for the Moderator to place another person in his chair, and descend to the floor, for the purpose of taking part in a debate. It has sometimes been done; and there is certainly no absolute rule of the church against it. But it is by no means expedient. The best judges have decided against its propriety. And it may not be easy for the moderator, when he resumes the chair, to convince the members, that he is perfectly impartial in stating the question, and taking a vote on a point which he has taken part in discussing. Besides, why should he do it? If he has any thing important to say, he can surely put it into the mouth of a friend to be uttered, as well as by himself.

24. To sum up all in a word; endeavour so to treat every brother, and so to conduct yourself on every occasion, AS SHALL BE ADAPTED TO MAKE THE JUDICATORY, SO FAR AS YOU ARE CONCERNED, A SCENE OF CHRISTIAN AFFECTION AND PLEASURE, AND A NURSERY OF

EVERY HALLOWED FEELING. It is impossible, in such an assembly as that of a court of Christ, to have a set of rules, framed beforehand, sufficiently numerous and minute to meet every specifick case. But if there be a heart full of love to Christ, and of love to his servants and his kingdom; if there be a deep impression of the all-seeing eye of God, and a solemn antici

pation of his judgment seat; if there be a mild, amiable, benevolent spirit in full exercise; if there be a sincere, disinterested desire to "follow the things which make for peace, and the things wherewith one may edify another;" if there be a sincere desire to give the business throughout A RELIGIOUS, AND NOT A SECULAR ASPECT in a word, if there be no other banner set up in the camp than that of Jesus Christ, and no other end pursued than his glory ;then the meetings of the judicatories will be delightful scenes. The members will know no other strife, than who shall love the Redeemer most, and who shall serve him with the warmest zeal. Their differences of opinion will produce no alienation of feeling. Their debates will ever be carried on with mutual respect and love. They will separate with warmer affection than they met; will return to their respective charges with increased attachment to their Master and his work; and will look forward to another meeting with a glow of delight. My dear friend, let it always be your study and prayer, whenever you attend such an assembly, to contribute your full share to the production of these happy results.

25. After having read over the foregoing counsels, DO NOT IMAGINE THAT IT WILL BE AN EASY THING TO FOLLOW THEM. I have

no doubt that the substance of them will readily commend itself to your judgment, as obviously worthy of regard; and that you will resolve to bear the whole code in mind, whenever, in future, you enter an ecclesiastical judicatory. But be not too sanguine of success in this matter. It is one of the most difficult things in the world to follow the best and plainest rules; especially when you are called to deliberate and act with a number of others. In a large assembly many feelings are excited, which in solitude lie dormant. Pride, vanity, ambition, envy, jealousy, the irascible principle, and a thousand unfortunate sensibilities, which your fellow members will either designedly or inadvertently attack, may, when you are off your guard, as it were, spring a mine. under your feet, and, contrary to your fixed purpose, betray you into language or conduct, which you will long recollect with mortification. Remember your own weakness. Be jealous of your own heart, and watch it with intense vigilance. Have no confidence in your own ability to avert or overcome temptation. Constantly look for strength and wisdom to a higher source. I again repeat, not only pray for light and guidance from above, before you take your seat 'in such assemblies, as before advised; but through all their various and complicated business, "pray without ceasing,"

that you may be directed and guarded, and sanctified in every thing; that you may be preserved from the sudden onsets of unhallowed passion; and that you may have grace given you to act in conformity with those rules which you heartily approve, and desire to follow.

26. I think it must be impossible to read with any attention the foregoing counsels, without perceiving HOW ERRONEOUS IS THE PRINCIPLE ON WHICH MANY OF OUR PRESBYTERIES PROCEED IN CHOOSING THEIR COMMISSIONERS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. The principle referred to is that of simple unqualified rotation, without reference to age, experience, or any personal qualification. Hence it often happens, and, acting on this plan, often must happen,that all the delegates, from some Presbyteries, are young men, who never saw the Body before. Of course, they are not at home with regard to the rules and habits of the Assembly, and, therefore, cannot represent to the best advantage the Presbyteries by which they are commissioned. More than once have I seen the interests of a particular section of the Church really suffer, in consequence of the delegates from that section being all young men, who knew so little of the Assembly, and of its mode of transacting business, that they were not qualified to conduct the matters intrusted

to their care. If you should live to take a seat in any Presbytery, I would advise that you endeavour to promote the adoption of something like the following plan.-Let half your Com-. missioners, every year, be men of some experience, who have been repeatedly members of the Assembly before; and the other half such young men, as have been at least five or six years in the ministry, and, of course, somewhat familiar, during that time, with the proeeedings of Presbyteries and Synods. Acting upon this plan, the younger members, when they reach a certain age, will go in their turn, and be gradually trained to the work; and will be, at the same time, always accompanied by fathers, familiar with the habits of the Body, and capable of giving to their juniors salutary counsel. When I was a young man, this plan was much more acted upon than it is at present. I had been nearly eight years an ordained minister before I ever received a commission to the General Assembly.