you maintain your opinions with firmness, and express them with candour, load no man with reproaches for differing from you; impeach no motives; insinuate no unkind suspicions; make no one's person or reasoning an object of ridicule; carefully guard against every turn of ti ought or expression adapted to irritate:-In a word let the old maxim-soft words and hard arguments;" or rather the scriptural injunction of constantly endeavouring to imitate "the meekness and gentleness of Christ," give character to every sentence you utter in an ecclesiastical assembly. That this manner of conducting debates in ecclesiastical courts is best adapted to promote peace, love, and edification, every one is ready to acknowledge. And further, that he who resolutely refuses to employ any other weapons than those of the purely christian character which have been mentioned, is most likely to make friends, and to be respected, even by his opponents, is quite as generally confessed. But this is not all. Such a man is