ver allow yourself either to propose a scheme, or to suggest means for its accomplishment, which you would not be willing ultimately to see emblazoned in every gazette in the country. Depend upon it, artifice, concealment, and evasion, are, no where, ultimately profitable to any man but in an ecclesiastical assembly, there is a hatefulness about them which cannot be too strongly portrayed, and a mischief which never fails, sooner or later, to fall on the head of him who employs them.

21. When you succeed in carrying your point in a judicatory, NEVER EXULT; NEVER

ALLOW YOURSELF TO USE A LANGUAGE OR A TONE EXPRESSIVE OF TRIUMPH OVER AN AD

VEKSARY. It is not the part of magnanimity to do this. It stirs up unhallowed feeling in those who are disappointed. It greatly adds to the pain of defeat; and sometimes infliets wounds as lasting as life. Besides, if you proudly triumph, on carrying a favourite mea. sure, it is a sad symptom against yourself. The measure itself may be right; but the state of your heart is plainly shown to be very much otherwise and your success may not, after all, be crowned with the divine blessing. Enjoy success, then, with moderation, and with marked respect toward those who have been defeated, Treat them in such a manner as to al

:

leviate, as much as possible, the pain of failure; and your success will be much more likely t● be a real blessing to the church.

22. On the other hand, WHEN YOU HAVE FAILED, OR FIND THAT YOU ARE LIKELY TO FAIL, TO GAIN THE CAUSE WHICH YOU ADVOCATE, BE MILD AND SUBMISSIVE. To bear to be outvoted with a good grace, is a hard lesson to learn; but every good politician ought to learn it as early as possible. Much more ought every christian minister. When a point is carried against you, indulge no complaints; utter no reproaches; let not a word or a look escape you that has a tendency to interrupt fraternal feeling You are bound to admit at least the possibility that the majority are wiser than the minority. At any rate, knowing it to have been determined as infinite wisdom judged best, for the present, every murmur ought to be silenced.. And, after all, before twelve months have passed over your head, you may be as ready to rejoice as any one else that it was decided as it was. I am free to confess that such has been, more than once, my own experi

ence.

23. If you should ever be chosen MODERATOR OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, OR OF ANY OF THE HIGHER JUDICATORIES OF THE CHURCH,

consider yourself as called to a very responsible station, and address yourself to its duties

with much humility, seriousness and prayer. Remember how much both the comfort, and the expedition of business in such a body depend on the Moderator. If he be inexperienced, timid, irresolute, deficient in address or presence of mind, or unwilling to employ the authority vested in him, the proceedings will probably be without dignity, without order, and, perhaps, even without judgment or justice. For the most wise and honest body in the world, when they once fairly get into confusion, may do some of the most foolish things imaginable, and do them in the most disordery manner. No man, therefore, ought to consent to be moderator of the General Assembly, who has not served a kind of apprenticeship to the office in Presbyterics and Synods, and whe does not feel himself, in some tolerable degree, at home in the rules of the church.

But if you should be elected to the office, and should think proper to accept of it, enter on the duties of it with humble trust in God, and with the firmness of one who is inspired with a determination to perform that which is required of him without fear or favour. Make yourself perfectly familiar, by repeated peruals, with the rules by which you are to be governed. Enforce them on every member with rigour and impartiality. Be always puneúal, to a moment, in your seat, at the hour

to which the body stands adjourned. Let the prayers with which you open and close each sitting be such as shall tend to fill every mind with solemnity, with brotherly love, and with a deep sense of obligation to the Redeemer's kingdom, without indulging yourself in wh is called praying at people, which is generally useless, and often very unhallowed work. Constantly keep on the desk before you a copy of the rules of the body, a copy of the Form of Government of the Church, and a complete Roll of the members. Keep accurate notes, not only of all the assignments of business for particular days, but also of every occurrence which it may be important for you to remember and call up afterwards. Never allow yourself, on any occasion, while occupying the chair, to take part in the debate. Treat every speaker with perfect respect, however weak you may consider his arguments. Give fixed and undivided attention, to every speaker, keeping your eye steadily directed to his, to the last word; not only for the purpose of paying respect to him, but also that you may be able to observe and interpose, in a moment, when he becomes disorderly or irrelevant Allow no personalities, or wandering from the point on any account; but be very sure before you call a speaker to order for wandering, that he is not pursuing a very compact and connected argument, some of the parts

of which are a little out of sight. Be firm and inexorable in applying the rules to the oldest and most venerable, as well as the youngest member; yet never indulge in harshness, or the least disrespect to any one. Never permit the least altercation to take place between the Moderator and any member: when any thing of this kind appears to be commenci g or threatened, remind the individual that it cannot be allowed; that his remedy is to appeal to the body, without debate. In stating questions, and in deciding points of order, be as perfectly impartial as possible; never permitting a word to escape you that shall indicate your opinion as to the merits of the question before the judicatory; but keeping the scales perfectly even, as to both sides of the house. Remember that the business of the Moderator is to maintain order, and to secure to every member the perfect enjoyment of his privileges in debate. In appointing committees also be impartial. Where there are parties, let strict justice be done to both sides. Never allow any one to whisper to the Moderator while a member is speaking, or a vote taking; as it may have the appearance of listening to improper influence. In a word, exercise all the authority vested in you, with perfect politeness, but at the same time with perfect firmness. I have only to add, that it is very seldom proper, if at all,